Fist Stick Knife Gun Essay - 1524 Words

Jen Jeffrey Juvenile Justice and Delinquency October 21, 2001 Critique of Fist Stick Knife Gun The Book Fist Stick Knife Gun by Geoffrey Canada is a biographical account of his childhood in the south Bronx. He and his 4 brothers were raised by only their mother. She would survive on no more than ten dollars a week. He moved several times as a child until finally landing on union avenue, the place were many of his life lessons were learned and at times applied. He learned about the ranking process of kids on union Ave. and how the only way to improve your status was to use your fists to fight your way up the chain. Looking back Geoffrey Canada notices the major shift in attitudes concerning the rules of the streets. What once was†¦show more content†¦The lower categories were the early teens and the pre teens. The early teens were just learning the rules whereas the pre teens couldnt go off of the sidewalk. Geoffrey belonged to the lowest rung, the sidewalk group. As time went on he got in many fights, sometimes with friends just to dig himself out of the bottom grou p. He soon became the kid not to challenge because he learned how to fight. The next was Stick. Their wasnt much mention of this phase in his life, but he does mention the fact that in certain circumstances, a broken bottle or a stick can be used in self defense when the opponent uses a weapon. The place where this would happen is at school. The rules of the streets still applied but the problem was many different gangs associated and congregated at his junior high. So everyone their follows different rules, some gangs might think the use of weapons is acceptable, so Union Ave. people have to adjust these circumstances and use a stick or a broken bottle to defend themselves. As he grew even older he began to notice other gangs tendencies of carrying knives. He realized that this fact changed the code of conduct. No longer would be a good fist fighter keep you from confrontation. Even the most unskilled fighter could win a fight and be on top if they knew how to swing a blade. One day Geoffrey lucked out, because he found an oldShow MoreRelated`` Fist, Stick Knife, And Gun ``1266 Words   |  6 Pagesmaster the code of conduct and or the rules of the streets in order to survive. Not to mention learning the demands of socially regarding displaying appropriate behavior when they are outside of the disorganized community. In the book, Fist, stick knife, gun, the author shared his experience of growing up in a society in which he needed to learn the code of conduct that regulated what was fair and unfair when it came to surviving and protecting himself throughout his childhood. Not only did CanadaRead More Critique of Geoffrey Canadas Fist Stick Knife Gun Essay1506 Words   |  7 PagesCritique of Geoffrey Canadas Fist Stick Knife Gun The Book â€Å"Fist Stick Knife Gun† by Geoffrey Canada is a biographical account of his childhood in the south Bronx. He and his 4 brothers were raised by only their mother. She would survive on no more than ten dollars a week. He moved several times as a child until finally landing on union avenue, the place were many of his life lessons were learned and at times applied. He learned about the ranking process of kids on union Ave. and how the onlyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Fist Stick Knife Gun By Geoffrey Canada Essay2179 Words   |  9 Pagesthoroughly convincing. His Book Fist Stick Knife Gun, is a great explanation of violence and poverty in late 20th century here in America’s inner cities. Of how he changed from a timid and frightened child into a young man who could hold his own in a fight in the streets, is written in a believable way. Canada actually learned the way of the streets because he grew up in the streets. All of his experiences first started when he was a child when he and his friends used their fists to settle disputes and toRead MoreThe Importance Of Teaching A Past Lesson836 Words   |  4 Pagesand students alike to understand how classroom interactions can become more meaningful. In addition to my lesson analysis, I have also included a lesson plan and its subsequent reflection. The lesson provided was an opening lesson for my Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun Unit. The intention was to lead with high levels of engagement in order for students to buy in to the upcoming Unit. In the past, my principal and new teacher mentor has suggested videos and co-operative learning strategies that will allowRead MoreI Am An Active Participant898 Words   |  4 Pagesstudents witnessed uproar after the death of Freddy Gray. While coming up with a Unit Plan, I knew it had to be relevant to what my students are currently experiencing. After conferencing with several teachers, I finally decided to teach Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun. Our Essential Q uestion for the Unit is, Where does violence come from and how can we stop it? Acknowledging what my students are going through rather than sweeping it under the rug appeals to the part of the standard that requires teachingRead MoreA Very Thoughtful Look Into Inner City Violence And The Rules Surrounding It1718 Words   |  7 Pagesis thoroughly convincing. His Book Fist Stick Knife Gun, is a great explanation of violence and poverty in late 20th century here in America. His story of how he changed from a timid and frightened child into a young man who could hold his own in a fight in the streets is written in a believable way. Canada actually learned the way of the streets because he grew up in the streets It first started when he was a child when he and his friends used their fists to settle disputes and to gain a reputationRead MoreEnding Of Huck783 Words   |  4 Pagesinto the forest, the boys had found a huge stick pile. Huck then took out his pocket knife and said â€Å"well?... Let’s get to carving.† So then all the boys proceeded to carve out wooden knifes, spears, rings, and small animals while singing. That’s when Tom said â€Å"hey, we could carve wooden guns and play cowboys and Indians!† All the boys agreed to this proposition, and so that’s exactly what the boys did for the next 45 minutes. All boys had their own wooden guns that they all made individually, and thenRead MoreRacial Profiling by Police Essay1669 Words   |  7 Pages Brent Staples’ essay, â€Å"When the Paranoids Turn Out to be Right,† acknowledges the issues of racism and racial profiling committed by police. In â€Å"Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun,† Geoffrey Canada also expresses views on this issue when he asserts that police fail to protect and serve individuals in poor neighborhoods. Staples contends, â€Å"Among the day-to-day acts of discrimination that shadow African Americans, none are more stressful or dangerous than those committed by police, some of whom treat black peopleRead MoreGeoffrey Canada and the Harlem Childrens Zone Essay1672 Words   |  7 Pagesand kept them privy to the civil rights struggles that their community was facing (AE, 2011). Growing up in Harlem was challenging. Early on, Canada knew that there was a ranking order in the South Bronx. He highlights this in his book, Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America (1995). Canada tells a story about how his two older brothers were playing at the park one day. The younger of the two boys, took off his jacket. A boy at the playground threatened the Geoffrey’sRead MoreEssay on Freedom Riders1426 Words   |  6 Pagesbut the bus got away until about six miles down the road. The mob caught up to the bus and surrounded it until Ell Cowling, a police officer, pulled out his gun and badge and the Klansman backed away. Someone from the mob had thrown a flaming device into a bus window and the bus went up in flames (Garrow 2). Two highway patrolmen fired their guns to scare the crowd and make them leave so the passengers could safely get off the bus. Only twelve riders were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke