Written by Maya Angelou, “My Name is Margaret” is the story of a young maid, set in 1928. Margaret was one of two servants for an old woman named Mrs. Viola Cullinan. One evening, when delivering the dining trays to Mrs. Cullinan, she over-heard a conversation in motion. Mrs. Cullinan’s friend had proposed that she shorten Margaret’s name to “Mary” for ease. Margaret began coming to work late and leaving early (opposite from before), hoping Mrs. Cullinan would complain. Upset by the shortening of her name Margaret finally decides to drop Mrs. Cullinan’s most beloved china in hopes of getting fired. Invigorated, Margaret left the door wide open so the neighbors could hear the commotion and left shorty after. Did you agree with Margaret's choice to break the casserole dish and two green glass cups?
For me, respect is the most important virtue. I believe you don’t deserve it, if you don’t offer it. I understand Margaret’s frustration toward Mrs. Cullinan because she deserves the same respect as her. Mrs. Cullinan should have asked Margaret if she could shorten her name. I feel as though it wouldn’t have been a problem if Margaret’s feelings were taken into consideration. I agree with Margaret’s choice of breaking the china because it took courage and Mrs. Cullinan deserved it. No-one deserves to be treated poorly just because, they are different or viewed as “lower”. When have you made an important choice to either resist or not resist oppression, challenge the status quo, or refuse to obey an authority figure? In 2016, I was on a travel volleyball club, TCA Philadelphia. Towards the end of the season, I realized I didn’t have the same passion as I did at an earlier age. With this, I decided it would be my last year playing travel volleyball and planned to finish in the fall with my high school varsity team. At the time, I had a boyfriend and could see us staying together for a while (HAHA), so I wanted to bring him to my last tournament before he left for college in the fall. The director of my club decided partners are a distraction to the game and said no. I didn’t take to kindly to that since volleyball was a very important part of my life and I wanted to share the sport with someone I cared about. So, that weekend I brought him with me and played the best I did all season. The next week I received an email from my director that I’d be suspended from the team and have to attend a meeting with him explaining my reason for not listening. I attended the meeting and was told my reasoning wasn’t good enough and how “lucky” I was to not be kicked off the team. Within my two-week suspension I missed two tournaments and four practices; Leaving me far behind, on the rotations we were using and how things would go at our biggest tournament of the season. I decided it not only be best for me but, for my teammates, to leave the team. To this day, I don’t regret bringing him to the tournament. Although, I am disappointed in myself for the leaving the team because of a minor setback.
2 Comments
Regina King
9/16/2017 08:42:35 am
Hello Julia,
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Walter Foggy
9/17/2017 11:32:17 am
Hello Julia ,
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Julia ThackrahI hope you find joy in some of my writings and stay interested along the way! Please leave comments on things you'd like to know more about or are interested in. Thanks! ArchivesCategories
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