One evening at a busy Broadway crossroad, I noticed a sister struggling to keep her little kid under control while she talked on the pay phone. She wanted him to stay still next to her, but he wanted to run and play at the curb(路边), close to rushing buses and taxis. One could sense the woman’s frustration(挫败), that she was pulled in too many directions: She was angry at the person on the telephone and shouting at the younger that she would “snap(打断) his leg” if he moved again. As I waited for the traffic light to change, the child began to complain and struggle to free himself from the woman’s grip. She dropped the phone, seized the neck of his tiny T-shirt and gave him a back-hand blow across the face that I know made his little head spin.
The light changed, and passersby continued on their way. But I stood there, fixed to the pavement. I knew this extremely upset woman would follow through on her threat of violence to the child. Before, I had wanted to approach her and offer to watch the youngster while she dealt with the distressing situation on the phone. Now I wanted to comfort the little boy. I also wanted to speak to the sister to calm her and to caution her, as I wish someone had cautioned me when I was passing my pain on to my daughter and causing her emotional suffering. But I was chicken(胆小鬼). I thought, she may think I’m out of line, or I may be her next target.
Often I’ve thought about that child and the many others abused(虐待，辱骂) by adults. I wonder how they will internalize (使……藏在心底) their pain, if it will crush their spirits. Will this little boy grow up to be an abusive man? Will he be gloomy and withdrawn? Will he find it hard to communicate with women, with other men? Or will he survive and be sensitive, caring and determined not to continue the cycle?
There is too much cruelty in the world, too much cruelty between people. I tremble at the increasing verbal bitterness and violence among Black girls, and among young mothers trying to discipline their children. This behavior isn’t class- or age- related: I hear sharp words from Black women from all walks of life who are overworked and stressed out and have grown impatient. At times I, too, become short with others, or, like the sister on the phone, strike out at(抨击) those closest to me.
Often we’re tired because we’ve made the wrong choices. Young girls who still need mothering are loaded with children. We, sisters easily get hurt and annoyed when we don’t compromise(妥协)with our own sense of self. Our personal fulfillment requires knowing what is best for us, setting oar boundaries and keeping them undamaged. We will always be asked to do more than we are comfortable doing. When we know our boundaries, we can decline comfortably. People — and we ourselves — will act in ways we don’t like. But they, like us，are still worthy of love.
Whatever irritates (激怒) us about a person should be examined. Is the person reflecting behavior in us that needs to be changed? Often, when I find people irritating, I find they mirror something about me that I need to correct.
What we people of African root must do to thrive begins with love, sensitivity and our ability to work together. We Black women have these spiritual resources in abundance(充裕). Now we must draw on them to create a peaceful place — for ourselves, our children, our men.
【小题1】The scene the author described in the passage probably happened .| A．in a phone booth | B．on the street | C．near a taxi stand | D．at a bus stop |
| A．confused and quick-minded | B．cruel and talkative |
| C．disappointed and hot-tempered | D．considerate and sensitive |
| A．“Walk away. It’s none of your business.” | B．“You can watch and comfort my kid.” |
| C．“You’re not standing in the queue.” | D．“You are walking in the wrong direction.” |
a. We sisters refuse to marry young. b. We aren’t satisfied with ourselves.
c. We have our boundaries damaged. d. We decline others’ requests for help.
| A．a, b | B．c, d | C．a, d | D．b, c |
| A．return to tenderness and tolerance | B．avoid the hard words and sharp tones |
| C．reflect on our behavior that needs correcting | D．examine if anything is wrong with him |
| A．critical | B．optimistic | C．pessimistic | D．objective |
