The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace

Many of the book reviews that I have read recently are like the previews that they show in the movie theater before the main feature.  They give away the entire plot and all of the interesting details of the book, and leave you disappointed in the product that they meant to promote.   You end up reading a review in the New York Times, deciding to buy the book, and then anticipating the plot highlights mentioned in the review the entire time you are reading.  Therefore, I won't talk too much about the plot of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Pierce: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League, other than to say that it is one of the most powerful and challenging books that I have read this year and I encourage everyone to discover it for themselves.

Available on amazon.com

In essence, this book is about a young man who grows up in Newark, attends Yale University majoring in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, yet ends up being killed in a drug related shooting by the time he is 30.  As Toni Morrison says in The Bluest Eye, "since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how." This book aims to uncover how such an intelligent and talented man could meet such a horrific end.

The house where Robert died. Photo: nj.com

Written by Jeff Hobbs, Robert Peace's college roommate, this is a well researched, quickly paced biography.  Relying on conversations with those who knew Peace best, Hobbs seeks to explore the interior life of this complicated young man.  Reading this book reminded me of the many charismatic and intelligent black men I have known (from all social classes) who self-medicate with marijuana.  It reminded me of the men I know who use travel, alcohol, and womanizing as a means of escaping childhood trauma that a degree doesn't erase. It reminded me of all of the black graduates of private school and Ivy League colleges who struggle between finding personal fulfillment and financial success.  I have dated many Rob Peace's over the years, and in some ways I am him.

Robert's graduation from Yale. Photo: nj.com

The great success of Hobbs' book is that it reveals the complexities of a man that many would write off as a thug or a drug dealer (despite the recent move to legalize marijuana in many states).  There are, however, some missteps in regards to Hobbs' understanding of black culture.  For example, early in the book he describes Robert's mother's short hairstyle saying that she refused to wear weaves, which were not yet popular in the 1970's and 80's. He refers to Robert's dreadlocks as "braids."  He describes Robert's tattoo of Nefertiti as a tattoo of an "African woman with a head wrap."  Furthermore, Hobbs doesn't seem to understand the complexities of the N-word.  When he is recounting conversations between Robert and his black friends, Hobbs spells the word "Nigger" rather than "Nigga," which is disconcerting.

Furthermore, the death of Robert Peace is disturbing, but equally disturbing is the fact that Hobbs resurrected his writing career by writing a book about it.  Hobbs is honest about the fact that after writing a semi-successful first novel, he struggled to produce another commercially viable book.  It is unfortunate that friend had to die in order for him to achieve the success that Robert never could.  Nevertheless, The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace is an incredibly readable and thoughtful book that should be required reading for every high-school student.  It is a nuanced portrait of an individual who failed to reach his potential, a community that enabled his poor choices, and a society that did not provide a safety net for one of its most promising, yet vulnerable citizens.

Read this book and look out for the film version directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Hobbs's wife Rebecca (*extreme side eye*).

What About Justice?

Here is what I was thinking about as I was in the shower this morning, "should I continue with my lesson on the geography of Ancient Greece or should I talk about Eric Garner?"  Since I am not planning on taking Chloe to any of the demonstrations happening around the city, I figured that this was my way of contributing to the struggle.  Below are brief descriptions of the two activities that I did with my students today.

What's Going on in this Photo?

Photos: Reuters

In the 6th grade we have been studying the concept of irony; irony can be difficult to identify and define for adults so I try to point out examples from real life as often as I can.  This lesson required students to do a close reading of a photograph in the same way they would do a close reading of a paragraph.  Students were instructed to do the following:

• Copy the definition of irony from the board.  List two examples of irony from short stories that we have read.
• Look at the following photograph, and describe what they think is going on.  Write down specific details that answer the following question words:

Who 

What 

When 

Where

Why

How

(Student responses to this were interesting; some students thought that the picture described a "riot," "mass suicide," or "meditation."  A small minority knew what was actually happening).

