Step Four - Novel

The Help

By: Kathryn Stockett 

... Human dignity is definitely told through this novel. Aibileen is a black maid in the 1960's who is raising a seventeen year old white girl. The white girl is not her biological daughter, but decides to look past the colour of Aiblieen's colour and takes time to spend with her. Back in the 1960's, women were just getting their rights, but blacks were discriminated against; simply used for labour work. The two ladies, plus a friend named Minny, risk the chance of getting caught to write a tell-all book about how black women are treated in a white community. This shows human dignity because the blacks had no say, but only wanted a word of their own. They had been mocked, but their dignity was not surrendered, just as Michael J. Fox had stated. 

     Aibileen is now quitting because she is tired of being mistreated and shows her dignity. 

     "Miss Leefolt, are you... sure this is what you..." Miss Hilly walk in behind her and glare at me. Miss Leefolt nods, looking real guilty.

     "Im sorry Aibileen. Hilly, if you want to press charges, that's up to you.

     Miss Hilly sniff at me and say, "It's not worth my time."

     I go to the laundry room, get my coat and my pocketbook. I'm free. 

     I head down the hot sidewalk at eight thirty in the morning wondering what I am going to do with the rest of my day. The rest of my life. I am shaking and crying and a white lady walk by frowning at me.

     The sun is bright but my eyes is wide open. I stand at the bus stop like I been doing for the last forty-odd years. In thirty minutes, my whole's life...done. Maybe I ain't too old to start over, I think, and I laugh and cry at the same time at this. 

    

     Dignity is the nobility or elevation of a character. Aibileen and Minny, just like June from my short story, fought for what they thought was right and for their own sake. Both did nothing wrong, but their dignity was stereotyped; The maids having no power as a human of colour and June a bad mother for striking her daughter at no purpose. The respect and esteem that was taken away from Aibleen and Minny showed how little human dignity the whites had back in the 1960's.  They would put others down to feel more powerful, but in return the blacks won their rights as humans. This was at a turning point in society...

Works Cited

Works Cited

"About Michael." The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2012.  

"Aristotle." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2012. 

 definition, and dignity. "The Lost Virtue of Dignity." First Love Ministries International, www.ps27fr.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2012.

"Dignity Quotes." Good Read. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. 

"Dixie Chick Lyrics" - Not Ready To Make Nice." A-Z Lyrics Universe. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2012. 

"Google." Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2012.

 "Greek Gods." Diff En. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2012.

Milk. Dir. Gus Van Sant. Perf. Sean Penn, Josh Borlin, Emile Hirsch. Warner Brothers , 2008. DVD.

"Not Ready to Make Nice Lyrics Meaning - Dixie Chicks Song Meanings ." Song Meanings at Lyric Interpretations. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2012. .

"Quotes and Famous Sayings - The Quotations Page." Quotes and Famous Sayings - The Quotations Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. 

Scarlett, Sharon . "You never asked me, a poem by Dignity Champion Sharon Scarlett - Dignity Poems - Useful resources for champions  - Resources - Dignity in Care network - Dignity in Care network." Dignity in Care network. N.p., 21 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. 

"Stories of Dignity – Salvation Army Canada." 2010-2011 Annual Review – Salvation Army Canada. N.p., 26 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 May 2012. 

 Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. New York: Amy Einhorn Books, 2009. Print.

Step Four - Poetry

You never asked me

By: Sharon Scarlett

I lived in a 'bin' for most of my days
Away from the world, out of public gaze
You fed me, you bathed me and put me to bed
And while you were doing it nothing was said

You never asked me if I wanted to play
If I wanted to sing, if I wanted to pray
You never asked me to come into town
If I was happy or feeling down

Treated the same as a table or chair
An object, as if I weren't there.
And lo and behold everything changed
No one asked me - was already arranged

Come to our world you do have the right
Live beside us - but keep out of sight

You have to be normal
And do what we do
You mustn't look different
You mustn't be you

You never asked me where I wanted to live
In a house, in a flat or even who with
The old days are gone and life will be good
You will be treated the way that you should

So I got a new bedroom and painted it blue
It's not like the bin, it's bright and it's new
And the staff came along as they knew me so well
Different walls, different views
Same staff, same hell

You never asked me 'what would you like to eat?'
You never asked me 'would you like your tea sweet?'
You never asked me 'would you like to go out?'
You only got cross when I started to shout

