Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Haley Reading Group 2: Nafissa Thompson-Spires's “Whisper to a scream”


[Haley Reading groups Spring 2021]

By Lakenzie Walls and Howard Rambsy II

In Nafissa Thompson-Spires's final story, “Whisper to a scream,” we meet Raina, a young black high school student who makes ASMR videos. She deals with online harassment and self-esteem issues because of unusual interests. Her routine of whispering fairy tales and stroking feathers into her microphone gives her a large online following.

In one instance, Raina receives a message from a user she suspects is one of the guys from her high school. The comment suggests she wear her “Dorsey uniform in the next 1” (119). She makes a conscious effort to ignore racist and sexist comments online. Despite the online harassment, Raina continues posting content because she “worked best in short frames, quiet silvers, fragments” (134).

There are a number of fascinating or important moments in this story. Identify just one and briefly explain why you found that one most interesting or significant to consider in a short story. Please provide a page number. 

49 comments:

Mark S Lewis said...

The sequence of her talking about her life for a video in an emotional rush was the most important. (page 133) It beautifully captured everything she was feeling and how strong those feelings were.

Peyton P said...

One of the most important things that are included in this short story is Raina's mother's response to Kevin reaching and trying to feel on Raina's breasts. The mother responds with "Did you do anything to make him think he could touch on you like that? Did you give him any ideas?" (Page 126). This is one of the most important moments because this is a common response to someone being sexually harrassed. It is a very bad thing to say to a kid experiencing these things because it makes them feel like they are in the wrong. Some children experience sexual trauma and the correct response to that is never to blame and assume they did something wrong.

Paris S. said...

One of the most important moments in this story was towards the end when Raina starts making a new video. During the new video, she starts uncovering her true feelings and vulnerability (p. 133-34). However, she decides to not post the video. Overall, this moment shows a more emotional and real side of Raina than we have previously seen in the chapter.

Brighten B. said...

One of the most significant moments in this story was on page 131 when they were talking about Dom. This is very significant because more and more people are being catfished on the internet and this can end up being extremely dangerous. If you are talking to someone over the internet and you do not necessarily know them, have talked to them, or have even seen them, then it is not a good idea to continue talking to them. People over the internet can disguise themselves as someone else in order to get you to talk to them. I feel as this is important for everyone to be aware of because it happens everyday and can turn bad super fast.

Kayla Person said...

A moment I found important is when Raina was talking about how she inherited some of her father’s features and overheard her aunt saying “Sad she takes after him” (pg 130). This is significant because there is often so much hatred and jealousy from a person’s own family and this can be extremely toxic.

-Kayla P.

Tatiana D. said...

One of the more interesting points in this story is Raina's mother's response to the way some of the guys at school have treated her. When Raina expresses the way she's being treated, her mother implies that there is a possibility she could have done something to make them think that was okay (126). This is both alarming and interesting because it leads both Raina and readers to believe her mom is claiming she could possibly be responsible for her own harassment.

Tiffany Ellison said...

On important thing that was included was when Raina's mother bought Raina a size 10/12(page 128), even though she knows that Raina is a 14. I find this significant because out of all people that may talk about others because of their body, you wouldn't expect it to be your mother. And I feel like it always hurts a lot more coming from someone you love or respect. This detail is also significant because it adds on to part of the reason why Raina wants to run away.

-Tiffany E.

Thaira Mason said...

One of the most significant moments in this story to me was on page 131 when the author began to speak about Dom. This is very significant because it brings up the topic of catfishing on the internet. This is a topic that needs to be talked about because a lot of people get hurt emotionally or physically or both by dealing with people on the internet.

Arielle S. said...

The part where Raina speaks on how her mom reacted to her opening up regarding the way boys from school have been treating her was very triggering and should be very important to many. The way her mom basically says she more than likely onset the way she is being treated is similar to people saying that women that get sexually harassed and/or r@p*d were asking for it which is never true. No one asks for any of that to happen to them and for her mother to respond that way and not get upset or want to validate her feelings truly upset me.

