Does writing have the power to enact social change?

When people write poems or papers they are expressing their feelings in their own
personal way. We say that we are only persuaded into change by actions when
exactly it is the words that get us. The many writers we read about are doing
this to achieve a goal. They want their words to make a difference in the world that is still
growing today. So yes, I truly believe that words in writing can help with social change.
In the poem "The Bombing of Baghdad" written by June Jordan, she explained
every detail involved with that bombing or something. She stated things that people
wouldn’t have said out loud because it would have mad them sound bad. The poem stuck
out for me because I know when I read it gave me the chills, so imagine the thoughts
going through the peoples’ heads that actually witnessed it first hand. Like I mentioned
before, Jordan releases the truth that these people were unable to bear. her words are the
cause of these feelings, which means these words have changed peoples view on it all
A big speaker of our past time was Martin Luther King Jr. He risked his life for
the people he loved. King wanted everyone to see him as a hero not a man who was
bringing about corruption. The “I Had a Dream” speech that we all know very clear had
great words put into it. The thought that King had when doing this was to bring together
blacks and whites. His audience was moved by these words. whether they were the people
against his beliefs, or those who strongly followed him, they were all amazed by the
emotions and longing for peace king had. In the end his words meant something and got
across to these unloving people which results to today where there is little congregation.
The power in his words are what has done this.
What we teenagers need to do is understand the words which are being written.
Some of us take it as a task to read when we should be looking more into it. The words
are so in depths that it doesn’t translate into our minds as words wanting change. As for
other people reading, they feel the emotion which is put into the writing. One day it will
get across to every single person and maybe that’s when our world will be a better place.

The Price of a Child
When Ginnie, mother of 3 and aso a slave, finally realizes this can be her time

to escape she made the decision. As her and her two children waited in

Philadlepihas hotel to go to New York with her master, Jackson Pryor, she

knows this will be her break for freedom. She knows that this big step is going

to be very dangerous but more difficult than anything shes ever done before.

The one main thing that is holding her back is the thought of never seeing her

youngest son Benny. Ginnie hears about a man working in the hotel who may

be able to help her. News soon travels to the abolionists in Philadelpiha. Her

and her two children are soon put onto a ferry which was going to New York.

The differance was Jackson Pryor was no longer with them and they were now free.
Lorene Cory portrays a story of great bondage bwtween those who seem to find
love in all the wrong places. For example, she has the jealous slave wife who

has the idea to keep her child safe and also keep Ginnie under contorl. There is

also the Slave master who is the father of two of Ginnie's children. He will

never be remebered as thier father but as this horrible person that left scars for

her to always dream about. As I read i came to realize that the way Cory writes

her work is unique. Her characters are very down to earth and as you read you

get to know them more and more. You dont even become bored with thier

words even though at times it gets confusing and aslso theres always supense

going on in the readers head not knowing whats gonna happen next. Lorene

Cory speaks about Jackson as this Southernt slave holder you can just imageine

in your head. Like this guy who goes as if hes tuff just so he is repaected. On the

other hand, Pryor sees himself in a different perspective. He is actaully

confused by the esape of his slave who has been with him for years. He sees it

as her being given all she ever wnated but him getting this betrayal in return.

Pryor was raised as a slave holder so all he knows is how to treat them the

way he was tought. He thought in his mind that him and Ginnie had a close

bondage because of the comfortness she gave to him. Little did he know, the

comfortness was never given back to Ginnie. Ginnie's character is based on the

real Jane Johnson who was involved with the underground railroad. The way

she is descieded in the book is very brave. Though she may have been thinking

a lot about excaping she never really did it untill the day in Philadelpiha when

she felt the time was right. She knew she was putting herself and her three

childrean in danger but still went along with it knowing in her mind that in the

end it was all going to be alright.
These moments and partial parts from Still's thoughts are the body on which

Cary has put togethe rto show all the differnt kinds of drama which are within

this peice. One of the most gripping parts in the novel is Cary's way of putting

together with her imaginative about the trial. Cary begins the scene with

Mercer, a surprise witness, fighting with five other women for her freedom.

Mercer gets up on the stand very proudly as if knowing everything was going to

be alright. In the end Mercer was able to stay in Philadelpiha with a new

family. The new family started off with Manny Quick who was a hard worker

but also a tuff boss. Then there was his wife Della, son Tyree, and daughter

Harriet. The Quicks was very ncie to Mercer because of the generosity Mercer

gave to them. She helped with the cooking during the day while at night Mercer

studied the lessons given to her by Harriet who was a school teacher. Cary

growing up in Philadelphia helped a lot with writing this novel. She knew how

the communities and people were during the 1850s.
The Price of a Child is more then just a book on slavery. Its a real live story that
some can relate to. Having foes, jealousies, uncondition but unwilling loves,

betrayals, and dark family secrets . The mysteries that we just need to figure

out in this novel are unbeliveable. For a while Mercer is caught up in these

family matters. She falls in love with the sincere and passionate Tyree, but

loving a married man brings only brief happiness and much regret. Finally,

Mercer leaves Tyree and Philadelphia and heads for Canada to continue the

work of recreating herself as an independent woman. Cary is a wise storyteller

as we witnessed from this story.Her novel is an entertaining and serious

contribution The way things were in American past.