American Society and Oppressive Circumstances - Essay Example

RESPONSES OF DIFFERENT GROUPS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY TO OPPRESSIVE CIRCUMSTANCES Introduction A novel has been often referred as a mirror image of real life and it represents the society and its condition of the times. The Great Wars came, taking alienation, dislocation and the search for what was true beyond the inherited values to its extreme. As agreed by the most ardent of writers, the theme of alienation has been the foremost all the themes of the early part of the twentieth century (Spitzer).When we analyze the novels of the writers of post war America, we find the same aspect of response from the different communities that faced oppression. Thesis statement When faced with extreme circumstances human beings respond in very similar manner, irrespective of their varied surroundings and racial backgrounds. Analysis of the statement 1. The different groups have responded in a direct physical manner as befitting to a democratic society, by holding demonstrations. This can be seen when we analyze Sanora Babb, "Whose Names Are Unknown", Jeanne Wakasuki Houston, "Farewell to Manzanar" and “Birmingham 1968”, closely. Often the people involved in the physical response gather much unity and strength from the atrocities done towards them. In “Birmingham 1968”, the physical response comes in the form of a non violent movement which was led by James Bevel. Since the protest had been non violent in nature there was the whole hearted cooperation of the girls as well as that of the physically challenged youth. With each assault, by the oppressors, the black population got more united. There was the clever introduction of media into the scene of actual violence against the demonstrators brought more people in support of the agitation. They respond by pelting stones at the policemen who turn their fire equipment towards the children. But James Bevel and the common leadership believed in nonviolence, firmly. He was afraid that the move to attack the police would lead to rioting. So more and more people were gathering in support of the agitators and the public opinion was turning in favor of the agitators. But rioting had to be controlled, since it would completely shatter the goal of the protests, namely desegregation. With much public support in the wings, the demonstrations prove effective. The merchants agreed to negotiate and an announcement was made of the desegregation of the settlement. But the flip side of the coin is that the decision to establish the rights of the negro community results in two explosions. One at the SCLC headquarters at Gaston Motel and at the house of A. D. King, the brother of Martin King. Often when incidents turn in favor of the united and oppressed majority, the defeated but powerful minority often resorts to bestial and inhuman violence. We find that after the bomb explosions, the state troopers are brought in upon the blacks who gather at the site of explosions. They exact violence on the mob which includes women and children. This is also depicted in “Farewell to Manzanar” by Jeanne Wakasuki Houston. This book is about the sad plight and change in attitude of the Wakatsuki family, immigrants to the American continent from Japan. Papa was a samurai warlord and had a high status in Japan and a first generation immigrant. But he does not command respect automatically in America, as he does in Japan. When the authorities take him in for questioning, his pride is hurt at being considered disloyal to America. He feels helpless and is enraged, but keeps quiet about the questioning. His friends and community feels the helplessness and rage and it leads to a riot in Manzanar. The refugees want to demand better food and better living conditions. This, combined with the knowledge of the helplessness of Papa, provide the motivation for riots. The “Japs” gather in the mess hall and conduct meetings for many days. So, in time the December riot of 1942 is born in the refugee camp of Manzanar. Fred Tayama, the leader of the Japanese American Citizens League is attacked. The authorities arrest three, especially a cook who was a leader of sorts. The mobs riot and the authorities agree to bring back the cook. But the rioters continue riots and attack the police units. Even though an agreement had been reached, the police respond with tear gas. When the Japs try to run away they open machine guns on the rioters, killing two and injuring around ten. Thus the sad tale of violence inflicted on the oppressed is always a story which continues even after the oppressions has been removed. Often the persons involved in these ‘direct physical response’ gather much insight into their own character/condition as well as that of their co-agitators, during the agitations. When the state troopers open up the heads of women and men without scruples, in “Birmingham 1968”, Wyatt Tee Walker forgot himself. He rushed at the policeman who had beat down his wife before his eyes. The sudden rush of rage itself is indicative of the passion and the inhumane self control exercised by the agitators in the non violent movement. We find this insight dawning on the immigrants of “Whose names are unknown” too. The long hidden novel has emerged like a phoenix out of the ashes, telling a tale of the farmers of the High Plains during the Great Depression. The Dunne family loves the land they find themselves in. But the living conditions are dismal and life inhumane. They are worthless “Okies” earmarked for torture. The wages are so low that even children go without food. So they join hands to protest against the segregationist labor system. Consequently, collective protests were organized marches staged on the streets(Whose names are unknown). But the company men refused to negotiate with the strike committee. To make things worse, the hunger and cold had started even before winter. It was their work that made the only connection with the outside world. Soon they come to the realization that they were needed and all the attempts to make them believe the contrary was untrue. They take the decision that they would not sell their labor cheaper than its actual worth. Because, cotton needed to be picked and it was actually the need of the farmer that he found the labor before the winter came, lest the crop be lost. How far the responses were effective may seem a matter of contest. Though it may not be presented in tangible terms, the effect of direct response brings out a few results. In,"Birmingham, 1963”, the demonstrations proved the turning point to the agitation. It lead to talks between the merchants and the Martin King’s faction. The demonstrations evoked physical abuse by the police. But then, it becomes the turning point in the strike. In Manzanar, demonstrations lead to firing by the security guards. But the agitators were successful in bringing back the cook who was exiled. A totally different viewpoint is presented in "Whose Names Are Unknown". The workers are imbued with a new insight. They are cornered but they finally understand that they are necessary in this world too. They come to the awareness of the importance of their position in picking the crop, without which it was impossible for the landlords to survive. Thus, the demonstrations were successful in bringing out results of some sort, if not complete victory. So we can wonder with Jeanne of “Farewell to Manzanar”, why riots take so long to happen!! 2. The oppressed are branded with Hate-words and often the burden actually heightens under these brand names. Making brand names which are symbolic hate names for groups of people, who find themselves under oppressive circumstances, is seen typical. These names represent hated sections and stands often for the oppressed as a group. In the camp at Manzanar, the Japanese are aware of the ‘inu’, which they feel should be punished for betraying the community. Papa calls the communal rioters, idiots and he is enraged at being identified as inu by the gathering, showing the pain, the word causes. The immigrants were also branded as “dirty Japs” by Americans during the war(Farewell to Manzanar). Likewise, the immigrants from Oakland were called ‘Okie’, indicating the alienation of the poor farmer in the irrigated lands of California. The farm workers’ boys and girls grow up with the pain of the word in their hungry mouths. The author points out the children wondering at the hate-word. “Okie”, “Okie”, “An Okie is me.” The child can’t understand why it hurt him to hear the word, - this simple, small word. Then he reaches the conclusion that maybe he is not “as good”. Thus the oppressive circumstances were enhanced by hate words, which bring out an agonizing pain in the heart of the oppressed. Conclusion. Whatever the color of the skin and hair, whatever the upbringing, human beings respond similarly to similar circumstances. It can be seen that often women are the worst affected but still they tend to be more peaceful at Manzanar and even in the cotton farms or the non violent agitations of Birmingham. Is it because of the role of women being limited to the household and her lack of exposure during the times? Or is it due to her lack of interest to meet a physical challenge? They seem to be the worst affected with loss of privacy and lack of nourishment. But women fare better as compared to men in the novels, across race and color (Sanora). Works cited: Farewell to Manzanar. 2010. 16 March, 2010. Spitzer,Wayne. Alienation: The theme of the 20th century novel.2010. 16 March, 2010. Sanora, Babb. Whose names are unknown. Oklahoma: University of Okalahoma press. 2004. Whose names are unknown: A novel. 2010. 16, March 2010 Read More