Review of Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
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George Greg
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Review of Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
[Following is a volunteer review of "Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream" by Dr Frank L Douglas.]
In the 1960s, Frank displayed exceptional intelligence and an unwavering commitment to his education. He earned a scholarship to study overseas in the U.S. at Lehigh University and Cornell University Medical School, leaving his home of British Guiana (now known as Guyana) behind. His experiences during his studies exposed him to cultural differences that had a profound impact on him. In particular, he was struck by the level of racial discrimination he encountered, which was not something he had experienced in his homeland, where people were treated more equally. Despite facing racism and discrimination, Frank continued to excel academically, earning better grades than many of his peers. However, he noticed that his white classmates often received higher grades than they deserved based on their actual schoolwork. Nevertheless, Frank's academic accomplishments ultimately outshone the racial discrimination he faced.
The author's narrative sheds light on the ongoing struggle for equality in our society. The degree of racial discrimination that the author and other individuals of various nationalities encounter at the university is deeply troubling. The author observes that this mistreatment, which encompasses verbal insults and unjust academic evaluations based on skin color, is not an isolated occurrence but rather a widespread issue. The author's vivid portrayal of his childhood experiences, the challenges he faced as a black man in the United States, and his encounters in Germany eloquently demonstrate that equality for all remains a distant goal. The level of racial discrimination that he endured is genuinely disheartening.
I find Dr. Douglas's story to be incredibly valuable, particularly because it contains several important lessons. One of the most significant is the importance of having a strong moral compass. Throughout his life, Dr. Douglas remained steadfast in his commitment to what he believed was right, even in situations where doing so was difficult or could have negative consequences. For instance, he turned down lucrative job offers when he felt that the values of the people making those offers did not align with his own. He also refused to join certain popular organizations, such as the National Medical Association, because he felt that their values did not align with his own.
There are many aspects of Dr. Douglas's writing that I appreciate, but one that stands out to me is his demonstration that it is unfair to judge an entire race based on the actions of a few individuals. Dr. Douglas himself experienced discrimination from both white and black people throughout his life. In one instance, his own aunt Edith lied about him in order to get him in trouble. This experience serves as a reminder that discrimination and prejudice can come from anyone, regardless of their race.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream, Dr. Frank L. Douglas was exceptionally edited too. Therefore, I would give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The book seems to contain valuable lessons about the importance of having a strong moral compass and the impact of discrimination on individuals. If you are interested in these topics, you may find this book to be insightful and thought-provoking.
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Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In the 1960s, Frank displayed exceptional intelligence and an unwavering commitment to his education. He earned a scholarship to study overseas in the U.S. at Lehigh University and Cornell University Medical School, leaving his home of British Guiana (now known as Guyana) behind. His experiences during his studies exposed him to cultural differences that had a profound impact on him. In particular, he was struck by the level of racial discrimination he encountered, which was not something he had experienced in his homeland, where people were treated more equally. Despite facing racism and discrimination, Frank continued to excel academically, earning better grades than many of his peers. However, he noticed that his white classmates often received higher grades than they deserved based on their actual schoolwork. Nevertheless, Frank's academic accomplishments ultimately outshone the racial discrimination he faced.
The author's narrative sheds light on the ongoing struggle for equality in our society. The degree of racial discrimination that the author and other individuals of various nationalities encounter at the university is deeply troubling. The author observes that this mistreatment, which encompasses verbal insults and unjust academic evaluations based on skin color, is not an isolated occurrence but rather a widespread issue. The author's vivid portrayal of his childhood experiences, the challenges he faced as a black man in the United States, and his encounters in Germany eloquently demonstrate that equality for all remains a distant goal. The level of racial discrimination that he endured is genuinely disheartening.
I find Dr. Douglas's story to be incredibly valuable, particularly because it contains several important lessons. One of the most significant is the importance of having a strong moral compass. Throughout his life, Dr. Douglas remained steadfast in his commitment to what he believed was right, even in situations where doing so was difficult or could have negative consequences. For instance, he turned down lucrative job offers when he felt that the values of the people making those offers did not align with his own. He also refused to join certain popular organizations, such as the National Medical Association, because he felt that their values did not align with his own.
There are many aspects of Dr. Douglas's writing that I appreciate, but one that stands out to me is his demonstration that it is unfair to judge an entire race based on the actions of a few individuals. Dr. Douglas himself experienced discrimination from both white and black people throughout his life. In one instance, his own aunt Edith lied about him in order to get him in trouble. This experience serves as a reminder that discrimination and prejudice can come from anyone, regardless of their race.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream, Dr. Frank L. Douglas was exceptionally edited too. Therefore, I would give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The book seems to contain valuable lessons about the importance of having a strong moral compass and the impact of discrimination on individuals. If you are interested in these topics, you may find this book to be insightful and thought-provoking.
******
Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Of Zots and Xoodles by Zarqnon the Embarrassed
