#clybournepark

There are many things to consider while reading these two pieces of writings, mainly race. Both have different perceptions of how to categorize race. Clybourne Park focuses on the community around them, while Fences focused more on the individuals themselves. In Clybourne Park the main focus is how others feel about a white family moving out of a white neighborhood, while a black family is now moving into that house. At first they did not know it was being sold to a black family, but then once they find out some people in the homeowners association make a big deal about it. Bev at first is very confused and doesn't like it at first but then thinks, why not give them a chance. Once Lindsey and Steve buy the house the homeowners association does everything possible to stop them from moving into this neighborhood, even though they are very nice people. This is a main difference compared to Fences. In Fences, Troy is worried about himself and his family. He never worries about white families moving in, he only worries about how they are stealing jobs from blacks. Troy is perceived to be the stereotypical black man. He is big, tough, and kind of mean, and above all he does not like the white community, while Steve and Lindsey are very open minded about the white community. Troy doesn't not worry about how he affects anyone else's lives. For example, Troy decides to ask his boss why only white people drive the trucks, and then comes back with black people know how to drive too. He believes that all things given to a black is bad, useless, and not helpful. Whereas Steve can be semi-appreciative about good things to come. Both Steve and Troy can be very similar. Both of them are blacks who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. They also believe that some things are needed to be done regardless of if they like it or not. For example, Troy cheats on his wife, then ends up having a baby with her. The baby was not his choice and it didn't make him the happiest man, but it became his priority. Steve is also in this situation because he married Lindsey and the only way they would stay together is if he would agree to have children with her, even though he did not want kids, he made that sacrifice for her. Both of these men are black, whom some portray the typical stereotype, and others may not; altogether, they are both very similar.

Clybourne Park and Fences really made the readers look deeper and see how racism was affecting everyone in the world, especially the people who were experiencing it first hand. In Clybourne Park, the conflict arises that a colored family wants to move into the neighborhood. Based on the time period of this book, a lot of people had very predominant feelings about this change of events in the neighborhood. I for one, was shocked when Bev stood up for the colored family saying that they needed a chance. In my mind, when I think of this time period, I see a white woman with blonde hair that is not the smartest and is very racist. Reading this book for the first time gave me a different outlook look on how people acted back then, and how they are perceived today. Even though this event took place in the beginning of the play, I believe it was a pivotal moment in the character development of Bev. She has been through a lot in her life losing her son, and had a husband that did not talk much. It shows that she isn't conforming to the “norms” of society. Also, another moment which I myself as a reader thought was essential to the development of Bev was when she stormed off saying she can't take this anymore and stood her ground. It is so gratifying when a character finally stands up and tells the audience how they are actually feeling, which is why I connect Bev to Rose from Fences. Rose, is a black woman living in a time where blacks were not given equal opportunities as whites. Her dominant, obdurate husband is Troy Madison who works for a trash company and is not a driver, he is the one who picks up the trash and puts it in the truck. With this job, he is being paid less than the drivers which are white men. This causes some issues with money and trust between Troy and his family. Despite Troy and Rose’s many years of marriage, Rose is notified by Troy that he is having a baby with another woman. Keep in mind, Rose is a character who keeps to herself and doesn't express the emotions she is feeling. After Troy told her this discovery, all heck broke loose. Rose finally stood up to Troy, and told him how she felt, like Bev in Clybourne Park when she stands up to her husband. Also, both of these characters try to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They know what they believe in, and aren't afraid to say how they feel after standing up for themselves for the first time. Connecting these two characters allowed me to see what the meaning of these two books are all about. To me these books are about standing up for what you believe in, not putting up with the ignorant airheads that try to stand in your way to promote something to benefit everyone equally. Everyone is to be treated equal, no matter what color skin you have, who you love, or your gender. Accepting everyone for who they are is what makes this country great. It's what makes living everyday an adventure, exploring the world and all of the diverse people living on this planet. Bev and Rose standing up for what they believed in, and not putting up with their husbands ignorance is what makes them the people they are. Standing up for someone being bullied shows who you are as a person, and defending what you believe in shows the passion you have to promote something bigger and better to benefit the world and it’s people.