The Black Man's Truth

The black race has endured racial injustice, prejudice, and oppression since the formation of the Thirteen Colonies in North America. From Texas to Mississippi to Alabama to Virginia, black slaves had to work inhumanely while carrying the traditions and culture of black civilization. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," Langston Hughes refers to himself as the man who built the huts when Africa was just born, the man who bathed in the rivers of the earliest civilization, the man who built the African monument of the pyramids, and the man who witnessed Abraham Lincoln during his first visit to New Orleans. Obviously, Hughes has not lived for nearly 5000 years, but as a black man, he represents all of black civilization, black tradition, black history, and black culture. While individuals may change, the rivers never change as they witness all that the black man has witnessed from the beginning of life, which is best exemplified using the refrain, "I've known rivers." The black man knows the river just like how the river knows him and his past. This degree of verisimilitude creates a truthful, historical account of the black man's struggles and burdens. Using a chronological order, Hughes builds the poem up to the eventual freedom of the blacks when "its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset." While this poem is not perfectly truthful, Hughes' use of verisimilitude illustrates that the emotions that Hughes feels and carries reflect the emotions of his race from their early and recent histories.

In Memory of My Loving Grandfather

On December 1st 2013, my grandfather, Tho Tran, passed away in his sleep at 3 AM in the morning. Yesterday was his funeral. He was strong, diligent, loving, caring, resilient, determined, compassionate, sympathetic, gracious, considerate. The list goes on and on, but not one word can describe my grandpa's complete character. Without a doubt, I can say that he was successful. However, he wasn't your typical example of successful; he didn't end up living in a mansion in East Egg with butlers to feed him. He had a dream to lead his family to live a happy and prosperous life, and he accomplished that goal. That is success. It's not about money or cars or mansions; it's about doing what is right and reaching that goal. Common themes between The Great Gatsby and "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" are the corruption in materialism, how much men and women worshiped wealth, and loss of fundamental moral values. If my grandfather was somehow placed in these stories, my grandfather would be the perfect foil for Tom and Daisy and the Washington family who represent these themes.

Let me tell you a little bit about him. He was born in China, but grew up in Vietnam. He was a farmer, a businessman, family general store owner, highest position at the local temple, and the elected principal for a public school, but in his heart, he was always a farmer. He was one with nature; although he left his farms in Vietnam, he created 2 new farms in my uncles' backyards when the family moved to Toronto! From melons to peas to lettuce to tomatoes to all kinds of herbs, he took care of each and every vegetable as if they were his own children.

As for his children (my mom, aunts, and uncles), he made sure that they all went to school and worked hard. He was the most generous man I had ever known. He would give out more than he could afford to give out to the community, temple, and family. Even though he was the youngest in his family, he was the one who kept everyone together as a family. If friends or family were in need, he would find a way to solve the situation. For example, during the Vietnam War, he hid his nephews that would otherwise be sent to war at his own expense. If they were found, my grandpa would surely have been sent to jail or even killed. This is one of his life lessons: Family is everything. Always put family first regardless of the situation.

Whereas the wealthy characters in Fitzgerald's novel were careless, uncaring people, that used others like disposable resources for their own advantage, my grandfather was a man with integrity and virtue that made life better for everyone around him. Whereas the wealthy characters only acted in self-interest, my father almost always put others in front of him. For him, life wasn't about achieving goals personally; it was about helping the community and ensuring his family's prosperity. Although his body is not with me today, his spirit will always be a part of me and will lead me through the good times and the rough times. He was a brave man who fought through his cancer for 2 years and never backed down even though the doctors said he had 6 months to live. Thank you for those unforgettable memories and life lessons.I know you are in a better place now, pain-free and happy. Rest in peace, Grandpa.