Harlem is not a very nice neighborhood to live in. I visited Harlem and spent one night at a friend's house. The next day, I went to church there and met some nice people. I even visited a mosque where Black Muslims gathered. At the time, I was very much into Malcolm X and other religious groups that existed in Harlem during the 20s and 30s. Life is tough in this part of town as it is hard growing up in the Bronx. If you are a youngster, you do not have a lot of good role models and many choices in life. That does not mean that you cannot find a way out of Harlem. I have met some such person and he did ok for himself. I guess what I am trying to say is that, if you live in a poor neighborhood, chances are that you will grow up poor and that you will never find out how many possibilities exist out there to build a future for yourself and your family. You live in a world that seems to be cut off from the rest of the continent. It takes a lot of strength to break away from that world and discover all the opportunities that exist out there. I am glad Mme Sauliere introduced this less appealing reality of American society, but one that is nonetheless important.
The Cassignol writers belong to 3 classes of "troisième"(= 9th grade ). They're all very nice and motivated pupils who share a real interest in the English language and culture. They are curious, creative and enthusiastic. This is only their fourth year as English learners but they're very willing to try and express in English what makes them happy, their passions as well as their concerns as teenagers. The aim is to share their feelings with their schoolmates but also with their American penfriends from Washington, so as to reach a better mutual understanding and tolerance. We all hope that you will enjoy their writings and will feel like encouraging them through your contributions to their blog.
1 commentaire:
Harlem is not a very nice neighborhood to live in. I visited Harlem and spent one night at a friend's house. The next day, I went to church there and met some nice people. I even visited a mosque where Black Muslims gathered. At the time, I was very much into Malcolm X and other religious groups that existed in Harlem during the 20s and 30s. Life is tough in this part of town as it is hard growing up in the Bronx. If you are a youngster, you do not have a lot of good role models and many choices in life. That does not mean that you cannot find a way out of Harlem. I have met some such person and he did ok for himself. I guess what I am trying to say is that, if you live in a poor neighborhood, chances are that you will grow up poor and that you will never find out how many possibilities exist out there to build a future for yourself and your family. You live in a world that seems to be cut off from the rest of the continent. It takes a lot of strength to break away from that world and discover all the opportunities that exist out there.
I am glad Mme Sauliere introduced this less appealing reality of American society, but one that is nonetheless important.
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