Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s What's in a Name

A detailed Summary of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s What's in a Name

In Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s, "What's in a Name," a childhood incedent takes place that deals with his father assuming the name George from a white man he passes in the street. Gates'

method is effective because it informs people of some of the problems that still go on today with African-American, and helps us learn where and when to take a stand. Taking a stand at the right

time can lead other people to see efforts going on and join the resistance. Much like Gates' father I was forced to make a decision on the issue of racism that was a defining moment in my

relationship to friends and to my stand against racism. Never did I hate racism so much as I did after this event took place in my life. I am white. Period. No questions asked. I am the epitomy of the "white man". This includes pasty skin, preppy clothes, freckles, can't run or jump, love Spaghetti-O's, and have no

problem wolfing down a block of cheddar cheese with a Dr. Pepper. My best friends, however, happen to be a pair of African-American brothers who seem to be just the opposite. Our simularities and friend relationships are based on humor. Humor that pokes fun at ourselves and where we never really have to worry about hurting the others' feelin

I sat on the lawn in silence, processing what happened, as the rest laughed about how bad they "whipped tail." They were calling each other "bad-ass niggers" and it all clicked. I turned

Suddenly the truck was back and parked on the red, brick road from us. In our silence the group of seven began to pile out of the truck and walk toward us. Jason, (our tall, lanky Malcom-X) I saw in the corner of my eye, began to get antsy, nervous, and hoppy, like he was getting ready to use his red belt in Karate. A movie scene began to play before my eyes as the larger one punched a dent in side of my Stealth's fender. Then the leader broke the silence, "Too bad it's Jap Crap, huh?" (refering to the Mitsibishi 300GT with the same body style).

and yelled at them, "Why are you calling each other that? Don't you see, that puts you on the same level as them, using the same language, that doesn't make sense!" Amazingly, they all got my point right off. I've never heard any of them use that word since.

blacks, or the racists. It's written for the people who wouldn't normally take a stand.

This is why we should keep reading units about race or any other problem. People are aware, sure, but most don't really understand and so they wouldn't have the ryme or reason to

Ephraim tried to get out of the now obviously inevitable, "Hey why don't you guys just leave.

Johan, the philosopher of our group, let their laughter brood for a moment of glory then unleashed a brilliantly dry retaliation, "It's a Dodge you ignorant fuck." We burst in tolaughter

"White nigger," another one chimed in.

Some common words found in the essay are:
What's Name, Dr Pepper, Skin Heads, Karate Sinsce, Fighting Irish, It's Dodge, Black Guy, NIGGER Ephraim, Jap Crap, Dodge Stealth, skin heads, black guy, what's name, red belt, taking stand,

Approximate Word count = 1487
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics