Johnathan Rodriguez Identity and Chapter 22

Handout 1: Read: In the untitled poem below, student Jonathan Rodríguez reflects on how his name representshis identity:

Hi I’m Jon………..No—Jonathan

Wait—Jonathan Rodríguez

Hold on—Jonathan Rodríguez

My Name, Two names, two worlds

The duality of my identity like two sides of the same coin

With two worlds, there should be plenty of room

But where do I fit?

Where can I sit?

Is this seat taken? Or is that seat taken?

There never is quite enough room is there?

Two names, Two worlds

Where do I come from?

Born in the Washington heights of New York City

But raised in good ol’ Connecticut

The smell of freshly mowed grass, autumn leaves

Sancocho, Rice and Beans

The sound from Billy Joel’s Piano Keys

And the rhythm from Juan Luis Guerra

I’m from the struggle for broken dreams

Of false promises

Of houses with white picket fences

And 2.5 kids

The mountains and campos de la RepublicaDominicana

And the mango trees

I’m not the typical kid from suburbia

Nor am I a smooth Latin cat

My head’s in the clouds, my nose in a comic book

I get lost in the stories and art

I’m kinda awkward—so talkin’ to the ladies is hard

I listen to Fernando Villalona and Aventura every chance I get,

But don’t make me dance Merengue, Bachata

Or Salsa—I don’t know the steps

I’ve learned throughout these past years

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I am a mix of cultures, a mix of races

“Una Raza encendida,

Negra, Blanca y Taina”

You can find me in the parts of a song, enunacancion

You can feel my African Roots en la Tambora

My Taino screams en la guira

And the melodies of the lyrics are a reminder of my beautiful Spanish heritage

I am African, Taino and Spanish

A Fanboy, an athlete, a nerd, a student, an introvert

I’m proud to say: Yo soy Dominicano

I’m proud to say, I am me

I am beginning to appreciate that I am

Unabellamezcla

I am beginning to see that this world is also a beautiful mix

Of people, ideas and stories.

Is this seat taken?

Or is that seat taken?

Join me and take a seat,

Here we’ll write our own stories

Respond-In your Writer’s Notebook (no prompt number)answer the following questions:

1. What does Rodríguez mean when he uses the phrase “two names, two worlds”? What two worlds does his name represent?

2. What assumptions does Rodríguez think others might make about his identity because of his name? Which of those assumptions are true? Which are false?

3. Conversely, what does your name suggest about your identity? Remember what the names Capulet and Montague meant? Does your name really have a meaning if you consider it as word? What does your name represent to you? Do you feel like what you are named? How is your name different for someone else who might have the same? To what extent you’re your name influence how others think about you? How does it affect how you think about yourself?

Create and Produce-On the back of the loose-leaf do the following:

Handout 2: Creating an Identity Chart

Prompt # 17 for Core and #16 for Honors (in your Writer’s Notebook)

Use the following steps and questions to create an identity chart for yourself:

1. Draw a circle in the middle of a loose-leaf piece of paper or page in your journal.

2. Begin with the words or phrases that describe the way you see yourself. Add those words and phrases to create your chart.

3. Most people define themselves by using categories important to their culture. They include not only gender, age, and physical characteristics but also ties to a particular religion, class, neighborhood, school, and nation. Consider if any of these characteristics belong on your chart.

4. You may wish to add new categories to your identity chart. How much of your identity do you create and how much of it is determined by things beyond your control? What other factors influence your identity? What can you add that does not fall into any of the categories listed above?

5. How does the way that other people think about you impact your identity? Consider multiple perspectives. Think about these questions as you think about what else to add to your chart:

• What labels would others attach to you?

• Do they see you as a leader or a follower? A conformist or a rebel?

• Are you a peacemaker, a bully, or a bystander? (look it up)

• How do society’s labels influence the way you see yourself? The kinds of choices you and others make each day? For example, if a person is known as a bully, how likely is he or she to live up to that label?

Handout 3: Prompt # 18 for Core and #17 for Honors- “Chapter 22 Connection”

Respond tothe following questions in Writer’s Notebook

This chapter describes the reactions of many of the characters to the Tom Robinson verdict. Choose a quotation from the chapter that sums up the reactions of each of the following characters:

  1. Jem
  2. Atticus
  3. the black community of Maycomb
  4. Miss Maudie
  5. Dill
  6. Bob Ewell

Then answer the following questions:

  1. How would you describe this range of responses? How are the characters’ responses expressions of their different identities and experiences?
  2. How does Miss Maudie define progress in overcoming segregation and discrimination in Maycomb?
  3. What do you think of her conclusion?
  4. How can we measure progress toward bringing about a more just society? (Remember the essential question on the board)
  5. What steps are worth celebrating and what steps are dissatisfying?

Don’t feel overwhelmed, time will be given to conclude and adjust this portion of the class next time we get together. Do your very best.