White Washing and Racist Power

Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved is a story of hardship, regret, evil, and motherhood that is compelling and reveals the issues caused by slavery. Morrison’s message is based on the evils of slavery and its effect on society as well as the individuals who are victim to it. In order to uncover the deeper meaning behind Beloved, I unveil the issues behind slavery itself, its origins, and the meaning behind it in Beloved. In a published analytical article trying to uncover the same issue, Heather Duerre Humann analyzes Beloved and the issues of racism within the novel. In the article, “Bigotry, Breast Milk, Bric-a-Brac, a Baby, and a Bit in Beloved: Toni Morrison’s Portrayal of Racism and Hegemony.” Humann analyzes Beloved through a perspective similar to that of the Marxist lens. The article discusses, and focuses on, the issues of cultural and societal hegemony that originate from racism.  Through both of these texts, the overarching concept is revealed that racism defines social structure and that power is fed to those who hold higher social status.

How race and power developed: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-background-02-09.htm

Humman discusses these issues of racism and social power through her analysis of Toni Morrisons novel and discusses how racism contributes to societal hegemony. Societal hegemony is the belief in a society where one type of people, in the book being race, being “superior” to another and is the dominant race in society. Humann focuses her work on her analysis of the novel on this concept as she states that racism was the main cause for societal hegemony during the time of slavery. This notion is echoed throughout her article to a close to repetitive point in order to convey to the reader how strongly this concept was present in the book. When Humann began to analyze Morrison’s text, Humann states, when discussing a the novel’s use of the word “them” as a descriptor, she states, “She could mean "white people" as the "them," but she could also (or alternatively) mean racists. Although various white people have markedly different interactions with Sethe and although they further individualized agendas, all contribute to the foundation of a cultural hegemony.” When Humann analyzes the word “them” (while describing Sethe’s experiences with white characters), she enforces the notion that the theme is, in fact, that slavery and racism play an instrumental role in determining cultural hegemonies in the novel. Morrison reveals the presence of societal power in multiple instances, most of which are stated clearly for the reader to interpret. In the novel, the dominance of the white race is clearly seen in the memories of Sethe’s Sweet Home, which was a plantation. In one instance, Mr. Garner, a white slave owner, states that "Y'all got boys," he told them. "Young boys, old boys, picky boys, stroppin boys. Now at Sweet Home, my niggers is men every one of em. Bought em thataway, raised em thataway. Men every one.”

“Beg to differ, Garner. Ain't no nigger men" (1.14).

Hegemony Definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hegemony

Modern day examples of cultural hegemony

This quote from the novel reveals the true extent of society’s beliefs and deep rooted racial power in both the novel and the time period of slavery. When the other white slavers respond to Mr. Garner’s “radical” beliefs in what a slave should be called in society, a clear racial line in the society is conveyed to the reader. The word “boy” is derogatory when a man is being called one as the connotations of “boy” are negative when referring to an adult because people associate the word boy with a person who is small, feeble, and reliant on others. When Morrison reveals that, even when one person in power (that power given to Mr. Garner solely on his race) attempts to against a societal norm, society’s view of the world cannot be wavered. The idea that African Americans are below whites in society is solely based on race, showing a distinct connection between race and power in society. When Humann talks about similar instances of racism as this quote, she describes the power given to the whites as a result of white dominance due to “societal hegemony.” The notion that power is given to one race in this novel is well-founded, as the response to Mr. Garner by the other white slavers is both a response from the other slavers, but represents a response from society. When closely reading the novel, almost all parts of society in the novel are dictated and run by whites. This is important when looking at society’s view of slavery because whites are proponents for slavery and white control over African Americans due to the fact that race strictly dictates power in the society. Simply stated, the world in which Morrison described is, indeed, run on societal hegemony as Humann described but more specifically, is run on the fact that racism defines social structure and that power is fed to those who hold higher social status. In this case, Morrison describes the higher social class as whites, so the entire social structure is built on the idea of racism and power in society is fed to whites.  

