Singleton Book Blog Entry 2 "Then and Now"

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Then and Now...

It's funny how an old childhood memory can transform the greatest change in a human being. Perhaps   a child growing up a little too soon, or a mother doing the best she can to help her child make the best decisions. Dreams are always just a little deferred when we are all forced to face the music and "man-up". I can remember just what it was like for Terrence, my then 22-year-old brother who was facing the same struggle with his life--having to raise a child on his own. How does one balance still being a child in more ways than one and raising one? Is there ever a real line that you cross gradually or are you forced and kicked into it because that's what "manning" up means? Angela Johnson challenges me to critically think about the life that my brother lived (and continues to live) as he lives the life of Bobby. But what's the difference between him and Bobby? That's something I'll never be able to answer--i'm a believer that life gets to us based on how we prepare for it. The part of this book that stood out to be the most is when Bobby goes back and recalls how "Just Frank" would always ask him if he's being a man, Bobby never seemed to fully understand exactly what he meant while growing up, but later in life once he had Feather, he understand just how important that question would be. Being a man. Living up to your responsibilities and taking care of your business. Terrence was asked this same question soon after he told my parents that he and Dee were expecting to have a child. Of course we knew they were not ready—but just how much of a “man” does one need to be? Who judges whether or not you are truly being a man and how does one answer that?