Alleson Huntspon said...

Many important scenes have been touched on but one I could add would be on page 129 where her dad responses "that's so cute honey" after he had read her script. I think it's odd how sometimes parents belittle in a way their children's dreams. I also think it's really odd how he didn't even subscribe either. I feel like little things like this often effect children in the long run. -Alleson H.

A'nyse Huddleston said...

One point in the story is how Raina's mother complained about how she doesn't talk to her anymore. As her mother makes the comment, Raina in her head is saying all of the things/feeling all of the emotions she wants to display to her mother about her overall mothering skills in that moment, but Raina remains silent and proceeds to come to tell a lie to get her mother out of her personal space (131-132). Also Raina, feels a certain about her father as well. This brings awareness that not all children, teenagers, even full grown adults do not view their parents in the best light and instead the parent is doing the opposite of what should be happening concerning their children in the most crucial/impressionable moments of their life.

Marianne Huck said...

On page 133, one of the most important sentences that stand out to me was that Raina promised to herself she would send her kids to public school, where they wouldn’t be singled out, the only one of anything. It really shows how uncomfortable Raina had to feel living inside her own body and feeling like a spectacle rather than another human being.

Marianne Huck said...

On page 133, one of the most important sentences that stand out to me was that Raina promised to herself she would send her kids to public school, where they wouldn’t be singled out, the only one of anything. It really shows how uncomfortable Raina had to feel living inside her own body and feeling like a spectacle rather than another human being.

Marianne Huck

Mya Jackson said...

The most interesting point in this story was when Raina was telling her mother about the way she was being treated. (page 126) This was shocking to me because as Raina is discussing her situation to her mother, her mother suggests that it could be her own fault. Essentially she says that she should think about if she did something to deserve the harassment. This really stood out to me because you would think her mother would be the one to support her, but she is instead turning it back on Raina.

Ebonie Byrd said...

The thing that was most most interesting to me was the way her mother’s passive aggressive comments. On page 128 when the mother purposely buys the wrong size clothing for Raina was shocking to me. Not only did Raina have to experience criticism form the outside world but also within her own home. This probably made it even more difficult for Raina to build her own self-esteem.

Josy Kanyi said...

"Raina's mind browsed the possible answers to this tone-deaf statement. That's because you're never home; you don't listen anyway; maybe because everything you say is a lecture; maybe because you care more about how I look than how I feel;..." pg 132. This part of the story is very significant because it's what most teenagers go through and often leads to rebellion. Raina's mother is doing the basics of being a parent such as providing food, clothes, and shelter but she isn't going the extra mile to provide mental and emotional safety for Raina even though she really needs it.

{Josy Kanyi}

Aalita Cole said...

One of the things that stood out to me in this short story, was the way that Raina's mother responded to Kevin trying to touch her breasts. She said things like "Did you give him any ideas?" this is something that happens so often in the real world and shows how attacked Raina is even in her own home. Her mother invalidated her feelings and experience by asking if she gave him any motive to touch her. She shouldn't be the one at fault in this situation.

Zaria Hankins said...

I thought an important part was on page 121 where Raina’s mother talks to her about her ASMR hobby. Her mom says “because it isn’t right, the whole thing… you don’t want people to see you as one of those nasty girls, do you?” I thought this was a significant part to include because it lightly touches on a big issue present in the black community, parents, specifically moms, encouraging and passing on these stereotypes of black girls. Raina’s hobby of ASMR is something innocent that most children wouldn’t be questioned on but since Raina is black there are stereotypes present that encourage the world to view her in a more mature light. Making Raina’s innocent hobby seem more scandalous than it is. Instead of supporting Raina her mother feeds into these stereotypes and in a way belittles her by using the term “nasty girl”, she shames Raina because she fears that society will see Raina and get the wrong idea. I think phrases like this and moments like this impact children and negatively affect how they view themselves and others in both their teenage years and adulthood.

Janielle F. said...

