Microblog #4: If Beale Street Could Talk

James Baldwin wrote a masterpiece in If Beale Street Could Talk. It is a love story between two African Americans in Harlem during the 1970s. The story is built upon the themes of the strength of family and the racial prejudice African Americans have had to deal with. There are also many important symbols and motifs that Baldwin puts into the story. These themes, symbols, and motifs are crucial parts of the story, so I wrote down each time they were shown. In focusing on identifying the times these themes, symbols, and motifs are shown in the story, I was able to understand them better and see the emphasis Baldwin places on them. Aside from the themes, symbols, and motifs from being great, the plot was great and the characters were lovable. The reader feels so many emotions while reading If Beale Street Could Talk from the prejudices the characters undergo to the unconditional support from their family. I really enjoyed reading Baldwin's novel, but I wish the ending had more. Despite my small problem with the ending of the book, I would still recommend it to all.

Checkpoint #3: If Beale Street Could Talk

Interview with Clementine “Tish” Rivers

Michael: Hello Clementine. Thank you for coming to this interview on Michael’s Meetings.

Tish: Of course, and please, call me Tish.

Michael: Tish?

Tish: Tish, I’m not really sure why I’m called it, but I guess it makes sense in a way.

Michael: Interesting, so, let’s begin. I would first like to talk about your relationship you’re your fiancé, Alonzo Hunt.

Tish: Yeah, Fonny. I’ve lived across from him for pretty much my entire life. We met when I was six and when he was nine.

Michael: When you first met him, did you know deep down that you liked him or were you guys just close friends?

Tish: The story of how we met is actually a real funny one. So pretty much, my only friend was a girl named Geneva, and I was her only friend. Nobody wanted either of us, so we decided to want each other.

Michael: Are you currently still friends with Geneva?

Tish: We ain’t friends anymore, because eventually I would have Fonny to want me and he would have me to want him, you know. Anyways, Geneva just didn’t like Fonny at all, and one of Fonny’s friends, Daniel, he didn’t like Geneva at all. So, there was a fight between the four of us. In the fight, Fonny grabbed me, and instinctively, I grabbed the closest thing to me and wacked him. Apparently, the stick that I grabbed had a nail in it, and Fonny started bleeding bad.

Michael: Wow. Love at first sight, right, ha-ha. So, how did this relationship that began as enemies end up as a soon-to-be-marriage?

Tish: So, me being a six-year-old, I thought I killed Fonny. He left Harlem, and I started caring about him because I thought he was going to die, and I was responsible. I began visiting his father and just thinking about his well-being in general. Once he came back, we both told each other sorry, and our friendship began. We became family to each other.

Michael: Tish, would you say that all of these events played out, and because of these events your relationship began with Fonny. Like, if these events didn’t happen, do you think that things would’ve turned out the way they did today?

Tish: I ain't sure. I feel like me and Fonny have been connected, and we would become family no matter what. It just happened the way it did, but I feel like if those events didn’t happen, something else would’ve happened to make me and Fonny very close, you know.

Michael: I understand that perfectly. So, what about your relationship now?

Tish: Right now, Fonny is stuck in a cell.

Michael: I’m very sorry to hear that.

Tish: Thank you. I’m sure he’s gonna get out of there soon, though. I’m also pregnant, which is both exhilarating and difficult.

Michael: Oh, congratulations, Tish.

Tish: Thank you, but I often feel alone during this time of trouble. Being in trouble usually makes me feel like that. But I know that with the support from my family, I can get through this. Having my family and Fonny supporting me and helping me, I feel better and stronger and more able to do better in a difficult life.

Michael: I’m sure you will be a great mother, and the child will definitely grow up to be a great kid with you, Fonny, and your family raising him or her. Another topic I would like to discuss with you is both your family and Fonny’s family.

Tish: Me and Fonny have real different families. I wouldn’t even consider his mommy and sisters as his family, but, they are his biological family, which is what we’re talking about.

Michael: Why wouldn’t you consider his mother and sisters as his family? And also, what’s so different about his father, Mr. Frank Hunt?

Tish: Mrs. Hunt’s a real Sanctified woman, and Sheila and Adrienne are the same as Mrs. Hunt. Both Fonny and his daddy were never religious, and they were the same as each other. To me, Mrs. Hunt, Sheila, and Adrienne are very fake and despite their love for the Lord, they can’t seem to show their son and myself love.

Michael: That’s terrible to hear, Tish. Family is so important, and even if they aren’t biological, finding people that love you and who are willing to sacrifice their time, energy, etc. is the most important thing in life, in my opinion.

Tish: You are absolutely correct. Family is the most important thing in life. I have been blessed with a family, my Mama, Daddy, Sis, Frank, and Fonny, that can support and love me no matter what. So, when I found out that I was pregnant, I went to Fonny first, and he went through a roller coaster of emotions: confused, shocked, worried, then finally, he was the happiest man alive.

