Compare and Contrast: Enh 242 - American Dream

                                                Dallas Litscher

                                                ENH 242

“American Dream”

Published in 1928 Zora Hurston writes about her life in the story “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”. Growing up sheltered from the worlds views, Zora Hurston did not know anything prejudice or racial that was happening out side of her small, all colored, town. When all the sudden she found herself at school with racism. She compares herself to a rock in a river saying, “Among the thousands of white persons I am a dark rock surged upon and over swept, but through it all, I remain myself.” She found herself for the first time feeling different, overlooked, and passed by without a second thought. She is faced with the reality that to society she is different and maybe even lesser than the white kids around her. She goes on to say that even when she is overpassed by all the water she still come out the same person. She doesn’t let society change how she views the world. She come out from the experience stronger than when she started out as an innocent girl going to school.

At times in everyone’s lives we all can relate to feeling inadequate, or different. Everyone can relate to feeling over looked and passed by. Not everyone will be faced with going to a school where they are obviously different and not just seem different by the school but society also. However, I am sure people can relate to feeling different or not equal to those around them. Sadly, it happens to more people than we care to think about. Many people with disabilities will have similar stories as well. Our society has slowly realized that outer appearance doesn’t take away from what’s inside. It is sad we had to learn that lesson as a whole and didn’t just start out accepting everyone, but our society is slowing shaping and changing into be better and a safe place for everyone. Eventually, I hope we can have a society where no one feels different or inadequate.