The thing that was the most interesting to me, as someone also mentioned, was when her father replied "That's so cute." when she read her script. It's one of many moments where the adults in her life tried to make her feel bad about herself or just dismissed her dreams and it shows that her parents could have and should have done better when supporting her dreams.

Nijay Spellman said...

The thing that stood out to me the most was on page 126 when Raina's mother asked her did she do anything to make Kevin want to touch her. This reminds me of the society we live in. A lot of women are afraid to come forward about their abusers because most times it falls back on being the woman's fault and that she initiated her abuse. This makes Raina feel that she can not go to her mom about anything nor trust her.

Lesley S. said...

There was a wholesome moment in this story regarding Raina. Even though she is getting backlash and gross comments about her ASMR videos, she still does them because she genuinely thinks that they are therapeutic for her listeners. She was right! Stated in page 121, "A girl with PTSD had written to her last week, saying, 'Your stories, your voice, these are the only things that have helped me sleep.'" This caught my attention because I can just imagine how Raina felt would've from the constant questioning and belittling of her hobby, and being told that you are able to help someone who is suffering from something like PTSD is enough of a push to keep doing what you enjoy. This interaction between the two reminded me that I should never care what anyone thinks about me because at the end of the day, my happiness and what I think of myself matter the most.

Tyler Bean-Catencamp said...

I think that the most significant part of the story is on pages 133 and 134. Raina has a mom who wants her to be someone she isn't, a dad who seems to brush her off, "boyfriend" who fetishizes her, and an assaulter who continues to harass her online. Then when she finally starts to let it all out and is ready to put it out there for anyone to see, she gets interrupted by her mom and Dom. Reading the part where she deletes it and decides to go back to her normal content is so sad. I think it's the most important part of the story because it shows that everyone is fighting there own battles and has their own problems that no one knows about. It's just something to keep in mind whenever you're about to judge someone.

Jalen White said...

I think the conversation between Raina and her mother when she was describing the way she was being treated. Her mother's response is to ask if she did anything that would give these people reason to treat her so awfully, and that passage is so heartbreaking and eye-opening. The cycle of assault is perpetuated in this exchange alone, and the history of women being blamed for their abuse is still rampant today. It's a sadly true reflection of what many women go through on a daily basis.

Jared Willis said...

I think an important moment in this story takes place when Raina talked about how she usually writes a script and storyboard first however she explains that "she quickly abandoned her notes" (page 133) To me this shows that she gave up on saying what she may think others want to hear and spoke from her heart and said what she really meant without thinking about it too hard.

-Jared Willis

Nyah Crockett said...

A moment that stood out to me was on page 126 when Carmen asked Raina if she had done anything to make Michael put his hands on her. It's common in our society for people to assume that the victims did something to ask for their assault, and it is very damaging. Blaming the victim takes the consequences away from the people who actually deserve repercussions for their actions. It also makes other victims who could be going through the same thing feel as though they are not being abused.

Jania Garrison said...

The thing that I found most interesting was the fact that Raina's mother asked her if she had done anything to Kevin to make him think he could touch her like that(126). This comment stood out to me because today so many women have to deal with people asking them "what did you do" or "what were you wearing" when they fall victim to sexual assault, making it seem like they are the ones to blame when this is not the case at all.

Kendall Fry said...

I think one specific instance that is super important in this short story is when Raina experiences sexual harassment, boarder line sexual assault, and her mother tries to victim blame and very heavily implies that Raina is to blame for the boy's actions. I believe this took place on page 126, it is sadly the reality for many victims of similar instances, it has become very common for people to assume the victim was somehow in the wrong and what Raina experienced was exactly that.

Paige G. said...

The quote that spoke to me most was, “On days like this, Raina sometimes fantasized about running away, saving her money, taking her equipment, and finding a community of people who would really see her, not the family brand, not the extra 30 pounds, not the untouched edges of her hair or her web tags, but her, whoever she was, her whole head and body fitting into a frame of her own design”(132). It is long but the way she describes her dreams speaks to the pressures of society that many influencers, especially ones of color, face in modern day society. To me this really demonstrates the pressures that people like her have to overcome and that makes me feel empowered to handle any challenge considering how minuscule my problems are in comparison.

