Race and Ethnicity in Gordimers Country Lovers and Morales Child of the Americas - Research Paper Example

? Race and Ethni Race and Ethni in Nadine Gordimer’s “Country Lovers” and Aurora Morales’ “Child of the Americas” There are darned few authors who happen to write extraordinary stories, which tend to betray ethnic challenges, together with a number of responsibilities. When someone reads these stories, he, or she gets clear perspective concerning the culture, as well as the realization of the way in which they lived throughout their life (Coronado, 2003). Nadine Gordimer’s “Country Lovers” and Aurora Morales’ “Child of the Americas” happen to be an ideal example of those stories. These short stories are capable of bringing out an understanding about how racial divide was evident during that time (Coronado, 2003). There are numerous literature readings in this essay that tend to compare the viewpoints of the racial split, segregation, as well as overall trials whereby ethnic individuals went through; this brings out the assertion that, short stories are capable of being a direct indication on time periods, taking place in life regardless of it being unrealism (Coronado, 2003). In the past, our ancestors went through slavery and segregation, with unity being present only in instances whereby the skin color was similar. There was the lack of equivalence between man and woman, along with lack of justification as to why any person would get exceptional treatment unless their color was white (Coronado, 2003). In the past, a perception existed that black people were inferior, something that led to people for instance Dr. Martin Luther King, Harriett Tubman, together with Jr. Rosa Parks put a mark in world history by making statements, while, at the same time helping change the future not only for African Americans, but also for all other races (Kafka, 2000). Though there is still the existence of some incidents of racism, it is unlawful to victimize anyone on the basis of their race. Therefore, stories like Country Lovers, along with Child of the Americas provide feeling, as well as meaning to the various different perspective of racial segregation, together with acceptance. These short stories bring to light the experiences encountered by individuals based on race and ethnicity (Kafka, 2000). In her short story Country Lovers, Gordimer reveals the truth about race and segregation though at a later stage. In this story, the author starts by bringing out children who are playing together inside the yard and fields with race having no effect on the manner in which they interact since they are playing together getting along just like family (Gordimer, 2011). With the passage of time, these kids grow older thereby going separate ways; although the white children go to school, their black counterparts start working around the house and in the farm (Gordimer, 2011). However, there is a white boy, together with a black girl from this neighborhood who become close friends despite their separation hence establishing a relationship that is incomparable to any other (Gordimer, 2011). As this young white boy grows older and hangs out with his fellow white school friends, he is ashamed of disclosing his closeness with his childhood friend, a closeness that later develops into a secret love (Gordimer, 2011). He gets embarrassed of what his family and his friends would think if they discovered about their closeness, imagine having an affair with the daughter of a black employee of his father whereby black people were only perceived as being only fitting and useful when tending the fields or doing house work (Gordimer, 2011). Considering that the Africans were at that time considered as strictly workers rather than social beings, they were neither meant for friendship nor for relationships. This affair, which was once upon a time filled with love, eventually comes to an end due to the birth of a baby, who the white boy totally rejected (Gordimer, 2011). He is not ready to be different from his world; therefore he declines to admit his love for the black girl despite having a baby with her. This indicates that society has a substantial involvement in the acts, feelings, as well as thoughts of people everywhere (Gordimer, 2011). In Country Lovers, race plays a key role since it ascertains the result of the story from start to the end (Gordimer, 2011). The majority of people go through this same situation this brings to light what it feels like when a person gets discriminated against due to race, considering that this story takes an extremely personal subject while tying it in emotionally (Gordimer, 2011). It is extremely painful for someone to be denied by the person he or she loves deeply in front of every person due to their skin color, imagine what would happen to the child that is about to be born due to this rejection (Gordimer, 2011). It is not easy to lose someone you are in love with, but imagine losing someone due to something irrepressible such as race. It is possible for readers to relate, while, at the same time feeling what this young black girl is going through since she grows up and far away from the boy she loved all her life (Gordimer, 2011). Although this relationship begins as one of a story of friends, which soon develop into a heart-felt, as well as pain stricken tale of treachery and solitude (Gordimer, 2011). For a long time now, segregation has been legal but after the Civil War it became illegal. However, there were still a number of states that are still fighting for absolute desegregation with African Americans being able to do things, which their ancestors only dream about (Warner, 2008). Though the law passed integration of races, people found other means of showing their dissatisfaction for what they perceived were the inferior race i.e. African Americans (Warner, 2008). This led to political groups forming retaliation to the integration laws, which had gotten passed and were getting effected. As a result of numerous Civil Rights movements in the 1960’s, a group by the name Ku Klux Klan turned out to be extremely active, as well as violent regarding who they perceived were un-American (Warner, 2008). This cruelty and hatred was not only directed to African Americans; rather, it went to Jews, Catholics as well as immigrants (Warner, 2008). Understanding that African Americans amongst those in the world despised by the white, American society, in the poem “Child of the Americas”, the author writes on the acceptance of one’s race despite the perception of society. Morales portray herself as an American, African, Puerto Rican, European, Taina, Caribbean and Mestiza, as well as an immigrant (Morales, 1999). The author talks about how she lives her life in a way specific to every individual race. Every piece lives in her, and she happens to be extremely happy, as well as proud of the person she is (Morales, 1999). In the modern society, the majority of people are unhappy with themselves while attempting to coincide to what they perceive as being socially acceptable (Morales, 1999). On the other hand, in “Child of the Americas”, the author opens up the hearts, along with the minds to those who happen to be mixed or born out of the United States (Morales, 1999). The majorities of these people feel as if they do not fit in; rather