The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks discussion

Donovan reading a book on the racism experienced by even famous black actors and actress. This book takes place in the 1900’s where racial segregation was still very much a common practice. Donovan recalls a passage from the book that stated, the specific actor this book follows, had been harassed by a group of police officers. The actor had simply walked out of a corner store and been picked out by a pack of white male officers that proceeded to threaten to shoot him if he looked at them. Donavan's immediate response to this horrific recollection was that even though this had taken place so many decades ago, it will happen today. This cruel and brutal treatment that had been normalized I now illegal but not as shocking as it should be, “I can't even believe that they would just pick him out for being black.”

Shawn reading a book on an American soldier and his squad currently away on active duty. This book takes place in the 1960’s and focuses on not only the current experience the soldiers are placed in but the ‘flashbacks’ and memories of their time spent at home with loved ones. Shawn provided a specific memory a soldier has of his girlfriend back home. The soldier so desperate to not be in his current reality that he is forced to daydream and let his guard down, he thinks back to his girl while he stares deeply at the picture he carries of her. The soldier has to be snapped back to the reality of the current situation, for it is unsafe for him and his squad. This book discusses quite often the detachment a soldier's personality to be a ‘good’ soldier.

Chloe reads a book on the modern experiences of young black man compared to a young white man, “All American Boys.” The book takes place in a more current time period but isn't exactly made clear while reading. You follow two boys, both teenagers, both attending the same high school, the only difference is there skin color and the way there are treated. “All American Boys” tackles the scary truth of racial segregation in American and does this by comparison. While one boy does something innocent and gets punished for his actions the other partakes in illegal activities, but who gets punished the young innocent black man. Chloe describes the repoltion she experienced reading this book and experiences the student's experience.Lucky, however, Chloe does say that the injustices committed by the police do start to come to light and the victims are being recognized. Something sad but a very valid connection Chloe makes is “... this books fiction but its definitely just a reflection of the real world.”

I am reading “The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks”, a book on the life of Henrietta and the contributions her cells made to science. The book takes place in a small town in Vancouver known as Lacks Town but is now officially named Roanoke. The author follows the story of Henrietta's life from 1930 to 1951 when she passed away. Henretta being a black woman living in the early part of the 1900’s is dealt with a harsh hand in every sense, mostly due to the color of her skin. Early on in the book, it is made clear that so-called ‘black only’ hospitals are as unforgiving as any other part of society for black people at this time. Henretta's treatment for her terminal cancer while suspicion has saved millions of lives. And almost no credit was given to Henretta. Currently, in his book, Henrietta has recently passed due to insufficient care given to her tumors. Henretta had complained about a pain spreading from her womb all through her torso. Only after Henretta is seen by a different less racist doctor the conclusion the tumor is getting exponentially bigger and ts too late for much to be done but “..it is felt that she deserves to be in the hospital where she can be better cared for.”

Juliana wrote: "Donovan reading a book on the racism experienced by even famous black actors and actress. This book takes place in the 1900’s where racial segregation was still very much a common practice. Donovan..."
The major point made in this book is that Henrietta Lacks did NOT "contribute" her cells as you said. When a scientist realized her cells reproduced so readily he took a sample of them and used them in medical research without her permission and with no compensation to her or her family. Medical research on human beings can only be done in the United States if the person gives informed consent. Her cell line is still being used in medical research 70 years later.