I have found The autobiography of an Ex Coloured Man to be a very enjoyable read thus far. The mans life has been intriguing and thought provoking. As the story takes a turn in the latest reading here in going from Jacksonville to New York, it has become even more interesting. The descriptive words bring the city to my mind and make me realize how living so close to New York definetely allows it to go greatly unappreciated sometimes.
The first thing in the reading this time around that really came to attention was the fact that even in this time period blacks were freely using the word "nigger" to casually talk with each other. I kind of had the feeling that this was something news that came along with hip hop and rap and the word "Nigga".
Has anybody ever played the game craps? As they go about playing in the story i can relate as I grew quite fond of this game during high school parties, it is quite fun and even if not playing with dollars can even be fun with quarters. It surprised me that James would throw a 20$ bill on the table not even really knowing the game, and that was alot of money in this time period. In him experiencing beginners luck I can relate as in my trip to Las Vegas last summer i took the black jack tables and immediately went up 500 dollars, but soon lost it all and than some.
I took my new gambling onto Football games last year and did ok, but it seems the thrill of possibly winning the money cannot outweigh the bad feeling you get when you lose.
Going to the Club bringsback memories of me going to the Club back in HighSchool. the location was "the matrix" and me and my friends quickly became accustomed to the enjoyment we found in this new and exciting place. It is amazing the thrills that come with a new experience and the way it can make you feel. As i get older i wonder if this is going to happen less and less.
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5 comments:
Nice connections made between the past and present day.
It’s interesting when you go to a new place or start a new hobby how attached you can get to it. Everything about it excites you and drags you in, just like you describe it in your post. I think that’s what happened to the narrator. He couldn’t get enough of the gambling/club life.
You're right! Gambling is definitely fun, but when you lose, it doesn't feel great at all. In some cases it makes you question why you even gambled in the first place. There is a quote that I actually love and it is "Gamble everything." If you think about life and gambling, there a many parallels. In order to achieve what you want, sometimes you have to just put everything on the table. Afterwards, you either learn from the experience or you simply get what you wanted in the first place.
I feel like gambling as you said was used to portray some of the narrators character flaws. I feel like it's one of those walk the line things you need self control which we learned he does not have.
What you said about the word "nigger" and now a days being said "nigga" was interesting. I didn't really look at it this way. But your right, we do hear this used a lot. It's interesting how times change, but in a way they don't.
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