Tree Shaker: Chapters 5-8

Main characters:

• Nelson Mandela
• resistance
• persistent in his fight for equality
• Formed an ANC unit in cellblock
• Changed the whole prison scene
• had good self-control
• was freed February 1990
• won a noble peace prize in 1993
• Winnie Mandela
• while away from her husband she became a rebel
• hung with thugs
• urged people to be violent

Symbols or traditions--rituals:

• Protest
• The treatment of blacks vs. other races
• AIDs

Words or phrases that have a special meaning:

• savages
• AIDs
• Nelson Mandela

Discuss how the characters respond to their communities and/or change in their environment. What is the main character's flaw?

• Mandel responded to his community by standing up for them, he also became president and made things better for the Africans and people of Africa, however, he did so humbly addressing everyone who took part in overthrowing the Apartheid. 

The setting - country, tribe, city, state, time period:

• Robben island during the time of the apartheid 1948-1994
• Miniature Apartheid
• Turned into a Musume after Mandela was elected president

Bring a question:

• What if De Klerk would have won the election? What if no one stood up to Apartheid, what would South Africa be like today. 

One sentence summary:

Chapter 5 of  4: Robben Island University

• Chapter 4  takes place on Robben Island, the prison. This chapter touches on the prison system and the Apartheid that was happening in the prison and out side the prsion, it talks about the protest and the reactions of the people. 

Chapter 6 of 5: The Road To Power

• the apartheid system is ended and Mandela becomes president. In this chapter the road to power wasn't sweet at all a lot of people died but the outcome was great, not only that but South Africa was beginning to change it's Apartheid ways and beginning to heal

Chapter 7 of 6: President Mandela

• This chapter takes readers through a journey of a day with nelson Mandela. He shares with the readers his duties and the things he has done, this chapter talks about the old government and how it had made things worse but however thanks to Mandela things are better.

Chapter 8 of 0: Afterword: Saviors and Politicians

• This chapter concludes Tree shaker, by talking about Nelson Mandela and his humbleness as well as other people who have help during the Apartheid. 

Tree Shaker: Chapters 1-4

Main characters:

• Nelson Mandela
• child of royalty
• the country's most notorious outlaws
• emblem of moral courage around the globe
• was being elected as president 
• over 6ft tall
• mother died while he was in prison
• son killed in car accident while in prison
• devoted his life to dismantle the white system
• Not called nelson until he was 7
• birth name Rolihlahla Xhosa (tree shaker)
• born July 18,1981
• he studied law
• married Evelyn Mase their daughter died at 9 months
• 1943 when 25 he joined the ANC
• Married Winnie in 1958 and had 2 daughter
• went to prison when he was 44
• Govan Mbeki
• oldest of his cellmate group 
• 83
• wispy white hair
• owlish glasses
• retired professor
•  Ahmed Kathrada
• youngest prisoner
• 64 years old
• son of immigrants from India
• earned multiple degrees in prisons
• All 6 men were found guilty of trying to overthrow the Apartheid Government

Symbols or traditions--rituals.

• Cell/Cage
• Humiliation
• Permission
• Helplessness
• Robben Island
• Tribal Attachment
• manhood rituals
• Arranged Marriages

Words or phrases that have a special meaning.

• Prisoner
• Permission
• Reservations
• Peace
• Power
• Apartheid/Apartness
• White Supremacy

Discuss how the characters respond to their communities and/or change in their environment. What is the main character's flaw?
Mandela responded to his community by standing up for what he believed in, he joined the ANC and fought for justice. His biggest flaw would be making decisions without talking to other people.

The setting - country, tribe, city, state, time period.

• South Africa
• 300+ years whites came and took over
• past half century whites ruled under Apartheid, taking power away from the blacks

• Robben island 1963
• Mandela was on a ship chained like a slave, guards took turns peeing the prisoners
• 1994 Traveling back to Robben Island at the age 75
• spent 27 years in prison without loosing his spirit

Bring a question.

