Brown Girl Dreaming

        I found the second half of Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming extremely interesting. One aspect that stood out to me was the relationship that Woodson creates between the Civil Rights Movement and time in the final few poems of the novel. I found this relationship most notable in the poem “what i believe.” In this poem, Woodson lists the things that she believes in, ranging from religious concepts to human rights. More specifically, I believe this relationship is established most strongly in the final two lines of the poem, as Woodson writes, “I believe in one day and someday and this / perfect moment called Now”(318). In this phrase, Woodson highlights the fact that when one maintains hope for the future, they are still able to acknowledge the positive aspects of the present moment. Even though social change may not occur immediately, each action taken in the present is necessary in establishing a future based on equality and justice. 

I believe that this idea resonates heavily with the current Black Lives Matter movement. Though there are still many goals of this movement that need to be addressed, one can view the recent discourse and prevalence of this movement as something that is positive in the now. In the past, many people who were separated from these instances of brutality may have been able to ignore them, thinking that it did not pertain to them because it didn’t impact them. Now, all people are aware of these issues, allowing them to take action themselves in facilitating change, as well as in raising the next generation so that they are equipped to address these issues. While it does not create immediate change in the moment, these steps are necessary in preparing for the future, marking them as things that can still be a positive aspect of the present situation.

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