Kiya R. said...

I think an important moment in this story is when Carmen, Raina's mother, had stated "Fiber will help you with some of that belly" (120). I believe that this is an important moment of the story because it sets the precedent for the relationship between Raina and her mother, which unfortunately is a very abusive one. Throughout the story, we often see Carmen engaging in victim-blaming, body shaming Raina, and also forcing Raina to engage in things that she does not want to (like participating in the commercials), which all had added to the stress that Raina was experiencing.

Carmen and Raina's relationship is not uncommon in our society, and a lot of harmful messages and ideologies that people internalize often come from their parents. Parents truly need to be careful about how they are affecting their children, and this story really highlights that.

Kaelyn Cupil said...

Pages 120-121 really resonated with me because of the dynamic between Raina and her mother. Her mother was a harsh mirror of what toxic ideals in black society and culture do when practiced for years. Raina's mother is worried about her image well over her happiness. In this section, Raina's body image and hobbies are criticized for seemingly no good reason. I believe this was the book presenting the harsh realities of black coming of age, trying to find yourself under the tight and very opinionated gaze of your elders, who we as a culture believe should be revered, even when abusive to our mental health. It was very sobering to me and I loved the realness of it.

Kaelyn Cupil

Unknown said...

On Page 133, Raina talks about sending her kids to private school so they wouldn't be singled out. This resonated personally with me because I attended a private school and felt like an outsider. I vowed to myself to send my kids to public school. This also showed me that Raina, like me, truly felt uncomfortable.

Kylie Jackson

Cynthia Martin said...

Page 121 stood out to me as Raina’s mother was implying that people would look at Raina doing ASMR as something nasty or inappropriate when it is nothing of the sorts. Many people make ASMR videos and would not be deemed sexual. It is sad that black women are often objectified and sexualized to the point where they cannot express themselves and their interests in the way they please.

Anonymous said...

On page 133 Raina makes a video where she is very vulnerable and she starts talking about how she is going to send her kids to a public school, this stood out to me because in most cases Public schools are way more diverse than private schools and it shows you how uncomfortable it made her feel and that she doesn’t want her children feeling that same way.

-Richard Haley

Anonymous said...

The part of her talking about her life for a video in an emotional rush was the most important aspect of the book. (page 133) It perfectly captured everything she was feeling and how strong those feelings really were to her.

-Ashanti Y., 5/3/21

K Carter said...

On page 133 Raina talks about sometimes not knowing who she is when times get hard. I think this was an important moment because a lot of people can relate to feeling this way sometimes.

Anonymous said...

One of the most important moments for me came on page 131 when they were talking about Dom and catfishing. Cat fishing is something that is all to common nowadays with a lot of interaction being online. This is a huge issue that is not only very dangerous for the person being catfished but also harmful of people’s trust in online services.

Walter C., 5/3/21

Anonymous said...

Cheyenne Carpenter said...
An important part of this story was when Raina decided to make a video detailing her true feelings and I was able to see a very vulnerable side of Raina that we have yet to see. I was kind of upset that she didn't post it, but I understand why she didn't.
May 3, 2021 at 1:13 PM

Anonymous said...

One part of the story that I found important was on page 110 when Raina's mom commented so heavily on her body image. This is something I struggled with growing up, being Somali. In our culture it is very normalized for your parents, as well as extended family such as aunts and uncles to think it's okay to comment on your body and your hobbies. I think it's important to recognize the ever lasting effect this can have on people, and that it's not okay.
Fatima Bashir

Byron Coulter said...

The event that stuck out to me was on page 121 when Raina's mother was talking about how her ASMR videos were vulgar and would mess her image up. There is an understanding that every single person of a certain demographic represents that demographic to others with their actions. Something as harmless as a hobby uploading ASMR videos would not tarnish someones image. That is the good thing about freedom of choice. Those people that watched her videos watched it because they wanted to. If anything her image value would increase becuase she's making the people who watch happy.