Slaves being kept down in the bowels of the ship while the whites stand above them

Humann focused on the idea that racism defines societal power in her own article, which cites an analytical professor of Beloved, Bouson, who states “that Morrison examines the white supremacist ideology.” Through this citation from a different article within Humann’s article, Humann returns to the parts of the theme which persists throughout the entirety of the article as she interprets Morrison’s writing in Beloved as focused on racial profilings in society as well as Morrison’s apparent views on African-Americans in society both in the time period of slavery and in the modern-day. Humann uncovers the fact that Beloved was not only written as a message to its readers about the cultural hegemonies behind slavery and racism, but also about how those beliefs transfers into the modern day. In an interview with Morrison, stated in Humann’s article, Morrison proclaims that, “We've had to distinguish among [whites] because our lives depended on it. I'm always annoyed about why black people have to bear the brunt of everybody else's contempt. If we are not totally understanding and smiling, suddenly we're demons.” Humann articulates that Morrison is frustrated with the lack of knowledge on both “sides” of society. Humann continually analysis Morrison’s views as having a strict and pronounced “them and us” when Morrison discusses the issue of racism and slavery. This is abundantly apparent both in Morrison’s interview and in her works such as Beloved. Morrison aggressively writes about slavery with a strong social hegemony associated with it. She writes about Sethe’s struggle and abuse by white people and about the various owners of the Sweet Home, all of which contribute to the ever-evolving theme about cultural and societal hegemony, that whites are dominant and higher than blacks in terms of social class as a result of racism.

Through both the article and Beloved itself, the theme clearly revealed. The main point that Toni Morrison attempts to convey to the reader is that racism defines societal power and who is in control of society, creating a world in which people are discriminated and fearful. A society that contains social structure to the point of cultural and societal hegemony leads to only negatives for the class who is not dominant. Both Humann and Morrison state this in a similar way. Morrison uses Sethe as a prime example of a person who is part of a society in which racist ideology and racial power is present and proves that racial power is part of the dominant group in the society. Through Sethe, Morrison reveals the tragedies of a society containing cultural hegemony as well as describing the evils of slavery, which is a society in which cultural hegemony is present. Humann reveals a similar theme in her article by using Morrison as her messenger instead of a character like Sethe. By using Morrison as her example, Humann concludes that cultural hegemonies are often a result of racism by analyzing Beloved and Morrison’s own views and beliefs on slavery. I came to the conclusion that racism is, in fact, a major cause for social development as well as social power and that Beloved’s main message to the reader is that racism defines social structure and that power is fed to those who hold higher social status, forming a world in which the reader may describe as “evil.” There is a constant reference to evil in the novel, all of which are tied back to slavery. Slavery, however, is not the core cause. The core cause for this evil, behind the issue of slavery, is racial power and cultural hegemonies. I believe that this was the message that Morrison wished to convey to the reader and is the message referenced in Humann’s analysis of the text.

Video describing modern day Influences of racist power and “white washing”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYM1o8QIk6c

There are no derogatory terms here, we're all equally as useless

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTcSVQJ2h8g

A Collaboration Between Literary Experts and Myself - Nathaniel Moreing

Text: Beloved by Toni Morrison

Critical Lens: Marxist Lens

Beloved is a 1987 novel by Toni Morrison about the African-American society post-slavery and how this history stained the minds of U.S. society. Throughout the story, the reader is shown violent and disturbing flashbacks of former slaves who lived on a plantation in the South and all the humiliation and dehumanizing they experienced while living there. At the end of the book surfaces the realization that joining together helps both make the past much more bearable and the present and future more promising. Through Toni Morrison’s portrayal of community both as a bystander and as an indestructible ally, it is conveyed that social classes which succumb to hegemonic beliefs are destined to remain powerless in the face of oppression; however, once the population of these classes decides to act in unison and self dependence, they may be freed from their shackles, both metaphorically and literally.

