Sunday, November 30, 2014

A Note from Sister Souljah...

In her text, No Disrespect, Sister Souljah seeks to dispel the generational root of confusion among minorities.  She believes, “it is a mentality that functions with or without permission, on both a conscious and subconscious level,” and since we fail to discuss the problem, it becomes “a problem rooted in a forbidden topic” (Souljah, xi).   Thus, the text is a candid and realistic retelling of Souljah’s life experiences at a time synonymous with our young people.  She offers a collage of mistakes, scars and smiles in hopes young people will gain an understanding of love and life and they will have a chance to save themselves the pain of ignorance.  It is a work of non-fiction that lets “parents see the real lives that their children must prepare for” (Souljah, xv).

After listening to her "Note" at the opening of the text, provide a reaction to some of the ideas she presents.  Be sure to proofread your response and do not forget to respond to a post from one of your peers.  

62 comments:

  1. I have read a variety of books that discuss topics such as maturity, race, gender, and other forms of discrimination. However, none of the authors of these books have been as raw, straightforward, and honest as Sister Souljah. I admire her bravery and ability to accept humility as a stepping stone towards growth instead of a reason to hide behind fear. The "Note" inspires me to be more confident in my opinions and not feel the need to censor my inner thoughts. It reminds me that the projection of authenticity should be a natural human instinct and I should not have to wait for permission to speak out. I appreciate all of the other texts I've read that address similar topics presented in Sister Souljah's "Note". However, I respect Sister Souljah more because she's more of an "eye-opener" than a "people pleaser".

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    1. I'd like to add on to what you are saying Sarye, Sister Souljah does put things in a raw and straight forward way which allows readers to get straight to the point that is trying to be made. Also, being confident in your opinion is important in a sense that you have your own train of thought and your own ability to voice your opinion. However, one should censor their thoughts because they do not know who they might hurt. Nevertheless, speaking out against someone or something shows individuality and braveness to take a stand for what you believe in. I like your reaction it shows that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and should be comfortable enough to share their thoughts as long as they are not harming another individual.

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    2. It is true that a raw opinion may hurt the feelings of someone else. However, it is the way in which one relays the message that marks the tone of the statement. Even when one is cautious in the way they speak, others can still take great offense, and that is something that cannot always be prevented. After all, I agree with Sister Souljah when she says "I have no apologies. At least not to [anyone]. Only God. I intend no disrespect" (Souljah xvi).

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    3. I agree with Sarye and also feel that Sister Souljah gives a reader the inspiration to voice their opinion because of her boldness and honesty. She sets the example for one who isn't a person who is out-spoken and honest. However, the opening note impacts my out-look on being a more confident person overall. A confident person gives one the ability to do several thing that others wouldn't and in this case is being bold and straight forward with her honesty.

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    4. I agree with you Sarye. I am fascinated by the fact that Sister Souljah shares with her readers her experiences without being afraid or feeling ashamed of them. I like the fact that unlike many African American females she is an "eye opener" like you said. She is comfortable telling others of what she been through and doesn't worry about the consequences. I love how you shared that the "note" inspires you to be more confident with your opinions and not feel the need to censor your inner thoughts. Her rawness and honesty keeps readers wanting to read more of her journey as a women of color in America. I would love to learn to read about her take on it since we already learned about Lorene Cary's perspective on the ongoing issue. That was a great observation and I too respect Sister Souljah just by reading the "note".

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    5. Thanks for the clarification Sarye. I also agree with you when you say the tone in which the message is delivered shows the level of respect and the extent in which someone's feelings would get hurt. However, the tone in which the message is delivered does not take away from the content that is in the message. For example if someone was to say," you aint shit, your never going to be somebody and your worth nothing" in a jokey way one would still take offense to it because they are being taking for a joke and one is down grading them. There is no polite way to put this other than take people feelings into consideration. The tone in which a message is delivered is of importance but, now with Africans and low self- esteem feeling should play a role greatly. "The names as well as certain details have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty and to avoid embarassing anyone other than myself"(Souljah xvi). This shows Souljah having the sympathy for others and saving their reputation because she knows the harm it will bring, she only keeps her stories and her name because it is her story to tell and inform others.

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    6. Sarye, I agree with your reaction to Sister Souljah "No Disrespect" , because she is a confident black women who is able to share stories that has impacted and can relate to everybody. The life stories and her opinion is able to give the book a sense of honesty and an eye-opener to her audience.Instead of hiding from the outside world she is able to address these issues that impact the black community. I may disagree with Jada's comment because as a person in this society, we tend to censor our inner thought. So when analyzing Sister Souljah text, it is very important and ambitious for a young lady such as Souljah to come straight out with her opinions. I believe people should know the truth behind the hurt. To add on to what Lisa has to say I agree with the comment; she gives the reader a journey, but it is also the idea of giving the readers a reality check to life, and for them to change their lives around. They can take these life lessons that are presented in the book and apply them to their daily lives.

