Bronx Masquerade is a beautiful portrayal of hat Harlem Renaissance stood for and how it helps one find their own self identity. I chose the part because of how effective it is in conveying its message.
Explanation:
Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes is a wonderful book that delves into a classroom study of Harlem Renaissance, an important movement in African American art that influenced a wide variety of art work in the 20th century.
The novel uses the spoken word poetry form which finds its roots in the Harlem and uses it to lay bare the soul of the reader for themselves.
It is an unbridled exploration of the self and to find the qualities embed in humans.
In a way the book is what it is trying to preach and show which is very important.
Remember, Johnny came from a terrible household. His parents either beat him, or ignored him. If Johnny became crippled, he wouldn't be able to come and go from that house as he pleased, which means he has to stay in that home where he was hated and unwanted.
Here is the excerpt from the novel:
"Even if Johnny did live he'd
be crippled and never play football or help us out in a rumble again. He'd have to stay in
that house he hated, where he wasn't wanted, and things could never be like they used to
be. I didn't trust myself to speak. If I said one word, the hard knot in my throat would
swell and I'd be crying in spite of myself." (Hinton, 87).
