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Barnett, Timothy. “Reading “Whiteness” in English Studies.” College English, vol. 63, no. 1, 2000, pp. 9-37. Web.
Summary: Barnett discussed the concept of “whiteness” in English studies, which was particularly topical in the 1960s and 1970s. Such discourse traditions dominating the academic environment led to profound issues related to cultural misrepresentation. The detrimental power of whiteness lies in its apparent invisibility, meaning that it implicitly affects the perception of students. In this case, the voices of authors of color do not receive due attention and recognition. The whiteness of English studies entails dangerous societal implications, virtually depriving non-white people of their identity within its framework. This situation requires considerable attention from the involved community in order to establish an inclusive environment in which cultural and racial differences are treated with respect.
Notes:
“Whiteness only seems invisible, objective, and neutral; it helps maintain this appearance through a reliance on coded discourses of race” (10).
Racialized discourse is embedded in society’s cultural code, and, as long as whiteness corresponds to it, it is not properly perceived.
“Whiteness maintains power ultimately by reserving for itself the privilege of recognizing, defining, and denying difference on its own terms and to its own advantage” (10).
Racialized discourse provides interested parties with the power to manipulate the social landscape in accordance with their needs.
“Aside from the fact that they are both black, I see very few similarities between James Baldwin and Eldridge Cleaver” (27).
Barnett provides a vivid example of racialized perception in a student’s essay. In this case, racial differences are seen as a defining characteristic of both authors, diminishing their personal and literary features.
Knoflíčková, Marie. “Racial Identities Revisited: Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif.” Litteraria Pragensia, vol. 21, no. 41, 2011, pp. 22-33.
Summary: Knoflíčková refers to the late 1970s as the crucial period, during which the African American identity was formed. Toni Morrison’s Recitatif played an important in this process, providing the general public with a better understanding of the African American identity. The focus of attention shifted from racial differences as a defining feature to the personalized views of people. Morrison successfully dismantles several major stereotypes regarding the African American communities, including the allegedly dysfunctional nature of their families.
Notes:
“Recitatif presents an unusual piece of writing both from the perspective of its narrative strategies and with respect to the ways it deals with race and racial identity” (23).
Knoflíčková discussed the importance of Recitatif as a literary work, which contributed to the modernized understanding of racial differences and proper representation.
“Deconstruction of socially-ascribed racial identities lies at the center of Recitatif” (24).
The importance of Toni Morrison’s work lies in the effective way in which it combats common stereotypes regarding African American people.
“Similarly to Appiah, Morrison removes racial identities from the center by uncovering the false assumptions they are based on.”
Knoflíčková highlights the fact that respect and recognition of racial identities are not equal to making them decisive factors determining interpersonal relations.
“Women, Race, and Memory: An Excerpt From Toni Morrison’s New Book, The Source of Self-Regard.” Jezebel, 2019. Web.
Summary: In her last work published in 2019, Toni Morrison explored the relationship between the liberation of people of color and women’s rights. According to Morrison, the African American fight for freedom has been crucial in determining the further movements for equality (“Women, Race, and Memory”). After decades of oppression, the nation’s policymakers understood the unfair manner in which money, power, gender, and race became interrelated. The example of a 19th-century female veteran fighting for a due pension for thirty years threads throughout the writing to illustrate the main idea. The concept of whiteness is seen as closely connected to sexism, and the unfair dominance of white male figures in key areas of society is highlighted.
Notes:
“How can a woman be viewed and respected as a human being without becoming a male-like or male-dominated citizen?”
Morrison states that women have had to accept the rules of the game imposed by white men to receive due recognition.
“Each of these admittedly ill-defined [feminist] groups generate some hostility for at least one other, and each contains subgroups intent on evangelical work among the others.”
Morrison discussed the underlying issues preventing feminist movements from attaining their objectives. It is implied that a lack of unity among women, some of whom even accepted the subjugation, aggravated the situation.
“The key to feminine oppression is most clearly seen in response to [Harriet Tubman’s] stand—a response that gathered together the full force of the special brand of American racism and sexism” (32).
Morrison draws a connection between sexism and racism in American history. The two issues are interrelated on the systemic level, and the experience of African Americans’ united stance against oppression is instrumental in feminist initiatives.
“Toni Morrison. Biography.” Biography, 2021. Web.
Summary: She was born in 1931 in a modest family and had three siblings. Morrison devoted considerable attention to her studies and personal development, which later helped her fulfill the immense literary potential. She dedicated her life to writing about the issues of African American communities in relation to equality, diversity, recognition, and cultural identity. Her talent was recognized at the highest levels, awarding Morrison with the Pulitzer and Noble prizes (“Toni Morrison. Biography”). She continued working on both fiction and non-fiction books until the late 2010s. In 2019, Toni Morrison’s died in New York at the age of eighty-eight.
Notes:
“Her novels are known for their epic themes, exquisite language and richly detailed African American characters who are central to their narratives.”
Toni Morrison’s primary achievement implies eliminating racial identity as the decisive feature of the personalities of people of color.
“Her father, George Wofford, worked primarily as a welder but held several jobs at once to support the family. Her mother, Ramah, was a domestic worker.”
Toni Morrison was raised in a modest environment, and she knew the true nature of an unprivileged life.
“At Princeton, Morrison established a special workshop for writers and performers known as the Princeton Atelier in 1994. The program was designed to help students create original works in a variety of artistic fields.”
Toni Morrison’s ultimate objective was never related to fame or personal profits. She dedicated much time to promoting positive values and equality, especially among younger generations, who would determine the nation’s policies in the coming decades.
Lee, Alexander Kerri. “Toni Morrison.” National Women’s History Museum. Web.
Summary: Toni Morrison’s works are mostly inspired by the issues of racial discrimination and oppression. She had direct experience with systemic racism throughout her life and utilized it to create vivid, artful pieces of quality literature. Morrison witnessed all degrees of racial segregation in the 20th-century United States. Hardships and disparities became a source of inspiration for Morrison, who, in turn, managed to attract the attention of the public to the issues of racial identity. She remains one of the most prominent authors in the United States and worldwide (Lee). Her works have inspired a new generation of novelists, publicists, and journalists.
Notes:
“As the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Morrison’s work has inspired a generation of writers to follow in her footsteps.”
Toni Morrison’s achievements have altered the social landscape, opening new opportunities for women and people of color.
“Although she grew up in a semi-integrated area, racial discrimination was a constant threat.”
Even though Morrison was raised in a relatively integrated community, she still faced racial disparities. At the same time, there were areas in which the issue was more acute.
“She joined the university’s theatrical group called the Howard University Players, and frequently toured the segregated south with the play. In addition, she witnessed how racial hierarchy divided people of color based on their skin tone.”
Racial discrimination followed Morrison through several stages of her life.
References
Barnett, Timothy. “Reading “Whiteness” in English Studies.”College English, vol. 63, no. 1, 2000, pp. 9-37. Web.
Knoflíčková, Marie. “Racial Identities Revisited: Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif.” Litteraria Pragensia, vol. 21, no. 41, 2011, pp. 22-33.
Lee, Alexander Kerri. “Toni Morrison.”National Women’s History Museum. n.d. Web.
“Toni Morrison. Biography.”Biography, 2021. Web.
“Women, Race, and Memory: An Excerpt From Toni Morrison’s New Book, The Source of Self-Regard.” Jezebel, 2019. Web.
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