Our America Book



Our America Book

Introduction

Our America is an interesting and interactive book. It contains altogether two hundred pages. The book has exciting turnings and styles that has attracted people to read in one time. What intrigued me in this book the vivid descriptions of the living conditions of the two authors. I have seen that place from 30 to 40 miles away from where this was taking place and although my cousins live such a short distance away, their suburban life is incomparable to the lives of LeAlan and Lloyd.

This book is amazing reading you put in two points of view of young African American boy named Jones and Lloyd Newman Lealan. This is a new way that many people are not seen or experienced in my life. These two young boys are given tape recorders so they can record everyday life for them in Chicago. At that time they lived in Chicago, Ida (Jones, Newman, Isay, Brooks, 1998).

How life chances and life choices are present in the book

These quotes from the book are so powerful because LeAlan shows that he is very aware of the stereotypes that are associated with the people that live in the projects. LeAlan, however, cannot be classfied using any of these stereotypes. Despite harsh living conditions and the exposure to gang violence, LeAlan had big dreams and enrolled into college. He knew that in order to not become a victim of his environment, he had to be a hardworking and successful young man.

How are the life chances of Le Alan and Lloyd influenced by their living situations?

In the book "Our America", there are many examples of how having tough familial situations could lead to behavioral and psychological problems. Lloyd was still suffering from the sudden loss of his mother. Luckily, his two older sisters decided to stay by Lloyd's side and provided him with as much care, love, and attention as they could. Lloyd was negatively influenced by his father's alcoholism as well as his gambling addiction.

What are some of the obstacles that they face?

Towards the center of the book, we learn that Lloyd, unlike LeAlan who had a very powerful familial support system, was not going to graduate and go on to college because he had fallen behind. This bump in the plot made me think of the organization that Jacqui interviewed, The Jesse White Tumblers, and how their tutoring ...