"On Being Young"

This account of a young black girl is very moving. She discusses how she feels that she has a debt to others who have not had the privileges she has had in life. She talks about her dreams and what she wants out of life. One of the things she says that I like is when she is talking about those things a young girl wants and she says “A husband you can look up to without looking down on yourself.” I think that she was expressing how the young women of her day were feeling about the men. They wanted and needed a man that didn’t just take care of them, but would do it with respect and honor. She talks about how life can be like a barrel of fish with the ones on the bottom being crushed due to the ones on top trying to get out. She then talks about not getting bitter because that will not help. This young girl shows wisdom in how she tells the readers that wisdom is needed in their condition and to wait for the right time to “swoop to your feet-at your full height-at a single gesture” this is such a good quote. One of power and quiet determination to do what is needed in the advancement of the race and women in general. She called on the women to be patient when waiting for the right time for action.