Sarah O'Dell

Maite VIII
1A

The challenges faced by Isabel and I differ, but also could be seen as rather
similar. The opportunities offered to girls have greatly expanded since Isabels time,
though misogyny is still alive today. Also, the problems faced by girls prove similar,
though externally seem unalike. And through many civil rights movements, our
societys view of different peoples has expanded, however discrimination is also still
bred in current culture. Though Isabel and I have many contrasting life experiences,
our positions are not as contrasting as one might think.
The opportunities that I am offered differ greatly with those of Isabel. Even
more so from the years 1776 to 2015, because of the massive changes and
reconstruction of ideas that this country has been through. For example, a young
female slave, like Isabel, would have most likely not received an education. The vast
majority of slaves were not literate, as it was illegal to teach a slave to read or write,
whereas I have the opportunity to receive an education. This limited Isabels
abilities and capacity for knowledge. However, the opportunities for slaves were
even more limited, where it was virtually impossible for a slave, or just a person of
color, to get the same job as a white man. Slaves and indentured servants were
looked down upon in society and strictly governed by both physical laws and
societal norms, including unsaid rules. Isabel had very limited opportunities, and

even less because she was a young girl. The opportunities for girls have increased
greatly since Isabels time.
Problems faced by young girls, like Isabel and myself, are often repeated
throughout time. Growing up, both Isabel and I have certain expectations set for us.
Though many of mine are very different than Isabels, we both are in a position
where we must soon decide where our priorities lie, then make decisions based on
those priorities. Throughout Chains, Isabel was faced with many decisions about
where she stood on issues, as well as her course of action, provoked even more by a
politically polarized city. All of these decisions were made even more difficult
without the guidance of a trusted adult or role model. I am lucky to receive the
advice of many, however I also find myself not sure of what I am to do, and also
what advice to take. Isabel changes her mind multiple times and is unsure of much,
as I am and will be in the future. Though Isabel and I both are in quite different
situations, we both share an uncertainty than is characteristic of adolescence.
Although society in general has advanced their ideas about minorities, such
as people of color or women, both our American society today and the society of
Isabels time face issues of discrimination. Isabels colonial society had enslaved
workers as commonplace, as slavery is a dehumanizing, blatant violation of human
rights. Because slaves were most often of African descent, the attitude of these
people being oppressed or less than human has persisted throughout time, even
when slaves and their offspring were free. Many of these postures that non-whites
are less is strongly apparent in todays culture, and different races have had
stereotypes and racial profiles attached to them. Also, currently making 78 cents to
the dollar, women have a history of being oppressed. The cultural attitude that
women are less than their male counterparts, and have been throughout history, is

obvious in that they gained their voting rights a number of years after men. Many
other crimes are deplorable. This also shows that both I and Isabel live and have
lived in a time where, though there has been remarkable progress, is looked down
upon in a society that discriminates, especially against women and people of color.
Isabel and I both live in two very different cultures, we both face similar
challenges, but in different ways. Many ideas have evolved, and therefore I am the
beneficiary of the hard work of past Americans. These people have advanced
society and the way we think, helping it progress from 1776. Though there is still so
much more we have to conquer, both as a country and a society, we have come so
far since Isabels time. Because of this, though my life differs greatly with Isabels in
many ways, we share positions in many of the same situations.