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    7. Sarye, I agree with how you approached this. Especially when you said " I admire her bravery and ability to accept humility as a stepping stone towards growth instead of a reason to hide behind fear." Many women would not come out of their shell and really reveal their true selves. Sister Souljah was so genuine that one wouldn't see her stories as funny, they'd see it was something to learn from. Sister Soulajh sees no reason to hide because this is what really happened and telling others can possibly help them in the long run.

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    8. I agree with Ronea and Sarye. Its hard to speak up with confidence knowing that you are ashamed of yourself at some aspect. So instead we hide behind lies and acts that we put up. Sistah Souljah is REAL, the truth does hurt , and because it hurt we choose to become ignorant to the truth.However, she tell us her perspective so that we too can see that the truth is our start to a solution.

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  2. As I read the Sister Souljah's "Note" at the opening of the text, I begin to learn not only about the author but about African Americans as a whole. Sister Souljah begins her "note" by providing readers with a description of herself. "What I am is natural and serious and as sensitive as an open nerve on an ice cube" (Souljah ix). Similar to Lorene Cary; the protagonist of Black Ice, Sister Souljah uses ice as a metaphor to explain her sensitivity to society in her circumstances. She shares with readers many of the things taken and prohibited from African Americans such as African beliefs, values, writing, languages, unity and family. Although Blacks were robbed from their true identity, she prays that the sharing of her experiences will allow them to "gain an understanding of love and life as well as avoid making the same mistakes" (Souljah xv). Unlike many African American females, Souljah lets readers know that she will be open with her experiences and is not ashamed of them. According to Sister Souljah, African American females "put a Band-Aid over the broken pieces of her heart, puts Revlon on everything else, and faces the world like perfume on shit with a fake smile and a false sense of security" (Souljah xv). This implies that women of color oftentimes wear a facade in search of belonging to society. Similarly, Lorene Cary hid from her friends and family the fact that she was raped and molested while attending St. Pauls- a predominantly white school. Like many other women, Cary found it "far too embarrassing" to admit she was a victim. Sometimes it becomes hard to tell someone because of your color and how its perceived in the world. On the other hand, I am excited to read this book. The author shares many details in the "note" pertaining to African Americans living in American with various circumstances.

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    1. I like the connection you made between Lorene Cary and Sister Souljah. I also admire the idea of Sister Souljah addressing issues concerning African-American women in society. As a woman of color, I believe that we should not feel ashamed to admit our wrongs or lend a helping hand to those younger than us because no one taught us anything. By doing so, we are only continuing the cycle and leading our people into a downward spiral of oppression. I am also excited to hear about the "shameful" experiences of African-Americans as well as the advice that Sister Souljah has to give to young people making equally shameful mistakes.

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    2. I woulde like to agree with you Lisa, because you bring up some valid points. I also like when you connected No Disrespect to Black Ice it shows that you've read and that you understood the information presented. However, i would like to see your reaction how what you read made you feel. The use of quotes gives vivid information and you explain each one well. This allows readers who did not read the book to fully understand the point you are trying to make.

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    3. To answer your question Jada. I was too into detail that I forgot to share how the reading made me feel. The reading kept me wanting to read further on to learn about Sister Souljah's experiences. The note was very entertaining and inspirational. It makes me believe that as a minority I should embrace my flaws and be opened with everything without being afraid of the judgement that might come after it. It also teaches me to learn from my mistakes and not to commit the same mistakes again.

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  3. Some of the ideas presented in No Disrespect was impactful in away that will influence others to view things under a different light. Reading the Note in No Disrespect Sister Souljah states, "On the other hand, many of our people have no desire to learn the African way because the African way has been misunderstood, misrepresented, and poorly packaged by both black and white people in America"(Souljah xiii). This here illustrates the lack of effort African Americans have to be themselves due to the foundation that was laid in the past. Due to the African way being dishonered and misrepresented Africans feel the need to disown their racial background because it causes obtacles in their future. However, African ways are not always negative they also have a positive impact on African lives. I feel as though African American people always find their way to assimilate into another society. Another part in the note that stood out to me is, "Either you come with me tonight, or you die right here tonight. It's freedom or death" (xiv). Souljah discusses Harriet Tubman freeing slaves after she found her way to the underground rail- road, she wanted to her race. Harriet wanted to stop her race from being used and mistreated so she gave them an option freedom or death. I believe this anecdote is very useful in the fact that Souljah's readers can make the connections where Tubman came from and how she felt and how she did not want her people to suffer anymore. Although the enslaved population feared to leave they decided to leave because Tubman was going to kill them if they did not want freedom. The note was very insparational because it allows readers to grasp the full concept of understanding African ways.

