Cyber Assignment for Ouida Barnett Atkins: Post Here. It is due 2/11. The assignment is below.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 10:03 AM
Thursday, February 07, 2008
About Me
- Name: Professor Wanda's Posse
- Location: College of Alameda, Alameda, CA, United States
I have a Master's Degree from the University of San Francisco in Writing, and an undergraduate degree from Holy Names College in Humanistic Studies. I write a weekly column for a local newspaper, San Francisco Bay View. I also have an Internet Radio Show: Wanda's Picks http://wwww.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks
Previous Posts
- Cyber Assignment for Anne Reeb, post hereRead the ...
- Alice Walker: A Life, Part 1 cyber conversation co...
- Assignment for Anne Reeb due 2/7Read the essay "An...
- Black History Month Programming on Channel 9If you...
- Today in class we looked at Martin King III and hi...
- Cite favorite passages with page numbers and discu...
- Today the reserved lab was taken so we held class ...
- Today in class we discussed Alice Walker: A Life. ...
- Bush's State of the Union. Today we had a class di...
- Tonight's homework is to watch the presidential St...
19 Comments:
Dung Le
9-10am
Jan. 7, 2008
Ouida Bernett Atkins
Daughter of Toss Barnett Sr.
Ouida Barnett Atkins is the daughter of Ross Barnett Sr., a man considered by many as a segregationist. His status and teachings made and changed Ouida Barnett Atkins’ life, (Children of the Segregationist Leaders, page 136) “As Ouida’s circle of friends expanded, her segregationist beliefs began to crumble. The person who inspired this change was, ironically, her father. He taught her to love being around different people.”
The people and the environment that we live in play important roles as we are growing up, especially our parents. When being raised at a young age on how things are or should be, it is very difficult to think otherwise. Ouida was taught about segregation through her father’s eyes, (Children of the Segregationist Leaders, page 134) “I was taught when I was young that they were not as smart as we were. I was not taught to hate people. I was taught that I was on a different level than other people.” His beliefs are her beliefs, only after growing up and experiencing things herself that she knew how things really were, (Children of the Segregationist Leaders, page 137) Her exposure to different cultures began to change Ouida as well. Her presumed superiority in not only being white but a U.S. citizen began to erode.”
As with everything that is learned, it can be unlearned, but it is not easy and very time consuming, (Children of the Segregationist Leaders, page 131) “Ouida’s refusal to live in according to her father’s view of the world would become a lifelong habit. More than sixty years later, she’s still breaking free from her paternal ties.
Toss Barnett Sr. segregationist status had great effect on his daughter Ouida Barnett, the life style that he gave her along with his teachings of segregation, blinded her from the truth. Though his teachings had faults, Ouida managed to overcome them and use the positive things hidden within them.
Faraj Fayad
English 1A
9-10am
Ouida Barnett Atkins
Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
Ouida Barnett Atkins was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 4, 1933. Her father Ross Barnett Sr. a former Mississippi governor was known as a segregationist, who believed God made black people different for a reason. Growing up Ouida was taught that whites are on a different level than blacks, but as she got older she began to repudiate her fathers beliefs.
Ouida refuses to call her father a racist, because a racist is capable of doing bodily harm, and the public gave him a racist image. She argues that he was just a segregationist, which I believe effected her because she says. “When your taught something growing up, you take it for granted that that’s the truth. Its hard to get it out of your mind.” When Ouida was twenty-three years old, she got married to a racist white man named Aylmer Buford Atkins Jr. They had five kids together, and he warned them to stay away from a neighborhood school because there where black students there.
When Ouida was in the third grade, she over heard her parents talking about the supreme court’s impending Brown Vs. Board Of Education, she said. “Daddy was saying he was afraid the supreme court would declare integration,” she says. And my mama said, ‘What will we do if those children came to school with us?’ And I jumped and said, ‘I’d love to go to school with them. It’d be fun.’” Ouida always refused to live according to her fathers view of the world.
As Ouida Barnett Atkins grew up she found out her parent’s taught her wrong and as she grew up, she led her own road and became a teacher at Linier High School in Jackson Mississippi which has an almost all-black student body.
