But it is unfortunately...
I just finished writing a critical analysis on two important African American Women (Harriet E. Wilson & Frances E.W. Harper) and their texts (
Our Nig &
Iola Leroy respectively). These two texts are supposedly the first two novels written by black women in America. I have to say, I wasn't too impressed by the content within both books as a story. However, the message that both bring is so resounding that they should be studied more often in a Literature classroom.
The Feminist idea of "the Cult of True Womanhood" is addressed and deconstructed by Wilson in her book. The situation that the author puts her character forces the reader to think that "True Womanhood" is attained through a racial basis, and therefore a black woman can never attain it until she is accepted by society.
This is completely false, of course. But this thought that Wilson puts in the air allowed my mind to start wonder off into the realm that most Americans shudder to speak of...and that, my friend is the topic of racism.
There I said it. The depressing thing is that this still happens in our day and age, even though it feels outdated. The human nature seems to dictate that we must best ourselves by making someone else feel "different" and shunned from the rest of society.
In 19th Century America it was prevalent with whites treating the Chinese, Italians, Irish, Black, and Indian populations as if they were some sort of disease. It was very common to see "Nativist" clubs; a lame excuse for white Americans to beat up "others" that were deemed unfit to be called Americans.
But they were...
This is just one sad part of American History that I hope would have died with the 19th Century. Unfortunately, it hasn't.
Now, I'm not going to go into how "the Man" is bringing us all down. I am actually talking of the Native American population. Think about it. In Virginia, we seem to glorify the Native Americans by throwing festivals and naming our rivers and towns after tribes. However, I think that we do this just for politicians to pat each other on the backs and claim they "did something".
But the living tribes are hurting more than ever. Loss in funding, no proper educational system, rampant alcoholism, lack of governmental involvement, and yes even continuing tribal wars have hurt the chances for the Native American to even remotely attain "The American Dream".
I'm not saying that racism is only prevalent with Natives. However, the way we are treating them is somewhat equivalent to apartheid.
How do we fix this? It seems that most don't even speak on behalf of them. I didn't even know of their situation until a friend from Montana explained the current status. Research for yourself and see if I am wrong. This problem needs to be addressed and fixed within our governmental system.
After all, ALL men are created equal...aren't they?
Check out their housing situation. It's like something from a hundred years ago:
"Like a man who has been dying for many days, a man in your city is numb to the stench."
Chief Seattle
