The author and racism

[Nathan Berner]

I think it was quite inspiring to see how he handled racial discrimination. He handled it in such a peaceful way. They say the best revenge is living your best life, I think he definitely triumphed discrimination in that sense.

[Monet_va]

The instances of racism in this book were awful, but I'm glad that the author brought instances such as these to light because they are still happening today. But I feel that Frank handled the challenges really well, by holding his head high and finding support from other professors who also believed that he could do it.

[aolayide]

It broke my heart when his professor said that to him. Racism is ugly back then and still is now. Frank, however, faces this with determination to prove them wrong. I guess it is courageous and at the same time took a lot of mental strength to overcome those.

I agree with you. It took a big dose of determination for him to overcome racism. Racism is very ugly and cruel. I would not wish it on anyone.

[briellejee]

It broke my heart when his professor said that to him. Racism is ugly back then and still is now. Frank, however, faces this with determination to prove them wrong. I guess it is courageous and at the same time took a lot of mental strength to overcome those.

I agree with you. It took a big dose of determination for him to overcome racism. Racism is very ugly and cruel. I would not wish it on anyone.

Same here. I see it every day in the news, and it really breaks my heart. And to actually experience it is a whole lot different.

[aolayide]

It broke my heart when his professor said that to him. Racism is ugly back then and still is now. Frank, however, faces this with determination to prove them wrong. I guess it is courageous and at the same time took a lot of mental strength to overcome those.

I agree with you. It took a big dose of determination for him to overcome racism. Racism is very ugly and cruel. I would not wish it on anyone.

Same here. I see it every day in the news, and it really breaks my heart. And to actually experience it is a whole lot different.

Trust me. It is different. I have the first-hand experience almost all the time. It is bad.

[briellejee]

I agree with you. It took a big dose of determination for him to overcome racism. Racism is very ugly and cruel. I would not wish it on anyone.

Same here. I see it every day in the news, and it really breaks my heart. And to actually experience it is a whole lot different.

Trust me. It is different. I have the first-hand experience almost all the time. It is bad.

So sorry to hear that. I do hope you're coping well against it.

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

I think it was quite inspiring to see how he handled racial discrimination. He handled it in such a peaceful way. They say the best revenge is living your best life, I think he definitely triumphed discrimination in that sense.

The author did not want to react to racism negatively and handling it peacefully while still openly opposed to it was an excellent reaction. I found i inspiring.

[Wyland]

He was quite a goal oriented man from the time he set on pursuing an education in Guyana. This determination in my opinion is what drives him to withstand the shackles of racism.

[briellejee]

I think it was quite inspiring to see how he handled racial discrimination. He handled it in such a peaceful way. They say the best revenge is living your best life, I think he definitely triumphed discrimination in that sense.

By not minding the bullies, he surely did both parties a favor.

[briellejee]

He was quite a goal oriented man from the time he set on pursuing an education in Guyana. This determination in my opinion is what drives him to withstand the shackles of racism.

I agree. He was focused on his goal that he didn't mind others. By having that determination to achieve his dream, that kept him on his path despite the racist treatments he received.

[srividyag1]

So in the book, when Frank gets to the US, he experiences instances of racial discrimination that he hadn't in Guyana, from one of his professors saying that he would never be a scientist to Ciba Geigy's DLs not wanting to give him Max's job in full because of his ethnicity. This is obviously still a problem the world over, but the author makes it a point to confront these because he has a different experience of it. What do you think of Frank's experiences in this area and how he confronts them?

He was brave and stuck to his principles. Unfortunately, racism is still alive and well in the US. Just last year, a friend and I went to a restaurant in a northern state and the staff did not want to serve us because my friend is black. I was shocked. She was not.

The fact that such things still happen shocks me. I am from a country where discrimination is not based on colour, but some convoluted caste system that existed centuries ago. However, the same difference!! Why does all this even matter in this short life, I always wonder... And I know people might have wondered similarly since discriminations started...

[Nathan Berner]

The author faces several instances of discrimination in the USA to an extend where a lecturer feels he can't be a scientist and doesn't deserve that kind of education. At some point, the racist think he can't have a job for he is black.

It was quite inspiring how he overcame this setback by his own persistence and merits. He could have succumbed to the discrimination, but instead followed through and broke societal barriers.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

So in the book, when Frank gets to the US, he experiences instances of racial discrimination that he hadn't in Guyana, from one of his professors saying that he would never be a scientist to Ciba Geigy's DLs not wanting to give him Max's job in full because of his ethnicity. This is obviously still a problem the world over, but the author makes it a point to confront these because he has a different experience of it. What do you think of Frank's experiences in this area and how he confronts them?

He was brave and stuck to his principles. Unfortunately, racism is still alive and well in the US. Just last year, a friend and I went to a restaurant in a northern state and the staff did not want to serve us because my friend is black. I was shocked. She was not.

This is terribly sad and enraging. And this is why books like the one we're discussing are fundamental. I don't mean to pry but may I ask how did you react to the staff's attitude? Did they apologize?

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

Frank faces racism by holding his head high and working hard. I am not sure with the case of Ciba Geigy if I wouldn't have gotten mad but at that time in history, that was not an option for a black man. I'm white so I can't even imagine that kind of racism.

This happens to me too. I'm white and I grew in a different country, so I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of looking down on someone just because of something as meaningless as the color of their skin. But I think reading experiences like the ones in the book helps us create empathy.

[briellejee]

Frank faces racism by holding his head high and working hard. I am not sure with the case of Ciba Geigy if I wouldn't have gotten mad but at that time in history, that was not an option for a black man. I'm white so I can't even imagine that kind of racism.

This happens to me too. I'm white and I grew in a different country, so I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of looking down on someone just because of something as meaningless as the color of their skin. But I think reading experiences like the ones in the book helps us create empathy.

I think what you said about creating empathy is something that people tend to miss from the book. I have been seeing comments about it as inspirational and motivational, but this is the first one I saw about it teaching people about empathy. Thanks for bringing this to light.