Black Shack Alley captivated me from the beginning and I was not able to put it down. Following the young life of José and his journey through his upbringing. Initially, in his childhood, it was sweet to read how he played with the other children and the dialogue really brought a sense of joy and happiness. How the children interacted with each other was refreshing to read as well as the sharing of food. Additionally, growing up in Afghanistan was somewhat similar to how José and his friends interacted. I remember as my parents left for work, I would meet up with the neighbourhood kids to play marbles and makeshift soccer as well as getting into trouble. 

While reading Black Shack Alley, I recognized the importance of education especially during the time in regards to the Black community. José’s ambition and motivation to read brought him a range of opportunities such as the scholarship to study in Fort de France. As he continued his studies while living in Fort de France, there was frequent clashing of cultures comparing how José was raised in Martinique compared to Eurocentric living. One part that was deeply upsetting was the representation of black men he saw in the theatres. They were portrayed in a way that showed them as uneducated and uncivilised. José seeing this was unsettled with the fact that no matter how he presented himself, there would always be ignorance with how he is perceived. 

One character that really resonated with me was José’s grandmother, M’man Tine. In some ways, while reading, it had felt as if  she was my grandmother by the way she scolded José. In regards to the scene where her bowl was broken in search of flour as well as the fire incident, I really felt the fear of José when he had to face his grandmother. 

 Although his experience during his time in Fort de France and Martinique were far more extreme, growing up and seeing the misrepresentation and perpetuated stereotypes of our cultures and practises really brought on the internalised conflict of identities. For one, José was raised in a completely different way in Martinique compared to how he was taught in Fort de France. This being said, Black Shack Alley portrayed the life of José’s life and how he had to face the conflicting transition of Martinique and Fort deFrance. Despite all of the difficulties he faced, he kept his ambition for learning and education.