Take Away By Anne Moody

Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” This quote, by George A. Sheenan, exemplifies the three “take aways” I get from Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi. In her book, Moody shares with us her courage, her determination, and her will to survive and become free from the hardships that came with growing up in the South. These elements were very important to me, and I can use them as I face adversities in my own life. Also, with this book I obtained a valuable lesson that I can refer back to ten years from now in adulthood.

Anne Moody shares her testimony of growing up poor and black in the rural south. In doing so, the courage she had speaks through her words. For example, she showed true courage growing up poor as a child, and having to provide for herself and her siblings. Her bravery during the civil rights movement was even more courageous. In addition, her courage and determination went hand-in-hand. She was determined to do what she had to do to survive. She was determined to get blacks the equal opportunity they deserved; and that required a deal of courage, which she greatly possessed. Furthermore, she had the drive to survive. She had

the will to become free from the holds of “Mr.Charlie.” I was able to take away from this book her courage, determination, and will; and incorporate it into my own life.
Moody was able to put her courage, determination, and will into words; and I was able to take each element and incorporate it in my own life.

After reading the book, my eyes were open to greater things, which is why each element is important to me. For example, learning of how courageous Anne Moody was during her lifetime made me want to be more courageous in my actions. I seek now to stand up against the adversities in my life, no matter how hard it may seem. Furthermore, I am more determined; and with that determination comes the will to do great. I am now equipped with the power to work hard for what I truly believe in. I am willing to take the necessary steps to be successful. With all these elements of success, came a life

lesson.
Anne Moody shared her testimony and her life struggle. She expressed the battle she had to continuously fight ---- life. She had to fight the battle to survive injustice and hardships that her life was equipped with during that time period. The method she used to gain a victory is a life lesson that I will forever remember, and will refer back to ten years from now. The lesson was to never quit, to never give up just because the road became a little bumpier. Moody faced starvation, racism, and inequality through her childhood into adulthood; but she still continued to fight the battle. This taught me that life is going to throw me curveballs, but I must stay in the batter box and swing. I can look back ten years from now when things are tough and remember, Anne Moody never quit but just worked harder. This will be able to keep me afloat in my time of need.
Anne Moody was a powerful woman during the civil rights movement in the rural south of Mississippi. She faced many hardships as she fought for the right to vote and other civil rights for blacks. She had the courage, the determination, and the will to be successful; which were three key elements I took from her book. Each element is important to me in my life today. Also, the book taught me a valuable lesson that I will never forget, but refer back to in the near future.