Aisha Garland
English 1A
9am-10am
In Children of the Segregationist Leaders Quida Barnett Atkins talks about her life growing up as the daughter of Gov. Ross Barnett Sr an avid segregationist. Ouida was a privileged naive child, she said of her childhood " I never had to brush my own hair." She grew up with Black servants and with the belief in Segregation. Ironically she found herself on the both sides of the coin befriending many of her fathers nemesis later on her life.
Ouida and her brother Ross Barnett Jr. said that there father cared about the welfare of Black people and often lent his Law savvy services.I guess we can say Ross Barnett Sr. was just trying to keep the "Ole South's" traditions. She often visited her fathers sharecropped plantations, she would go play with the Black children in their houses, fields and play with their pets just as though she was extended family. Last time I checked sharecropping was basically still slavery and he did declare of his beloved Mississippi " will not drink from the cup of genocide" sounds like a supremacist to me.
Fortunately, for Ouida she does not settle with same outlook as her father. Her life changes and most importantly her mind. She begins to shed ideas of segregation. Ouida's life took her on a heart opening journey which eventually landed her a job at the poorest public school in Jackson, Mississippi. Lanier High School is a predominately African American school located in the not the best of neighborhoods. Ouida was never an extremist or anything, she just went along the program like most kids do until they get older and start to have their own ideas. Ms. Atkins is not trying to correct the past nor apologize for any past events, she is just a woman who is leaving her own mark. Ouida looks to the future at all times and what better way to to secure the future than to work with and inspire today's youth.
Mike Dacoron
English 1A
9-10am
Queida Barnett Atkins the father of Ross Barnett Sr. a Mississippi governor who was also known as a segregationist. Once caused a lot of commotion in 1961 trying to stop an African American from applying to University of Mississippi. (pg.133) while growing up at the time Queida her father influenced her to be racist but as she matured her views changed.
Barnett who is known as a segregationist “made no attempt to conceal his opinion on black people, frequently calling them “niggers” and making them the butt of jokes” (pg132). This is why when quieda was growing up she was influenced to stay away from blacks.
As Quida got older she got married to a racist lawyer who had five kids with her but soon after he died she began to travel and that’s when her views and influence of being racist began to wear off and crumbles. She made a new circle of friends with all different types of backgrounds. This was also good for her kids to be exposed to diversity which this world has to offer. (pg. 136)
Quieda changed as time passed by because she was never allowed to go to school with them. But she began to teach at Lanier, “which has close to an all-black student body”. (p138) and also it got her to make a new friend who was also civil rights legend. Bob moss which is also ironic because he helped sparked a feud if difference along time ago with her dad. Ross Barnett Sr. (pg.139-139)
Aiko Nillo
English 1A
9-10am
It seemed to me that Ouida Barnett Atkinds was naive about her father's social views. She stood by him just because he was her father. He had pushed his views into her head. "She says she was part of the South's silent majority. 'We never protested. We never questioned anything. We went along and did what we were supposed to do...'"(p. 131)
Her father Ross Barnett Sr. really confused me. You'd think that if you were a "segrationist," that you'd be a racist as well. But Barnett Sr. thought completely different. "'He helped so many black people,' she says. 'He was the lawyer for so many...I think of a racist as being mean, capable of doing bodily harm. I don't think of him being that way at all."(p. 141) When Barnett Sr. wouldn't allow James Meredith to go to the University of Mississippi; I would consider that mean.
I don't think that Barnett Sr. really had any significant affect on his daughters social views. "She recalls jumping in haylofts with black kids and going into their homes to look at their new kittens."(p. 134) It seems that she thought of them as any other kids. You'd think being brought up in such a high class family, she would think twice to play with kids that aren't the same color as her.
Sushil Pathak
8-9am
Feb 11,2008
Ouida Bernett Atkins
Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
Ross barnett sr,known as a segregationist Leader,a former Mississippi governer who blocked the admission of a black man to the univetsity of mississippi declaring Mississippi would not "drink from the cup of genocide"9(pg 131). Born on September 4, 1933,Ouida Barnett Atkinds is the daugher of Ross Barnett Sr.