And you gave me a label that said I was bad
And you gave me some pills that made me feel mad
And you locked up the kitchen so I couldn't choose
And you bought nice things that I couldn't use
And you sat in my chair, used my TV remote
And my life only existed in the notes that you wrote

Cornflakes for breakfast, two sugars in tea
A shower in the morning, a baths not for me
Knock on the door when you come to my room
Don't just open it, don't just assume
Open the wardrobe and show me my clothes
Ugh! baggy old trousers, I won't wear those

I'd like to make lunch, a soup or a stew
Then sit down and eat it, join me too?
I'm not very good but I'm sure we can try
Please can you teach me and explain to me why
And when I come home at the end of the day
I need someone to talk to, listen to what I say
I might go to bed or sit up for a while
Please keep me company, please make me smile.

I want all the things that you have in your life
A home, a job, maybe a wife
I want to have friends and have fun and a laugh
I can't do this without paid staff
But that doesn't mean I value you less
I need your support, please care and invest in me

We're not different
We're the same you see
I've always known
But you never asked me

Scarlett, Sharon . "You never asked me, a poem by Dignity Champion Sharon Scarlett - Dignity Poems - Useful resources for champions - Resources - Dignity in Care network - Dignity in Care network." Dignity in Care network. N.p., 21 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. 

http://www.kristievosper.com/.a/6a00d83423dfca53ef01538f57bec7970b-800wi - Google Images

... weakness is the state in which one lacks strength, firmness or vigour. Many show this when their dignity is not showing. In the poem and image above, it states "no one asked me" what I want. The little girl sits alone as others wander around her, making her feel and look invisible. "I want to have friends and have fun and laugh" is in the poem, just like the young girl would want. Not everyone is the same, but allowing each other to accept one another is a way to make friends. Dignity can be tested through friendship by simply messing up (not on purpose) and seeing who sticks around. The little girl in the photo, June and the poem all suggest that we must not let others take advantage of us and to stick up for ourselves if no one cares. They had to earn their dignity by owning up to what was happening. It is only right to stand up for human dignity...

Step One - Quotations

Quotation #1: “Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.” -Aristotle 

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/dignity 

Quotation #2: "One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken away unless it is surrender" -Michael J. Fox

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/dignity/

Step Three - Writing Reflections

1. “Dignity does not consist in possessing honours, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.” -Aristotle (Good Reads)

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, teacher and polymath. Born in 348 BC. He studied human and natural sciences. Dignity is a quality every human posses. Aristotle went to a top school and taught his leanings to students. (Internet Encyclopedia). Possessing honour from his students and showing his intelligence proves dignity, as he maintains self respects and respect for others. To me this means you must work for what you want for the right reasons. Prove yourself in a  way that you wanted to be remembered as. Also, dignity does not mean being the best, but being the best you can be as yourself. Do not put others down to get to the top; respect yourself and others to get there. We all posses different things, but to have honour is a privilege. You want these possessions to keep you on track and to have people say good things to and about you. Dignity fails if you fall...

2. "One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken away unless it is surrender" -Michael J. Fox (Famous Quotes and Sayings)

..fall if you must, but do not stay down. The meaning of this to quote is that human's have dignity and rights, but sometimes or in some places, not everyone gets to express themselves. You can be violated or mocked, but unless you show weakness, you can prove your inner strength. Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and hid it from the media for seven years. He did not let his illness stop him from acting though. Michael did not tell people out of fear, but because his dignity could be boycott (Michael Fox Foundation). Acting his way between treatments proved that his dignity would be mocked but he did not surrender to death. Winning awards expressed his strength. This story says not to let people walk all over you, stand up for what you believe in and for yourself. Also, live up to your mistakes and don't take the easy road out of things, it only makes things worse....

Sixteen & Pregnant 

When Jessyka discovered she was pregnant at age 16, she was in shock and disbelief. Her boyfriend of three years was excited about the news. But that didn’t last. Jessyka, anxious and afraid of what the future held, had some decisions to make, and none of them were easy.

From an early age Jessyka’s life was marked by upheaval, pain and fear. She struggled to understand why her mother would intentionally hurt her. Wasn’t it her job to protect Jessyka from all harm?