Next, students listened as I explained the death of Eric Garner and the Grand Jury's decision not to indict.  In my first class, many students were horrified, but were hesitant to say that race played a part in the killing or the decision not to indict. 

When I questioned them further and mentioned the recent Ferguson decision one person described it as a "coincidence," and referred to "black self-pity," while another began to talk about "black on black" crime.  When I invited them to think about why there were no black students in their class, one student indignantly asked "what about Justice?" referring to the single black student in the 6th grade (who is not even in our class.)  

I had to channel my inner Claire Huxtable this morning.  Photo: Tumblr

In my second class, students were outraged and  talked about hearing the protesters outside of their apartment buildings.  Finally, we tackled the issue of irony.   Students pointed out the the American Flag, black police officer, and the white protesters.

A Tale of Two Speeches

Photo: The New York Post

This lesson was an effective way to have students identify main idea, summarize, and analyze tone and body language in public speeches.  Students were instructed to:

• Watch Mayor de Blasio's speech reacting to the decision not to indict Eric Garner.
• Write four bullet points summarizing the main points of the speech.
• Watch President Obama's speech reacting to the decision not to indict Eric Garner.
• Write four bullet points summarizing the main ideas of the speech.
• Write a persuasive paragraph explaining why one speech was more effective than the other, taking both content and delivery into account.  

According to the 6th grade, there was not a clear winner, but both men were critiqued for not offering any concrete solutions.   Personally, I thought that de Blasio gave the better speech.  Quite ironic; don't you think?

The Fabulous Five: A Short List of Things That Currently Make Me Happy

1. Solange's Wedding Photos:
As Nikki Giovanni says, "Black Love is Black Wealth," and I can't get enough of the pictures from Solange's New Orleans Wedding to director Alan Ferguson.  The afro, the white dress, and the pantsuit with the red lip are all so stylish, relaxed, and fabulous!  And I want to be Tina Knowles when I grow up . . .

Life Aspirations!

2.  Graze:
Now that I don't work steps away from a gas station and three corner stores, I haven't had easy access to snacks like I used to (this is probably a good thing).  Jackie introduced me to Graze and I am obsessed with their healthy, low calorie snacks.  I love the Summer Berry Flapjacks and the Triple Berry Smoothie; Chloe loves the popcorn.  Once you go onto the website and make your selection you can have your snacks sent to your home or office for less than seven dollars a box.  Graze reminds me of how much I love getting mail!

www.graze.com

3. Victoria's Secret PINK Leggings:
A good pair of leggings is hard to find.  Either they are too sheer, too baggy, or too low-cut.  Recently, I found a new favorite pair at Victoria's Secret PINK.  These leggings are high waisted and thick enough to wear with long tops.  I love the animal print ones for hanging around the house on weekends.

www.victoriassecret.com

4.  An Untamed State by Roxanne Gay:
This novel is about a Haitian American woman who is kidnapped and held for random.  It is fast paced and told from multiple perspectives.  I like that when I pick it up I can slip into another world that does not require much thought.  I'm still intellectually exhausted from A Brief History of Seven Killings.

Available at amazon.com

 5. Lush Bubble Bar:  For my 38th birthday Misa gave me a wonderful basket of Lush goodies, and I was reminded of how much I love their products.  I have never worked harder in my life, and when I come home from my job I often take a hot bath to relax before lesson planning, writing, or kissing on Chloe. I  am currently enjoying The Bubble Bar in "The Comforter."  Just a small piece creates piles of fluffy, blackcurrent scented bubbles.

www.lushusa.com

Scholars and Chefs

Although we fancy ourselves food critics, Carol and I are both Middle School English teachers. I have worked at The Children's Storefront School in Harlem for the past ten years. Located in three brownstones on 129th Street, The Storefront is unique because it is the only tuition free independent school in the city. 

