While many African Americans headlined the fight for equality in the 1960's, many more were contempt to take the blows and get by. They just wanted to live; they didn't want to make the news, they didn't want to be outspoken, and they most definitely didn't want to be lynched. The first lesson in the "Jim Crow education" ended with him complaining to his mother because of what some white men did to him. One of the first things his mother said was that he shouldn't always be fighting and the he should hide from them. And most importantly, that he should be thankful that the just cut his head open and didn't kill him. To get by as a minority, at any time is to let everyone know that you are in and will stay in your place, which is something that is very hard to swallow for anyone facing oppression.
Slowly the lessons he learned continued to put him in his face very firmly. Those lessons kept him from seeking equality, which is why, as the old saying goes, "Well behaving people seldom make history." As the short sketches go on, the pattern becomes clear, he will be a victim, then complain, then be called a foll for not acting like he isn't there. I can't help but wonder what the pattern, if there was one, was for someone like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr, two people that made history for not following the rules of that day, but still doing what is right in the eyes of people today. Everyone, at any time, is scared of stepping out of line and breaking the status-quo. Stepping out of line brings change, and while the whites that did the horrific things to innocent African Americans, it was very few that controlled the oppression, and no one realized that.
As mentioned in the essay, "The plight of the Negro in America is graphically symbolized." this is more true than any other line in the essay, the struggle that all African Americans faced in America is such a pinnacle part of our history that it isn't looked into as much as it should be. It is an event that is made out to be so complicated. The only change that was brought about was by people that didn't do what they were supposed to do. The refused to give up a seat, they spoke out, they gave themselves a status that was equal, not below. The author of this essay learned a valuable thing for someone that wishes to stay in line and continue on the life that he was given, he learned what they wanted to see and hear.
Your last paragraph really interested me, Maddie. I agree that the struggle of African Americans is a very important part in our history, and that it is not talked about or remembered enough. I know people like to act like they really care about the struggle African Americans faced, but sometimes I wonder if they truly do. Sure we have Black History Month and learn about the Civil Rights Movement in history class, but how much do we really care? Does this knowledge really affect us in any way? You talked about the only change being brought about by "people that didn't do what they were supposed to do," which is a very good point. They did the wrong thing and are idolized for it. But I wonder, how would they be treated or looked at today? It may be that the adoration these African American heroes receive comes only with time, and that could certainly be the case for any similar acts of rebellion today. It will be interesting to see if there is anything similar to the Civil Rights Movement that occurs in our lifetime, so we could see and experience the outcomes ourselves.
ReplyDeleteMaddie, the way you saw this essay was really intriguing to me. What you said about this topic not being looked at as much as it should be I totally agree with, but I wonder if that's only because it's such a touchy subject that us white Americans are ashamed of, or if it's truly a topic some of us don't care about. I found it interesting how you thought of reformers for African Americans. It's definitely evident that African Americans had two choices at the time, either conform to the expectations of society, or act out and pave the way for change.
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