than being themselves, while, at the same time being happy if they get the acceptance of all or not, most of them sell themselves short so as to delight others (Morales, 1999). However, this poem paints a remarkably obvious and concise picture thereby showing that regardless what the society thinks, a person is incapable of being happy or satisfied devoid of being happy or content with oneself. Here, Morales uses highly distinguishing actions relating to either Hispanic or a “child of the Americas” (Morales, 1999). She utilizes everyday life occurrences that many are capable of relating to vice fictional ideas, which are capable of making ones imagination perform all the work. It seems like she was speaking, not just for herself yet for every Latin American living in the United States (Morales, 1999). In every literary piece, illustrated above is distinctive in various ways; there are basic factors that give every story its own theme; however, at the end, it is apparent that race takes the center stage in all of them (Warner, 2008). This indicates how the world is racial divided; if that were not the case then these pieces would not be in existence. Although all these two stories have other themes such as unconditional love, social standing and self-acceptance, it is impossible to overlook the common denominator, which happens to be a race (Warner, 2008). There are many instances when authors write similar stories with distinctive underlying themes changing the manner in which the stories get interpreted, along with what the lesson in the story turns out to be; for instance, had another author wrote a poem on being mixed in race rather than getting widely accepted or being the trendy person in society, the focal point would be putting on the vice of social life, the personal acceptance, as well as the gratification to be a happy individual, which Morales indicates in her piece (Morales, 1999). When reading and divulging in a number of different literary works, it is easy to take notice of distinctive themes, as well as meanings behind every piece. There are some themes such as race, which tend to be not only exceptionally noticeable, but also immensely strong themes thereby attracting the attention of the reader. Although some people fail in recognizing a theme within a story, the two pieces discussed within this essay has extremely evident and strong themes that draw the readers to empathize while, at the same time, relate to (Morales, 1999). It is impossible not to recognize something of the sort without relating or imagining particularly since it is something, which took a long time before coming to an end. Although these literary works might be comparable in theme, they are far from getting written in a similar manner. They are all as distinctive as they are similar with every work getting written differently, conveying different feelings and reactions while expressing a different intensity of understanding. Every piece has a different viewpoint; this difference makes the reader’s thoughts on the story different. For instance, Morales uses the first person when writing her piece, something that provides the reader with a personal insight on what the feelings of the writer and what she is attempting to express (Morales, 1999). On the other hand, Gordimer uses third person viewpoint, which leaves the mind of the readers mind open to visualization of various things (Gordimer, 2011). Apparently, there are a lot of stories and poems, which relate to issues like racism, segregation, as well as discrimination. Whether these stories or poems are in first or third person, be it fact or fiction, they all share the same meaning and theme. Authors of racial themes bring to light the pain and chaos associated with these difference causes (Gordimer, 2011). The majority of people in most cases fail in perceiving the pain beneath things like discrimination; however, by means of symbolism, metaphors, together with other significant literary expression these feelings, emotions along with experiences come to light (Kafka, 2000). Apparently, race turns out to be an issue experienced by the most of the people on a day to day basis despite the side of the field they are in; these two stories have distinctive themes that turn out to be extremely strong, as well as imaginative. Both stories stimulate the reader’s imagination with the thought and comprehension of every piece of work (Morales, 1999). Every piece creates a sense of strength, affection along with personal experience all through the piece; it is easy for one to connect with the characters whether imaginatively or realistically. Unfortunately, racism exists up to this day; this is especially evident in hate crimes taking place within places thought as being the safest places, such as schools and churches (Reynard, 2003). There are various issues, which have led people to believing that racism, as well as discrimination, happen to part of our daily life and subject to erupt when least expected. However, literary works such as Gordimer’s “Country Lovers” and Morales’ “Child of the Americas” play a key role in bringing into realization of the readers to the feelings, which hatred, in addition to racial segregation instigates (Gordimer, 2011). Each and every one of these literary works portray a strong racial theme, while every one of them is capable of impacting the reader in an unexpected way. As one continues to read more and more literary works, it is possible to become strong, as well as more in depth readers; as a result, it becomes easy to recognize themes such as these once since they will end up becoming not only extremely vibrant, but also obvious in recognizing them (Morales, 1999). It is unfortunate that due to ignorance, the majority of people have end up suffering due to the unprecedented attention that gets accrued to the issue of race and ethnicity. Most of the people fail in understanding that race and ethnicity happens to be nothing short of an external color and diversity within geographical location (Reynard, 2003). However, both Gordimer and Morales make it apparent that these distinctions lead to lots of separation, as well as heartache. These themes play a key role in educating the whole world on historical experience, while informing the public on what must be put to rest as a despondent and disapproving subject that is presently going on in the society (Morales, 1999). References: Coronado, M. (2003). Crossing Lines: Race and Mixed Race Across Geohistorical Divide. California : Rowman Altamira. Gordimer, N. (2011). Life Times: Stories 1952-2007. Pretoria: Bloomsbury Publishing. Kafka, P. (2000). "Saddling la Gringa": Gatekeeping in Literature by Contemporary Latina Writers. Ohio: Greenwood Publishing Group. Morales, A. L. (1999). Medicine Stories: History, Culture and the Politics of Integrity. Washington DC: South End Press. Reynard, K. (2003). Aslib Directory of Information Sources in the United Kingdom, Volume 1. New Jersey: Routledge. Retrieved from http://www.ashford.edu/student_services/library_services.htm Warner, C. D. (2008). A Library of the World's Best Literature - Ancient and Modern - Vol. X (Forty-Five Volumes); Colman-Dalin. Chicago: Cosimo, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.ashford.edu/student_services/library_services.htm Read More