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    1. I also believe that the African way is often misunderstood and misrepresented because people do not appreciate the fight that our ancestors experienced to make sure that we are respected as human beings. However, I think that African-Americans are so stuck on being human beings that they forget culture is a general aspect of being human. Of course, all African-Americans do not think this way and it is not fair for others to use the thoughts of a few African-Americans and let it serve as the main opinion of all our people. This leads to a feeling of double-conciousness because as Black people in America, we often adopt an American culture as well. Unfortunately, we focus more on being American rather than staying in touch with our African roots.

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    2. I agree with Jada with the fact that the opening note influences others to view things in a different perspective. When one doesn't take the time to learn their history, they are continuously misguided and misunderstood growing up in the society. There are many things that comes back to knowing the African way but no one has the desire to learn it. Therefore they are misrepresented and that leads to African Americans being misguided throughout their upbringing in life. I also agree with Sarye that African Americans are so focused on being human beigns that they forget what they came from and don't honor their culture or ancestors.

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    3. Jada, I agree when you said the note is inspirational because the note allows others to be inspired to share their experiences and not be afraid. I like how you use the points stated in the note to support the broad topic of African Americans being misunderstood and misrepresented. Also it is interesting how you listed both the pros and cons of the African ways talked about in the text. In addition, I believe that African Americans being so fixated on others perception of them cause them to disown their racial background in order to belong. I find it useful how you stated what Sister Souljah said about Harriet Tubman in the note. Harriet Tubman gave African Americans an option, either to be free or to die because she wanted to stop blacks from being mistreated but they got to want it to.

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    4. I agree with Jada and Sarye, the African way is misunderstood and our fight is misrepresented and meaningless. Being that we misunderstood our history and cause, we fail to see and realize that we are fighting for the wrong reason. Many young black males are committing crimes today for selfish reasons and creates such a negative image of our people. We drag our people down with us if we sense success is shinning over them and not us. When we fight, most of tend to give up when things get rough and seems like failure. "But Harriet Tubman was different. She was a bad black soldier who remembered one of the most basic African beliefs, that "I" means "We". That if one is not safe, all are not safe."

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  4. After reading Sister Souljah's "A Note to My Readers" to open the text, I learned about the African American society as a whole. I learned about the causes and effects of one's actions and their actions. "The result: when uninformed young African males and females grow up, we become uninformed black adults who engage in relationships in which love is war" (Souljah, xi). I get from this quote that when one is raised without the correct guidance, it will continue with one throughout life and affect one in many ways. To add on as she states "many of our people have no desire to learn the African way because the African way has been misunderstood, misrepresented, and poorly packaged by both black and white people in America" (Souljah, xiii). According to this quote, no one wants to learn our history, therefore it leaves an effect on our decisions in life. Sister Souljah is sensitive to the society as well as open and educated on the society. She states a view on society that would influence the readers to change their perspective on the society.

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    1. I agree with Chantel and would like to add on by saying that the reason it takes a villiage to raise a child is because the necessary love, and attention a child needs is not given enough by one parent. Especially living with a single mom or father who I respect darely. To be honest as African Anerican males and females we don't have that love at home, so we go out looking for it. We uniformed if we doing that right ? Now we uniform and need money and start selling drugs. You brought up a really good point. But I believe that uniform piece is deeper than we know it.

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    2. I agree with Chanel as well as gained the same understanding after reading "Note to my readers". Her point on how us African Americans do not feel compelled to even learn about Africa's history strikes me with the same feelings. I believe in order to fully understand you as a person you have to understand what came before you and use that same knowledge to inform others. Understanding your history is of same importance as having an influential person in your life that provides guidance, because without both you will enter the adult world blind to reality.

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  5. In remembering the passage that we read today by Sistah Souljah, for some reason the title and the phrase "no disrespect" seems to constantly ring in my mind. Different authors have different reasons for naming their books, my speculations can be meaningless as some authors put no significance in their title. However, I feel the last words of her note, "no disrespect" in regards to God has a more profound meaning other than her saying "excuse my obscenity." In my mind the phrase take on a more sarcastic and mocking tone. Here we have a lowly black woman, who in her note praised herself as being very intelligent and sharp, having the audacity to break out the bonds of decency, of quiet, to shine a glaring light at her naked life, and indirectly ours. Its a scene of power, a power that black slaves were not allowed to have, and now in this time where we have more freedom of the press and have more opportunities to learn, in her shining moment I imagine her smiling and saying "no disrespect." Another thing that comes to mind is her example of Harriet Tubman. The fact that Harriet Tubman had the wit and the bravery to turn her gun on a person of her own color, for the sake of keeping her cause a secret, exhibits the power and sheer ambition she had. With her gun she would silence those who would prevent her from her goal, even her own people, meaning no disrespect of course.