• Why didn't the African's come together to kill the white people? I always wondered why, I know the answer may be simple but I never understood, there were more Africans than whites, this question may be answered in chapter 2, but not really I am talking about all the Africans coming together. It's like a What if eve never bit the apple question? What if the Africans stood up to fight and there was never Apartheid/Slavery?

One sentence summary of all four chapter:

• Chapter 0 of 1: Black & White
• Talks about Nelson Mandela and his visit back to his prison, talks about the election.
• Chapter 1 of 2: The Old Men
• Talks about the Dutch takeover and how the break-up of South Africa began, it talks about colonization and war. 
• Chapter 2 of 3: Tree Shaker
• Nelson Mandela starts college, but runs off on summer break when forced into a marriage that he didn't want; on the run he marries a woman and they have four children. He is very active in his community joining organizations and things the ANC to be exacted. 
• Chapter 3 of 4: Apartness
• This chapter talks about the Apartheid and White supremacy. It touches on Mandela's influence and convention as well as his life and the life of other Africans. This chapter mentions all the laws passed under the Apartheid. 

Poster Child: Chapter 8-14

Identify main characters.

• Kemba Smith
• Didn't believe Donte set him up
• Was oblivious to the fact that she was an accomplice in the murder of Khalif
• she didn't think she could get in trouble for what Khalif did
• She as apart of Khalif's mess
• Took messages from him
• she suffered a miscarriage 
• she was innocent for the most part
• loved Khalif
• Was controlled by Khalif
• Lied to her attorney
• Wasn't familiar with the legal process
• she had to snitch on her love in order for her to be free
• Enrolled in Virginia Commonwealth University
• Was blinded by love
• grandmother died while on the run with Khalif
• Was on the run for 8 months
• was charged with 6 charges
• was scared to turn Khalif in
• Turned Khalif in after he died
• Her parents loved her and wanted the best for her they mortgagee their house in order to get a good attorney
• Incoruged her to turn her self in
• Donte
• Set Khalif up
• Was Khalif's friend
• Was killed by Khalif and Katiya
• Khalif
• He almost got caught in Virginia
• Killed Donte
• got locked up 
• was on the run
• Wanted Kemba to clear her name
• Convinced Kenmba of doing so much
• Was cheating with Katiya
• was on the run
• very manipulative
• Was mugged
• Was 31 on the most wanted list
• Khalif died was murdered
• Katiya
• Helped kill Donte
• was a snake
• Lived with Khalif in ATL
• was preganant with Khalif's baby
• Turned on kemba and Khalif
• She was arrested
• Her attorney (richard)
• prominent and very arriogant black man
• talked to Kemba as if she was a child
• was very aggressive in questioning her'
• didn't do his best
• Was really no help
• didn't keep his word
• was unfamiliar with her type of case
• told her that she should plead guilty

Identify symbols or traditions--rituals.

• the contract with america
• more prisons being built in 1993
• drug trafficking
• justice

Identify words or phrases that have a special meaning.

• federal government
• guilt by association
• plead guilty

Discuss how the characters respond to their communities and/or change in their environment. What is the main character's flaw?

• Kemba's main flaw was letting love get the best of her. She knew at times what she was doing was wrong but she continued to do things that she shouldn't of been doing. 

Identify the setting - country, tribe, city, state, time period.

• 1993-1994+, New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Virginia, Houston

Bring a question.

• Why wasn't she freed when Khalif Died? If the psychologist said she had a problem why wasn't she freed or given help? How can you love someone and be afraid of them at the same time?

In this novel Kemba Smith talks about the misrepresentation that Blacks seem to face in the court system. Although she is freed, she talks about the struggle of living and prison. Not only that but kemba talks about how domestic violence is hard to get out of she brings up love and being afraid. In this novel Kemba is treated unfairly and just thinking that you can be in jail for a very long time for something that you aren't even apart of is scary. This just shows that society doesn't care no matter what someone has to pay. 

Poster Child: Chapter 1-7

Identify main characters.

