About Russell
by Rita Williams-Garcia
“Give me a number. Any positive number!” my brother Russell said, hot on the enthusiasm of his latest discovery. It had something to do with being able to calculate square roots in a way other than using the standard method.
My sister, brother, and I were all talented in some area. I read early and spontaneously, my sister Rosalind was a gifted artist, and my bother Russell loved science and math. Close in age, we were each other’s friends, audiences, and co-conspirators—although this did not stop us from occasionally ganging up, two against one. For the most part, we were each other’s allies and listened to each other’s ideas and dreams.
“MIT here I come,” Russell said.
Mommy, who was listening from the living room said, “That ain’t nothing.”
Rosalind and I translated Mommy’s remark in the three ways she meant it: (1) “Square roots won’t put beans on the table,” (2) “No one’s going to let black boys discover nothing else but basketball,” and (3) “If you’re so smart, why can’t you score over eighty in school?”
Choose a character other than the original narrator.
Retell the story from the character’s point of view.
From Rosalind's point of view, Russell was always the one with big dreams and a passion for science and math. While I was more focused on my art and our younger sibling was an early reader, Russell was constantly challenging himself with new concepts and ideas. I admired his dedication and intelligence, even if Mommy didn't always understand or appreciate his interests.
When Russell excitedly announced his latest discovery about calculating square roots, I could see the spark in his eyes and the determination in his voice. He had big aspirations of going to MIT and pursuing a career in science, and I couldn't help but feel proud of him for chasing his dreams.
Although Mommy's comments were often discouraging, Russell didn't let them dampen his enthusiasm. He was determined to prove her wrong and show the world that he was capable of achieving great things, even if it meant facing obstacles along the way.
As his sister, I knew that Russell had the potential to do amazing things and I was always there to support him, whether it was by listening to his ideas or cheering him on from the sidelines. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I had no doubt that Russell would continue to pursue his passion for science and math with unwavering determination and drive.