Dress-Up Day at The Storefront began three years ago when a fellow teacher, Juliana Garofalo, and I decided that we needed to inject some positive energy into the week before Winter Break. Anyone who works in a school knows that the days before a long break can be marked by exhaustion and anxiety.  Somehow our small idea turned into a feast that continues to remind us of the creativity and dedication of our students, parents, and faculty. 

Students in grades five through eight were given two expectations. The first was that they dress up (because school is always a special occasion), and the second was that they recruit their peers to bring enough food so that the fabulous women in our cafeteria could have a well deserved break. 

This year our students, lead by the 8th grade, truly outdid themselves. They planned, executed, and printed menus. They set up family style tables, and some even stayed up late cooking and baking for their classmates. 

Although, The Storefront is over 85 percent black, the variety of food represented the diversity of cultures in our community.  Students shared dishes such as vegetarian empanadas, yellow rice, hoppin' john, curry chicken, pasta salad, fresh fruit, and of course, cornbread. 

This year, Dress Up Day provided students the opportunity to bond with their teachers in a unique way. One teacher told me about waking up on the couch at midnight and running to the store to purchase ingredients for the macaroni and cheese he promised to provide for the banquet. Another teacher, who is known to be a stern disciplinarian, delighted the students with his pineapple pudding. (See the recipe below).

Today was a great day; watching our students develop the confidence that comes from envisioning a project and carrying it through to fruition was priceless. But now I am ready for vacation . . .

To learn more about The Children's Storefront please visit:  http://www.thechildrensstorefront.org/

Pineapple Pudding (The Official Dessert of the Math Department)

2 Cans Crushed Pineapple

12 Slices White Bread  (crust removed and cubed)

1 ¾ Cup Sugar

2 Sticks Melted Butter

8     Eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix butter and sugar.

3. Add eggs one at a time.

4. Add pineapple and juice.

5. Mix in bread.

6. Put cinnamon on top.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until knife comes out dry.

Homemade Love

I met Jackie my freshmen year of college. I'm not sure what drew us together; she was a year ahead of me and definitely more outgoing and ambitious than I am. Nevertheless we became fast friends. Over the years we've shared secrets, tears, laughter, books, music - and a love for MAC Oh Baby lipgloss. 

I've always admired Jackie's brave approach to life and her unwavering loyalty and commitment to those she cares about.  Last year Jackie and I were texting about our various romantic entanglements and I remarked that she was "a candle in the darkness for blind fools." (We text in metaphors and literary references because we're nerdy like that!) Her response was "where in the hell is my light? Where's my candle?" We laughed about it, but it was a profound moment. 

This Saturday we drove up to The Heights to celebrate Jackie's birthday with her friends Judy and Ana. Judy is an amazing hostess and cook with a beautiful apartment (isn't it amazing when you go to someone's house and they have all the same books that you do? Even the obscure ones that you thought no one else loved?)

Our kids played in the living room as we drank red wine and water out of Mason Jars and feasted on homemade guacamole, turkey chili, and cornbread muffins. We discussed a myriad of topics: work, education, love, parenthood, and politics.  

At the end of the night Jackie blew out the candles on the first birthday cake that she has had since she was six. I hope that Judy, Ana, and I showed her that we are her light. And she is ours. 

Judy's Yummy Guacamole Recipe:

You will need 3 ripe haas avocados, 1/2 cup of fresh diced cilantro, 1 diced red tomato (Roma or Vine), 1/3 cup of diced red onion, 1 lime cut in half, kosher or sea salt and course black pepper to taste.

Peel the avocado and mash gently with a fork in a medium size bowl

Mix in the diced cilantro, diced red onion and diced tomato, stir gently for chunkier guacamole or stir more for a smoother guacamole 

Squeeze in half the lime, add salt and pepper to taste and fold into the guacamole. Add more lime and salt and pepper as you see fit. 

Makes about 6-8 servings