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    1. I agree with your description of the significance of the author's meaning of "no disrespect" in relation to her intentions of where she will lead her book. You have a well written analogy that shines a light on the text in a new way and opens a new insight on how we can further perceive the text. By stating her almost ignorant and sarcastic phrase "no disrespect", I agree with you that she uses it in a way to manipulate the minds of the reader to prepare them for what she has to say next. By stating this, she shows that she plans to move on with her intended topic with little to no care of what retribution she may face from her readers. I believe that this is more captivating as an element because it makes the reader want to find out more of what she promises to come, and it almost makes them feel as if they want to be offended just to confirm the validity of her statement. It's close to a "walk the walk, talk the talk" scenario.

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    2. Marlon you are right in the sense of where she will lead her book. This note served as a foundation to the book, something to make the reader know what to look for in the book. The came direct and explicitly told the reader information that others would not tell.I also agree with Dale when he said she uses "No Disrespect" in a way to manipulate the reader's minds because it makes them wonder what she will say next. No Disrespect means she is saying how she feels and who ever feels that it is directed to them its not to attack them its just how she feels

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    3. I agree with Marlon as well because when she states that she is not going apologize to the selected people that she named in the opening of the book shows her intentions of what she will say about those group of people. Now that i read Dale's post i also understand how she is trying to manipulate readers or persuade them to read more in order to find out what will happen next. The title also has a symbolic meaning because she is not going to sugar coat around her experiences. The author basically has an intention in stating how she feels and how certain experiences in her like devoted to her self identity. In all actuality this may be a memoir in which she has the capability in changing readers perspective on many things such as society and the perception of African Americans and women in society. This may be one of the most interesting books we may read this term (in my opinion).

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  6. “..... I hope and pray that many African male and women will gain an understanding of love and life, that they will have a chance to save themselves the pain of ignorance. I hope they will be able to avoid making the same mistakes…. I’m letting parent see the real lives that their children must prepare for. Too any parents have no idea what their daughters are doing and little concern for what their sons are doing”( Souljah xv- xvi). In Sister Souljah profound book “No Disrespect” she gives the real instead of the fake, which could relate to many young teenagers including myself in this society today. She is able to bring up certain themes such as racism, discrimination, and failure. Souljah is able to describe racism and discrimination through slavery; she states that before slavery many black people were knowledgeable and respectful, after slavery, we bring down the mentality to become successful. As a black teenager in this society, we don’t have the ability to push our self for greatness, but mostly likely reach out for failure. In this society we were brought up to believe that we are inferior to others. Sister Souljah note is able to give the reality of a black person’s life, and it can also relate to Iyanla Vunzant poem “Yesterday I Cried”. She quotes “… and all the time I had dishonored, disrespected, and disconnected my Self from myself.” This girl is disconnected from the world, she doesn’t know herself, suffers from the pain to find herself in this society. Any African women and males, struggles to find themselves in the society; living up to white peoples expectation of normal. Sister Souljah is able to give the outlook on how black people are perceived in this society and gives the truth behind the hardships that each individual student encounters. Parents should be involved in their child’s lives because it is important that they don’t make the same mistakes in life.

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    1. I agree with Stephy because being disconnected from the world takes a toll on you. Over the years things and people have change. The generation that we are living, we are consider as minority and the whites are majority. With today’s society we are put into stereotypes where we are they only ones spending more money than the people making the clothes. The mentality that us teens have is that fashion gives us a creative way to fit in society and to show that we don’t only party, and act wild with fashion in some way we have a part in society. Sister Souljah explained that after slavery Africans was stripped of the knowledge they had which cause them to feel displaced in society from the horrible treatment they had indure during that time. also she wants us to use her expriences as a guide so that we do not end up as a statistics.

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  7. As I have reached the conclusion of Sister Souljah's note to her readers, she has left a valuable impression on me that will last the duration of my time spent reading her book. She has given me the implication that she is a very powerful and well-minded individual with a lot of testimonies about the world that others ought to hear about. As I go on to read her book, I cannot help but to recognize her force, authenticity, and drive as a writer. She channels her powerful thoughts through her confident and authoritative language which makes the reader feel that what she is saying is a privilege to hear and should not be taken for granted. She gives the feeling that what she has to say is genuine and life-changing, which further grabs the reader's interest. The section I focused on the most in her introduction is her remark towards Harriet Tubman. She indicates that Tubman, after being liberated, placed it upon her obligation to go back and fight for her brothers and sisters to be freed as well, sometimes even forcefully. She describes Tubman in a way that portrays Souljah herself--there is a no-nonsense toughness about her that is similar between the two women. Lastly, the poem entitled "Yesterday, I Cried" also relates to the book in an astonishing way. In the poem, the writer views crying as an effective way to relieve certain stresses and to clear one's consciousness of whatever burden, no matter however hard it may be. In her intro, Souljah admits to the reader that even though some of her information may embarrass her, she still feels it necessary to compel this information to the rest of the world. This whole novel can then be looked at as her expression of crying and her release of sensitive, self-destructive content that will uplift the spirits of herself and others.

