flat stanley's worldwide adventures 6 the african safari discovery

One last thing, and I promise that this will not affect your reading of the book. He was out of a job for several months for reasons of pure prejudice and yet he was willing to engage with a white man and act on his advice.

I also thought the passage showed how Braithwaite was a decent bloke at the end of it all. The old man is reminding Braithwaite not to succumb to the same kind of unthinking prejudice that is making life hard for Braithwaite. The old man’s admonition is that that we should not become who we don’t like. The passage moves subtly from racism to make a larger point about meritocracy and discrimination. Going to teach in a tough London neighbourhood is not a step down just because the kids are not as academically accomplished as Braithwaite would like them to be. It is the old man’s remarks after Braithwaite complains about being typecast that caught my attention. Yes, the old man, who was white, was in a privileged position, but a privileged position doesn’t disqualify one from humour. Today, I am older, and I think levity is one way of addressing what would otherwise be a serious issue. The laughter is his way of commiserating with Braithwaite. Today, when I read it, I realise the old man is asking Braithwaite to wear his burden lightly, as much as that is possible under the circumstances. Wasn’t he being a bit harsh on poor Braithwaite? Braithwaite is making a point about the difficulty of living as a black person in London, and the reaction is laughter? Thirty years ago, my initial reaction to the old man laughing was puzzlement. The old man’s response is to ask Braithwaite not to be a snob, and to get on with life.Īfter thirty years, when I read this passage again, I realised that I have learnt different lessons this time around. Later, during the same conversation, when the old man counsels Braithwaite to apply to a teacher’s position in the decidedly rundown East End of London, Braithwaite replies that yes, that would be just the job for a black man. Braithwaite replies ruefully that for a black man, just existing in a city like London is exciting enough. First, when the old man tells Braithwaite that one must live, with fun and excitement, not just exist. There are two key passages in this encounter. After the conversation, he does not make an appearance again in the book. Throughout the conversation, the old man is never identified by name.

Flat stanley's worldwide adventures 6 the african safari discovery