Bronx Masquerade and Stamped

Central throughout the stories of eighteen Bronx-based students is the need for belonging. Each student feels their differences will not be accepted by their classmates, only to learn that their differences make them similar. As humans are innately social beings, this need to belong is one of the most studied psychological phenomena. Each student juggles the internal crisis between wanting to fit in with their classmates and wanting to be their authentic selves or fear of being scorned again. Many of the stories, in my opinion, were cliche. The idea that the tall girl does not like basketball or the jock can like school has been told countless times. However, some stories accurately and emotionally capture this intense fear of social ostracism. 

One such story that I would argue gives a different and more controversial perspective is Sheila’s. I had a visceral reaction to her wanting to change her name to a more “Africana” one and imitating the students of color at her school, as it is so taboo in the context of today’s society. She wants to appropriate the group’s characteristics to reap the benefits of inclusion without understanding the historical, generational bullying. Shelia would fall under Reynold’s definition of an assimilationist. However, when Sheila explains her desire to fit in, while I still do not think it is appropriate, it truly made me think. She talks about how no one looks like her and how she desires to stick out less. I thought it was interesting how someone could both stick out like a sore thumb and draw that attention to themselves yet be completely invisible. Wesley talks some sense into Sheila, saying how as soon as she leaves this environment, she will no longer be in the minority, and she can not just change herself back. She needs to stick out because she is an individual. He says, “everyone is different inside, anyway. We are all trying to fit in” (Grimes 134). As society begins to accept differences and push individuality and uniqueness in an individualistic nation, it is important to remember the human need to belong and how those ideas are conflicting in the minds of teenagers with developing emotional maturity. I think Diondra's poem accurately articulates this conflict, as she says, "Love is not e being who you want" (Grimes 154). Teenagers feel they need to choose between being themselves and feeling loved.