The Harlem Renaissance and “The Lottery”
The Harlem Renaissance time period and “The Lottery” documentary have many similarities to them. People are attempting to stand up and voice their opinions to make their lives and their children’s lives better. Good educational opportunities in a person’s community is a necessary requirement to improve one’s life situation and to be able to have a positive impact on society, but it was not and still is not offered to everyone in America. The Harlem Renaissance (c. 1918–37) was a turning point in American History for African Americans; their voices, stories and struggles were documented and heard through literature. There was a misconception or “dream” among the slaves that once they were freed they
…show more content…
Washington’s stance carried heavy weight in the formation of public policies and the general public’s opinion on how African Americans should be treated; he encouraged African American’s to be submissive yet again. It is human nature for parents to want better for their children than what they have. “The Lottery” shows the desperation of parent’s to give their children a good primary educational opportunity which will lead them to university and on to careers, not just jobs. Nadiyah Horne wants her daughter “to be the first out of the situation, the first in college” (Sackler, 2010) which is similar to what Du Bois speaks about during his time period of wanting “The education of youth according to ability”. (Du Bois, 1903) Every American should have the same opportunity to a solid education regardless of where they live, even if they live in poverty. With that said, children should not have to be “bussed” out of their community to get a good education. A community is part of a child’s identity and safety. When a child is put into a situation where they know no one, face prejudice and are “stripped” of their heritage it is going to be harder for them to achieve their full potential and/or maintain their true identity. In “The School Days of an Indian Girl” there is a whole chapter on the little girl having to get her hair cut because of the school she was sent to. She fought and struggled as hard as she could not to have her hair cut because she had been taught by her mother that “only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy” and “among our people, short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards!” and she felt as if she “was only one of many little animals driven by a herder”. (Sa, 1900) The goal should be to give every child the opportunity to succeed in their own community, but unfortunately it is the same struggle today as it was in the early 1900’s as is evidenced in Harlem Public