Monday, August 13, 2018

In "Raymond's Run," how does Squeaky show that she cares a lot about her family, her neighborhood, and the people who live in the inner-city?

Squeaky, the narrator in Toni Cade Bambara's short story "Raymond's Run," shows she cares about her family, her neighborhood, and the people who live in the inner city in several ways. 
She shows she cares about her neighborhood when she wins the race and says,

Then all the kids standing on the side pile on me, banging me on the back and slapping my head with their May Day programs, for I have won again and everybody on 151st Street can walk tall for another year.

Earlier in the story, Squeaky has stated that she's a poor girl. In a poor neighborhood, children don't necessarily have many possessions to be proud of. Their pride is in their character and their accomplishments. It's apparent that there is a strong sense of community in Squeaky since she runs not just for herself, but also to make her neighbors proud. Her win gives them all bragging rights for another year. 
Squeaky shows that she cares about her family by her protection of her mentally-challenged brother Raymond. She takes Raymond with her wherever she goes, and she will not stand for anyone saying anything mean to him or trying to take advantage of him. When she sees him running for the first time during the race, she considers giving up her running career to train him. 

And I have a big rep as the baddest thing around. And I’ve got a roomful of ribbons and medals and awards. But what has Raymond got to call his own?

The fact that Squeaky considers giving up something she loves and takes such great pride in shows her great love for her brother. She is willing to put his wants and needs ahead of her own.
The only textual evidence that Squeaky cares about the people in the inner-city is the same textual evidence that she cares about her neighborhood. It's the comment that she makes when she says that all the kids on 151st street can hold their heads high for another year because she has won the race. There are details contained in the story that show she lives in the inner city, like walking along Broadway street and crossing 34th Street. When she races with her dad, he gives her a "two fire hydrant" head start. These don't necessarily show that she cares about the people. In fact, she calls people stupid more than once in the story and is on guard all the time against ignorant comments people make to or about her brother. The fact that Squeaky does something that allows the kids on 151st street to hold their heads high for a year shows she cares about them. It shows she doesn't run only for herself. She also thinks of her family, community, and neighbors.

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