I D E N T I F Y T H E C O N N E C T I O N B E T W E E N E Q U A L O P P O R T U N I T I E S A N D T H E D R E A M S O F A L L I N D I V I D U A L S

A RAISIN IN THE SUNMIKAYLA MEASEY

ELLA BAKER

• Grandchild of slaves• Prominent activist • Supported civil rights for

African Americans• Wanted to work as a medical

missionary or social worker• Could not afford the

extended education• Persuaded students in

decision making and to involve themselves in grassroots work

• Held a deep desire to connect her ethnic background to dreams and entire life

INFLUENCE IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN

• Beneatha and Ella both dreamed of achieving a career in medicine

• Neither could afford it• Very independent• Influenced by cultural

ideas and their ethnic background

• Wanted to make a name for themselves

• Were not defined only by the color of their skin

• Embraced who they were and where they came from

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

• Civil rights mission investigated discrimination in employment- race, sex, gender, national origin, or religion

• Wanted to allow equal job opportunities for minorities

• Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)

• Attempted to improve racial equality in the workplace

• Tried to develop African American leadership in organized labor

INFLUENCE IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN

• Walter did not like his job• Felt forced to forever be a

servant to those of higher power

• Wanted a better job to prove his position in life was not defined by his skin color

• Felt scammed by Willy• Thought he was easily

taken advantage of• Would always be known as

a “tooken” soul instead of one who could take

MY ETHNIC BACKGROUND

• Mainly Polish and Irish• Do not partake In any customs• Background does not factor into my view of my

identity• Accept who I am but do not think my ethnicity

should define myself• Not really a big deal• Background is everything in A Raisin in the Sun• Almost rejected because of skin color and is a

huge factor in life

GOALS AND DREAMS

• College- main necessity in life and determines level of success in the future

• Enjoyable job- important not only to have a job but to have one you like

• Look back with no regrets- be proud of decisions I made and the lifestyle choices I took

• Dreams and goals can only be conquered if you allow yourself to be exposed to these opportunities

• Would rather have had Bennie become a nurse rather than a doctor

• Felt Walter’s dreams of the liquor store were childish- did not see a full reasoning behind this desire

• You can only accomplish what you set out to do

CONCLUSION

• Respect should naturally given• Should not be judged because of outside

appearance• Equal opportunity is important• Needed for a successful country• Civil rights should never be denied