How Would The Story "Streets Of Memphis" Change If Placed In 2008?

Years pass and things change over time. Imagine growing up in the year 1930 compared to the year 2008. In what ways do you think they differ? Explained in the story "Streets of Memphis", young Richard Wright was forced to make the decision of becoming a man. Today in the year 2008, young men have to become a man early in order to survive. Violence is one major reason why young men today have to grow up faster. It is not uncommon to see an act of violence being committed in any neighborhood. Profanity in today's world is used a lot, so young men feel as though they have to curse after every word. Also since the economy in 2008 is high, young men think they need to have the latest fashions and technology.

Violence in the year 2008 is more explicit than in Richard's case. Richard's mother gave him a stick to defend himself from the gang of boys. Instead of a stick, Richard's mom might have gave him a gun or another lethal weapon in 2008. Maybe the gang of boys wouldn't have tried to jump Richard but tried to have hurt him in in other ways. As you can see, the violence in the story would have changed a great deal if placed in 2008.

The profanity used in the story wasn't very harsh. If it were placed in 2008, it would've been. The gang of boys might have said something like "There go that nigga, get his punk ass." It might sound shocking to hear this language, but this is how a majority of kids talk in 2008. There is hardly no respect for elders anymore, so Richard might have cursed out the parents of the gang or vice versa. The profanity used in 2008 by kids, in particular boys, would have a huge impact on the story.

In addition to both violence and profanity in 2008, the economy could change the story. The gang of boys that jumped and robbed Richard would have got a lot more from him in 2008. If Richard was wearing the latest clothes and had the new technology of 2008, the gang would have came more aggresive. There is so much competition dealing with money and materialistic things in 2008 and that's how the story would change because of the economy.

Growing up in today's world seems to be the most difficult task for young men. They have numerous issues to deal with and still have to prove their manhood while doing so. Young men have to take the steps of life faster than what they are suppose to. In the year 1930, young men had the chance to be kids. The explicit violence, the harsh profanity, and the high economy in the year 2008 is what makes growing up in in the year 2008 more difficult for young men as oppose to 1930. Is there a solution to this problem?

NHD-Thesis Statement and Introduction

Pauline "Pauli" Murray changed history. She held the titles of a writer, civil rights activist, lawyer, priest, teacher, and leader. Pauli Murray wrote books and articles dealing with unfair treatment of race and gender. As a civil rights lawyer and activist, Pauli Murray had many obstacles dealing with people of other races even though she was mixed with black and white herself. Because of her effort to achieve justice for those treated unfairly, Pauli Murray won legendary awards and big trial cases. She never gave up hope and never stopped working to make all Americans equal.

NHD-3rd Annotation

Simkin, John "Pauline Murray" Spartacus Educational.
September 1997,
To find out more information about Pauli Murray, I visited the website
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmurrayA.htm

This article gives background information about Pauli Murray's childhood and accomplishments. It explains her role in history and how she had an impart on others. Also, there are external links on books, organizations, and people that Pauli Murray were involved with.

This author of this site, John Simkin, has written several history books including Ghandi(1987), Race Relations in the United States(1988), and Slavery: An Illustrated History of Black Resistance(1988). He is a primary source because of his writing and research. This article helped me with my research because of if gave me more external links on things dealing with Pauli Murray.

4 Between the line questions for "Streets of Memphis"

1. What things may change if the story took place in 2008?

If the story "Streets of Memphis" took place in the year 2008, there might have been a higher level of violence. Instead of Richard's mom given him a stick to fight the gang of boys, she could have given him another type of weapon such as a gun or knife. This action would create a bigger conflict because the damage done to the gang of boys by a gun or a knife would more severe than a stick. So if the story took place in 2008, there would be a major change in violence.

2. What problem(s) from the story can you relate to?

The problem I can relate most to that was in the story is gang violence. Even though I'm not a member of a gang, nor do I live in a community where there are gangs, I see a number of videos and movies that have gang violence. One show on television called "The Wire" is about a area in Baltimore, Maryland were there is all types of violence including gangs. In one episode, two different gangs of girls fought in school and faced the consequences. As a student in a public school, I see many situations where two gangs of kids that don't get along fight or abuse each other. This is why I can relate to the gang violence in the story.

3. Based on the story, how old would you place Roger?

Since Roger was just learning how to defend himself, I predict he is about 8 years old. Roger didn't know how to react to the gang of boys until his mother gave him a stick and told him to fight. Roger's mother was trying to teach him to be a man because she expected him to be the man of the house anyway. She wanted Roger to become aware of life and reality without much of her help. Even though Roger was still consindered young, he became a man once he fought the gang of boys back.

4. If you were in Roger's position, what would you have done differently to deal with the gang?

If I were placed in Roger's position, I would have tried to avoid the gang and violence. If there was another way to the store, I would have took it. The gang would not see me and maybe my trip would be successful. Also, I would have asked a friend or adult to walk me to the store. Maybe the gang would become startled by me walking with someone. Violence is an easy resolution but the after facts could be dangerous. Avoiding violence is safer and that is what I would do in Roger's situation.

10 On the line questions for "Streets of Memphis"

1. What is the name of the main character?

Richard Wright.

2. Who sent Richard to the store?
his mother

3. True or False, the story took place at night?

True.

4. Who was trying to harm the boy?

a gang of boys.

5. Why was Richard scared?

because a gang of boys were trying to jump him over and over.

6. Describe what happened after the boy fought the gang back?

the parents of the boys reacted by yelling at Richard but he felt proud and confident.

7. How many times did Richard get sent to the store?

three times.

8. True or False, Richard was friends with one of the gang members?

False.

9. Where is the story taking place?

on the streets of Memphis.

10. How does Richard feel at the end of the story?

relieved, confident, and proud.

NHD-1st & 2nd Annotation

1. To find out more about Pauline "Pauli" Murray, I visited the site http://www.co.orange.nc.us/hrr/pmurray.as

This website gave me primary information, including news articles and text from the years of Pauline Murray. Pauline Murray has won numerous awards and inspired women of color, including myself, to work hard for what you believe in. I appreciate her efforts and this is why I'm doing my NHD project on her behave.

2. To find out more about Pauline "Pauli" Murray, I visited the site
http:
//www.pinn.net/~sunshine/whm2001/p_murray.html

The site "Sunshine for Women" deals with important women in history including Pauline Murray.This website provided me with more information about Pauline Murray's life as an civil rights activist. It also gave me references to other sites. I will use the information gathered from this site to help with my future research.