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Leo Shen

862270347

Timothy Ballard

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The Roots we held

Gloria Watkins, a southern black girl, who came from a middle working class became an

author and social activist wrote the novel “Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black”

comes from a tiny town in Kentucky. Throughout her life, she has been reading numerous books

that have transformed her to become the woman she is now. That is a student at Stanford

University, this turns out to be one of the major ideas that she has thought to become a better

person, a better human being, a person who would keep their roots even if it meant to move away

from your origin. As she connects with her father who has recently retired as a writer and teacher

after more than 30 years she realizes the truth underneath all the hard work she has yet to become

the best that she could have. Although she struggles to maintain the efforts that her father has

done she strives to keep the process of her family’s past which are the roots of which her

mother’s mother questions the reasons for moving away from the traditions that were handed

down multiple generations. Gloria continuously proceeds to show us the readers that no matter

what we do our roots, connections, and the past all relate to one another.

I believe Gloria’s information on her strategy to maintain a connection to her roots has a

positive impact on others that are in a similar situation. Her reasons for keeping these

connections are to make sure that it keeps us connected as a family, to strengthen our

appreciation for one another, and as well as to value one’s self. For instance, my choice to move

away from my hometown was a tough decision since I had to choose between a nearby
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community college or the experience of living in a dormitory as well as living by myself. I still

do practice a few things I would do back at home such as the meditation in which Buddhist

monks would do. This gave me a deeper connection with those around me whether it be the birds

chirping or the owls hooting at the time of dawn. I always keep not only my strength physically,

but mentally keep my mind focused and relaxed throughout the day. I believe that in any form of

connection whether it be a verbal or physical form there will always be a style in which your

roots were made to be from the very start. The one connection I hold the strongest is the roots of

my grandpa’s teaching of Tai Chi. Whenever it’s the bright early morning I would always

practice a few hours of Tai Chi for the momentum of constant motion. Tai Chi in its entirety has

massively impacted my way of keeping my roots intact which made it extremely crucial for me.

Without Tai Chi, it would be hard for me to cherish this moment in time.

Connections as a whole have multiple different layers of meanings when it comes to a

single person. Gloria’s connections with her entire family are on an inconsistent level of approval

especially when it came to the fact that her idea of moving away from family just to attend an

amazing University. This dissatisfaction came from the thought of the family that even though

life would be easier if you chose the easier route she persistently chose the route for Stanford. In

my case, I had the choice to pick between an orchestra camp to pursue my violin skills to a

higher degree or to stay at home and to only practice for myself. The only option became

distantly clear which was to pursue my education in music. In the means of a more advanced

learning style as well as the experience I would gather just being at an adult orchestra when I was

around the age of sixteen. Even though my parents disliked the idea of sending me over they still

respected my idea of having a strong connection with music in the classical genre. Now being at
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the legal adult age of eighteen, I’m entirely knowledgeable about the ways an orchestra functions

as well as the play styles we use in my playing.

Overall the choices we make ultimately change the connections we make around us

which could either be to keep up with our roots and past or to continue the brand new path of

your future roots. These roots are what keeps the connections alive for the sake of your family’s

religion, ideology, and thoughts. Once again Gloria has put out a message for all the readers that

the roots you are related to have a deeper meaning than you would think. Especially when it

comes to your family’s past.