A.P. Tureaud Jr.'s story was very inspiring because he was the first African American student in Louisiana State University in 1953 which was before the Civil Rights movement started. A.P. was very excited to start his university studies, but when he actually arrived there he realized that he was not welcome by both the students and the faculty. He was the victim of racial prejudice which took on many forms of humiliation and harassment. For example, the other students laughed at him in the bathroom when he was taking a shower and made loud noises at night so he wouldn't be able to sleep. Some of the Professors ignored him in class and others went so far as to refer to him as a "nigger". A.P. made a 'friend' with a tiger because all the people in the University rejected or judged him based on the color of his skin. A.P. felt that this tiger didn't deserve to be in prison, but in some ways they were very similar.
The pivotal point in the story was one A.P. met a local African American truck driver. The truck driver asked A.P. what his name is and when A.P. responded with his name the man was very pleased. The truck driver told A.P. that he has to meet someone which was the truck driver's son. The truck driver wanted his son to know that it was true that an African American was actually attending the University. After, the truck driver's son saw that an African American was in the University, A.P.'s life took on a whole new meaning and significance. It was not only about his own suffering anymore, but it was about being a role model for African Americans in the community and showing them that it is possible to attend and graduate the University. This is what my picture tries to illustrate which the triumph and pain of a young African American male joining a community where he was not welcome, but representing a community that he depended on his success as a model for their own chance at achievement.
The pivotal point in the story was one A.P. met a local African American truck driver. The truck driver asked A.P. what his name is and when A.P. responded with his name the man was very pleased. The truck driver told A.P. that he has to meet someone which was the truck driver's son. The truck driver wanted his son to know that it was true that an African American was actually attending the University. After, the truck driver's son saw that an African American was in the University, A.P.'s life took on a whole new meaning and significance. It was not only about his own suffering anymore, but it was about being a role model for African Americans in the community and showing them that it is possible to attend and graduate the University. This is what my picture tries to illustrate which the triumph and pain of a young African American male joining a community where he was not welcome, but representing a community that he depended on his success as a model for their own chance at achievement.
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