The main plot point which I am analyzing first is when Sethe tries taking the lives of her children and successfully kills her youngest daughter when her former master visits to take her and her children back to Sweet Home (179). While the chaos ensues, many of the black community gather in front of the home to watch. After this event, the community begins to avoid any interaction with the family of 124 and many start to compare Sethe to a ferocious animal rather than both a fellow member of the community and a former slave. This represents the effects of stereotyping and dehumanizing by the whites on African-Americans through the spreading of similarly unrealistic and unfair beliefs about their own community. By believing in the same hegemonic perception of the white man, the community surrounding Bluestone Road is allowing and enforcing the oppressive treatment they have received all their lives. In support of my thesis, Heather Humann wrote similarly about how Morrison depicts racism in her article, “Bigotry, Breast Milk, Bric-a-Brac, a Baby, and a Bit in Beloved: Toni Morrison’s portrayal of Racism and Hegemony”: “In Beloved, Toni Morrison shows the effects of racism on its victims and its perpetrators by mapping out individualized types of racism, complicating them, and then showing how they collaborate (sometimes unwittingly) to create a cultural hegemony.” Though this statement’s use of “collaborate” is to describe the unity of racist ideologies to “create a cultural hegemony,” I processed this collaboration as a joint effort between both parties in the conflict. In this passage, the article is highlighting the fact that, while in reality there are no limitations on African-American which prove whites to be superior, different forms of racism such as dehumanization and physical abuse come together to cripple black communities into a state of diminishing self-worth, further empowering racism, resulting in a vicious cycle.

Recent generations in America, having lived with mixed races and ethnicities, understand that, while the existence of racism is still clearly evident, the past ideology of white supremacy has been struck down to a handful of hate groups with low social popularity. This means that there must have been some sort of societal change which shifted in favor of the African-American community. Did this change come from some sort of intellectual enlightenment in white culture, or through the pain and endurance of the black community in U.S.? Toni Morrison argues the latter, which she portrays through the community’s gathering and march upon 124 to confront Beloved, which many, including myself, believe symbolizes the tragedies and history of slavery, near the end of book (309). This community gathering, which results in the disappearance of Beloved from Cincinnati, conveys the theme that through the unison of a social class, entire class systems can be removed from society without any need for violent reinforcement.

Cultural Hegemony In Beloved

Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved is a story of hardship, regret, evil, and motherhood that is compelling and reveals the issues caused by slavery. Morrison’s message is based on the evils of slavery and its effect on society as well as the individuals who are victim to it. In order to uncover the deeper meaning behind Beloved, I unveil the issues behind slavery itself, its origins, and the meaning behind it in Beloved. In a published analytical article trying to uncover the same issue, Heather Duerre Humann analyzes Beloved and the issues of racism within the novel. In the article, “Bigotry, Breast Milk, Bric-a-Brac, a Baby, and a Bit in Beloved: Toni Morrison’s Portrayal of Racism and Hegemony.” Humann analyzes Beloved through a perspective similar to that of the Marxist lens. The article discusses, and focuses on, the issues of cultural and societal hegemony that originates from racism.

Examples of hegemony in modern day society

Humann reveals that racism is a form of cultural hegemony in the novel connecting the ideology of racism to cultural hegemony in her analysis of a quote from the novel: “She could mean "white people" as the "them," but she could also (or alternatively) mean racists. Although various white people have markedly different interactions with Sethe and although they further individualized agendas, all contribute to the foundation of a cultural hegemony.” When Humann analyzes this quote (describing Sethe’s experiences with white characters), she enforces the notion that the theme is, in fact, that slavery and racism plays an instrumental role in determining cultural hegemonies in the novel. Morrison reveals the presence of cultural hegemonies in multiple instances, most of which are stated clearly for the reader to interpret. In the novel, the dominance of the white race is clearly seen in the memories of Sethe’s Sweet Home, which was a plantation. In one instance, Mr. Garner, a white slave owner, proclaims his view of his slaves with a surprising response from one of them:

"Y'all got boys...Young boys, old boys, picky boys, stroppin boys. Now at Sweet Home, my niggers is men every one of em. Bought em thataway, raised em thataway. Men every one.”

