Question 1

[Vivian]

Based on Cedric’s early days at Brown, I would say that Cedric has a strongly rooted belief and attitude toward white people. At first he is pretty excited to begin school, which is why he is so friendly to his white roommate Rob. Soon tensions grow and we start to see Cedric’s resentment toward white people. Cedric has gone through so much in his life like not having enough to eat, growing up surrounded by drugs and violence, and being raised with only his mother in the picture. He feels like it is unfair the white people do not have to see endure any of these hardships and therefore have an easier time excelling in life. He envies how easy it seems to come to them and how he is at a disadvantage. Cedric says himself that he has to work harder just to catch up to the level they are at. Due to what he has been through, Cedric also has trust issues not just with white people but also with everyone. He feels like everyone is personally out to get him. He especially feels this with Rob and at times Zayd. At first he sees nothing in common with white people but later as he writes in his poem he just “lets the colors run” (301).