• Kemba Smith
• went from student to inmate #26370-083
• Was the only child
• Narrator
• first-time, non-violent drug offender serving 24 and 1/2 years
• Became 'poster child' for harsh mandatory minimum sentencing
• boyfriend sold drugs
• she got caught up
• President Clinton freed her
• had  minor roles in a crack conspiracy
• got out of prison at 29
• graduate from Virginia University with honors
• had her baby while incarcerated
• had first child at age 23 locked up
• she pleaded guilty
• Blanche , her nurse was so nice
• Naturally petite
• youthful face
• Turned herself on September 1, 1994
• Darnell her boyfriend before Khalif
• Started to turn against her parents because of Khalif
• Katiya, Kemba's friend who had sex with her boyfriend
• she understood the drug dealer lifestyle
• she dated hustlers
• she loved him
• Khalif
• drug dealer
• Kemba's boyfriend
• cheated on her with her bestfriend
• abused Kemba
• a fugitive
• wanted for a lot of crimes
• Spoiled Kemba
• "I didn't want to hurt you. I just had teach you a lesson"(Smith)
• Born in Jamaica
• Controlling, has rules for Kemba Smith
• Someone broke into his home
• Shayne Khalif's brother
• Her mom and dad (Mr and Mrs. Smith)
• her mom was grateful to be able to see her deliver
• her dad's name is Gus wants the best for her
• always provided the best for Kemba
• Lieutenant Lewis
• Tall
• Brown-skinned man
• Early Forties
• He was humorous
• nice to Kemba
• He cared about her safety and what she wanted and needed
• Kemda's first lawyer
• Didn't know what he was doing
• let her down
• he told her to pleaded guilty
• made her so many false promises

Identify symbols or traditions--rituals.

• "war on drugs"
• Poster child
• mandatory minimum sentencing
• Crack
• shackles
• prisons

Identify words or phrases that have a special meaning.

• poster child
• "girlfriend cases"
• Freedom

Discuss how the characters respond to their communities and/or change in their environment. What is the main character's flaw?

• Kemba smith responded to her community, in  a way that got her into trouble. Her flaw was falling in love with  a man that was no good for her, he beat her and abused her. Her flaw was not using her brain as well as not understanding that you are a criminal through association. 

Identify the setting - country, tribe, city, state, time period.

• Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Virginia 
• Richmond, Virginia
• 1993-1994+

Bring a question.

• Why did Kemba Smith get in trouble for not really doing anything? Is the system set up to let Blacks fail?

My notes: In chapters 1-7, Kemba was drawn into the wrong crowd. Her lawyer didn't really help her in fact he may have hurt her. I read this for my paper although, I didn't use it though but I learned more about mandatory minimum sentencing and the power that a man can have over you if you give it to them.

A Lesson Before Dying: Chapters 22-32

In the last few parts of A Lesson Before Dying, Grant got into a fight with a white man over Jefferson. Not only that but Grant was able to get through to Jefferson, he was able to get him to interact more. Jefferson in his last days wrote things in his notebook that Grant gave to him. In Jeffersons last few days he was becoming a hero, something that Grant explained to him, something that Grant wanted to be, but felt as though he was just a teacher. In his last days Jefferson realized he was a man.  Jefferson died a brave man and Grant realized why he stayed at the plantation, not only did those people that lived there needed him but he needed them as well.

What makes someone a man? Are you born a "man" or do you have to grow into a man?

A Lesson Before Dying: Chapters 11-21

Identify main characters.

