Richard Wright

Ralph Ellison

Whites have monopolized many outlets, which allow them to influence the minds of the general public. The most powerful of these conglomerate forces is the media. Through television shows, songs on the radio, movies in theaters, and subversive articles in magazines or newspapers, images of white supremacy have been embedded into the psyches of American residents.

Even the history of this nation has been told from a white man's perspective. It is menticide for a person of color to whole-heartedly indulge in these teachings. Blacks can never fully understand their own history until it is told in its most graphic nature, and to hear an account of past events in such a graphic nature it must be told by blacks themselves.

White historians in general (excluding anomalies such as Howard Zinn) do not have the ability to empathize with the oppressed. Blacks will remain mental slaves until they reconnect with their past as told by their ancestors as opposed to the biased and deceitful textbooks that are in current circulation.

To understand literature one must be aware of the historical reflections that can be found within the subtext of the writing. Native Son and Invisible Man are verbal manifestations, which represent years of black subjugation by white America. The novels were exposed to the public about half way through the twentieth century yet the exchanges showcased between whites and blacks date back to times of slavery even though Native Son was written more than sixty years after emancipation.

One cannot expect to comprehend issues expressed in literature without taking the origins of those issues into consideration by reviewing the history of those matters.

Shortly after its publication in 1940, Native Son by Richard Wright was regarded as the defining novel in the exposition of the emotions held by the black community. The story tackled feelings of dispossession and hopelessness that had previously gone unwritten.

In 1937 Wright published an essay titled Blueprint for Negro Writing. The essay served as a manifesto on the how black authors could improve upon the passive character development of those who preceded them.

"Negro writing in the past has been confined to humble novels, poems, and plays, prim and decorous ambassadors who went a begging to white America... dressed in knee pants of servility... For the most part these artistic ambassadors were received as though they were French poodles who do clever tricks" Wright commented distastefully.

Native Son was the direct antithesis of the servility Wright spoke against. It challenged racist ideals, which were at that time maintained as popular belief.

In 1952, twelve years after the publication of Native Son, Ralph Ellison usurped Richard Wright's position as the author of the definitive novel concerning the black man's experience with racism in America. In his renowned essay "Everybody's Protest Novel", playwright James Baldwin renounced Wright's book as a protest novel, which reinforced the stereotypes placed upon blacks by white supremacists.

In the same essay he sang praises of Invisible Man, stating that its protagonist displayed a superb balance by showing an opposition to white America in addition to enlightenment on how to coexist successfully with the same men who were oppressing him. The two authors wrote about the same general idea but chose to do so in completely different ways.

Invisible Man told a story of a man who was living a life of ambiguity and confusion regarding relationships with whites. Throughout the book the main character spoke and acted with an aura of doubtfulness combined with uncertainty. Bigger Thomas, the protagonist of Native Son, possessed no mixed emotions. His views were nothing short of blatant hatred.

Despite having contrary tones, there are several key ideas that bind the two works together. The strongest is the concept of introjection. Introjection is a term developed by famed psychologist Sigmund Freud. It is when an individual or group begins to internalize feelings and assumptions thrust upon them by another individual or group. Introjection often results in the recipient having an altered identity. It's as if they are looking at themselves through the eyes of another person. The nameless character and Bigger Thomas both introjected ideas from the white race.

In his book, Souls of Black Folks, W.E.B. DuBois spoke of a double consciousness. Black people see themselves through two lenses. The first of which is from their own perspective, seeing themselves as they truly are. The second is from the white man's point of view. Having to live life in such a schizophrenic manner is an added burden to an already troubled people.

Whites are by far the largest ethnic group in America. This dominance of the general population allows their ideas and conceptions to be held as popular belief. They have the privilege of labeling a whole race regardless of the acceptance of the classifications being placed upon them. DuBois also noted that whites' social superiority regarding control of education, wealth, corporate structure, etc. gives them an immense influence on how blacks feel about themselves.

On page 31 in Invisible Man Ralph Ellison touched on the topic of black obedience. The protagonist was delivering a speech in front of an audience of older white men. He used the phrase "social responsibility". The crowd sarcastically asked him to repeat it several times, suggesting that is was out of the ordinary to hear a young black man use such advanced language. Getting slightly confused the protagonist uttered "equality" in place of responsibility. This caused a large uproar. In the south during the 1940's, where the scene is set, social equality wasn't a popular concept amongst white men. A man in the front row stood up and interrupted, "We mean to do right by you, you've got to know your place at all times."

This displays the restrictions placed on blacks. Not having the autonomy to express themselves, as they felt fit must have some greater psychological effects. It limits the progress that can be made both individually and as a people. A cloak of servility is placed over blacks. They are forced to do only what is allowed, as opposed to indulging in their own dreams and aspirations.

How can blacks be expected to rise above the obstacles placed before them when whites place boundaries that do nothing but promote stagnant behavior? It is highly advantageous for whites to make sure blacks "know their places" because the less they try to agitate change in social customs the safer the privileges whites have grown accustomed to will be.

Bigger Thomas received similar treatment in Book One of Native Son. The difference is Bigger's encounter was with members of his own race. What took place with Invisible Man at the hotel was an example of a person taking in opposing ideas that surround them. The men at the event were white so contrary view points were to be expected. Bigger's case featured black men beginning to think in the direction society was leading them.

Bigger was outside speaking with three friends. The conversation was on the question of racial limitations. Bigger started off with, "Every time I get to thinking about me being black and them being white, me being here and they being there, I feel like some thing awful is going to happen to me." His friend Gus responded, "Aw, for Chrissakes! There ain't nothing you can do about it. How come you want to worry yourself? You black and they white they make the laws." "Why they make us live in one corner of the city? Why they don't let us fly planes and ship", Bigger retorted. Gus then attempted to eliminate Bigger's point by saying, "Aw, nigger, quit thinking about it. You'll go nuts."

Gus was staying obedient to a trained mode of thinking society instilled in him. Rather than explore the idea of his people reaching something greater he quickly retreated to premature complacency. It was in his teachings to find comfort in his current position without ever attempting to elevate himself.

Bigger inquired about the possibility of blacks at some point, playing more prominent roles in the country. Before even giving the thought a moment of consideration, Gus dismissed it as if it was just an unattainable goal. Gus had introjected the same beliefs on black equality as racist white men who desired to limit his progress. He refused to believe that it was necessary to expand the boundaries that were set out for them.

Gus was clearly overcome by a feeling of powerlessness that is often attached to the concept of black obedience. Gus and people in his predicament grow jaded with the disappointment of trying to rise up and being shot back down. The easy way to cope with this rejection is to quit challenging himself and get used to his diminutive position. He had no reservations about embracing his role as a second-class citizen.

"I reckon we is the only things in this whole city that can't go where they want to go and do what they want to do", Bigger said as the conversation resumed. In his mind the darkness of his skin was a barrier impeding him breaking a cycle of poverty and despair.

>>> Continued

© July 2005 By Afromerica