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Bronx Masquerade
Bronx mas
Raynard Patterson (Has Dyslexia (By the…
Bronx Masquerade
Raynard Patterson
Raynard is African American (Devon says that he doesn't talk to any of the other "brothers." That gives context to his race).
"...to provide students with cultural, ethnic, and language alternatives." (Banks 2008, pp. 2). I believe this goal stated from Banks' article can be achieved through the use of "Bronx Masquerade." By looking at each poem's colloquialisms, you can see the expression of each character's culture whether it is unconsciously expressed or not.
Each student has problems that they are dealing with whether they are black, white, latino or otherwise. Every character gets the spotlight shined on them to allow them to give a brief picture of what they are on the surface and on the inside. Some poetry even becomes political about the problems minorities are facing with this country. The majority (Anglocentric culture) isn't given a prominent status in this story as this is a celebration of a multitude of different cultures and races.
Though it doesn't mention his class specifically in the story, it does say his mother had him as a teenager. There is also no mention of his father. I would place him within a lower SES background.
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Has Dyslexia
By the point when Raynard was about to present his poem about his dyslexia, he had gone through the motions of just letting people think he was unintelligent. He didn't think they would understand his condition. However, he finally worked up the courage to show his true self. The person that struggles with reading but excels in music and has the determination to make it through school.
"Neurological distinction notwithstanding, something in me whispers Freak every time I wriggle out of reading aloud or have to ask a stranger "Excuse me, but what does that sign say?" Read me any way you choose. Only please, stop asking "What's his problem?" ('Bronx Masquerade' 2002, pp. 127).
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Though English appears to be his first language he struggles with reading due to his learning disability. This in turn has an negative effect in participating in his English class and talking with others.
For the majority of the book, it appears that the others (and even Raynard himself) think that he is "slow" and this is why he doesn't speak very often. No one knew about his dyslexia except Mr. Ward.
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