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    1. Marlon, I agree what you say about Sister Souljah. It was very interesting how you was able to make the connections to Harriet Tubman and the author, because looking back Harriet Tubman she took upon herself to help her brothers and sisters Also, Souljah takes it upon herself to impact her readers with the truth; nothing but the truth. And I like the way you was able to relate the book to the poem "Yesterday I Cried" because the cry is able to relieve pain; Souljah shares these stories to liberate herself and by sharing these stories with the world she is able to release her anger;which allows other to be confident because everybody goes through the same issues in life.

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    2. I also agree with his connection with Harriet Tubman because that brings a direct example from history. I like the other connection with the poem because it brings out the strength of Sister Souljah's Note and the deep meaning. Stephanie you make a good point as well with the cry saying that it is a relief for pain and Sister Souljah's note was to release locked in feelings. True, everyone does go through the same mistakes but she wants the readers to know her's so they can know what to do and what not to do. She wants us to go back to our original culture by being unified.

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    3. I agree with Marlon, Steph and Jahceim. Marlon raised a point that I totally agreed, he stated that ."She has given me the implication that she is a very powerful and well-minded individual with a lot of testimonies about the world that others ought to hear about". Sister Souljah wanted her readers to know she is well spoken individual. She is also an intelligent young African American women. In addition, her mistakes should be shared so other's would not make the same mistakes as her.

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  8. As I read Sister Souljah note to her readers, she had some important and valuable things she want you to understand. Sister Souljah has made young adolescents open their minds and eyes to what an African American woman goes through. When I conclude reading the note I made the connection to Dr. King’s “A Drum major Instinct”, Sister Souljah wanted the need to feel important for something that is worth you being known for. Nevertheless she spoke upon one of the famous face in African American history Harriet Tubman, she elaborates on the fact that she did not only think of herself but she when back to get everybody else. Harriet Tubman and Sister Souljah determination and fearlessness allow them to be the individuals they are/was. Finally I connected “Black Ice” because both females have life experiences that they are embarrass by. “Anyway, I have no apologies”. This statement was important to me because it shows that whatever experience she had been through she wants you share with you without being judge for it.

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    1. Priscilla I agree with your opinion. I like that you incorporated the connections between The Drum Major and note to the readers. Likewise you stated also within Black Ice how both women had embarrassing moments. You could elaborate that it could be also a contrast. Cary was ashamed and worried what others may think of her while Souljah seeks to make it known to society that her mistakes are not to be judged, because everyone do make them you just have to learn from them.

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    2. Priscilla I liek your opinion also, and I like the way you talked about Sister Souljah speaking on Harriet Tubman. Not only did Harriet Tubman notthink of herself and went back to get everybody else, but she did not take no for an answer. She would not let anyone refuse to come with, it was either they came or they died?! That shows that Harriet Tubman was a very caring individual. I also think you should consindered what Brittania said about contrasting how Sister Souljah is okay with sharing her mistakes with or without being judged but Cary did not because she was afraid of being judged.

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  9. As I begin reading Sister Souljah note to her readers I felt an immediate truth, a painful yet courageous tone of voice. I got the sense that ancestral background and unity can have an effect on people today. When she said "I" mean "we " this made me think about unity as it relates to African Americans in a sense that most people who belong to this race would stick together to achieve a common goal but there would also be a few who would not stick together. We as black people never come together as one in an respectable manner. She is in no doubt experienced and is willing to educate Our "people" who have no sense of awareness and fled the streets looking for themselves. She mentions, it is within ourselves that there is some form of self-hatred along with the deep seated jealousy for one another. Yet all this is rooted right back to slavery. This is a really powerful note unlike any other. I feel as if the African American race lost respect, and values for ourselves along time ago. Now most of "Us" are stripped of knowledge and live lives Destined to find love and hope.

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  10. From reading the note to her readers within No Disrespect by Sister Soldiers she shared with the audience of how her life has been. Relating towards how she faced society growing up as an African American woman. This book seems powerful and intends in impacting the lives of others to make a change. Her voice and tone reflects a sense of being real to her audience despite who they are. She is willing to take those critics as she takes such risk in letting society knows that she is not fearful of no one’s opinion. The author was not aware of the difficulties the world had to present her and since no one took the initiative to warn her about it she wrote this book based on the truth warning African Americans. I believe that Sister Soldiers will allow the African American society to be more conscious about there environment.

