As he entered, the class fell silent. This would be no ordinary day in Rebekah Noble’s class.

Opening his discussion with a quote from Emiliano Zapata “it’s better to die on your feet than to live on your knees,” Dr. Brooks’ lecture discussed racial issues both in the world today as well as in the novel they recently read  A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J Gaines, set in 1940’s Louisiana.

A Lesson Before Dying is mainly about racial tensions and feelings of self worth brought about in 1940’s Louisiana. It entails the execution of Jefferson, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Following his decree of execution his close friend Grant Wiggins attempts to instill a sense of self worth into Jefferson insisting that his life have meaning even as he is told he is worthless.

Brooks conveyed a sense of knowing exactly how to keep students’ attention, creating scenarios for all of his major points and using people in class as examples for each scenario while relating his discussion back to the book that they had read

“After being told (something) over and over, we begin to internalize it,” Brooks said. “People respond to expectation.”
Junior Fatoumata Jaiteh appreciated the command of the classroom that Brooks held.

“He just made everything more understandable about racial problems still around in high school,” said Jaiteh.

Brooks also brought up many current incidents involving racial issues in neighboring schools, including an incident in Hopkins where a dress code was “ghetto appreciation day” and one in Washburn where a black baby doll was hung in the hallway.

Brooks’ provides a theory as to why issues like these occur

“I don’t think we have enough conversations to show our common issues and problems due to race,” said Brooks.

Junior, Ashley Neitzel said she is astounded at the incidents occurring in neighboring districts.

“I thought it was really sad that things are still happening and it’s local,” Neitzel said.

Brooks ended the class period with an activity where the students had to name African-American people with an impact on American history before 1970.

Junior Ian Schneider was surprised at the lack of historic figures he was able to name.

“I never realized before doing that activity how few african americans during that time period I know that affected history,” Schneider said.

Noble, the teacher responsible for bringing in Brooks says she brought Brooks in for various reasons.

“I thought that (my students) would benefit from hearing from someone who I consider a role model,” Noble said.