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- greenville, southcarolina ,1963On the bus, my mother moves with us to the back. It is 1963in South Carolina. Too dangerous to sit closer to the front and dare the driver to make her move. Not with us.Not now. Me in her arms all of 3 months old. My sister and brother squeezed into the seat beside her. White shirt, tie, and my brother's head shaved clean. My sister's braids white ribbonded. Sit up straight, my mother says. She tells my brother to take his fingers out of his mouth. They do what is asked of them. Although they don't know why they have to. This isn't Ohio, my mother says, as though we understand. Her mouth a small lipsticked dash, her back sharp as a line. DO NOT CROSS! COLOREDs TO THE BACK! Step off the curb if a white person comes toward you don't look them in the eye. Yes sir. No sir. My apologies. Her eyes straight ahead, my mother is miles away from here. Then her mouth softens, her hand moves gently over my brother's warm head. He is three years old, his wide eyes open to the world, his too-big ears already listening. We're as good as anybody, my mother whispers. As good as anybody.
- I chose the poem Greenville, South Carolina,1963 since it was the first time almost the entire family went to the south. It is the moment we learn about the grandparents and the racism down south. It also holds one of the most important quotes where the siblings are told they are just as important as everyone else. The way the mom talks and tells them to say no sir yes sir and get off the curb if a white is walking nearby shows how extreme racism was and that they needed to be careful. It also gives an idea as to why the father wouldn't go to the south with them. Finally, I chose this poem since I feel like it shows the mother's characters being strict telling them what to do, but also comforting them saying it is okay and they are as good as anyone.
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