Learning Experience In Foundations Of The Earth By Randall Kenan

A Time to Change
Thesis Statement: Even though in the south a gay black man would not be accepted by many, changing your point of view can happen at any age through acceptance and respect. Keeping an open mind to change how we think is a learning experience and one will grow as a person.
1. The foundations of our upbringing shape our interpretation of “normal” A. Maggie interprets a “normal” relationship as a man and a woman B. Maggie views a homosexual relationship as unholy
2. Altering how we think will equal growth A. Going through the range of emotions allows Maggie to grow B. Maggie grows as a person when she learns that Edward being different is fine 3. The most important learning experience is to accept all the differences in

“What was supposed to be and what truly was”. (Kenan, 66) Maggie believes that a “normal” relationship is one between a man and woman. She had disturbing dreams that cause her to rethink what she had always thought was a normal relationship. “She was being called on to realign her thinking about men and women, and men and men, and even women and women. Together… the way Adam and Eve were meant to be together”. (Kenan, 63) She has to learn to change her way of thinking, her “foundation” of what was normal. Her upbringing in her southern church cause her to believe that a homosexual relationship is unholy. She could not turn to her pastor, Reverend Barden nor to Henrietta Fuchee, the prim music teacher because they were judgmental. “Orthodox Jews, Roman Catholics and conservative Protestant groups like the Southern Baptist Convention remain adamantly opposed to gay marriage”. (Economist Weekly, 1) Maggie has to go through all these emotions to begin to change her view on what she considers to be a “normal”