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    1. Brittania I like your opinion but I would not disagree but say otherwise. You stated that "the author was not aware of the difficulties the world had to present to her and since no one took the initiative to warn her her about it she wrote this book based on the truth warning African Americans". I believe that Sister Souljah was aware of the difficulties she just did not let that bother her. I believe that she knew some would agree with her and some would not but she did not care she was okay with that. She was willing to her the positives and negatives and not let any of it affect the way she chose to live her life.

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    2. I totally agree with your interpretation of "The Note" by Sister Souljah Brittania. I think the book is a very powerful piece you are right on that,and specially for it to be so touching and powerful just from the beginning.The struggles that African American women go through, I think will be greatly expressed in the book. I agree with you that her tone do carry a sense reality and firmness to let the readers know, the information provided in the novel are just as real as she is expressing them to be. I honestly think that the fact that she doesn't care to be judged or what people have to say will make her book great.

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    3. Brittaina and Tati i agree with you because her impact on peoples life will allow my others to be more outspoken about their experiences. i believe that she was aware of the difficulties but she was too blind to pay attention, after having the difficulties it was her choice how she live her life. She wants her experiences to be a stepping stone for people in scoiety

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  11. After reading Sister Souljah's note, I now see her perspective on blacks as a whole. She specifically addresses the black females because they are hiding their true selves because of mistakes. She says she is willing to share her mistakes to the readers without shame because she wants others to avoid them. She implies that we need to unify because we've lost our identities and we are vulnerable without our culture. She mentions that females "put a Band-Aid over the broken pieces of her heart, puts Revlon on everything else, and faces the world like perfume on shit with a fake smile and a false sense of security"(Souljah, XV/15). This means that they are hiding how they really feel and who they really are from others even though they are hurt.

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  12. Brandon I like that you used W.E.B DuBois’ text as it becomes a relevant source that’s related to No Disrespect. I like your connection when you speak about the African American society not knowing how to live above the white society. This is why we are trapped today as you said in your response. Also it is the the African American society do not know their history therefore they are struggling with self-identity. I also believe that she will shine the light on African Americans through her text.

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  13. I actually found myself being interested in No Disrespect by Sister Souljah especially after reading "A Note to My Readers". I believe this first chapter is basically an introduction for the book to describe what she will be writing about. Though this chapter I realize how each page explains a scenario with African Americans in society. I am guessing that each chapter in this novel will revolve or devote around an experience that makes a change in Sister Souljah's life. One part that caught my attention the most was when Sister Souljah stated "Learning as she goes through each experience, her life is a collage of mistakes, scars and smiles" (Souljah, 16). I believe she is referring to the experiences in her life that shaped her identity as a woman. Throughout life one will go through trials and tribulations, after surpassing these obstacles will create that persons self identity.

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  14. After reading "The Note" from Sister Souljah's book No Disrespect I am now very excited to read this book. I have never cam across a book with an author who is so raw and straight forward. I believe that Sister Souljah wants to show us as her readers some of the experiences that she went through and how her life has changed with such personality that she has. Sister Souljah stated that she is willing to share her mistakes with her readers with no shame because she ants others to avoid them. This is the reason why she adressed African American females because there is many mistakes made by African American females that they tend to keep to themselves. Keping everything inside to oneself is not good, and that is why she wants to inspire one to not be afraid to say what's on their mind. Throughout life everyone will make mistakes, but it is us to us to own up to our mistakes and become a better person from it.

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    1. I agree with you Tatiana with the fact that the opening note caught my interest. Sister Soulja's "A Note to My Readers" was a great way to draw the attention of the readers in and make sure they become highly interested in reading the rest of the book. I agree that she is trying to put awareness to her readers not to encounter the mistakes that she has made in life. However, she uses many examples and the African American society as a whole to get her point across but in a raw and straight forward way as you said. The opening note was a great way to capture the readers attention and introduce them to the topic that will be discussed throughout the rest of the book.

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    2. Tatiana, I agree with you 100% on the way that Sister Souljah's opening note affected you in a positive way. I too believe that we all make mistakes in life but it is up to us to learn from them and better ourselves in the process. Yes, Sister Souljah is raw and straightforward and when we start to read, I think that is what is going to make "No Disrespect" a good book. I can already tell that Sister Souljah will touch us in a way that we would have never known. No Disrespect is definitely going to be an eye opener to many of us as well as something to carry with us for the rest of our lives.

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    3. Yes, Tatiana I completely agree with your perspective on the book based upon what we have read so far. Sistah Souljah makes it blatantly obvious that her novel is all facts.Her attitude and experiences is what makes her "raw and straight forward" as you said. I agree with you because even though she is raw and straight forward, she is speaking the truth on the things that African American will or have encountered at some point in their lives. and for the simple fact that you hit it right on the nose about the examples she uses and how they connect to African Americans is why I agree.