Jessyka’s mother was diagnosed with Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome, a deadly attention-seeking disorder where a parent, usually the mother, intentionally causes illness in her child. Unable to cope with or understand the situation, Jessyka’s father reacted with anger and disrespect. Her parents needed so much help with their own problems that they weren’t able to focus on Jessyka’s needs.

At age three Jessyka was placed in foster care. Turmoil and unrest followed as she bounced from foster home to foster home. Plagued by memories of abandonment and lack of parenting she felt worthless, afraid, broken and alone.

“Although I was a good kid, my lack of self-esteem lead to poor decisions that were rushed and based on fun and peer approval,” says Jessyka. When she learned of her unplanned pregnancy, Jessyka had many decisions to make. Wounded, scared and confused she was on her own battle ground, attempting to survive.

Determining her own path

Hearing her baby’s heartbeat for the first time, and learning the gender, was a wonderfully moving experience for Jessyka. At that moment she knew she didn’t want anyone else calling him ‘mom’.

Determined to provide her son a warm, loving and secure home, Jessyka committed to completing her education. She wanted to be capable of planning the future and making right decisions.

But she couldn’t return to her former high school. Unable to cope with expected ridicule and bullying she, four months into her pregnancy, enrolled in The Salvation Army Hamilton’s Grace Haven high school program.

Jessyka today

Jessyka completed her high school diploma and went on to earn a degree in medical office administration through Grace Haven. Now age 22, she is enrolled in the 2011 fall semester at college and plans to study social work. She and her son, now age five, live with her grandmother. There is no relationship with either parent or the baby’s father.

In an effort to pay forward the help she received from the centre’s donation room, Jessyka has developed a program “helping mom’s in need.” She collects goods for children under 18 months, sorts and washes them before taking them to Grace Haven for distribution.

Jessyka attributes her successful outcome and that of her son’s to Grace Haven where “the support was there when I needed it most. They built my confidence and now I can accept that people do love and care about me.” 

"Stories of Dignity – Salvation Army Canada." 2010-2011 Annual Review – Salvation Army Canada. N.p., 26 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 May 2012. 

http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2011/04/26/sixteen-and-pregnant/

... Worst thing possible is you get embarrassed. Michael J. Fox could have been put down because he was 'different' for having Parkinson's diease, just like in the link, Jessyka was disrespected by her own parents and wasn't sure what to expect for her child. Dignity is about self respect and a state of mind to fight for what is right. In life, we all get made fun of for something or stabbed in the back, but you can show everyone how great you really are and never surrender your mind by caring or showing weakness...

Step Two - Flash Fiction

      A Discrete Moment That You Regret

      

     June was her name; the month was July. She lay there with hands shaking, her heart pounding multiple times a minute and thoughts buzzing in and out of her head. The phone rings again, this time, her sister asking what had happened. Some say they saw her use her bare hands; others state they only heard screeching of a young child.      

      Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. As she slowly opened the front squeaky door of her house, there stood two men. One with sunglasses on and the other holding up a badge. On it read "State Police". June weeped and was escorted immediately away from her family.     

     On the day of her court hearing, she got many expressions of being a child violator or a horrible mother. June just sat in silence, ignoring the smirks and reflections of the people crowding the room. She begged for an explanation, but none was given. June pleaded that she was a good mother and loved her child; she did not mean for what happened.     

     Old videos were used for evidence; showing June not only affectionate, but supportive and proud of her family. Every report card, medal or drawing from her children were saved in a plastic bin. She even got rid of the father who had assaulted her many times before and was confident in doing so. She never wanted to hit her daughter; it was out of disappointment, but more out of pain.     

     Emma, her five year old, said "Mommy, you only have one month to live and I can't wait to see how fast it goes by."    

     June has breast cancer. 

RATIONALE 

      

     "June" shows dignity by feeling bad after hitting her daughter, she weeps and feels guilt, she proves she is a good mother and got rid of a horrible man for the better of her children. The hitting of her daughter was not intentional, but showing feelings and living up to her mistake shows dignity. Obstacles are a part of life, but how you stand up to them and react to them show dignity. June didn't ever try to be the best mom or put her children in harm which proves she deserves freedom from jail. Also, the character has breast cancer so she knows she is going to die, but she keeps life rolling so she does not surrender to her illness.

     Many people get assaulted and do not tell anyone, many get mocked or threatened and do not tell anyone, but you have to have self respect. Having dignity does not mean being the best by putting down others; you have to deserve your honours for the right reasons.