She grew up with such a practise of segregation all around her that she never questioned anything.she grew up with black servants and once said, "I never had to brush my own hair." From the very beginning of her childhood, segregtaion was rooted so deeply in her that it would take more than a riot to change her mind, as she said,"I grew up that way.We thought it would wreck the schools if they were integrated."(pg134)
But her expansion of circle of friends and her exposure to different cultures began to change her. Her father was the one who inspired this change."My father had so many different friends," she said. She was married to the lawywer and had five children.Her husband was onother Segregationist who warned his children to stay away from neighborhood high school because"blacks were up there."
Ouida said her father was different from his public image."He helped so many black people", she said. She said he was a lawyer and never thought of him of being a racist. James Meredith, who was blocked the admission by Barnet Sr.also claimed that history books unfairly treated the governor.Meredith said,"He was only fair lawyer in the state of Mississippi,"(pg140).Ouida said her father was the one who helped her free. she said,"My family taught us not to look back but to look to the future.That's what I do.Thats what we all have to do."(pg142)
Angelica N. Watson
Eng 8-9 M-R
February 11, 2008
Ouida Barnett Atkins Response
"MY FATHER IS NOT A RACIST"
As a child Ouida Barnett Atkins was a very confused child, because of what her parents said versus how they acted. Her father being a politician would seem to the public eye as a racist, but at home he treated his worker like they where family almost. She loved her black friends and her nanny but was still oblivious as to what was going on in the world around her. She grew up thinking that what ever her parents said or did was right and she never questioned their motives.
Ouida Atkins was naive of the world that surrounded her. She says that when she was a little girl that she didn't even know about segregation until she was in the third grade. How could that be if her father was one of the main people that was supporting segregation. "Even after all tthe violence erupted and lives were lost, Ouida says she supported her father's segregationist position. 'At the the tim, I did,' she says, 'I grew up that way. We thought it would wreck the schools if they were integrated."(p.134) As much a Ouida claimed to have loved black people why would she not question then how black people would wreck the schools. Like her father she didn't want change.
Ouida Barnett was not naive about the world but was doing what she was taught to do. After she was able to go off on her own, after her husband died and she no longer depended on her father, she went off on her own and started to realize that segregation was only beneficial to white people. "...she was offered a job at Lanier. she took it. Lanier which has close to an all-black student body, is located inone of the poorest neighborhoods in jackson. the area is so tough that some of Ouida's friends are afraid to visit her at her job."(p.138) becuase of her past Ouida has tried to make a diffence by helping black students to prosper.
When Ouida was a young girl she was naive but as she grew older she developed her own way. "As Ouida's circle of friends expanded, hr segregationist beliefs began to crumble. The person who inspired this change was, ronically her father. He taught her to love being around different people"(p.136) Then again her father was the one to encourage her change. In a way that means she still acted out the way her father presented himself. Those were qualities her father gave her as a young child. It may be true that when you are taught something as a child it is hard to forget it or break the habit.
Sean Watson
English 1A 9-10
Feb. 11, 2008
Ouida Barnett Atkins
Each selection we have read thus far from the John Blake book “Children of the Movement” has focused on the tragic deaths of a father, or brother, or in some cases both. This chapter, entitled “Ouida Barnett Atkins, Daughter of Ross Barnet Sr.”, however, is a very different kind of tale.
Ouida Barnett’s father was not martyred for a cause, nor was he an activist. Ouida Barnett’s father was the segregationist governor of Mississippi, known for such acts as blocking entry by black students into the University of Mississippi, inciting riots and waving the rebel flag in public. “I was taught when I was young that they were not as smart as we were”, Ouida says [Pg.134], recalling her upbringing in a pro-segregation household. It would seem that the chain of segregational and racist beliefs that was imposed on Ouida would remain unbroken.
So what became of Ouida Barnett, who was brought up on the notion that whites were “on a different level” (p.134) than other races? Ouida eventually married a man who like her father, was also a racist. After her marriage dissolved, it was as if Ouida had an awakening. The segregationist views of her father, and her husband, was all that Ouida had known. Free from the confines of a bad marriage, Ouida set out to discover her own beliefs about this world and its many different cultures.
