We where randomly chosen to be in a the TLC group. We had to choose a TLC song and perform it in front of a group of our sisters. Since this was most definitely my cup of tea, I took the lend. We would sing "Waterfalls." She began to look up the lyrics on her phone. I jokingly said "Every 80's baby should know this song!" She smiled. Though she was timid, she still stood out in a crowd of extraordinary women. I wanted to sit down and talk with her but that day I was rushing. Yet I believe if we did speak, Charnel would have said...
It was 1977. A gallon of gas cost 65 cents, the first Apple computer went on sale, Jimmy Carter was elected president, Elvis Presley died of a "heart attack" and a beautiful and precocious little girl was born to the union of a teacher and a mortician in December of that year. Paternally she was the first granddaughter and maternally the first grandchild for quite some time, so she was well loved, perhaps a bit spoiled, and the answer to her mother's prayers.
This little girl grew and met her milestones. Her teachers doted on her, as even then she was very much an introvert. So much so that she would be granted special permission to talk in class. At the end of her third grade year she was tested to enter the magnet program. Everyone was excited about this new endeavor, including the little girl!! What was even more exciting is that her aunt would be teaching at her new school.
Fourth grade went extremely well academically and socially for this little girl, but culturally things didn't work as well. You see this little girl was in culture shock. Prior to the fourth grade everyone in this little girl's life looked like her. In the small, still partially segregated town, she did not have many interactions with people who were white. At this new school there were white students and teachers. For some reason, this scared the little girl, but as long as her aunt, her security blanket was around, the young introvert kept those thoughts to herself, after all that's what introverts do! There came a time in which the girl's aunt would be away from school for a week. The child's fears overrode her desire to stay inside her head and she finally told her parents. Her mother reassured her. Her father explained the genetics, in language a 4th grader would understand, and sent her off to school without her aunt thinking she would be just fine.
The little girl was terrified. It was a horrible tear filled day, as she was truly afraid. Perhaps her fears were misplaced, but perhaps they weren't, for the little girl discovered that one of her white teachers declared her to be "one dumb little black girl" because of this fear she possessed. But, somehow that statement sparked a fire deep in the depths of the little girl's mind, and she was no longer afraid. She decided that she would prove this "educator" wrong. She worked even harder and excelled even while in that teacher's class. In fact, it was that very same teacher who had a library in the back of her classroom that possessed The Little House on the Prairie Series that began the little girl's love affair with books.
Several years ago....
The little girl was now all grown up. She'd gone on to graduate from both high school and undergrad with honors. She's earned her master's degree and had become a Licensed Professional Counselor. This same teacher from fourth grade requested to be the young woman's Facebook friend. The young woman reluctantly accepted out of curiosity more than anything. That particular year the young woman decided to do some mental health education and awareness via her FB page. At that time, the same teacher from all those years ago, who thought the young woman was "one dumb little black girl", complimented the young woman on her accomplishments, her knowledge and how well she's been raised. She practically gushed over how wonderful the young woman was. She then inboxed the young lady to thank her for her chosen profession. You see the teacher's husband had committed suicide several years before and it was a counselor who helped her through that difficult time and saved her life as she felt she had nothing to live for after that horrific day. The young woman chose not to directly reveal what had happened in 4th grade to the teacher, but she did do so indirectly one day. And then she thought of Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth……
Charnel asks the following questions about RUBY's chapters 18 - 20:
What do you think was Ruby's motivation to go on with Chauncy's lies?
What is your opinion of Celia's decision to blame and condemn Ruby for the sexual abuse Ruby suffered at the hands of Rev. Jennings?
Do you believe that Rev. Jennings' childhood experiences influenced the adult he became? Why or why not?
How does the double life led by many of the men in the community, being a Christian, yet worshiping at the fire pit, effect the rest of the community?
Answer any or all of these questions. Take your time. No need to answer them all at once. To draw us into the book more and for a better understanding, use quotes from the book to support your answers. Most of all, REPLY to other readers. Let's interact with each other as much as we can virtually.
Please read chapters 21 through 23 for Wednesday's discussion.
I believe Ruby's motivation to participate in the lies was simple; she did not want to hurt Ephram.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was just easier for Celia to blame someone other than her father. She did not understand why it appeared Ruby was alright with the abuse. I believe Ruby was simply surviving.
Sure do! My God! He became a product of his environment. He was cruel. His mother molested him and became the same monster and did it to his sister and then the little girls. His mother had him to kill his father and then her. His life was made for him.
That double life keeps the sinners out! Sinners watch how some Christians live outside the Sunday worship and are left confused. The double life also causes some Christians to become discouraged in their Christian walk. As Christians we must keep it 100. We cannot live any kind of way and we cannot paint the picture that Christians will have all good days. The Word tells us in this life we will have trials and tribulations!! It also says we shall overcome all of it.
Ruby went along with the lies to protect Ephram's heart. She knew that would crush him and she didn't want to be the catalyst for that. She knew his feelings for her were strong and she did not want to risk that changing. She also feared that he may harm Ephram had he attempted to truly fight him. Chauncey was being rode by the Dybou whenever he went to seek out Ruby so I wonder if his actions were every truly his own.
ReplyDeleteCelia is the quintessential daddy's girl! Similar to my own daughters, daddy can do no wrong. In the event that he does error, it's not his fault. She convinced herself of that to perserve her image of him. No one wants to think the worse of a loved one,esp their daddy.
Rev Jennings became possessed by evil early on due to his nasty Mamie! Lol she was so wrong for bedding her son and making his soul privy to evil! So many kids are the victim of similar dealings. Incest is such a detrimental act for young human. Poor child. He began to spiral until he was synonymous with the Devil himself! Smh
i really don't think the double life directly affected the community because they didn't know about it. Simply put. It's such a parallel to our world with double lives. Saints on Sunday and ain't the rest of the week. I do believe that bad those men not entertain voodoo or invite the devil in, things may have been different. Me are the leaders and if they are corrupt and weak, those following them will be as well.