What do think about racial discrimination? Have you ever thought of the consequence that it may cause in life? If not, you should read the book named “Let the Day Perish” by Gerald Gordon. This is a thought – provoking story about racial discrimination.
I was in floods of tears as reading it. There were many victims of discrimination on the grounds of race or nationality. Many oppressed South African people suffered racial discrimination which put their life in the corner and led them to miserable life. There are two typical characters in the story illustrating it.
First, Mary was a color woman getting married to an European man. She was kept distance from other white people surrounded her. She gave birth to 2 sons. Luckily, Anthony – her first son – has a white complexion which was partly recognized as a European boy. However, the second son was born in color without her expectation. The government at the time showed great racial discrimination in not allowing her children to attend the school for white people. Her sons were unfairly treated and avoided though they were merely children. It was really hard to break down deep - rooted prejudices against race at the time. It’s a pity that she was afraid of giving birth to the third child. However, she was unexpectedly pregnant. As she was not sure whether her coming child would be color or white, she finally found committing suicide as a solution.
Second, Anthony is Mary’s first child. He was luckily born in white. He was living as a European man, but he was always obsessed that his roof would be discovered some days. He did not dare to pursue his love to a European woman because he felt inferior in his nationality. Also, he did not want to admit his color brother until he needed his help as a witness. Thus, he had to suffer a life of anxiety and insecurity.
In general, none of us can choose where we were born and which race we would belong to. We should not judge a book by its cover. The most important thing is one’s characteristics, not his complexion. Everyone should be fairly treated no matter what his nationality is.
Hạ Di
Sep 8th, 2012
I was in floods of tears as reading it. There were many victims of discrimination on the grounds of race or nationality. Many oppressed South African people suffered racial discrimination which put their life in the corner and led them to miserable life. There are two typical characters in the story illustrating it.
First, Mary was a color woman getting married to an European man. She was kept distance from other white people surrounded her. She gave birth to 2 sons. Luckily, Anthony – her first son – has a white complexion which was partly recognized as a European boy. However, the second son was born in color without her expectation. The government at the time showed great racial discrimination in not allowing her children to attend the school for white people. Her sons were unfairly treated and avoided though they were merely children. It was really hard to break down deep - rooted prejudices against race at the time. It’s a pity that she was afraid of giving birth to the third child. However, she was unexpectedly pregnant. As she was not sure whether her coming child would be color or white, she finally found committing suicide as a solution.
Second, Anthony is Mary’s first child. He was luckily born in white. He was living as a European man, but he was always obsessed that his roof would be discovered some days. He did not dare to pursue his love to a European woman because he felt inferior in his nationality. Also, he did not want to admit his color brother until he needed his help as a witness. Thus, he had to suffer a life of anxiety and insecurity.
In general, none of us can choose where we were born and which race we would belong to. We should not judge a book by its cover. The most important thing is one’s characteristics, not his complexion. Everyone should be fairly treated no matter what his nationality is.
Hạ Di
Sep 8th, 2012