Through her own life experiences Ouida developed what one friend would call “a wonderful sense of curiosity...” One thing that can be said about Ouida Barnett Atkins is that her life’s achievements are a testament to her refusal to live in the shadow of her father’s legacy. Ross Barnett Sr. was not a Martyr, or an activist for The Civil Rights Movement like the fathers of those (“Children of the Movement”) we have been reading about. But perhaps, though unwittingly, his influence did have a positive effect. Ouida’s rejection of the conventional wisdom held by her father’s generation has opened her eyes to a whole world of wonderful people and experiences. Her story provides a perfect rebuttal to all her father’s fears of segregation’s end.
Rudy Gonzales
8-9am Mon.-Thurs.
Ouida Barnett Atkins
Finding Ouida
Ouida Barnett Atkins, a privileged white woman, has changed over time. The Children of the Movement by John Blake has an interview with Quida which explains the kind girl she grew up as and the woman she turned out to be. She definitely went from a conservative narrow-minded view to a more liberal one. Quida claims that her father’s view was a segregationist one, but in reality his racist views would be the cause of her rebellion.
Quida was fine with the possibility of being a segregationist, because as she says, “[She] took it for granted that segregation was the way it was supposed to be” (131). She took what her parents, especially her father, said at face value and did not even question their lifestyle. Ouida enjoyed the pleasures of her economic class and felt that black people were meant to wait on white people. Segregation was something that came easy because it kept her class on top and blacks at the bottom. She says, “We thought it would wreck the schools if [blacks] were integrated” (134). Ouida lived her life in a privileged manner as long as her lifestyle was not impacted.
Ouida grew up, and although she would not admit it, saw her father, Ross Barnett Sr., as a racist and it would send her over the edge. Her father would call black people “niggers” and make jokes of them (132). His racist comments such as, “The Negro is different because God made him different to punish him” (133). These comments led Ouida to believe that her family and whites in general were superior to blacks. She does admit, “I was taught that I was on a different level than other people” (134). Those “other people” being blacks meaning she felt superior to them which is a racist view. Ouida’s definition of a racist was “a mean [person], capable of doing bodily harm. I don’t think of [my daddy] being that way at all” (141). Her dad was not a racist according to her definition, but he did feel his race to be superior.
Ouida would eventually understand the real definition of racism and not just her thought of it. She then would have to come to terms with the fact that she was a little racist herself. People in general do not like to believe that they are leading a bad lifestyle meaning a lifestyle that hurts others. Ouida accepted her father’s view because that was the only one that she was getting fed. Finally she got fed up and was tired of being dismissed, “saying she didn’t know what she was talking about.” Her father was a layer and helped out the black community which is a great counterargument for him possibly being tolerant. On the other hand, Ouida understands that, “most politicians (her father the governor) do because they want the votes” (136-137). Her father may have only been nice to “different” types of people because he wanted reelection.
Ouida would found herself going to new countries and seeking new “different” friends. Ultimately, we each have to deal with ourselves and what we believe is right. Our parents can only lead us so far before we have to make our own decisions. Ouida did move deliberately back to Jackson to eventually become a teacher there and I do not believe it was because she felt guilty, but I do believe that she finally found herself and did not mind giving back to others no matter who they were.
Deon Johnson
English 1A 8-9am
February 11, 2008
Ouida Barnett Atkins: Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
Ouida Barnett Atkins: Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr. essay was one of great enlightenment. It started off with this massive storyline, leading into doubt, not so convinced that one can truly change, with the views, of segregation, brought upon ones family, and then ending in a rewarding victory. Ouida Barnett is a woman following her own path, totally opposite of her father’s; while still, thirty plus years, trying to avoid peoples thoughts, views, and even assumptions about her that may people have because of her father.
Ouida makes it clear, stating, “she feels no heavy burden of guilt [from what her father did],” (Page 138). She does what she wants to do, which is teach, at an all black school, in a rough neighborhood, because she enjoys it, her son, Atkins Jr., adds “ she’s been a teacher all her life” (Page 139).
Ouida grew up with a “white supremacist,” the name giving by James Meredith. Meredith is a man who name “is forever [going to be] link with [Ross] Barnett [Sr.],” (Page 133). Barnett Sr. personally blocked Meredith’s admission to the University of Mississippi, because he was black. James says, that Ross was less racy than most white people in that town, hence, naming him a white supremacist not a raciest.
