The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Resilience is part of the life of many people. When I think about this country, African Americans are an example of resilience. Is Unthinkable how they get through so many problems. I really honor all the black people who born in 45’s and still alive and strong this day.
In the book Stone Hope Jim speaks about Malcolm X who is an example of resilience. Like Jim, I read this book and make me feel very powerful and capable. Malcolm X was very smart. He knows that education is a powerful “arm” to combat the racism and survival. In the Chapter 12, Jim compares his life to Malcolm X life. “Seeing my own story through his was powerful. We both had been through troubled homes and the juvenile justice system. By sheer force of will, and education, he rose like a phoenix” (p 186). Education is the base for everything. We need to have the knowledge about what we want and what have around us.
Another example of resilience is about the terrible system of gentrification with racial disparities. African American tries to live in a white neighborhood, but the racism and violence was terrible. I agree with the family who had to move to a black neighborhood to have peace. “At that time, I determined I was going to get out of that kind of society, and I go where my people were (Learn About Minneapolis 9:16). Is not easy live in a neighborhood who you know that you are not “welcome”. The African Americans are very resilient to live in the hell of segregation to until find another place.
I have had the same experience, live in a neighborhood where 95% are white. They don’t say anything but is noticeable how my presence bothers them. I plan to move to an area where have more diversity of people. In my opinion is impossible change their mind that was passed from generation. I remember I was looking for an apartment in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. I was talking to the landlord for weeks. Everything was good. I went in person to finalize the process of rent and he was very rude and told me, these neighborhoods don’t have black people. This situation was traumatic, but I’m a “phoenix”. I found a nice apartment better than Bay Ridge. We are all resilient. The life force us to be.
Work Cited
Germain. Jim St. and Steinfeld. Jon. “A Stone of Hope: A Memoir.” “Astonishing.” Ch 12. Pg. 186. Julie. 4. 2017.
Minnesota Experience. “Learn about Minneapolis history of racial covenants in “Jim Crow of the north.” Marvel 9:16. 2018. https://www.tptoriginals.org/learn-about-minneapolis-history-of-racial-covenants-in-jim-crow-of-the-north-full-episode/
