Race and Birdie

When Birdie and her sister are sent to Nkrumah, Birdie is taught to recognize and accept her “black” identity. However, her identity is problematized by her physical appearance, especially her “white” skin colour. Living in Boston, Birdie feels that she does not belong to the black community; in Nkrumah students don’t accept her for being a black girl, then she further feels isolated by her dad’s girlfriend, because she is not dark like Cole. “Others before had made me see the differences between my sister and myself – the texture of our hair, the tings of our kin, the shapes of our features. But Carmen was the one to make me feel that those things somehow mattered. To make me feel that the differences were deeper than skin,” (Senna, 1998, p.91). The students are not the only ones who make Birdie feel as if she doesn’t fit in; Carmen makes her feel as if inferior because of her lighter complexion.

Characters, in Heidi Durrow’s The Girl Who Fell from the Sky, force the protagonist, Rachel, to choose between her white and black side. They only acknowledge her black side while only celebrating her white qualities. Consequently, Rachel feels the obligation to accept the roles that have been thrust upon her and ignores part of her race because of the commentary from her family and peers. Rachel adapting to the portrayal of her racial identity to appeal to the normalized opinions of her appearance, demonstrates her tendency to comply with the categorization people of color face throughout society. Ultimately, leading Rachel to pick and choose the parts of her racial identity that most please the people she is with.

My experiences have provided me with the ability to devote myself to the wellbeing of others and being able to adapt to many situations. In addition to these experiences, I am very dedicated to my goals and I know that becoming a nurse requires much commitment. A career in nursing will be more than a career for me - it will be a lifestyle and it is who I am. It means assisting my community, having a new perspective on life and a profession that will make an impact. Becoming a nurse is a conscious choice that has been cultivated from my personal desires and experience. This will allow me to do what I love anywhere I go. For these reasons, the Eileen Doran Esler Changing Lives Scholarship will help me achieve my education and goal of becoming a nurse. Certainly, a career nursing will be challenging, but with clear set goals in mind, I know that I can achieve great things with great

Birdie has no recognition that without standing next to her family she might be seen as racially ambiguous. Ever since she was a little girl Birdie has understood herself to be Black because “[Cole’s] face was me and I was that face” (Senna 1). However, one day her mother asserts this fact in front of her saying to her father that “[Birdie] looks a little Sicilian”. This causes Birdie to be confused, although she recognizes it sounds “dirty of [her] mother’s tongue” (Senna 23). Despite not knowing what her mother meant by Sicilian Birdie internalizes this new and uncertain aspect of her identity. When entering Nkrumah, the other students notice the difference that Birdie does not and begin asking questions such as “‘What you doin’ in this school? You white?’” (Senna 36). Almost instinctively Birdie wants to reply “Sicilian”. In this point in time one can see that Birdie has no ties to a white identity and only searches for a word other than Black to describe herself when she receives questions concerning her blackness. Thus, it makes sense that Birdie’s box of negrobelia only contain items connected to her Black

Hypo-descent can relate to the youngest daughter Birdie. She has as an appearance as a white girl due to her skin being a light shade. She never seemed to pick what race she would say or be until confronted about it at her all black school. “ A boy threw a spitball, which hit me square in the forehead. Laughter sprinkled the room. He hissed, ‘What you doin’ in this school? You White?’” (Senna 43). Even though her appearance was white she still had the culture and traditions from her black father Deck. She knew that the school was all black, so she was nervous to answer the question, in fear of labelling herself and limiting herself to this one identity. As the novel progressed she was asked if she was black by a fellow student named Maria. Birdie nodded as if she was confused by the question itself because, she was a mixed child and thus not just black nor not just white (Senna 63). She conformed to her surroundings now and started to change as a character. She started identifying to the minority race rather than the majority. This change was due to the way the school influenced her and how her parents viewed the majority. This notion of choosing one race to identify as can be also be seen in the article “Passing as Black: How Biracial Americans Choose Identity” by Meredith Melnick. As Melnick

Since my first visit to the Doctor I have been fascinated with the world of medicine and the art of nursing. As I have matured it has become apparent to me that becoming a Nurse has become my calling. I am determined to be the

Birdie’s parents identify her more with her mother while Cole towards her father. When the family had to go on the run from the FBI, Cole and her father were separated together while Birdie and her mother were with each other. Birdie was forced by her parents to leave her black heritage behind her and pass as white. On the run, Sandy and Birdie discussed how they had to change their names and develop new identities to escape the FBI. Sandy talking to Birdie, she confuses her as to why she has to portray herself as white rather then her normal self. Sandy says, “The FBI would be looking for a white woman on the lam with her black child. But the fact that I could pass, she explained, with my straight hair, pale skin, my general phenotypic resemblance to the Caucasoid race, would throw them off our trail” (Senna 128). Sandy saying these words she belittles Birdie by taking away part of her identity and forcing her to pass as white. Birdie never experienced being accepted for being mixed raced she was always forced to convey herself as either black or white. Her mother forcing her to pass as white causes her to be confused as to what race she should identify herself