While Ouida struggles with some of the same people connecting her with her father views, she honesty admits, when she was a young girl, she supported her father and his beliefs; stating “segregation was all [I knew],” (Page 131). Now, seventy-five years young, people are finally distancing herself from her father, Ross Barnett Sr. When asked about her life, from when she was a child to now, and what she believes in she quickly quotes “if they were going to be free and independent, they must forget about the pain of the past and focus on the future,” words she learned by legendary Vietnamese leader, Ho Chi Minh (Page 142). Ouida is doing what she love, living the life she chose for herself, differently from her “daddy’s;” leads me to wonder how does Ross Barnett Sr. feels about his little girl Ouida Barnett Atkins now?
Makda Andargachew
9-10am Eng 1A
Ouida Barnett Atkins
Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
Many people go through things either good or bad to get to their destination. As long as we are alive we have a journey we alone can fulfill for ourself.This essay tells Ouida Barnett's journey to find her righteous mind.
How many of us question our upbringing while growing up? We simply and naturally adopt to the yes and no of our families. Starting from the language we speak to culture and religion we take what our family pass on to us. No question is asked.
Ouida never had questions as to why blacks were less smart than her? or could there be a way to change that? She simply took what she was taught to her. She says" I just took for granted that maybe I didn't know what was going on. I just thought they know better than I do because they're older than I am."[Page 135]
Her preconceived and irrational opinion got challenged as she indulge her passion for travel and learning. This is after her overbearing and arrogant husband passed away. Her eagerness for obtaining knowledge of different countries, cultures and people awakened her of her prejudice. She says " When you're taught something growing up, you take it for granted that that's the truth. It's hard to get it out of your mind." Her segregation beliefs were shook to the core. She started to ask questions. She says " It's hard to reconcile living in segregation and yet sending missionaries to Africa."
Even thou her father, Ross Barnett Sr,raised her with segregation beliefs he also helped to free her. Barnett Sr believed strongly in preserving segregation and yet he befriends blacks not only helped. In my opinion he is quiet a character.He fascinated me so much while reading I tried to analyze where he was coming from. Maybe he was raised just as he raised his children. Even if he had an open mind he loved constancy more. Maybe he didn't like change for its result is unknown territory.
Melissa Tinkelenberg
English 1A 9-10
“Ouida Barnett Atkins: Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
The story of “Ouida Barnett Atkins: Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.” was very different then any of the other stories I’ve read so far in John Blake’s’ “Children of the Movement.” Ouida was the daughter of a segregationist and ex-governor of Mississippi. This story was about a girl, Ouida who overcame her upbringing and lives her life with different values then her parents do. John Blake said “Ouida’s refusal to live according to her father’s view became a life long habit.” (131).
Some people may argue that if Ouida really has seen the error of her parent’s ways, that she should cut them out of her life. Her father is a man who said “the negro is different because god made him different to punish him.” (133) This is also a man who appointed himself as University of Mississippi’s registrar to personally block a black man’s admission even after it was sanctioned by a US supreme court decision and ordered by President Kennedy. (133) How could a woman who has many black and gay friends and who teaches at a primarily black inner city school not hate him?
Ouida says, “I think of a racist as being mean, capable of doing bodily harm. I don’t think of him being that way at all.” In fact Ouida paints a slightly different picture of her dad. She tells us that her father “felt so comfortable with blacks that he left money in his will to two black friends.” Even Meredith, the black man who Ross Barnett tried to keep out of the University, said, “He was the only lawyer in town who would take black cases and definitely the only one who gave them the right amount of money.” (140) In fact Meredith is close to the Barnett family, including Ross Barnett. The picture is painted that Ross Barnett was not a racist, he was a segregationist. I’m not quite sure I see a difference.
I personally don’t feel that there is any reason for her to need to justify her relationship with her father. He is her father. There are a lot of things that I can’t stand about my father but I love him nonetheless. Even though they don’t see eye to eye on this issue, she still finds her dad a pleasure to be around. She says “He loved to tell funny stories and give money to people in need.” She describes him as a product of his time. I ask you, does one bad trait or value make you a bad person?
