The Help Entry 4: They Give So Much, Yet Receive So Little

          The next few chapters in the book focused a lot on Aibileen. Through the maid’s perspective, I continued to learn a lot about what it was like to be a black maid who worked for a white owner. Although there are some white women who treat their maids decently, there are many who often make the maids’ lives terrible. One of the main characters, Minny, shared some of her experiences she had with her countless rude employers. A lot of the time, the stories showed that these white women took advantage of their maids. They treated them unfairly and made them do things that they would never make a white person do. On example is when Minny shared that Miss. Walter made her pay ten dollars for a crystal glass she accidently broke, white Minny later found out only cost three dollars. It is unfair for a white person to deceive a maid in that way, especially since everyone knows that maids are low on money. She also told Skeeter about a time where her employer made her test out different hair dye colors on her. A little humor is added to this deep novel when Aibileen states about Minny, “Lord, I never seen blue hair on a black woman before or since. Leroy say you look like a cracker from outer space” (227). Even though this comment is funny, the concept behind the comment is clearly wrong. It is unfair that so many employers take advantage of their black maids in order to get what they want. The don’t think about anyone besides themselves, and it does not bother them to insult or hurt their black maids.

            Aibileen continues to share her experiences as a maid in the later chapters. She shows that although it is difficult to work for a white employer, it can also bring happiness into her life. Aibileen is not just a maid who cooks and cleans, but she also takes care of Miss. Leefolt’s daughter, Mae Mobley. Miss. Leefolt is so uninvolved in her three year old daughter’s life that Mae Mobley tells her maid, “Aibee you’re my real mama.” When Aibileen tries to correct her, she insists, “I’m your baby” (285). This part truly shows how involved the maids become in their employers lives. They work all the time and begin to almost become a part of the family. However, the white employers still treat them like an outsider. It surprises me that Aibileen is so good to Miss. Leefolt and her family, yet Miss. Leefolt does not give her the time of day. When Aibileen asks for something, she does not get it, yet Miss. Leefolt expects so much out of her as a maid.

The Help Entry 3: Danger

            As I have read more of The Help, it has become very clear to me that these black maids who are willing to talk to Miss. Skeeter about their experiences are very brave for doing so. They are putting their lives at risk by sharing their stories about white women. At first, it made me angry that so many maids were turning down Skeeter’s offer to be interviewed. I felt as if they weren't thinking straight, because if they truly wanted to make a difference, they had to start somewhere. It seemed to me like that start could come from Skeeter’s book, which was not possible without the participation of these maids. However, after reading one part of the novel, it has become clear as to why these women are so hesitant to talk with Skeeter. On page 255, the maids who have agreed to be interviewed are discussing what may happen to them if they get caught. One maid responds by saying, “My husband cousin…they took her tongue out. For talking to some Washington people about the Klan. You think they gone take our tongues? For talking to you?” It is evident that these black women feel a sense of fear every time they get interviewed by Skeeter. I find it very brave and noble of them to be doing something like this. They are putting their lives in serious danger in order to help make a difference for black maids all across the country. This part really showed me that it takes true strength and bravery in order to stand up for something you believe in and make a difference. I admire these maids, especially Aibileen and Minny, for being able to brush aside their fear in order to do what they believe is right.

            The further I get along in The Help, the more upset I feel towards the way our country used to be. It makes me angry that Americans were so ignorant and selfish back in the 1960s, that they allowed this type of discrimination to happen. One part that stood out to me in these few chapters I just read was when Yule May—a black maid who works for Hilly—got sent to jail for four years. She had two sons who desperately wanted to go to college to get an education, but Yule May did not have enough money to send them, because she wasn’t making enough as a maid. She begged Hilly for a loan and promised that she would may her back; she just needed the money at the time in order for her boys to go to college. However, Hilly turned down her offer, which made Yule May desperate. She stole a semi-expensive ring from Hilly that Hilly never wore or even touched. When Hilly caught her stealing, she brought her to court and fined her, causing Yule May to lose all the money she had saved up. She was only seventy-five dollars short of the tuition money, but after the fine, she had absolutely nothing. Even more upsetting, Skeeter noted that “a regular sentence be six months for petty stealing, but [Hilly] got it pushed up to four years.” It makes me angry that Hilly was so selfish and only thinking about herself, while Yule May really needed the money to help her sons. Instead, Hilly believed that this ring that she never wore was more important that an African American’s college education. It is infuriating that whites were so ignorant and self-centered. It seems like they purposely set out to ruin a black person’s life whenever they got the chance. It is no wonder that blacks always felt a sense of fear as they lived their lives. As I read about more of these circumstances in the book, it makes me wish that there were more people in Mississippi at the time who were like Miss. Skeeter, because she seems to be the only selfless and genuine white woman in this story.  

The Help Entry 2: Equality

   In the next part of The Help, Miss. Skeeter's thoughts and actions help to further demonstrate why she is so determined to publish these interviews with the maids. She tells Minny and Aibileen, "We want to show your perspective...so people might understand what it's like from your side. We--we help it might change some things around here" (164). Miss. Skeeter is doing what people should have done a long time ago. She wants to show the world what horrible things they are doing to black people, and through this, people will be able to recognize that change is needed. I find Skeeter to be a strong and brave women to be doing this. Most people--even if they know discrimination is wrong--will still let it happen because they are too afraid to speak up. The world, especially during this time period, needs more women like Skeeter so that others can recognize the mistakes they are making. The interviews will be a start of change; it will promote equality for everyone.
   Another part that stood out to me was where Miss. Skeeter first saw the list of Jim Crow Laws. She was shocked to read about a twenty-five page book filled with laws that exist solely to separate whites and blacks. She was surprised, because even though she knew about these laws, seeing the long list written out on paper was upsetting and came as a shock. It makes me wonder if more white people took a good long look at this ridiculous long list of laws if maybe they would have recognized how unnecessary they were. For example, one Jim Crow law states that "Books shall not be interchangeable between the white and colored schools" (173). It is as if white people are worried they might get sick if they touch something that a black person has touched. Knowing that laws like these used to exist in our country makes me embarrassed; I am incredibly thankful that I no longer live in a world with this type of inequality. 
   So far, this book is quite enjoyable. I have also learned a lot about what life was like in the early 1960s. Although the story is filled with comedy and happiness, there are definitely parts that anger and upset me. For example, the thing that prompted Skeeter to interview black maids was when Hilly decided that it was only sanitary to have maids have separate bathrooms than whites. It is upsetting to think that back then, people truly believed that blacks were "contagious." It is ridiculous that separate bathrooms were needed in every household just so black maids did not have to use the bathroom that the owners used. Reading about things such as this make me even more hopeful that Skeeter will be successful in creating change and equality in her town.