After visiting the FAO Schwarz toy store, Mercedes loved it. She stated that she had a desk at home for doing her homework compared to other students. So, she felt at home in the FAO toy store. Mercedes is different from the others because she wants to be like the rich, the price tags meant nothing to her or what they represented about America. All she wants is to come back with her birthday money to buy herself a new toy.
Miss Moore on the other hand is a college-educated woman who came to live in a poor neighborhood of New York. She took the children to the FAO store to expose them to various issues and way of life. She is teaching the children about the larger community and the problems that African Americans and poor people face in the world. When going to the FAO store she challenged the children to think about what they saw like the prices on the toys and to question the status quo. She shows the children that wealth and race are linked, and that white people and African American people are different. She discusses with the students how much things cost, what their parents earn and the unequal division of wealth.
Both characters understand what things cost and how people are treated unequal. Mercedes knows that she wants to live the rich life, to be like the white people and Miss Moore is an educated woman that knows what this other life consists of. Miss Moore is encouraging the children to question the inequality in the world around them.
2 thoughts on “Shameza Allihussain Disscussion 4”
Hi Shameza! I love this. It’s very true that Mercedes felt a lot more at home with the toy store but makes sense that she ignores it due to the fact that she adores it so much. Miss Moore’s role in the story was so fundamental and essential for the growth of these kids even though Mercedes did not quite grasp the main purpose of the visit. I truly appreciate this story and your tie between these two characters. It illuminates the main issues in the world now that need to be addressed.
Hello Julia, I agree it does illuminate the main issues in the world now.Most people want to live a lavish lifestyle but that too involves putting in extra work and having a more positive outlook on life. Doesn’t matter rich or poor, the poor can make it out from poverty and the rich can also fail. Anything is possible. Ms. Moore shows that having gaining knowledge whether in school or on your own, can change your mentality and on can see things from all point of views and not just in one way.