My smart padlet by NyKayla Johnson

What does this text convey about the African-American experience?

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-03 12:08:37 UTC

The Concrete Rose is a book that is focused on a Black man named Maverick and how he has a son. He wants to change his life around so that he can provide for his son, and it conveys the black experience because even when you make the wrong decisions, it's never too late to turn your life around.

Where DOES your story fit into that?

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-05 01:22:07 UTC

Maverick accidentally gets a girl pregnant and doesn't think that parenting is as hard as it seems until he has to balance it out along with school and working a part time job to provide for his son. It fits because even when you make the wrong decisions you can always fix your mistakes and make them better for yourself.

an explanation of why you picked this book?

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-09 12:59:42 UTC

I picked the Concrete Rose because I wanted to read a book about different points of view from African-Americans and how we face our problems different from others. I chose this book because it gave me a great sense that everyone struggles and makes mistakes but we all learn from them, and this book gives a great explanation of that.

How has the character developed throughout the book?

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-15 14:30:19 UTC

The character developed throughout the book because at first Maverick only cared about selling drugs and making money, but when he noticed that he had a child with another girl. His girlfriend Lisa feels offended poor Maverick has to fight between trying to keep his girlfriend and trying to take care of his son; while also still trying to stay focused in school. Maverick has developed because throughout the book so far he has come through tough challenges and obstacles but he will do anything to provide for his son and be smart on the streets.

a discussion of the title’s significance

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-17 12:37:18 UTC

The Concrete Rose "Thomas demonstrates that a person's ability to blossom is determined in part by his own choices, but that ultimately, just as it can lead a young man astray, it is the collective—the actions of his community—that can steer him through obstacles during times of need". This talks about the challenges and outcomes that Maverick has went through trying to make the right choices and keep himself away from danger, and how no matter what choices you make you can learn and build from it.

your opinion of the book, good or bad, supported by specific references from the book

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-19 12:42:04 UTC

My opinion on the book is that the book is good because it tells you and shows you that even when you can't get back up again there is always someone waiting for you. I say that because in the book Maverick lost one of his family members in the book which led him down a dark depression road, and he saw that his family and Lisa was his shining light that would help him get through anything. The book is good because it gives you a different pov on how everyone's life is different and you don't know what other people have going on. It shows you that you can change your life around..

an explanation of problems you had in understanding the book

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-24 12:31:38 UTC

An explanation of problems that I had during this book was that Iesha didn't want to take care of her son at first because she had him for "months" and when Maverick found out that he was a father she quickly dropped Seven off instead of co-parenting. But what I didn't know was that she was struggling and dealing with depression and she was facing many issues that she didn't want to talk about or having anyone know. This is the only problem I had so far while reading the book

a detailed response to a specific quote or word

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-04-30 16:03:53 UTC

A detailed quote I have from the book from "Son, one of the biggest lies ever told is that black men don't feel emotions" This is a important quote because it talks about how black men don't like to show their emotions because they portray them as weak, and they shouldn't feel like this. Black men shouldn't feel this way about their emotions but sadly it is portrayed this way in the black community.

About the song I chose and why?

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-05-01 14:10:49 UTC

The song I chose on the 2pac album was "Life goes on". I chose this song because it talks about losing someone in the streets, and in the book Mav lost his cousin due to gang violence and he wants revenge but he is still trying to mourn his cousin. This relates to me because on my dad side I lost my cousin due to gang violence and we can't sit and waste time mourning because that not what the victim would want you to do the victim would want you to live your life.

My personal opinion on the book

nykaylajoh1333 — 2024-05-03 16:03:12 UTC

My opinion on the book is that it talks about struggles within the black community, and overall Maverick learns how to love and care for his family because he has 2 children on the way while trying to manage staying in school and keeping a job. Maverick overcome obstacles and wants to do better for himself and his family but he also still want to sell drugs and get out of the thug life.