A RAISIN IN THE SUN

Last year when I walked through the doors of Patterson Elementary School located in Montgomery, Alabama I was full of excitement and anticipation. I would begin mentoring a child once a week for one hour in reading. Several people were surprised that I was able to accept Attorney General Bill Pryor's invitation to participate in his Mentoring Program. Those are the people who know me best. They are the people that know that I have never had an idle moment in my life. I am one busy man. Why did I accept the invitation?

I accepted the invitation because of my desire to help others achieve their dreams. One of my favorite poems is Dream Deferred, by Langston Hughes. "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

In my opinion being able to read is the greatest asset one can have when trying to realize a dream. My student last year improved his reading skills so much that he earned a grade of A. We were both delighted.

When I was in the sixth grade I read a play that helped to inspire me. The play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry is a must read. The ideal that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness can be attained through hard work comes true for some folks, but not everyone. For some people it doesn't matter how hard they work the American dream doesn't come true. Why?

In her play, Lorraine Hansberry reveals the reason. A Raisin in the Sun, is an epic story of the Younger family trying hard to achieve the American dream by escaping ghetto life. The setting of the story takes place in the 1950's when life for black folk was harder than it is today. When black folk had to deal with blatant issues of poverty and segregation. The story of the Youngers reveals the plight of all who have failed dreams.

Lorraine Hansberry was born on May 19, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of a prominent real estate broker and the niece of a Harvard University professor of African history. Guest at her family home would include such notable people as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Dubois, Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson. She began writing A Raisin in the Sun in 1956, completing it in 1959. The play opened in 1959 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York; running 530 performances. It was the first play produced by a black woman on Broadway. She became the first Black playwright, fifth woman and youngest American to win the New York Critics' " Circle Award. She completed the Screenplay in the early sixties. In 1963 she was diagnosed with cancer. In 1964 she died on January 12 at the age of 34. Take my advice and pick up a copy of this wonderful play. You will not regret it.

Greg Griffin is a freelance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com

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