Critics of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Whose Lives Matter?

Basic Elements

characters:  Cassie Logan and her family

Setting: rural Mississippi during the Great Depression

Plot:Segregated Mississippi, Logan family's resilience against racism during Great Depression.

Genre: Fiction

“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” is a novel by Mildred D. Taylor set in Mississippi during the Great Depression. The story follows the Logan family, particularly Cassie Logan, a young African-American girl, as they confront racism and injustice in their community. They struggle to maintain their dignity and land against the backdrop of segregation and violence. The novel explores themes of racial discrimination, resilience, and the power of family solidarity amidst adversity.

Whose lives matter? Of course everyone, but why? Intrinsic value denotes the inherent worth and significance that every individual possesses by virtue of being human. This concept underscores the idea that each person's life has inherent dignity and importance, independent of external factors such as social status, achievements, or characteristics. Recognizing intrinsic value emphasizes the universal worth of human life, promoting respect, empathy, and the notion that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness in all aspects of life.

Equality and respect are foundational principles that emphasize fairness and dignity for all individuals. Equality ensures that everyone has the same rights and opportunities, regardless of differences such as race, gender, or background. Respect involves recognizing the inherent worth of each person and treating them with dignity and consideration. By promoting equality and respect, societies aim to create inclusive environments where diversity is celebrated, and every individual can contribute and thrive without discrimination or prejudice based on irrelevant factors.

Human rights are universal entitlements that safeguard the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. They include civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, ensuring freedoms such as speech, assembly, and privacy, as well as protections against discrimination, torture, and arbitrary detention. Upholding human rights requires governments to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or any other characteristic, promoting fairness, justice, and equality globally.

Human rights are universal entitlements protecting the dignity and freedoms of all individuals, encompassing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. They ensure equality, prohibit discrimination, and demand governments to uphold freedoms like speech and privacy. Upholding human rights fosters fairness and justice globally, emphasizing the intrinsic value and equal worth of every person, irrespective of differences.