Michael: If you don’t want to answer this next question, you don’t have to, but was it hard to tell Fonny this news through a phone with a glass barrier in between you guys?

Tish: It obviously ain’t easy telling someone you love that they’re gonna be a father through glass, but I loved Fonny, and I needed to tell him. I wished I could hold onto him, touch his face, kiss him, but I couldn’t, which is ok, I guess, just so long as he knew, you know.

Michael:  Yeah, so who did you tell next?

Tish: Well, I went home to tell my family, but Mama was the only one home. I told her, and as I cried about it, she comforted me. Her embrace was so comforting, and it made me feel so good. She was so understanding and loving about it, and I’m just so thankful for her. When my Daddy and Sis came home, Mama told them. Daddy was unsure about it, but ultimately, he was supportive. When he had his doubts since I’m so young, Sis told him, “it’s rough, but we’ll make it”, and I was just so touched that my whole family would be supporting me and helping me through this time.

Michael: That’s so great about your family. You should be very grateful to have a family like your own. How about the Hunts? How did they take the news?

Tish: Well, Frank was mighty glad when he heard the news, but Mrs. Hunt, Sheila, and Adrienne had different opinions on the situation. Mrs. Hunt was devastated that her son committed such a sinful act, and she blamed me for this and said I had a demon in me. She actually hoped that her grandchild would shrivel in my womb. I was hurt, but I really didn’t care about what she thought of me. Obviously, Sheila and Adrienne agreed and defended Mrs. Hunt.

Michael: That’s terrible. How could a Christian say such hateful things? I thought that Christians were supposed to be loving, and you and Fonny are their family pretty much.

Tish: Yeah, I know. I was just in shock in the beginning, but that shocked feeling turned quickly into anger. They really wished horrible things on me and the baby. They ain’t gonna be no part of our life, hopefully.

Michael: I hope they won’t be a part of your life either. Nobody should be receiving that kind of hate from family/extended family. Well, Tish, thank you so much for sharing about your life in this interview. It was a pleasure talking to you.

Tish: Your welcome; I had a mighty fine time.

Michael: Well that’s it for Michael’s Meetings today, and be sure to tune in for the next interview next Tuesday!

Microblog #3: If Beale Street Could Talk

After a recommendation from my brother, I have decided to read the James Baldwin novel, If Beale Street Could Talk. This novel is a love story about two African Americans in Harlem. James Baldwin is an African American writer during the 1950s-1970s who was born in Harlem, as well. He grew up facing discrimination throughout his whole life, and he knows exactly what it's like to experience being discriminated against. As a ten-year-old, he was abused and teased by NYPD officers, the same way he would in his teens. Baldwin would be denied entrance into many restaurants, bars, and other establishments. He had to find any work he could find to help support his family, even laying down railroad tracks for the Army. He would live to move to Paris because he couldn't be in a place where he would be constantly discriminated against. In the novel, the two main characters aren't very religious, and one of them had a bad relationship with an extremely religious mother. James Baldwin put his own life experiences into this aspect of the story. Baldwin had a bad relationship with his stepfather who was as a pastor, and Baldwin would become a pastor, as well. He would later view Christianity as based on false premises. He was then a non-religious person, and he has his main characters both be non-religious, too. James Baldwin had gone through many traumatic and difficult experiences throughout his life. In having these personal experiences, the experiences of the characters become much more authentic, making the novel a better one. I am excited to continue reading If Beale Street Could Talk.

Checkpoint #2: Band of Brothers

Tribute to Major Richard "Dick" Winters

My name is Sergeant Joseph Toye, and I had the privilege to fight alongside the amazing Major Richard Winters.

Dick was not only an amazing soldier and leader, but he was an amazing person that was respected and liked by practically everyone. He was a crucial part of the Easy Company since the beginning days of training at Toccoa. He started as a 2d Lt. straight out of Officer Candidates School and rose up to be a major who led one of the best paratrooper regiment in the United States of America.

He grew up during the Great Depression. When he volunteered for the paratrooper unit, he wanted the $100 monthly bonus, but he really wanted to be alongside the best soldiers and to have a positive and beneficial experience in the army.

Since the early days of Toccoa, Winters grew in popularity and gained the respect of all of the officers and soldiers. He needed to be the one to lead the company, not Sobel, the disciplinarian leader who nobody liked. We all hated him for his cruelty and hardcore training, yet all of the hardships we endured because of Herman Sobel made us stronger and closer as a unit. Winters led by example whereas Sobel decided to lead by fear. Both these methods were effective in producing an astounding company, but the way Winters led created an environment where we could really flourish.

He led the Easy Company through Normandy to Bastogne to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. The Battle of Normandy was our first mission, and it was a wild affair, to say the least. Winters was ordered to attack and take care of the German four-gun battery, and he did exactly this. He gave out the orders needed to capture the battery, and we were more than willing to comply. He put 2 people on each machine gun placed on the flanks. He would take a group up the middle and there would be 2 other groups flanking him. They all fought like a team, like a machine.