"Beg to differ, Garner. Ain't no nigger men" (1.14).

Slaves being forced into the bowels of the ship as the slavers stand above them on the deck

This statement from a slave owner, stating that the slaves are men, not boys, is a statement that goes against the societal norms of the time period and betrays the ideology of cultural hegemony. This excerpt, however, only further increases the power in which slavers and white racists have instilled into the slaves. One of the slaves even responds to Mr. Garner with “Beg to differ, Garner. Ain’t no nigger men.” This shocking statement from a slave who is, for once, being treated slightly more humanely (although this still does not come close to actual humanity) as the slave does not accept that he is being lifted to a higher social status via title. Instead of being called the derogatory name of “boy,” Mr. Garner speaks to his slaves as they were closer to his social status by titling them “men.” The slave denies this title as the ideology of social hegemony has been so ingrained in the life of the slaves that they cannot see a life of equality. This is significant as it reveals the prevalent theme in the novel that racism plays an instrumental role in the creation of cultural hegemonies and that there can be no humane society where people are equal as long as cultural hegemonies are still present in society. Humann focused on the idea that racism creates cultural hegemonies in her own article, which sites an analytical professor of Beloved, Bouson, who states “that Morrison examines the white supremacist ideology.” Through this citation from a different article within Humann’s article, Humann returns to the parts of the theme which persists throughout the entirety of the article as she interprets Morrison’s writing in Beloved as focused on racial profilings in society as well as Morrison’s apparent views on African-Americans in society both in the time period of slavery and in the modern-day. Humann uncovers the fact that Beloved was not only written as a message to its readers about the cultural hegemonies behind slavery and racism, but also about how those beliefs transfers into the modern day. In an interview with Morrison, stated in Humann’s article, Morrison proclaims that, “We've had to distinguish among [whites] because our lives depended on it. I'm always annoyed about why black people have to bear the brunt of everybody else's contempt. If we are not totally understanding and smiling, suddenly we're demons.” Humann articulates that Morrison is frustrated with the lack of knowledge on both “sides” of society. Humann continually analysis Morrison’s views as having a strict and pronounced “them and us” when Morrison discusses the issue of racism and slavery. This is abundantly apparent both in Morrison’s interview and in her works such as Beloved. Morrison aggressively writes about slavery with a strong social hegemony associated with it. She writes about Sethe’s struggle and abuse by white people and about the various owners of the Sweet Home, all of which contribute to the ever-evolving theme about cultural and societal hegemony, that whites are dominant and higher than blacks in terms of social class as a result of racism.

Through both the article and Beloved itself, the theme clearly revealed. The main point that Toni Morrison attempts to convey to the reader is that racism creates a society in which cultural and societal hegemony is created, a society in which people are discriminated and fearful. A society that contains social structure to the point of cultural and societal hegemony leads to only negatives for the class who is not dominant. Both Humann and Morrison state this in a similar way. Morrison uses Sethe as a prime example of a person who is part of a society in which cultural hegemony is present and is part of the non-dominant group in the society. Through Sethe, Morrison reveals the tragedies of a society containing cultural hegemony as well as describing the evils of slavery, which is a society in which cultural hegemony is present. Humann reveals a similar theme in her article by using Morrison as her messenger instead of a character like Sethe. By using Morrison as her example, Humann concludes that cultural hegemonies are often a result of racism by analyzing Beloved and Morrison’s own views and beliefs on slavery. I came to the conclusion that racism is, in fact, a major cause for cultural hegemony and that Beloved’s main message to the reader is that racism leads to cultural hegemonies and that cultural hegemonies, in their own right, are evil. There is a constant reference to evil in the novel, all of which are tied back to slavery. Slavery, however, is not the core cause. The core cause for this evil, behind the issue of slavery, is cultural hegemonies. I believe that this was the message that Morrison wished to convey to the reader and is the message referenced in Humann’s analysis of the text.