A Strong Conscience
By: Bronwyn Opie
The basement is cold. But not any colder than the bitter, winter air outside the house. The stairs creak as I step down on them. The itchy quilt in my arms seems heavier than it used to be. I'm getting too old for this. I knock twice and there is no reply. But I'm used to this. These men and women still don't trust me completely. My skin resembles those who stole them from their beds as children, sold them to strangers, starved them, and slashed their bare backs. Why should they ever trust a white person again?
"I'm coming in."
I inch the door open to see two young women crouched in the darkness of the basement cellar.
"I have a blanket for you. You don't mind sharing, do you? Of course you don't."
I place the quilt on the floor just inside the door and start to leave. Then-
"Thank you." The taller of the two women spoke with quiet caution but definite courage on her tongue.
I nod at her. Pause for a moment in the doorway, then leave.
After I put the water on to boil, I collapse on the small rocking chair.
Never in my many years has one of them thanked me, I realize. I can hear her words in my ears over and over. Thank you... Thank you... Thank you....
I'm not complaining for their lack of verbal gratitude. That's not the reason I help them. But... what is that reason then?
There is not another person for miles in my town who would even consider letting a colored person through their front door. So why do I think so differently than them? Why is their wrong, my right? And their right, my wrong?
R E F L E C T I O N
...The story, "A Strong Conscience" illustrates how historical events can influence our perceptions on a certain matter. The story describes how the black woman hiding in the basement initially perceived the white man as hostile and dangerous, when really he was only trying to help and protect her through the difficult circumstances. In her eyes, white people had a history of treating her race very poorly as described in the text. " My skin resembles those who stole them from their beds as children, sold them to strangers, starved them, and slashed their bare backs." During that period of time, racism played a big role in the way society progressed; coloured people perceived life negatively especially towards the white people. In the story the woman reflected on her past experiences which influenced how she initially viewed the man. This was communicated through her actions of being scared and feeling helpless. But when the white man offered her a blanket and said, "I have a blanket for you. You don't mind sharing, do you? Of course you don't." she was caught by surprise by his generosity. This may have changed her perspective on the stereotype that existed of all white men back then.
The story does a good job of illustrating how we perceive matters based on the type of person we are and the life experiences that impact our life. For instance, the man was perceived as being monstrous in the eyes of the woman. He felt that because of his race, all black people view him as being harmful - which isn't necessarily true, but this what he was led to believe through his past experiences. This story relates to my flash fiction because, just like the young boy and man their experiences have changed on how they view life. The man believed that a persons early years are the most happiest but it depends on the persons life...
The basement is cold. But not any colder than the bitter, winter air outside the house. The stairs creak as I step down on them. The itchy quilt in my arms seems heavier than it used to be. I'm getting too old for this. I knock twice and there is no reply. But I'm used to this. These men and women still don't trust me completely. My skin resembles those who stole them from their beds as children, sold them to strangers, starved them, and slashed their bare backs. Why should they ever trust a white person again?
"I'm coming in."
I inch the door open to see two young women crouched in the darkness of the basement cellar.
"I have a blanket for you. You don't mind sharing, do you? Of course you don't."
I place the quilt on the floor just inside the door and start to leave. Then-
"Thank you." The taller of the two women spoke with quiet caution but definite courage on her tongue.
I nod at her. Pause for a moment in the doorway, then leave.
After I put the water on to boil, I collapse on the small rocking chair.
Never in my many years has one of them thanked me, I realize. I can hear her words in my ears over and over. Thank you... Thank you... Thank you....
I'm not complaining for their lack of verbal gratitude. That's not the reason I help them. But... what is that reason then?
There is not another person for miles in my town who would even consider letting a colored person through their front door. So why do I think so differently than them? Why is their wrong, my right? And their right, my wrong?
R E F L E C T I O N
...The story, "A Strong Conscience" illustrates how historical events can influence our perceptions on a certain matter. The story describes how the black woman hiding in the basement initially perceived the white man as hostile and dangerous, when really he was only trying to help and protect her through the difficult circumstances. In her eyes, white people had a history of treating her race very poorly as described in the text. " My skin resembles those who stole them from their beds as children, sold them to strangers, starved them, and slashed their bare backs." During that period of time, racism played a big role in the way society progressed; coloured people perceived life negatively especially towards the white people. In the story the woman reflected on her past experiences which influenced how she initially viewed the man. This was communicated through her actions of being scared and feeling helpless. But when the white man offered her a blanket and said, "I have a blanket for you. You don't mind sharing, do you? Of course you don't." she was caught by surprise by his generosity. This may have changed her perspective on the stereotype that existed of all white men back then.
The story does a good job of illustrating how we perceive matters based on the type of person we are and the life experiences that impact our life. For instance, the man was perceived as being monstrous in the eyes of the woman. He felt that because of his race, all black people view him as being harmful - which isn't necessarily true, but this what he was led to believe through his past experiences. This story relates to my flash fiction because, just like the young boy and man their experiences have changed on how they view life. The man believed that a persons early years are the most happiest but it depends on the persons life...
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