Christina Thoss
English 1A 9-10A.M.
Ouida Barnett Atkins
Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
“A Nice Change of Pace”
Ouida Barnett Atkins is the daughter of the governor of Mississippi, Ross Barnett Sr. He was a strong segregationist who had sparked an armed insurrection against the federal government. He believed that being left-handed was wrong, for Ouida was left-handed and he would tie her left hand behind her back. Doing this he would hope to break her habit of being a left-hander. “He told her nothing was made for left-handers and teachers didn’t know how to teach them to write.” (Pg.131). Ouida grew up thinking that the segregation was the correct and only way of living. However she would soon grow up changing her views on segregation completely, refusing to no longer live according to how her father lived.
Ouida even as a child enjoyed the idea of integration, growing up playing with African American children. She thought it’d be fun to share her school with black classmates. Ouida made a wise and courageous choice to open her world and views to integration. She even eventually ended up teaching at an all-black high school. Her father had ironically been the one to inspire her to make these changes in her life. “He taught her to love being around different people.” (Pg.136).
There was a theory that Ouida Barnett Atkins took the job teaching at the all-black school because she was liberating herself and trying to make up for her father’s sin. She denied this to be true, and so did her son when questioned. “She feels no heavy burden of guilt. She took the job for another reason. ‘It keeps people young to have something to do,’ she says.” (Pg.138). Her experience teaching at the high school, Lanier, changed who she was and she was accepted by the students and staff after figuring out who she was.
Ernest Williamson
Eng 1A 9-10
Ouida Barnett Atkins-Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
February 11, 2008
Ouida Barnett was a four year olg girl who was critcized by her controlling father. He would tie her left hand behind her back in order to break her of the habit of being left-handed. From experienced, I get complaints from several people because I am one of the few people who are left-handed. Ouida's father, Ross Barnett sr., claims that she would have a tough time growing up while being left-handed. Despite what her father said, Ouida continued to be left-handed and established a life long habit of it.
ouida is a typical human being who has such a good heart and should not have no reason getting criticized over anything. the only reason she is what she is due to the fact that God gave her the abilty to use whatever hand she could use. Now at the age of seventy, she is the only daughter of former Mississippi governor. I agree with Ouida's reasoning because no one has the right to tell you what hand to use. You are what you are and you shold be proud of it.
Yolanda Gil
English 1A 9-10
Ouida Barnett Atkins
On the book title Children of the Movement in the section Children of the Segregationist Leaders the author John Blake wrote the essay “Ouida Barnett Atkins Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.” in which Ouida reflects her different point of view in regards to segregation. Ouida grew up believing in segregation as a normal way of living. She considered herself as being part of the South’s silent majority. Ouida states “We never protested. We never questioned anything. We along and did what we were supposed to do. We just took it for granted that segregation was the way it was supposed to be.” (131). However, she change her believes when she began traveling and interacting with people from different cultures.
Ouida was able to travel and to have different friends when she got divorced. Her interests in learning about everything open the doors to acknowledge that segregation only limits people from learning from one another. She was eager to find new friends as she was eager to find new countries as her son; Ross Atkins explains “She had them all. She had a lot of gay friends. She had rich people, black people, white people, artists, musicians, coaches, and jocks. It was definitely good for us kids, good to not just be influenced by angry white men.” (136) After Ouida introduction to different cultures she started to view herself not as a white person but a U.S. citizen (137).
As a child, Ouida was influence by her father believes of being superior from those of color. As she remembers “I was taught when I was young that they were not as smart as we were. I was not taught to hate people. I was taught that I was on a different level than other people.” (134) Ouida father also taught her to love being around different people. He was a great example because of his position as a politician he had different friends.
Overall, her believes in regards of segregation are not the same when she didn’t know differently. Ouida mentions “My family taught us to not look back but to look to the future. That’s what I do. That is what we all have to do.” (142)
Ali Hassan
Professor Sabir
8-9
To Young to know From Good and Bad
Quida Barnett Atkins daughter of the former governor Ross Barnett Sr., and a
segragationist. Growing up Quida was taught by her father, that whites are on a different level
than blacks, he believe that whites are a higher level then blacks, but as she grows older she
opened her eyes about what is going on in life. She knew that everything that her father taught
her, most of it was not true.
