Toni Morrison “Beloved” drops the reader into an oppressed racist society in which is unescapable. Ultimately Toni Morrison portrays the message that individual physical and mental acts of racism help shape and oppressed the enslaved African Americans during this time. Humann’s article interprets most of Toni Morrison's work but focuses on the impact and relationships between the high and lower social classes.
One of the claims that Humann raises in the article, is there such thing as a non-racist during the time Period that Beloved ? Humann believes that throughout the novel Morrison uses “stereotypical depictions to complicate her work as well as to communicate varied types of racism.” At first I disagreed with this statement because in the novel we see many, many cruel acts towards the slaves be we also witness many of the white folks or plantation owners like Janey offering Denver a job or a house given to Baby suggs. To me these acts of kindness to lead me to believe that there are non-racist folks during this time Period. Later in Beloved Janey is speaking with Denver about a new job that she is offering her in order to help her out, as the reader begins to think that they are “good white folks” through Denver’s eyes we see an object that belongs to the “good white folks, “black boy’s mouth full of money...His hair was a cluster of raised...He was on his knees...Painted across the pedestal he knelt on were the words ‘At Yo Service” (Morrison 300). Morrison uses this stereotypical depiction of the statute in order to convey the message that there is “varied types of racism.” Morrison uses the phrase varied types of racism because she believes that its not only your verbal or physical actions that make you a racist but you could also be racist even if unintended. I believe that because many of the white folks during this time period were exposed to such a racist society it was almost impossible for many of them to not be racist. Because of Morrison's use of stereotypical depictions Humann believes that it created a hegemonic society in which the white people are are in charge because of their social class and the racist society that surrounds them. After reading the article I fully agree with Humann’s perspective on Morrison's take on the various racisms that are are portrayed in the book.
Sethe being a slave was considered the lowest class possible, she and many other enslaved africans during this time were even compared as being the same level as animals. Sethe and many other slaves were unable to escape the horrible truth of a racist society, “No, no. That’s not the way. I told you to put her human characteristics on the left; her animal ones on the right” (Morrison 223). Sethe was overhearing the school teacher which is considered upper class alongside the rich white plantation owners explaining to his nephews how to separate Sethe and the other slaves. The extremely racist teacher was telling kids how slaves and animals are similar. From a young age kids are being taught their place in the extremely racist society. Sethe and other slaves at sweet home are given the same traits and social class ass animal. Humann explains in the article that in Morrison novel, individual acts of racism reinforce social codes that maintain African American’s subservient position. I agree with Humann’s statement because many of the acts of racism take a toll on the minds of the enslaved lower class and also corrupt the minds of the high social class. Acts like the school teachers remind slaves like Sethe where they belong and although they might not agree with them their heads are all banged up from all the dramatic experiences that they’ve been through that they are scared and confused. Acts of racism throughout the book Beloved does maintain a subservient position for the enslaved African Americans and also helps maintain a racist society.
The Video below discuses the racist actions that many african americans face in todays society. Many believe that racism doesn't exist but after watching this video I believe that racism has just taken a new form.
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