By Spring

February 26, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Yes. As a parent you raise your children to be independent, strong, smart, able to handle thier situations, it is diffcult sometimes to sit back and say no, don’t do it that way, do it this way. I wouldn’t say that this is just prevlant in the African-American house, wanting to be on thier own that is but in every household. The racial issues I think will always be there, but maybe how we handle it will change.

By marcus

February 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

“Raisin” to me, had it’s historical place and that was during the 50’s-60’s. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey during the sixties, I witnessed first hand the “White Flight” that went on in the city. Whites, who exclusively lived in the Weequahic section of Newark, were selling their homes to black families who had either struggled in the projects, payed outlandish rents to slum lords or wanted a better standard of living for their families. Although the opportunity for homeownership in this prestigous section came with higher than market average prices; you were assured of better schools, hospitals, and public services. Buses ran on time, firemen/police were not exposed to the violence that went on in other sections of Newark and stores prospered. Plus you were removed from the decay of the Downtown and Bergen Street areas. For a brief time, you were actually living the “American Dream.” You went to quality schools with diverse ethnic groups and that was mirrored when you went off to college. “Raisin” reminds of those days and the struggles that my parents, their friends and mines went through to have a little piece of that “Dream.” To us, it was the dream of an opportunity to be and do better. Today, I am far removed from Newark. But I never miss an opportunity to see “Raisin” regardless of the venue. The black kids in the suburbs won’t feel the “relevance,” but maybe somewhere a child who is not as fortunate will love the story and grasp it’s meaning and purpose.

By Cammi317

February 26, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

In this time of recession, I am sure that EVERYONE can relate on certain levels. I thank G-d everyday that it’s not relevant to my daily life. On another note, although I despise “Sean P-Diddy Combs”, I did enjoy watching and discussing the movie with my 10 y/o daughter last night.

By CS

February 26, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

I am a teacher in a mostly white school district. Still, I had my students watch the movie last night. Not only is it one of the best written plays, it still has historical relevance today. “A Raisin in the Sun” doesnt just deal with racial tensions. It draws on so much more. The fight for a better life, the feeling of no hope, the searching of ones’ identity, its all VERY relevant today. Even for myself as a young, white female and even for my mostly white students.

By AJ

February 26, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I really enjoyed seeing the new “Raisin in the Sun”. I have read and taught this play, but I found this version to have me set more on edge. It may be Sean “P-Diddy” Combs former gang and violence connections that came through so forcefully in his portrayal of Walter, or it could just be the fear of what Walter Younger would do in today’s world. We have recently seen a tragic increase of murder-suicides in our area where fathers or sons decide to take up a gun and shoot to kill their mother, their wife/girlfriend, and the children. Even though I knew the story and knew how it would play out, I was terrified that maybe in this version Walter was just going to get a gun and waste everyone and then himself. There are many parts of “Raisin” that seem especially relevant today…the perceived importance of money over family for one and the importance of parents being a role model for their children. Sadly too often the Lena Younger’s of the world must have lost the fight,for we seem to have a very sorry lot for parents and an equally sorry lot of spoiled, disrespectful and self-important kids. IMHO it takes a very selfish person to take another’s life and a truly incredible person to find and love the good in even the worst person, as Lena points out it’s when one is at his/her lowest that they need the most love and understanding. Maybe the news needs to cover more stories about the latter kind of person. And maybe we all need to rediscover, the importance of love and family. What happens to a dream deferred depends on the dreamer.

By gagirl

February 26, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Marcus, I still find it quite relevant. I personally witnessed ‘white flight’ in my own subdivision in the 80s and 90s. Civic association meetings at this time revolved around ‘the black thing’ (which our white neighbor informed us of). It doesn’t change; it’s just better disguised these days. But I am glad that you pointed out your experience in the north. Maybe someone will finally realize that racism is not exclusive to the south.

By stilldefiant

February 26, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

good for you, CS!

By Midwesterner

February 26, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

I really liked the story, and it was my first time seeing it. I had heard about it all of my life. The white flight still happens, as it would for the residents who lived in the neighborhood that this family was moving into. I moved into a neighborhood in Indianapolis in 2000, and it was mostly white. In our cul-de-sac, there are 6 houses. Since I moved into my house, all of those neighbors have moved out,except one, and that one white family doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of us. They don’t speak, wave, or make eye contact in anyway. They just come in and leave without even looking around, even if we are all out doing our lawns. They are 2 women, and one teenage son. He used to ride the school bus, but as soon as he turned 16, they bought him a new SUV, and he drives that to school. We have a neighborhood association, so everyone’s house and lawn are kept up, and there is little noise. I am glad that families are making their dreams come true, because it is disturbing to look out and see one more white family moving out.

By Mrs. H.

February 26, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

My students and I were blown away by the first ten minutes where we could hear the sounds of life surrounding the Youngers but not their dialogue. Was this intentional, and if so, what was the intent? This premiere showing of “Raisin in the Sun” was the culminating piece of literature in my 9th grade African American literature unit, and my students loved it. They really got it.

By Joe

February 26, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

@ CS (the teacher): So, how long do you think it will be before you can undo the damage of having your students watch that horrible adaptation last night?

Seriously, that was horrible. Just have the students read the play. Anybody else remember when they used to expect students to read?

By jv Norwood

February 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

My professor in college would at times make the statement dream deferred but not denied. I must agree with CS the fight for a better life,overcoming feelings of no hope, stuggling to find who you are and where you fit, into the grand scheme of things are issues still revelant today and are issues that transcend color.This play can be done fifty years from now and people will sill relate.

By Gary

February 27, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this

Did didn’t know anything about Mr. Coombs, who he is, and found his performance excellent. Great eye contact. He must have had a great coach. I know he spent time with Poritier before doing this and it was time well spent.

By queenie

February 27, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

I saw the original many years ago and was looking forward to the updated version.Raisin in the Sun did not disappoint. I saw a family that was deeply in love with each other striving for a better life and fulfillment of dreams. I saw a mother with wisdom in the place of despair. I saw betrayal that ended in forgiveness. I saw a family that remained steadfast in spite of opposition. That is what family is all about. I would be reminded this story was written about the prejudices of race… I saw a story about family not color.

By dw

February 29, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

I was looking forward to this movie as it received,alot of advertising.I watched it for 1 hour and thought it was boring,slow,couldn’t keep interested.What I did watch Combs was a scammer and wanted to take risks with money that wasn’t his.

By 7thGradeClass

March 4, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

We, the 7th Grade English class at Friends School Mullica Hill, believe that “A Raisin in the Sun” is still relevant today. We watched the recent film version and are currently reading the play. We believe it is still relevant for the following reasons:

By Rick

March 12, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Raisin is more relevant today than in 1959. It will stay relevant and increase in relevancy until it’s so relevant that folks’ll start to pay heed.

Obama 08. 4 justice 4 a change.