Arnetta and Octavia are interesting characters in the story "Brownies" I was surprised at the hatred that was so deep inside them both, not only for whites but for their own race. They are demeaning and hurtful to girls within their own troop. Of course Laurel would make the statement, "No one talked about fighting. Everyone was afraid enough just walking through the infinite deep woods. Even though I did’t fight to fight, was afraid of fighting, I felt I was part of the rest of the troop, like I was defending something. We trudged against the slight incline of the path, Arnetta leading the way."
She made this statement because even though she and the other girls didn't want to fight, at least they felt wanted and apart of something for a change rather than being made fun of.
The idea that when you have been wronged you wrong others is such an interesting idea that has been put in these young girls minds. The troop leader as they said would have stopped the girls and told them to do good unto others.. so where did this hatred and idea of righting the wrongs that the "whites" or others come from? Most likely their parents... who sure probably deserve to say those things... they were wronged and hurt themselves... but when does it end?? I mean they were going to try and kick the asses of mentally disabled girls!! If for one second they stopped to look at who these girls were from troop 909 rather than their skin things would have been different?
Why is it that justice is served with vengence. society has taken something from us whether we are white, black, red, blue... whatever.. that is what Daphene ends the story with "Just to be nice."
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I completely agree with Jenny, on this one; although the troop leader wouldn't have allowed the girls to discriminate against 909, Snot's account of what happened in the mall is more than enough proof to show that the parents discriminate at home, as well.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting, as well, that even after discovering that the other girls were in fact handicapped, Octavia and Arnetta still find reason to complain, to find fault in the world around them. It's sad that nothing, not even retardation, is enough to permanently put a dent in the animosity between the two sets of colored skin.