Secret Life Of Bees

In English class last week we read a short story about a letter Martin Luther King Jr. wrote while he was in Birmingham Jail. The story talked about racism and segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned things about the city Birmingham its self, and mentioned how it was the most segregated city in the United States. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. states in the letter that he is trying to change the way society sees people as a whole, and is trying to make it a better place for everyone. He talks about trying to create everyone to become equals, and about the Civil Rights Movement. This letter and story can relate the the novel we started reading in class, The Secret Life Of Bees. This book takes place in the south, and racism is presented quite frequently in the novel. In the story it mentions the Civil Rights Movement, which was a worldwide political movement for equality. Even though in the town Lilly, her father, and Rosaleen live in, the Civil Rights Movement was already passed but Rosaleen is not treated as an equal. There is one example that shows this perfectly. On Lilly's birthday, Rosaleen and her take a trip into town. While there, Rosaleen is harassed by 3 white men, and all because of the color of her skin.  Rosaleen was harassed by these white men and they look down on her and don't treat her as an equal even though they are expected to. Both these story's are very relevant to our current understandings of society, and we are reading them at the perfect time seeing as since Black History month has just begun. During Black History month, many of these topics and concerns are reflected upon. I am glad that reflecting on History, we have all come to realize that everyone in our society should be treated as equals. It is important to realize that the way people are looked upon has  changed drastically, and for the better. 


"The Secret Life Of Bees." Web. 16 Feb 2011. <http://img.listal.com/image/1357796/600full-the-secret-life-of-bees-screenshot.jpg>.