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  17. When I read Sister Souljah's note to her readers, it reminded me of an interview that Maya Angelou was apart of. While she was being interviewed, Maya said " A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." There is a purpose as to why this song is being sung. When a bird sings it is because it wants to be heard and other birds can pass it along. In human expression, I believe that Sister Souljah is the bird and "No Disrespect" is her song. She is singing her song so that it can be heard and so that we'll be able to sing it to others as well. In addition to that, in her note I feel as though Sister Souljah was being very authentic and open about certain things that us as African Americans face. Specifically though on page xvi, within the first paragraph, she says " Too many parents have no idea what their daughters are doing and little concern for what their sons are doing." This is what hit me the most besides everything else. I feel as though this is true because parents know what their sons are doing but they aren't really doing anything to stop them from doing it. When their son gets into a serious situation, that is when the parent(s) get involved. As for the daughters, it is the same thing. Daughters can get away with almost anything because parents never suspect that their daughters are up to no good. It is time for parents to pay attention to their sons and daughters, so that they wouldn't have to visit them in jail or have to visit their graves.

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    1. I totally agree with you renae, because nowadays kids do whatever they want. A teenager can get in trouble and the parent is going to pick their side not even knowing what he/she did. That is what’s wrong nowadays because kids think they can get in trouble and they know that their parents will bail them out of their problems. One thing my mom also told me is that if I ever get put in jail she not bailing me out because I should know better not doing what I did. Teenage are getting more disrespectful every year and plus the music they are also listening to can also be bad impact on us.

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    2. I agree with you Ronea and Harvelinio because many parents do not know what their children are doing and then when it affects them, they start to really pay attention. Parent(s) should be in their child's life knowing what they are doing at all times.Also, the child should listen to their parent(s) because their parent(s) could be telling them that may help that child in that particular situation. I also like the way Ronea had connected Maya Angelou and Sister Souljah. I also believe that Sister Souljah could be the bird and "No Disrespect" could be her song.

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    3. I completely agree with Ronea and her thoughts on young females/males and their parents. I believe males are allowed to do and say as they please, and the only time parents get involved is when that "freedom" takes a turn for the worse. As far as females, I believe that there are two different types. One in which, the female is taught life morals but is later influenced by other people are there way of living. Another would be a female that is "protected" and than later on left to go through adulthood, only to not be able to handle a slightly uncontrolled life. I love the connection between Maya Angelou and Sister Souljah

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  18. After reading Sister Souljah's " A Note to My Readers" from her book No Disrespect, I am so intrigued to find out what will happen or be said next. I now find that Sister Souljah's attitude is one that is definitely unique. I would love to know the obstacles that she had to past in her life in which made her who she is. She seems to be a great person, a piece from her work that made me so interested was, when she spoke about how, a female covers up certain things to avoid being judged and ridiculed. I fell like the book will have such a great connection to things that females go through and have been going through for years because of being a women. While reading No Disrespect i would love to find out how other people handled those situations in which are still common today.

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  19. After reading Sistah Souljah's "Note", I feel like I'm drawn to her world. Her world, in which she displays her strength and confidence as a African American woman, without being ashamed of who she is. Many ideas were sparked by her authentic voice, creating this bursting flame of reactions to her readers. She is not ashamed of the mistakes she made, of her skin and race. "Our balanced and positive Afriacn way of thinking and living therefore was pressured, beaten, raped, murdered, and legislated out of the majority of us and banished from memory...But Souljah wont hide. I wont hide because the Bible says to whom much is given, much is expected, and I already told you I was blessed with spiritual eyes.(Souljah, 14). I admire her rawness and ability to persuade readers by being straight forward. How she confronts the black females and what it may means to be black and female. How instead of "Womanhood" she addresses it as "African Womanhood", raising questions and awareness to "...most ghetto girls who haven't yet been turned into money-hungry heartless bitches by a godless money centered world(Souljah,9)." Sistah Souljah doesnt try to beat around the bush with the truth, she lets you have it hard, intending NO DISRESPECT!!

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  20. After reading “A Note to My readers” I agree with what sister souljah spoke about on page xvi first paragraph that too many parents have no idea what their daughter doing and little concern for what their sons are doing . Nowadays the way kids are is totally different from back in the days. I remember when I was talking with my uncle, he told me that parents don’t care about what their kids are doing these days, and it was way different back when he was younger. When you saw the street light comes on, he knew that he had to go home, but now teenagers are staying late out, coming home whenever they want to. The way this generations change is really mess up because I was taught that I should always respect everybody even if I didn’t like them especially elders because the I teens talk to their elders is really disrespectful, even if I try to be disrespectful to elderly person I can’t because I was taught better than that. I think that us, teenagers change now without the help of our parents, we can make a different in this world because really if you look at it like this after we are grown our kids is going to look up to us and I don’t want send a bad explain to my kids, elderly people are already talking down on us so why don’t change now and make a different.

