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Analysis Of Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters

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Even though it may have taken over one hundred years, Sadie and Bessie have figured out the key to living a long happy life full of love and friendship. The Delany sisters are telling their stories from over 100 years ago in their own distinct point of view. Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years by Sarah L. Delany and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth is a work of oral history that tells stories from as far back as the civil war. Having Our Say records the lives of Sadie and Bessie Delany including the struggles of growing up black in America. The Delany sisters have always respected their simple morals of faithfulness to their family, race, and country, even though their path to do so may differ. Although Sadie and Bessie Delany’s personalities are complete opposites, their basic values are the same. …show more content…

Because of her light skin, Sadie faces less discrimination in her lifetime. This may contribute to her being not as flustered or upset by racist and sexist comments. It also helps that she has a laidback attitude. One example includes when one of her white co-workers makes a racist comment, Sadie does not become distressed and even maintains her friendship with the woman. She faces prejudice head on with determination, just as she faces aging as another obstacle to overcome. Sadie Delany always keeps a positive outlook on life. Even at Sadie’s old age, her personality was still evolving and she was always open to change. Even though Sadie may not approach her problems in the most aggressive ways, she always seems to get what she

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Sadie and Paikea both share the same similarities like respectful, spiritual and courageous. Sadie and Paikea are both respectful of an indigenous culture, they both have respected for there family and others this is shown. In this part of the story in crow country Sadie and Lachie go to Jimmy’s raven grave. When she is at the grave Sadie says “ I should of brought flowers or something”, this refers to Sadie quote of her being respectful even in sad times.

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Growing up together under the same conditions clearly created two very distinct individuals with contrasting views regarding their past, present, and future. When Dee arrives home from college, she portrayed herself as higher class; she put herself above her family and her past. During her visit, she was looking for valuable things to have in her home. While looking around, Dee notices two handmade quilts containing pieces of clothe that date back to the Civil War.

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The discrimination against the white race begins with a gradual distinct treatment of the African Americans who appear to have a trace of the white race. Helene proves to have a more formal dialect as she asks for “the bathroom” (23) and the black woman cannot understand until Helene finally refers to it as “the toilet” (23). The difference in word choice distinct Helene from the African Americans in the Bottom. The fact that Helene also has fairer skin than the African Americans gives the black woman a reason to believe Helene has a trace of white. Therefore, when Helene approaches the black woman on the train, “[the woman fastens her eyes]…on the thick velvet, the fair skin, [and] the high tone voice” (23), as if surprised and shocked to see an African American women appear in such a manner.

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