“When you’re a nurse you know that everyday you will touch a life or a life will touch yours” ("Home"). Pursuing nursing, specifically Registered Nursing (RN) was never a question, I have always known that is what I would become. Registered Nurses work for patient care, and explains and teaches patients about their health care needs. Nursing has been in my family now for three generations and I am here to carry out the legacy. It is important to understand the education and training requirements, skills and talents needed, salary benefits offered, and the duties when committing to this career.

Throughout the novel, Birdie shifts between being black and white, always concealing part of her identity in attempt to fit in with those around her and be viewed by society as normal. As a young girl entering a new school, Birdie’s features caused her to stand out. The other children stereotyped her. They didn’t perceive Birdie as “normal” and therefore she wasn’t safe in her own school. As a result of Birdie’s looks resembling her Sandy’s, she is greeted on her first day at the new school by “a boy [throwing] a spitball, which hit [her] square in the forehead. Laughter sprinkled the room. He hissed, ‘What you doin’ in this school? You white? '” (43) In attempt to fit in with the other kids, Birdie puts on a racial performance; she uses slang and tries to curl her hair. She desperately tries to conceal the “white” parts of her identity in order to fit in with the other black students. Cole teaches Birdie to conceal her white voice and fit into the black stereotype by using slang, “Say, ‘I’m goin’ to de sto’.’ Get it? And don’t say, ‘Tell the truth.’ Instead, say, ‘Tell de troof.’ Okay?” (53). Often it seems as if Birdie felt that her sister Cole was superior because she fit with the “black” appearance: “Others before had made me see the differences between my sister and myself—the texture of our hair, the tints of our skin, the shapes of our features. But Carmen was the one to make me feel that those

Rights for women has become a norm in today's society that often goes unnoticed by people who life has changed. They often take it for granted the hardship that woman had to endured. For example, during the 1800s African American women were more than likely to be destined to be slaves or indentured servants. In comparison, the first white women settlers were treated as an object of reproduction, as well as servants. In today’s culture women’s treatment has improved over the last decades. The way culture has changed, allowing women to have more power to voice their opinion. From the hardship that woman had to endure, women’s right in the American Culture has evolved, which has led for women to thrive for success.

When in the early stages of planning my life, I knew exactly what it was I inspired to do. I wanted to save lives. I did not know how I was going to complete that task at hand, but I knew that I was going to be saving someone’s life. So, starting nursing school was one of the jubilant moments of my life. I am ecstatic to be on my journey on becoming a well-rounded and educated nurse. Nursing is a profession that requires a great deal of care and knowledge of the human body and as a nurse I plan to be cultivated and discerning.

organize your thoughts. Then you may begin writing your essay. You may feel free to add additional

Ever since I was young, I have wanted to work in the medical field. Being blessed with the heart for healing was a gift, and my family helped nurture that gift. My grandmother would let me “doctor” her cuts and scrapes‒ that came from her life on a farm‒ with a cotton ball of alcohol and a couple dozen band aids. By the time I got to high school, I knew that nursing was the job for me. Going to Evangel gives me the opportunity to become a Registered Nurse. Then, to continue my education even after earning my Bachelors in Nursing, I want to go on to get my masters in nursing. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is my goal, due to the fact, it s perfect for my true calling, being a mom. I want to be able to spend time with my family, meanwhile being able to maintain a good job.

    At first, the narrator cannot grasp that his grandfather was fighting against oppression in his work he was compliant to white men. But as he progresses as a student the denials of the system become more clear it is not clear if white men wish for him to advance or not. The narrator’s  worldview has become more

My biggest struggle in writing would be starting my introduction because I never really know what information to add in my stating my thesis statement. Although, one way I’m trying to improve this struggle is by either adding small quotes or definitions to hook the reader and to add some info about my topic. Furthermore, one essay that I feel reflects my writing the best would be the midterm essay. I picked the midterm essay because even though it was timed I still took my time and carefully picked which examples I thought would best represent my opinions. In addition, I feel using the quote “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” by Nelson Mandela was a very powerful way to keep the reader interested. Ultimately, while I still haven’t overcome the obstacle of writing an introduction I know I’m slowly starting to find my way towards my goal of not struggling when it comes to starting my essays.