Maurice King said...

An important part of the story is on page 133 when Raina talks about not knowing herself. This is important to me because everyone can lose sight of who they really are and need to identify that once in a while.

Laurel White said...

One of the parts of the story that was interesting was that the narration also reveals the nature of the sounds that many such videos include, including Raina’s. These include sounds like light scratching, whispery voices, telling stories, and gentle hand gestures. -laurel white

Carah F. said...

The ending of the story interested me. Raina goes on a full rant about how she feels on camera. Then she just deleted it. I really related to her when she said, "'Screw everyone who thinks het can just treat me any kind of way, even my mom and boyfriend.'" (pg. 133) I really related to this. Sometimes everything just piles up till you feel like you can't handle it. Then all of a sudden it's just gone, and you're fine. It's difficult to tell people how you really feel, because you think they might not care. However, usually in this situation, you are the only one getting hurt.

Anonymous said...

To me, the most significant/interesting part of this story can be found on page 129, where Raina is going back and forth with her mom about her dress being the wrong size. Instead of her mom just offering to get her a different size or a new dress, she tells Raina to lose weight instead, by letting her know that she has two weeks to be able to fit into both the dress and the other clothes she bought her. This part of the story took me off guard because of how rude Raina's mother was. I think it also provided a great example of how the people in Raina's life tend to see her as more of a "show-pony" or object rather than a human being with feelings.
-Chai Curry 5/4/21

Anonymous said...

An interesting part of the novel that stuck out to me took place on page 126. It here that Raina confides to her mom about the harassment that has been plaguing her, and instead of comforting and supporting Raina her mom slaps her with the blame for eliciting the harassment. It is victim blaming that quiets the voices of the mistreated, and it is horrible and horrifying.

-I'Lysa Walker, 5/4/21

Elizabeth Kyande said...

The part that stood out for me the most was on page 126, where the mother tend to take the side of the same people who are against her daughter and are mistreating her. She defense them by saying that its possible/likely that Raina is the source/cause of the problem. Parents should be their for their children especially ones that are so willing to open up issues that they are facing. The only reason they open up is because they trust parents to guide them in the right path and not make them feel worse than they were before talking to them.

-Elizabeth Kyande

Nylah Muldrow said...

I feel that when she not only decided to express her true self in a video, but also not uploading it was the most important part of this story. She decided to be vulnerable and authentic, which shows a growth in confidence within herself. She can speak and express herself freely, sharing her story. Her not uploading the video was disappointing, but it still showed her willingness to authenticate and understand herself.

Ta'mya Cummings said...

A part of the story that stood out to me was on page 128 when Raina was having a conversation with her mom and she was debating whether to tell her about what happened with Kevin, but decided not to. Parents should be the people you should feel the most comfortable coming to when it comes to hard conversations or certain topics, and I feel like a lot of kids aren't as comfortable because of the parents. With Raina, I feel like that discomfort came when she mentioned Kevin on page 126, and her mother asked her if she did anything for him to do those actions. I feel like as a parent, you shouldn't ask you child that because it can come off as blaming the child for the others person's actions.

Ta'mya Cummings said...

A part of the story that stood out to me was on page 128 when Raina was having a conversation with her mom and she was debating whether to tell her about what happened with Kevin, but decided not to. Parents should be the people you should feel the most comfortable coming to when it comes to hard conversations or certain topics, and I feel like a lot of kids aren't as comfortable because of the parents. With Raina, I feel like that discomfort came when she mentioned Kevin on page 126, and her mother asked her if she did anything for him to do those actions. I feel like as a parent, you shouldn't ask you child that because it can come off as blaming the child for the others person's actions.

Avery Owusu-Asiedu said...

Something that stood out to me was on page 125 when she said "She appreciated the positive feedback, but sometimes Raina felt briefly, that everyone wanted or saw only a piece of her, not a whole, that she was mere flesh, a series of keywords to help identify her." This stood out because it shows that her self esteem is going down from the videos she posts, because people only know her as a few keywords.