Raisin in the Sun

Raisin in the Sun is a movie that faces issues in groups as well as the aspects of culture diversity. The team has reviewed the movie and we have reviewed key points to how the movie ties into the aspects of group work. As a team we have reviewed the theoretical model and what diversity and ethical issues are visible in the movie. We have not only learned about the movie A Raisin in the Sun while working on this project, but also we have learned how our team works together and how we think about the movie and the key points in the movie. Aspects of the Group

A Raisin in the sun tells a story of an African American family, the Younger Family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. During that time in American history the nuclear family was unabashedly patriarchal, however; Mr. Younger passed away and Mrs. Lena (Mama) Younger became the matriarch of the Younger family. Lena received a $10,000 from a life insurance policy due to the death of her husband and this was the task of the group to decide how to spend the $10,000 for the good of the family. Lena wanted to buy a house to fulfill her ream that she wished to share with her husband. She believes buying her family a home is the best and secure way to spend the money. Walter Lee Younger is Lena’s oldest child and only son.

He is married to Ruth and works as a chauffeur for wealthy white people. Walter wanted the position of head of the household and wanted the $10,000 to start a business of a liquor store with his friend believing the investment would solve the family financial problems. Ruth discovers she is pregnant but fears that if she has the child, it will put more financial difficultly on the family. She considers abortion. They already have a son, Travis, and are concerned about having another baby and providing a quality education for him. Lena’s daughter, Beneatha,

has her own ideas of using the money for her medical school tuition. At this moment, the Younger Family has no clear leader. There is a power struggle as each of the Younger Family members know what they want to do with the $10,000. Lena wanted to put a down payment on a house for the family. She believed that a brighter, bigger, place of abode would help them all. The house is in Clybourne Park. Clybourne Park is an entirely white neighborhood for them to move into. The Younger Family future neighbors find out that the Younger Family is moving in. Mr. Lindner is from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association Office. Mr. Lindner offered the Younger family money to return back home because the white neighborhood did want any black families to live there. The Younger did not take the offer from Mr. Lindner.

In the 1950s, after WWII, most American families, black or white, were hardworking, God fearing people who wanted a better future for themselves and for their children. However, the lines were drawn. There was very little cultural diversity. Every large metropolitan city was separated by areas of town where black people lived and in which white people lived. In places such as San Francisco there is China Town so, it was just limited to a black and white issue. America is still struggling with acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity. If dialogue was opened during the1950s to encourage respect and mutual understandings people of all race, color and creed people could have the means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. Lena was a very strong black woman and risk moving her family to an all white neighborhood to prepare her family for a better life. Walter believed it was his responsibility for the family because he was the oldest male and should be in charge.

He strongly wanted to start a business so his family could become independent and free from working from a wealthy white family. There was certainly cultural diversity between the races of blacks and whites. Blacks were suppressed during the 1950s and Walter believed the $10,000 would help the family rise above their poverty situation by owning a business. Walter believed money is the answer to all of his problems. It would empower him to compete against whites whereas also instilling within him with pride and respectability and yielding material benefits for himself and his family. So he thinks. He eventually learns the hard way that only one currency can buy happiness: integrity. Ruth, Walter’s wife, is a deeply emotional and an old fashioned woman. Walter’s and Ruth’s son Travis sleeps on the couch in the living. The apartment is already too small for everyone living there.

Ruth is worried about the already troubled financial situation of the family. Beneatha, Walter’s younger sister, dream was to go to medical school. She needed the money for tuition. She was smart and believed by her becoming a doctor she could improve the situation for the family. Again, the 1950s were a difficult time for equality not only for black people but for women as well. The struggles within the family made it almost impossible to determine which family member had the “best idea” to use the money.

Each had valid reasoning for that individual. At times it seemed that the Younger family had no clear leader but Lena was determined and steadfast to move the Younger family out the apartment and fulfill the family’s long held dream of owning their own home and to prosper. In 1950’s, their future seemed uncertain and slightly dangerous, optimistic and yet determine to live a better life. The Younger Family did believe that they could succeed if they would stick together as a family and resolve their differences and together follow their dreams.

Theoretical Model
While there are many theoretical approaches than can be identified in A Raisin in the Sun has three that stand out the most. Person Centered, Existential and Gesalt theories can all be identified at one point or another during the work. It should be noted that at any given point throughout the work there is used of multiple theories at any given times. Person-Centered theory

During this work it is easy to identify Lena as the leader or facilitator of the task group. She is the force in the group that helps the others to examine what is going on around them and offers encouragement so that they ultimately make a sound decision. The Person-Centered approach can best be identified in the scene when her son, Walter, has made the decision to accept the deal from Mr. Linder. During this scene Walter’s sister Beneatha loses all faith in him and begins to think of him as an outcast. As the facilitator, Lena encourages Beneatha not to give up on Walter as he is at his lowest point and needs the families love, encouragement and support the most. During this scene the focus is centered on Walter and the relationship he with his sister Beneatha. Ultimately by the end of the work the respect and love that Beneatha once had for her brother had been restored as a result of the process she shared with Lena while using the Person-Centered approach. Existential theory

Externally while Beneatha is focused on her relationship with Walter internally she is reaching to find out who she is. With the help of a friend Joseph Asagi, she begins to dig deeper into her background and history. During this time she is looking to find the deeper meaning of her life as she begins to believe that she has become assimilated to the culture she now lives in. As she explores her culture she goes on a personal journey to seek out the true meaning of her life. Gesalt Theory

During the work there is a scene when Walter is at a low point. He feels as though no one understands him and began to distance himself physically and emotionally cut off from his family. In a one- on- one conversation with his mother, Lena, Walter begins to breakdown his walls. In a tender moment Lena confides in her son that she has not given up on him and trusts him completely and demonstrates this by giving him the remaining money from the insurance check. Team B Reaction

While working together also as a task group it was easy to identify with the highs and lows of such a group. During the beginning stages all members may not be on the same page but after communicating effectively and being kept on track by the group facilitator, Megan, the task became a bit more manageable. Just as in the work, A Raisin in the Sun, Team B stuck together during times of confusion and the story had a happy ending. Conclusion

Learning team B has worked hard to present this project. We have thought as a team that each key point in this project is important to review. A Raisin in the Sun touches on the aspects of group work, a theoretical model and the issues in group work. As a team we believe the content that we are learning in BSHS 481 ties in with this project. This project was important and all the details we a touching on are points that we have touched on in class. We have learned what issues we as a team will face. One of our biggest issues was distance while working on this project. This project has provided a great deal of learning experiences and we are pleased to have worked together and learn together on this journey.

Reference
Hansberry, L. (2010). A Raisin in the Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun Feminist. (1984-1998). History of Abortion. Retrieved August 7, 2010 from http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html United nations educational scientific and cultural organization. (1995-2007). Cultural Diversity. Retrieved August 7, 2010 from http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=34321&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html