The essay The Walking Boy by Alan Jacobs author and Baylor University humanities professor, provides students...

 

Transcribed Image Text:

The essay "The Walking Boy" by Alan Jacobs author and Baylor University humanities professor, provides students an opportunity to explore the relationship between our need to belong and our identity. Click on the title. It is linked to the essay and will take you to the reading.) Jacobs tells a story about growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960's. The location of one African American boy's home required him to walk through Jacob's White neighborhood in order to get to school and to see friends in the Black section of town. Jacobs describes how his friends harassed the boy and threw rocks at him as he passed by. Jacobs participated, or at least pretended to participate, even though he knew it was wrong. As you read through the essay, think about the following questions: How might our need to belong affect our identities? How might our need to belong affect how we treat those who do not belong in the "in" group? How might our lack of knowledge and familiarity with other individuals or groups enable negative stereotypes to take root? How might it lead us to treat others unfairly? . How might peer pressure impact our ability and willingness to follow our conscience? In a 1-2 page double-spaced response, please take some time answering the questions above. Please also keep in mind and write about the following idea: . Often being accepted by others is more satisfying than being accepted by oneself, even though the satisfaction does not last. What do you think this means? How does this statement apply to "The Walking Boy"? How does it apply to your own experiences? The essay "The Walking Boy" by Alan Jacobs author and Baylor University humanities professor, provides students an opportunity to explore the relationship between our need to belong and our identity. Click on the title. It is linked to the essay and will take you to the reading.) Jacobs tells a story about growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960's. The location of one African American boy's home required him to walk through Jacob's White neighborhood in order to get to school and to see friends in the Black section of town. Jacobs describes how his friends harassed the boy and threw rocks at him as he passed by. Jacobs participated, or at least pretended to participate, even though he knew it was wrong. As you read through the essay, think about the following questions: How might our need to belong affect our identities? How might our need to belong affect how we treat those who do not belong in the "in" group? How might our lack of knowledge and familiarity with other individuals or groups enable negative stereotypes to take root? How might it lead us to treat others unfairly? . How might peer pressure impact our ability and willingness to follow our conscience? In a 1-2 page double-spaced response, please take some time answering the questions above. Please also keep in mind and write about the following idea: . Often being accepted by others is more satisfying than being accepted by oneself, even though the satisfaction does not last. What do you think this means? How does this statement apply to "The Walking Boy"? How does it apply to your own experiences?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The essay The Walking Boy by Alan Jacobs provides a poignant exploration of the dynamics between our need to belong and our identity It delves into a formative incident from Jacobs childhood in segreg... View the full answer