For Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the senior African-American Literature class at South was asked to respond to a prompt related to the themes of the class. Because February is Black History Month, Denebola is posting one of these essays almost everyday until the end of the month so as to start a conversation about race outside the classroom. The prompt is as follows:
“In about 500 words, tell the story of a personal experience that relates in some way to the ideas and themes of this class. You should spend the majority of the piece telling the story, and the end should explain clearly what the story shows about a theme or idea from the class.”
By Lauren Levey
Growing up in Newton, a predominantly white city, I did not have many interactions with people of color, only in school and during the occasional play date. That all changed when I became a freshman in high school. My twin brother Matthew played basketball for the high school and had been introduced to one of the captains named Anthony. Anthony had started to help my brother train for tryouts about twice a week and one day after they worked out, he came over to eat, and he has not left since.
I know that may sound strange, but he would come over every day for most meals and would even sleep over. Soon after Anthony had been hanging around my house, his best friend Steven starting coming over too. Anthony lives in West Roxbury with his mother, who is currently unemployed and emotionally abusive, as well as with his younger brother Amani. Sadly, he has never met his father. Anthony has had a tough childhood and has never had a real family, and it really brings joy to my family to give him that love and support. Steven, on the other hand, has a loving and supportive family and grew up in Newton. This type of relationship may sound strange, but my parents are Anthony’s only parental figures and guardians, and they consider him a son.
These last four years my family has definitely changed by welcoming Anthony and Steven. My parents help out both boys, but Anthony needs more support because he does not have a family. Not only has my family changed them, but also they have changed us. I am Jewish, and because of Steven we now do Grace, which may sound somewhat unusual. I am very comfortable around my friends and family because we have grown up in similar communities. But the boys have taught me a lot about race overall. I have learned that even though we grew up in different communities and with different backgrounds, we all have the same struggle no matter what race we are. Spending time with them has also made me feel more comfortable and connected to blacks and like I can form relationships with them other than just have a brief interaction. I know many people may think it is strange to have older kids coming over a lot, but it has been the farthest thing from that. I have gained two older brothers who I can trust and who will do anything for me. I have learned through their eyes the personal experiences they have been through, not only with race but also with friends.
I currently take African American Literature, and we talk a lot about race in our school and community. I do believe that many people find it hard to mix well with other people, but I believe that is because they do not like change or have a hard time accepting people who are not from similar towns. I also believe that Newton is a very judgmental place, and many people do not want to be judged even if a person is doing something good, like taking in kids. I know because of Steven and Anthony and their being African American; it has not only let me see the world through other people’s eyes, but it has changed my life in a positive way and I am proud to call them role models in my life.
