Toni Cade Bambara's The Lesson

Being African American in America is one of the hardest things a person will ever have to endure. Luckily, those who are born in America and are able to dodge the “African American” bullet, naturally have a greater advantage than African Americans. Do not mistake this opinion as self-hate, pity, or even a cry for sympathy. In Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson”, it is implied that the children of the story are wild, African American city kids who are growing up in poverty. Although I find “The Lesson” to be very interesting and full of my favorite literary devices, (such as imagery, euphemisms, and diction) I am slightly offended by the portrayal of the characters and their actions. I am bothered by the negative light shed on the issues with poverty,

education, and awareness in the African American community. Unfortunately, the insulting and overwhelming descriptions of the characters obscured the purpose and main idea of the story itself.
Before I jump into too much detail, I’d like to expand on my synopsis of “The Lottery”. Sylvia, one of the main characters is the narrator Sylvia opens the story by offering her perspective of her neighborhood and the things around her. She explains that she believes “Back in the days when everyone was old and stupid or young and foolish….”(Bambara 197) that her and her cousin Sugar were the only ones just right. She goes on to introduce Miss Moore. She introduced Miss Moore as a African American lady who moved to their neighborhood with dark skin, nappy hair and white feet. Sylvia teases that Miss Moore is the only lady in the neighborhood with no first name. She mentions that the adults and children in the neighborhood mock and tease Miss Moore when she’s not present. Miss Moore speaks properly, she went to college, and she is usually overdressed. Considering Miss Moore is the only woman in the neighborhood with a degree, she feels responsible for the education of the children in the neighborhood. Because of this, Miss Moore takes it upon herself to treat the children when she can whether it’s education wise or small gifts to the kids. This particular day, Miss Moore decides to take the children on an adventure. Sylvia, who would rather be any place else being mischievous, is the least bit interested. Miss Moore takes them to a toy store down Fifth Avenue. They arrive at “F.A.O Schwartz”. The children were all stunned by the different prices at the store. A few of them are in denial about living in poverty. One toy in particular was a sailboat priced at $1,195. For those who haven’t read the story, $1,195 is beyond the children’s budget.
There were quite a few things in the story that rubbed me the wrong way.

For starters, the choice of language Sylvia used. After thorough research, I was able to further understand that African Americans have developed their own language known as ebonics. However, when ebonics and vulgar language are overused in text, it seems that the writer is feeding the stereotypes that are commonly focused towards African Americans or African Americans. The story also mentions how it is odd that Miss Moore speaks proper english. Considering that I am African American, and I speak proper english - for the most part I find it offensive. Even as a child, my parents corrected my language. I surely didn’t feel the need to curse and insult y peers every other statement. I realize that the author, Toni Cade Bambara is writing from her perspective which includes her own reality. Truthfully, the diction in the story was quite entertaining but if the characters were white children would it still be as entertaining? Would it be acceptable for a young caucasian girl with broken english to say “bitch” or “faggot” in casual conversation? I find it inappropriate and ill humored. Moderation is key, if Sylvia’s slang and vulgar language weren’t used as much - maybe it wouldn’t come off so harsh. It is not amusing to read about younger African American girls with a vocabulary of an old depressed sailor; nor is it amusing to read about children of my culture who seem to have no regard for

education.
I was bothered by the representation of the children’s regard for education. Of course all children aren’t thrilled to learn, but not all children hate it. I may be considered bias due to the way I grew up as a child - but I’m find it unacceptable. When I was younger someone said to me “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”. From that, I gathered to appreciate any and all help, and I learned to be grateful for any opportunity I was blessed with. I say this because it is difficult for me to understand why these children living in poverty aren’t grateful for Miss Moore. Throughout the story, Sylvia is reluctant to learning with Miss Moore. It is sad that she is portrayed as a young African American girl who would rather be stealing, or flirting with the guys in the city rather than learning something new and useful. Fortunately for me, even when I was younger I couldn’t relate to that. It saddens me to see children not take an advantage of their resources - limited or not. Miss Moore is a useful resource and a great example for the children in the neighborhood without much guidance. The children are mocking Miss Moore for the wrong reasons and that’s not usually how it s in the African American community. In the beginning, Sylvia makes it known that Miss Moore is extremely African American with nappy hair - people on the outside looking in may consider this self hate. From slavery days up until now, there has been an existing conflict between lighter African American women and darker African American women. Often, this conflict is misrepresented and over exaggerated than it should be. Bambara mentioning the extent of Miss Moore’s complexion is offensive.
It is evident in “The Lesson” that all children living in poverty don’t share the same experiences.

In the story, one of the children -Mercedes seems to be a bit more well of than the others. When Rosie Giraffe , another child in the group notices a paper weight for $480 it boggles the group. Miss Moore explains to the children the use of a paperweight and each of the children react differently. Flyboy - explains that he doesn’t even have a home so he definitely doesn't have a desk. Whereas, Mercedes does have a desk and Rosie Giraffe isn’t too pleased to hear about Mercedes’ desk. The kids react to the prices of the toys differently. Later, Flyboy discovers the $1,195 sailboat I mentioned. It sent the children into shock. The kids couldn't fathom the thought of someone spending that much on a toy. While their reaction is very realistic and understandable, their responses are a bit much. Keep in mind the children haven’t even entered the store yet, they’re still looking on the outside. Nevertheless, when it was time to go inside the children were hesitant. Once inside, there was another toy that had an overwhelming price. As reality sets in it angers the children - or at least Sylvia. The fact that the truth angered the children so much didn’t sit well with me. Why are these children depicted as angry African American kids? Being poor would naturally anger anyone who lives on a strict budget. The kids then go on to share how $35 could go far for their families. As the

lesson becomes more apparent to the kids, they get more upset. Now, the children who were once close minded and barely realized they were poor have a new mindset. It offends me that the children become angry with the world. Poverty is not something that you can point fingers at and blame others for. I have never blamed anyone for the misfortunes in my life. The children become judgemental towards rich people and white people - and that’s not fair. The children become angrier as they become more aware and that is not always the case. The media assumes that African American people are angry enough, don’t provide them with more fuel for their fire. Don’t make the characters angrier than they have to be. I’m very aware of economic inequalities. However, you can not direct your anger towards someone else because of what you are lacking.
In closing, “The Lesson” was a entertaining story and the author’s purpose was clear. Unfortunately, there were a few things I disagreed with in the text. There were a few misleading details that portrayed African Americans negatively - which I don’t appreciate. If the author were to use less derogative language, less broken english, and less slang I’d be able to appreciate the story more. I would also suggest that the author, Toni Bambara use less controversial details in this piece. I do agree that African American people are born with a disadvantage because there isn’t an equal crack at the dough.”The more controversial details used in the story, the more it fed into society’s stereotypes of young back poor children. Numbers don’t lie and according to my research African Americans are the leading race in poverty mongst cultures and ethnicities. However, all of the African American kids who live in poverty have a different circumstance. They’re not all angry. Quite a few poor African American children can speak properly. Just because they are raised poorly - financially , doesn’t mean they have to speak, act, react, and learn poorly. Expose reality, expose injustice, but there is no need to make excuses and fill readers with unnecessary and false notions.