My name is Takeo and I live in Oakland, CA. This shadow box that I created represents how I got graduated from middle school and how I was born. In late 2003, I was born to an African American mother, and I came out as an African American baby. My name Takeo and it is a Japanese name, and I was named after a former NFL player named Takeo Spikes. The pictures that I put in the shadow box represents how I went to different schools, and the graduation card that I put in my box represents how I got a certificate on June 6, 2017. The dominant narrative is that African American men do not do well in school, but I do. This represents my counter narrative. So there you have it. This is Takeo, and that’s the end of my story.
Dear Takeo,
I love your shadow box I think it was very creative and I can tell what you were trying to prove. A piece of advice is probably add more pictures. But other than that you did very well in this project keep up the good work bud.
Sincerely, Bryan Moreno
Dear Takeo,
I am happy that you had written this because I see you everyday and me reading this got me to learn about you. A sentence that had stood out to me was when you were named after Takeo Spikes because I never knew that. Thank you Takeo for sharing this with everybody.
Hello Takeo,
I am very inspired by your pictures and cars. I think it is very wise to show how you graduated from Middle School. I would like to know how you feel about the United States? What do you think about Oakland?
Hello Takeo,
I would like to know how the cars represent and have meaning to you.
Are you happy to be living in the United States?
Have you been back to visit where you were born?
Do you still participate in your cultures beliefs or the United States?
Do you still eat your cultures food or fast foods?
Hi, Takeo
Nice picture and all those symbols that you choose that represents you.
I would try to add more about your culture, even though you came here in the United States as a baby but what about your people where you was born, their traditions and the place where your parents where born.
would you like to go to see the country where you was born?
Tells us more about your gender, are you happy in being a man?
How do you feel after you graduate from a school?
How do you take care of that stereotype that African American people don’t do well in school?.