Michael

[Michael @Michael32931529]

Here is my Twitter Moment.

#XUEngl205
https://t.co/37FKP7RVdp

[Michael @Michael32931529]

The growth of Michael's acceptance allows room for him to accept his depth as a person. This leads him to realize that not one label can define himself accurately, which is a lesson we can all take. #XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

@alexapmitchell I agree with @alexapmitchell. Michael's confidence increases with each phase of the book, and his expressive abilities eventually grows to fit right into the drag community.

[Michael @Michael32931529]

I thought it was interesting that as Michael comes out to more people, the shock value of his coming out decreases. In many ways, I believe this can be viewed as more positive for Michae, because he can be more comfortable in society as himself.
#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

@HannahP07346164 I think that in order to keep his relationship with his grandpa intact, it is best to just carry on with the ruse. It seemed in his opinion, there was no point in creating unnecessary rifts in his life.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

@magpatt2 I was surprised that Michael was able to pen such a letter. It's difficult for any person to express how they feel about another person, especially if it is difficult for society to accept his feelings and attractions towards members of the same sex.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

@alexapmitchell Additionally, there is another issue where Michael imagines his mother passing multiple times. Each time, nobody takes him in. First, because of his new name, and second, his half-brother status. How to explain that being a half sibling doesn't mean you are less?

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

There seems to be a multi-dimensional rift within Michael. He is Cypriot, Jamaican, White, half-brother. Michael's identity is difficult to wrestle with. He changes his name to feel close to his mom, but then feels farther from his relatives. What is the solution?

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

Rankine's twist at the end is interesting. The speaker is playing a tennis match. My guess to why Rankine ended the story this way is to reference Serena from earlier. "It wasn't a match, it was a lesson," suggests that the speaker won metaphorically, and literally.
#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

Rankine's quote, "I left...knowing I would be pulled over," is disheartening. Stop and Frisk policies in New York were controversial, and it is unfortunate that many citizens in New York felt they would be stopped because of their neighborhood affiliation or race.
#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

I thought it was interesting that Rankine chose to include a picture of Jim Crow Rd in her book. This street is named after a community leader, C.G "Jim" Crow, and not connected to the racist laws. This street name was later, more tastefully changed to C.G Crow road.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

I think the second section of the book Citizen really underscores the ignorance of sportscasters, and their eagerness to overreact to things that shouldn't be reacted to, like Serena's dancing at the end of her victory.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

In the third section, I found it appalling that the person at the cash register would ask the speaker if her card would work. I am always surprised at the things people say to each other, and wonder how we are not more embarrassed, more often.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

I spent a lot of time reflecting about Rankine's quote, "You can't put the past behind you. It's buried in you; it's turned your flesh into its own cupboard." I feel that this becomes truer with the grit of time. So far, I have been spared tragedy beyond the norm.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

https://t.co/o2Mwj3ObYt

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

https://t.co/SDYdTTpGcu

[Michael @Michael32931529]

@avdreypeterman Hi Audrey
I was surprised to see that these Saujani and Lakshmi were isolated by their religion. I grew up in a community where other religions were part of normal exposure to education, and was surprised that Saujani and Lakshmi were treated this way.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

I was intrigued to watch a Reservoir Dogs because it was about contemporary Native Americans. I do not see a lot of shows about them in my everyday media consumption. This kind of representation sheds a new light on their ideas and culture.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

I was shocked to hear about Reshna's story about being attacked by a gang of eighth graders in Schaumburg Illinois. By the description of the town, it seemed to be a nice suburb to live in. I am saddened to hear that such an attack happened.

#XUEngl205

[Michael @Michael32931529]

@205eng Hi Isaac. I thought that this was a great way to improve the depth of the storyline as well. #XUEngl205