IDENTIFY THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THE DREAMS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS A RAISIN IN THE SUN MIKAYLA MEASEY

ELLA BAKER Grandchild of slaves Prominent activist Supported civil rights for African Americans Wanted to work as a medical missionary or social worker Could not afford the extended education Persuaded students in decision making and to involve themselves in grassroots work Held a deep desire to connect her ethnic background to dreams and entire life

INFLUENCE IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN Beneatha and Ella both dreamed of achieving a career in medicine Neither could afford it Very independent Influenced by cultural ideas and their ethnic background Wanted to make a name for themselves Were not defined only by the color of their skin Embraced who they were and where they came from

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Civil rights mission investigated discrimination in employment- race, sex, gender, national origin, or religion Wanted to allow equal job opportunities for minorities Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Attempted to improve racial equality in the workplace Tried to develop African American leadership in organized labor

INFLUENCE IN A RAISIN IN THE SUN Walter did not like his job Felt forced to forever be a servant to those of higher power Wanted a better job to prove his position in life was not defined by his skin color Felt scammed by Willy Thought he was easily taken advantage of Would always be known as a “tooken” soul instead of one who could take

MY ETHNIC BACKGROUND Mainly Polish and Irish Do not partake In any customs Background does not factor into my view of my identity Accept who I am but do not think my ethnicity should define myself Not really a big deal Background is everything in A Raisin in the Sun Almost rejected because of skin color and is a huge factor in life

GOALS AND DREAMS College- main necessity in life and determines level of success in the future Enjoyable job- important not only to have a job but to have one you like Look back with no regrets- be proud of decisions I made and the lifestyle choices I took Dreams and goals can only be conquered if you allow yourself to be exposed to these opportunities Would rather have had Bennie become a nurse rather than a doctor Felt Walter’s dreams of the liquor store were childish- did not see a full reasoning behind this desire You can only accomplish what you set out to do

CONCLUSION Respect should naturally given Should not be judged because of outside appearance Equal opportunity is important Needed for a successful country Civil rights should never be denied