Ross Barnett who was looked at as a racist man by the public, because he "made no
attemptto cancel his opion on blacks people, frquently calling them " niggers" and making them
the butt of the jokes." Quida refuses to call her father a racist, because a racist is a person who
capable of doing bodily harms, she does not see him being that way. she is behind her father
about everything, she never questioned anything he said or did (131).
When Quida was twenty- three she got married to a racist man named Aylmer Buford
Atkins Jr. They had five kids together. Fortunatlly Aylmer died, which gave her opportunities to
make friends of differnt race. this was also great for her children, they wont be brained wash
about information on different ethnicity. This gives them the chance to be exposed to diversity
which this world has to offer.
Quida realized as she was growing up that her parents taught her wrong. One can not
blame her for finially realizing her parents were wrong, because when being raised at a young age
on how things are or should be, it is hard for children to think otherwise. This was the case Quida
was in, her father raised her to believe whites were better than blacks.
The Right THING TO DO
After reading the essay about Quida Atkins I learned that she was smart, kind, and was a leader. Quote Martin Luther King said that she said. It can also apply to being tolerant if a person is gay or straight unquote. Quida Atkins had a lot of friends musicians, whites, rich, and gay people. In the essay it talked about who inspired her change and it was her father. He taught her to love being around different people.
Quida Atkins who is now seventy is the only daughter of a former Mississippi governor Ross Barnett SR., a segregationist who sparked an armed insurrection against the federal government. During her younger years she supported her father’s decision because segregation was all she knew. No matter what Quida Atkins supported her father even after lives were lost. As she aged she got wiser and thought it would be fun to go to school with blacks and didn’t think it would be a problem.
Quida Atkins was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 4, 1933. She was born into segregation but she didn’t let that stop her from having black playmates. I say Quida Atkins was a leader because she had courage to teach at a all black inner-city public high school in one of the toughest sections of Jackson, Mississippi and I know some teachers who is afraid to teach at the dominant black high school I went to. I think that shows courage and leadership because she thought it was the right thing to do and didn’t even want something back in return.
After reading this essay about Quida Atkins some of the knowledge I gained from her was how to be a leader, make smart decisions, and care for others even if you don’t know them. Growing up as the youngest of five boys I thought it was easy to dislike others because of their skin color but now I see it’s harder to care for someone you don’t know and it’s the right thing to do because you should always treat people the way you would want to be treated. Now I see how the world will always be a better place if we can just help one another and not dislike one another for any reason.
Marcus Lee English 1A 9-10AM
Nadia Hassan
English 1A
8-9am
Quida Barnett Atkins
Daughter of Ross Barnett Sr.
Quida, the only daughter of former Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett, a segregationist who sparked an armed insurrection against the federal goverment, Quida grew up in a world of debutante balls and black servents who pampered her so much that as she once told me, " I never had to brush my own hair" (pg131).
Today, Quida teaches at an all black inner city public high school in one of the toughest section of Jackson, Mississippi. She says that she didn't teach at that school because of ger father sins but because she was was and is a teacher. she even made new friends at that school. she traveled, expolored has all kind of friends gay, black , white. it seemed like it din't matter to her in what people she socialized with.
Quida doesn't have guilt of what her father did. she say he is not a racist because "he helped so many black people, "he was a lawyer for so many"(pg141) she says i think a racist as being as mean, capable of doing bodily harm. I don't think of him that way at all"(pg141). she thinks he helped her accomplish where she is today and helped her free with her choices that she makes. like she had to travel to Vietnam to understand that while her father tied her down with his segregationist beliefs, he also gave her the tools to break free from them.(pg142)
nomineess http://cciworldwide.org/members/Garage-Door-Openers.aspx http://cciworldwide.org/members/Area-Rugs.aspx http://cciworldwide.org/members/Omeprazole.aspx http://cciworldwide.org/members/Vacuum-Cleaners.aspx http://cciworldwide.org/members/Annuity-Calculator.aspx http://cciworldwide.org/members/Bariatric-Surgery.aspx http://cciworldwide.org/members/Electric-Blankets.aspx
Post a Comment
<< Home