It was interesting to see Danzy Cenna talk about her life and her recent book, Where Did You Sleep Last Night. She started off reading about her life, where she was born- “welfare houses” she described. Danzy Cenna had a view at the “real life” at a young age. As a child, 11 years old, her father took her to movies that weren’t appropriate for a child. Family on her fathers side called her and her sibling, “white children.” Her father who wasn’t a good role model helped shape her life. As a child, she dealt with his strange behavior, such as being indecisive and drunk.
But all this helped Danzy Cenna become a strong person in her later life. After her first child was born, she was once again faced with racis. Many asked if her child was ok, if it was the correct skin color and if that would change in the future. With the strange questions, she didn’t elaborate on the comments. Cenna wanted to protect her baby and keep it hidden from the racism. Unfortunately, racism came back and she and her baby still have to deal with it.
I find Danzy Cenna a strong person because even though her life wasn’t perfect and her family far from it, she still wrote a book about her life and shares it with the world. It takes a person with a lot of pride and courage to write such a book. As she said, she had to deal with her father not approving, as well as different members of the family. But her life made her who she is, and now we see why how she became the person she is.