(I was in class but I'm not finnished yet)
1. Harlem was the heart of black culture in the 1920's and 30's. Harlem gave rise o very popular African American figures such as Billie Holiday and Langston Hughes. Hard economic times hit Harlem from the depression, all the way to the 1980's. Its unemployment level skyrocketed as well did the crime level. It was a tough place to live. Alot of criminals would use the Harlem streets to sell drugs and to commit other crimes like theft, and assaults.
This setting shapes Sonny into a life of drugs and crime. He is captured by his surroundings and sees no other way out but to do the same. He gets caught up on heroin and practically leaves him an addict. Aside from using the heroin, he also sells it which ends up getting him caught. Another way Harlem shapes Sonny is in its rich Jazz culture which gets Sonny out of a life of drugs and into a life of music.
http://manhattan.about.com/od/neighborhoodguide/a/harlemnewyork.htm
2. Black men were not considered at the same level as white men in the military before the civil rights movement. They were given the shaft of everything the military had to offer, and they were not allowed to fight along side white soldiers. They were separated into different bunkers and they were put more into harms way more than white soldiers. Black men weren't trusted with weapons either so the use of their arms was very limited in combat.
Its ironic that Sonny wanted to enroll in the military judging by the fact that he was always put down. He never had the opportunities that other people had, yet he was willing to sacrifice his life. he puts himself in harms way and he always did things that got him in trouble, and to want to join the military makes it so ironic for him.
http://www.history.army.mil/html/topics/afam/index.html
3. Billie Holiday (God Bless the child)
Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible said and it still is news
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Yes, the strong gets more
While the weak ones fade
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Money, you've got lots of friends
Crowding round the door
When you're gone, spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
He just worry 'bout nothin'
Cause he's got his own
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/billie+holiday/god+bless+the+child_20018000.html
