https://sites.google.com/stu.naperville203.org/tewwg-by-jake-banas/tewwg-text-set-homepage
For me, this text set was an important education on a voice that I have little experience with. Obviously, it is important to note your limitations on understanding situations like slavery and African American oppression. As a white male, I can admit that I am widely unfamiliar with the gender roles and stereotypes of African American women within society. That is why this novel and text set was of high importance to me. I wanted to further educate and explore the complexities and tensions of this voice and issue. From my research, I have learned how the historic oppression of the female African American voice is still having effects today. The TedTalk by Dr. Mwila highlighted a specific instance of how society still holds the expectation that African American females are supposed to be submissive, obedient homemakers. I think that bringing a previously unheard voice to light is a large goal of this project. Alice Walker’s “In Search of Zora Neale Hurston” essay talks about how Walker brought Zora’s voice to broader audiences, giving her a place to share her voice, her experiences, and her story. Bringing voices like this to mainstream multimedia can only increase diversity and educate others on the struggles and oppression they faced, creating a more inclusive society.
Transitioning into my perspective on my time at NNHS, the largest thing that I have learned is self reliance. I think that nowadays in society, too many people blame others for not achieving their dreams or obtaining success. North taught me that you need to take charge of your future and the only way to achieve your goals is hard work and resiliency. The staff at NNHS were monumental in helping me achieve my goals of going to the University of Michigan as well as other academic and athletic aspirations, and when combined with my drive and initiative, I think North is a great environment for high achieving students. With that being said, it also is an intense, competitive environment that deals large sums of stress onto its students. I think while there are extreme downfalls to this, it has made me stronger and driven me to success. It has pushed me to be who I am today.
To incoming seniors, start your college apps early. Push to grow academically and socially even within your last year. It is extremely easy to take your foot off the gas– don’t. Finish strong and go into college proud of your time at NNHS!