Essay on A Chance for Equality

Submitted By Alexandria20

Words: 505

Pages: 3

Open Document

A Chance for Equality
Struggle is evident in every individuals life and for some, there is more struggle than others. Some believe that fighting for what a person believes in can be worth it the struggle. Racial struggle can be extremely difficult and demoralizing. In the novel, Waiting for the Rain, by Sheila Gordon, Gordon develops the idea that struggles result when a choice is made to defy conformity. Racial equality may become possible if struggles are overcome. For Tengo, defying conformity becomes a struggle because he tries to get education. As a result of this, Oom Koos the farmer becomes his biggest liability. Oom Koos tries his best to keep Tengo on the farm, but he is confident that once Tengo experiences "...the stink and dirt and noise of the city..." he will come running home (Gordon, 82). This is a scare tactic coming from Oom Koos that he tries to force upon Tengo, but Tengo pays no attention to it. Defying a master's wishes is hardly excusable, but Tengo is not going to stop until he gets an education. As a result of this, Tengo would soon learn much more about the world around him than he anticipates.

Tengo overcomes his lack of education by going to Johannesburg to get more out of life than tilling the land; as do blacks who conform to Apartheid (segregation). Once he arrives, he is introduced to a white family that his aunt works for. He is told that a white priest named, "...Reverend Gilbert [who is] the minister at the Methodist church...[Tengo’s] aunt [attends, has] taken an interest in him." ( ). In addition to this, the minister agrees to catch Tengo up on his studies. Meeting selfless white people in Johannesburg persuades Tengo that there are decent people in Johannesburg. But soon Tengo’s learns about the inequality in South Africa, and he is soon presented with a chance to fight for it. "You think I should become a freedom fighter?" Tengo asks (162). "Freedom

Summary Response 1 Essay

how the American values attract immigrants from different country to immigrate into the North American Continent. However, the most significant issues from the book that I would like to discuss the meaning of the freedom in the American concept, equality of opportunity and competition, and the relation between the American values and their dream. In my opinion, they connected to each other. The first significant issue is about the meaning of the freedom in the American concept. The writers…

Words 806 - Pages 4

Who Is Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

single group. Equality 7-2512 is a being that stands out in this society, he is taller, stronger, and smarter then the rest of society. Equality developed a new invention out a pure curiosity and the need of discovery. His new invention, a box of light powered by electricity(which they do not have in this society), can benefit mankind greatly, but is rejected by the World Council based on their morals. While his invention can greatly benefit mankind greatly, that was not…

Words 625 - Pages 3

Equality In Dalton Conley's Book 'You May Ask Yourself'

The standards of equality, according to chapter 7 of Dalton Conley’s book, “You May Ask Yourself,” can be broken up into three different categories. The three categories entail ontological equality, equality of opportunity, and equality of condition. When it comes to ontological equality, “the notion that everyone is created equal at birth,”(Conley 247) it can be brought into debate if this is true or not. When looking at social class, there can be a great discrepancy, when it comes to the fact that…

Words 528 - Pages 3

Declaration Of Independence Dbq Analysis

Without equality people would think they are above or less than anyone because of their race, gender, age or even religion. Equality means to be equal no matter what a person looks like and to have chances to better one's life. An example would be Diana Pham who wrote about her meaning of equality since being in America, “My daughters, like other Americans, had an equal opportunity to succeed. America has given our family the chance to become whatever we chose to become…

Words 571 - Pages 3

Essay on Equality or Absolute Standard of Living

Amanda Drew Waldron FSEM: Greenlaw/Rycroft What’s More Important: Equality or the Absolute Standard of Living? According to the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, every person has necessary needs that they must fulfil before they can have luxury items in their life. For example, food, clothing, and shelter. In America, we strive to provide people with their needs of a basic level of necessities and decent housing. Yet some groups are still far more likely than others to experience poverty, to…

Words 743 - Pages 3

Equality 7-2521 In Ayn Rand's Anthem

protagonist, Equality 7-2521 was different than all of his brothers. He was a very intelligent man that excelled in school and always had an open mind. Despite this, he was assigned by the council to the job of street sweeper, when Equality 7-2521 would have excelled in the Home of Scholars. I believe there is a more sinister purpose behind the decision to make Equality 7-2521 a street sweeper, than just poor judgment or an error, because of how the council views Equality 7-2521. The reason Equality 7-2521…

Words 619 - Pages 3

Twisted Influence: The Scottsboro Boys

Scottsboro Boys ultimately brought blacks the first chance to a fair trial, chances to be on juries, and united blacks with white crowds for the first time in a great amount of time. With a direct effect from communist influence, the Scottsboro Boys are the first blacks given the right to a fair trial. Upon hearing of the uproar caused by the accusations placed upon the Scottsboro boys, communist scouts reported it to superiors as their chance to protect…

Words 738 - Pages 3

'Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem'

In chapters two and three of Ayn Rand’s Anthem, equality is twisted, ridding the people of their individuality. The government’s warped idea of equality is not accurate. The government thinks equality is forcing everyone to live a life handed to them and not speak their opinions. In reality, equality is giving everyone a chance to express themselves and do what they excel at. By taking away individuality, the people are forced to live a life with no hope to aspire to be great. Unfortunately, the…

Words 288 - Pages 2

Unit 1 Essay

environment. 1. Health and safety - Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 2. Data protection - The Data Protection Act 1998 3. Pay and Pensions 2b) List three key points of legislation that affect employees in a business environment. 1. Pay -The Equality Act 2010 -The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 2. Pension - From 2012 pension will undergo substantial change. 3. Employment right and responsibilities. 3. Identify a range of places where a person can find information on employment rights…

Words 1118 - Pages 5

Justice: Law and Maximum Liberty Essay

Liberty, Equality, and Distributive Justice Sir Isaiah Berlin said "If you have maximum liberty, then the strong can destroy the weak, and if you have absolute equality, you cannot have absolute liberty, because you have to coerce the powerful... if they are not to devour the poor and meek... Total liberty can be dreadful, total equality can be equally frightful." This quote Berlin paints his point of view of liberty, equality, and justice. He specified that humanity can’t have both total equality and…

Words 335 - Pages 2