• Jefferson
• Sees himself as a hog
• has no hope for the future
• Doesn't take care or himself
• He's ready to die
• Out of a bag like a hog
• has a dead face expression
• Cynical grin
• Was baptized at 11 or 12
• Didn't keep his faith
• has a  nonchalant attitude
• Shows a hate for the reverend 
• doesn't show any feelings
• keeps saying he didn't ask to be born
• Is really hurt, but doesn't express it very well
• He is losing weight
• is set to die the second Friday after easter, April eighth
• Grant
• Trying to convince Jefferson he's a human
• Wants to get away but doesn't want to get away
• Loves Vivian 
• Is conflicted with the love he has for his people and the hate he has for the place he lives
• Stopped going to church, and "stopped" believing
• Short tempered at times
• but cannot stay angry long
• cannot believe in anything 
• Vivian
• Loves Grant but loves her children more
• Taught 6th nd 7th graders
• had beautiful and even teeth
• Catholic
• Married a dark skin boy while attending Xavier University in New Orleans
• From Free LaCove, a place that doesn't really care for people of color
• Her family had nothing to do with her children or her husband
• Has good manners
• Seen as a lady of quality
• Miss Emma
• Sick
• Really wants Jefferson to know he is a man
• Is very hurt for Jefferson's situation
• Whats him to change before she dies
• Grant's aunt (Tante Lou)
• Doesn't look at him anymore on Sundays
• strong wheeled
• doesn't want Grant to leave
• Knew how to get under your skin
• Reverend Ambrose
• short and very dark
• was not educated 
• was the plantation pastor
• had a bald head, a shiny bald head

Identify symbols or traditions--rituals.

• Prisoners
• The sycamore tree
• Pale-blue sky
• Corn
• Christmas Plays
• Jackie Robison
• Cold, depressed cell uptown
• Determination sunday, the third sunday of each month
• Darkness
• Chains
• Easter
• Execution/death

Identify words or phrases that have a special meaning.

• Youmans-humans
• 'termination song'

Discuss how the characters respond to their communities and/or change in their environment. What is the main character's flaw?

• How grant responds to his environment is he hates it but he continues to stay, he knows that there is more to be done to his home and he just cannot leave no matter how much he talks about it he always comes back. Grants biggest flaw is not making the best out of his situation, he's always complaining. 
• How Jefferson responds to his environment is he doesn't he is very nonchalant and withdrawn from his setting. His biggest flaw is not knowing that he is a man and no matter what he will always be a man

Identify the setting - country, tribe, city, state, time period.

• The setting is still the same Louisiana

Bring a question.

• Why doesn't Grant leave?

Lucy Delaney From the Darkness Cometh the Light: Chapter 4-7

Main characters:

• Lucy
• Stayed in jail for 17 months
• she won her freedom
• became an expert seamstress
• 1845 married Fredrick Turner, but he died in an explosion
• 4 years later married Zachariah Delaney
• They had for child all who died
• her two girls died while they were still young
• her daughter died when she was 22
• and her son died when he was 24
• all died free though...
• she became the president of the first colored society "Female Union"
• Polly (Lucy's Mother)
• Sued Mr. D.D. Mitchell for Lucy in 1842 September 8th
• she fought for her child
• became the first-class laundress
• her mother died, but was able to see her race made free
• Nancy
• had a nice home
• married a prosperous farmer who owned the farm they lived on and some property in the city
• Mr. Mitchell
• Didn't believe in slavery but didn't want to see Lucy free
• Mr. Murdock
• Lucy's Lawyer
• Judge Bate
• Named Edward bates born September 1793
• ran with Abraham lincoln but dropped out
• his mother was his influence
• emigrated to Missouri in1841
• was quaker decent
• became an anti-slavery mans

Symbols or traditions--rituals:

• Freedom=Birthright
• Suing for freedom- we still do that today
• being born free if the mother is free... children follows the condition of the mother
• Lucy's Mother

Words or phrases that have a special meaning:

• "...old people are like old tree, uproot them, and transplant to other scenes, they droop and die, no matter how bright the sunshine, or how balmy the breezes"

Discuss how the characters respond to their communities and/or change in their environment. What is the main character's flaw?

• The characters responded to their environment pretty well, I guess the biggest flaw that Lucy had towards the beginning was having little to no faith in her situation, but how could you blame her she was still a child at mind and didn't understand or know what was going on. 

Setting - country, tribe, city, state, time period:

• St. Louis 1840-18--

Bring a question.
Will African Americans ever truly be free? Are we free know or is it just an illusion?