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SUMITRA'S STORY, Rukshana Smith

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Chapter 6

1. What problems do each of the following people have?
1. Sumitra

 

 

2. Maria

 

 

3. Rita (see p.39)

 

 

2. What three examples of racism do we see, or hear about, in this chapter?

 

 

3. How does Maria change Sumitra’s life?

 

 

4. We have seen that Maria has had a difficult life. In your opinion, whose life is more difficult, Maria’s or Sumitra’s? (Is it worse to be a victim of racism than a victim of an abusive husband?)

 

 

5. What is racism? Discuss this with at least one other person and then write a clear, accurate definition. (Points to consider: can a victim of racism be racist him/herself? Is racism just about words and actions, or does it have something to do with beliefs?)

 

 

6. Imagine that Sumitra writes a letter to her old friend Birungi back in Uganda. Write the letter. You might include comments/ questions about the following:

• What has happened to Birungi and her family over the past two years?
• The contrasts between Uganda and London
• The Patels’ experience of racist insults
• Accommodation: the ex-RAF camp à Leela/Jayant’s à the guesthouse
• Sumitra’s friendship with Maria
• The difficulties of balancing homework and housework, the tension between the Indian and British sides of Sumitra’s identity

Frankie Meehan