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  21. After reading Sister Souljah's "Note", I can see that she is discussing the issues of society on African males and females. I believe when she said "...young black women and men wander around in stupidity...dressed up in Nike sportswear and sneakers"(Souljah, xi) is true. Young black people focus on too much on irrelevant things than to remember how we were treated in the past, where black people had to fight what their freedom and rights to where now we are trying to bring each other down. Black people think they know all about their history, where they really do not. She also said "On the other hand, many of our people have no desire to learn the African way because the African way has been misunderstood, misrepresented, and poorly packaged by both black and white people in America"(Souljah, xiii). Black people have to learn the truth from where they are from because they are losing less knowledge of their past which makes them not care because it happened in the past. However, they need to know that they would not be here doing what they are doing today,if it were not for our ancestors who originated from Africa or people like Harriet Tubman who risked her life to help those hundreds of black people escape from the South to the North, to have a sense of freedom. As for all black people we need to know that "the important thing is not who these people are,but the circumstances that each person deals with"(Souljah, xvi).

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  22. I agree with Brittania, I like how liked how you uses W.E.B DuBois' as reference also with theme of double-consciousness. I like that you see how African Americans try to fit up to the expectations of society. I also like your very last sentence because I agree with you that she will shine light on our dis-functional race because we try to fit in and be like everyone. We become distracted with so many other things in life, it's like we forget who we are sometimes. We need to learn how to connect the dots of our lives.

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  24. After reading the first chapter of No Disrespect I have to say that I was not disappointed at all. The first chapter included everything about her childhood from a young aged child to a teenager experiencing change, from even her mother. she began to come to realization that her mothers train of thinking was completely different than what it was when she was younger. Things that her mother used to teach her, she no longer followed. Souljah began to feel the gap between her and her mother, and it pained her. however at the same time i felt like she was forced to be the adult figure in the household because her mother was sort of reverting back to childish ways. One things that stood out to be about this chapter was, the life lesson that Souljah encountered with her father at the park. "Come on, baby, come to daddy! ... i came crashing onto the ground, causing my head to bleed... Daddy why didnt you catch me?... i told you trust nobody" (Souljah, 8) i made a connection with this piece of the chapter to a Memoir written by Lorene Cary entitled Black Ice, and to me it then made alot of sense with the following event that happened to Souljah. Her father teaching her to trust nobody carried on with her, and it became an effective use for her teenage years.

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    1. I agree with Destiny when she said she is not disappointed with the opening of the book at all. Some books you read the first pages discourage you to read on. I also made various connections to the book. In addition, I found it interesting how her father taught her the lesson of "to trust nobody" by making his daughter to injure herself.

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  25. After reading "Note to reader" I understood this is not a ordinary piece of literature. I would be expose to uncut and natural experiences that most young African American females would never reveal to the public. Her situations provide a new way of thinking as well as give real explanation as to why some females are forced into the life they live and the mentally they uphold. Understanding ones history as well ones self is essential to a person growth. In way "No Disrespect" is like a guidebook for those females who lack guidance on the harsh effects of becoming a woman. Sister Souljah shares "Its is with this kind of spirit and that kind love that I live my life and offer this book, which deals with the African man and woman in American and our ability to relate to and love one another I healthy life-giving relationship. I am especially concerned with African female in America, the ghetto girl whom nobody ever tells the definition of womanhood, or manhood for that matter. So she slips in and out of relationship, getting chopped up psychologically, spiritually, and sometimes even physically.... "(Souljah xiv). With this the reader obtains a clear purpose of the content within the text.

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  26. In Sister Souljah's book No Disrespect she starts her book off with a "Note" to her reader. I was shocked to see how she gave the truth to her readers about the different topic that would appear in her book." I never said I was an angel. Nor am I innocent or holy like the Virgin Mary. What I am is natural and serious and sensitive as an open nerve on an ice cube"(Souljah ix). I was surprised to see an author open their book like that. She was straight up, telling her readers that her life was not perfect. Later down in the "Note" she speaks information which is so true in today's society and in my life. I liked how she never sugar coated anything. When Sister Souljah was talking about the way blacks operate and think, it made me think about a lot. How the media influence our lives? Why do blacks suffer with self-hatred? and Why blacks commit black on black crimes? I was able to connect and relate to her person life story just after reading the first few pages." Young black women and men wander around in stupidity and ignorance-glorified stupidity all dressed up in Nike sportswear and sneakers"(Souljah ix). I was able to relate to this part because I am one of those young black men who wear these same stupid and glorified brands. After reading the "Note" it made me want to read the next chapter of the book.

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