I D E N T I F Y T H E C O N N E C T I O N B E T W E E N E Q U A L O P P O R T U N I T I E S A N D T H E D R E A M S O F A L L I N D I V I D U A L S
A RAISIN IN THE SUNMIKAYLA MEASEY
ELLA BAKER
• Grandchild of slaves• Prominent activist • Supported civil rights for
African Americans• Wanted to work as a medical
missionary or social worker• Could not afford the
extended education• Persuaded students in
decision making and to involve themselves in grassroots work
• Held a deep desire to connect her ethnic background to dreams and entire life
INFLUENCE IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN
• Beneatha and Ella both dreamed of achieving a career in medicine
• Neither could afford it• Very independent• Influenced by cultural
ideas and their ethnic background
• Wanted to make a name for themselves
• Were not defined only by the color of their skin
• Embraced who they were and where they came from
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• Civil rights mission investigated discrimination in employment- race, sex, gender, national origin, or religion
• Wanted to allow equal job opportunities for minorities
• Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)
• Attempted to improve racial equality in the workplace
• Tried to develop African American leadership in organized labor
INFLUENCE IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN
• Walter did not like his job• Felt forced to forever be a
servant to those of higher power
• Wanted a better job to prove his position in life was not defined by his skin color
• Felt scammed by Willy• Thought he was easily
taken advantage of• Would always be known as
a “tooken” soul instead of one who could take
MY ETHNIC BACKGROUND
• Mainly Polish and Irish• Do not partake In any customs• Background does not factor into my view of my
identity• Accept who I am but do not think my ethnicity
should define myself• Not really a big deal• Background is everything in A Raisin in the Sun• Almost rejected because of skin color and is a
huge factor in life
GOALS AND DREAMS
• College- main necessity in life and determines level of success in the future
• Enjoyable job- important not only to have a job but to have one you like
• Look back with no regrets- be proud of decisions I made and the lifestyle choices I took
• Dreams and goals can only be conquered if you allow yourself to be exposed to these opportunities
• Would rather have had Bennie become a nurse rather than a doctor
• Felt Walter’s dreams of the liquor store were childish- did not see a full reasoning behind this desire
• You can only accomplish what you set out to do
CONCLUSION
• Respect should naturally given• Should not be judged because of outside
appearance• Equal opportunity is important• Needed for a successful country• Civil rights should never be denied