During this hectic battle, I was unaware of the grenade was heading my way. The grenade landed right between my legs as I lay face down. Winters yelled at me to look out and thankfully the grenade only hurt my gun. Winters saved my life. I remember this moment of near-death so clearly. I’m here today because of Dick, and I could never repay this debt to him.

Winters led the company with perfection, and we were able to take the batteries because of his amazing leadership on the battlefield. We had attacked all of the guns before withdrawing. He was the last person to pull back, making sure all of the other lives were safe before his own. He had put the lives of his comrades before his own. Winter’s casualties were 4 dead, 2 wounded. We had killed 15 Germans, wounded much more, and taken 12 prisoners. He was our leader since this battle.

During our fight on the Island in Holland, we didn’t really know how many Germans were on the other side of the road. The Americans had a bad position whereas the Germans had great positioning. Winters made the decision to have 3 squads (left, middle, right) and they would charge with machine guns laying a base of fire. He had 1 death and 4 wounded, but they captured 11 German prisoners of war (P.O.W.s).

He told Joseph Liebgott to take the prisoners back to the Command Post. Liebgott, though, has a reputation to be very rough with prisoners. When Liebgott threw a fit when Winters said to bring back all 11 prisoners to Command Post, Winters threw off the safety of his M-1 and pointed it at Liebgott. He told him to drop all of his ammunition and empty his rifle. Winters allowed for 1 round so if he shoots one prisoner he won’t have enough for the rest. Then he would be jumped by the remaining P.O.W.s. Winters was a stern man, and he wouldn’t allow for unnecessary deaths and he made sure his orders were followed through.

On the Island, Winters made the right decision consistently, time after time. He wouldn’t second guess or be caught with indecision. He knew exactly what to do in the heat of an intense battle and lead his regiment to victory.

Once Dick Winters became the Executive Officer, the Commanding Officers that followed could never live up the standards Winters had previously set. Nobody was as likable, decisive, intelligent, and skilled as Dick. There was a long stretch of C.O.’s that just weren’t good enough; they weren’t like Dick Richards. They couldn’t lead us to victory as he had.

As an Executive Officer, Winters couldn’t exactly be the one leading in the field. He stood by as he watched weak and incapable lieutenants try to lead us. He saw Lieutenant Norman Dike make wrong decisions and put Easy Company in bad situations. He couldn’t stand it, so he grabbed Lieutenant Speirs to take over. There were many stories of Speirs performing some inhumane and gruesome acts, which I’m not sure if I believe, but Winters decided to forgive him for the possible actions he performed, and he couldn’t judge him. He put the best person in charge, so we could have the best chance of succeeding.

Whether Winters was a soldier, commanding officer, or executive officer, he led the Easy Company amazingly. Whether fighting in the battlefield or making the decisions on the outside, he led Easy Company to victory after victory. The leadership he provided for us allowed for the Easy Company to be successful.

Having a good leader in war or anything is crucial in success, and Winters was the perfect leader for the Easy Company. Winters was one of the main reasons we were able to win their battles. In having a great leader, the Easy Company was one of the greatest Paratrooper Infantry Regiments of U.S. history.

A good leader results in a higher chance of success, and being a good leader can make everyone around you better and more successful. Major Richard Winters was a prime example of how to be the perfect leader to help everyone around you. He made us successful. We are all thankful for the contributions he’s made in WWII. Richard Winters made everyone around him better because he was an amazing leader, friend, and person. Thank you, Dick, for being the best so we all could live in success today.

Microblog #2: Band of Brothers

I have now finished the story of the Easy Company, the Band of Brothers. The story of volunteers turned to war heroes had me intrigued since the beginning. The struggles the soldiers had to face, mentally, physically, and emotionally were crazier than I had imagined for soldiers. I was also shocked at how many abrupt and accidental deaths there were. A person would be doing something and a second later they are instantly dead. For example, Corporal Donald Hoobler had just shot a German on horseback and stole his Luger as a souvenir. He was extremely excited as he went back to his friends. Then all of a sudden the Luger in his pocket fired accidentally and "went through his thigh, severing the main artery" (Ambrose 198). He died. I was just so taken aback. He didn't need to die; he shouldn't have died, but in warfare, death comes in all ways: abrupt, slow, painful, accidental. Since this is a war book, there are tons of military terms and acronyms. I found myself forgetting certain terms and acronyms which occasionally got confusing. I would just need to go to the internet and search it up which bothered me a little bit. In reading this intriguing story of a company of volunteers from all around the U.S. who become an extremely successful Paratrooper Infantry Regiment (PIR), you have to remember some military terms and remember many characters which can get a little hard to remember. Keeping notes makes this a much easier read, which makes this great book much more enjoyable.