The article, “Baltimore Uprising 2015: Parents Of Black Males
On Opposite Sides Of Town Fear Police Harassment, Violence Against Their
Children,” from the International Business Times discusses the emotions of
African American parents in the Baltimore area, following the recent riots
after the death of Freddie Gray. Two parents, and their families, are profiled and
share their thoughts on raising their children, and their feelings on the
future life of their children. The two families also talk about the fear of
their sons being targeted and racially profiled by police, simply because of
their race and attire. The article also mentions how one of the young men has
become active in his community, and taken part in organizing protests in the
area, as well.
I think this shows some connection to the themes in Beloved. This connects to Beloved as it relates to the community
solidarity seen at the end of Morrison’s novel. For one of the young men in the
article, and the many people involved in the protests and riots in Baltimore,
are banding together and showing solidarity, in order to voice concerns and
injustices, and improve the lives of African Americans. This is similar to Beloved, as the women in Sethe’s
community rallied together to save her from Beloved, and provide aid to Denver
when she ventured out of the house in desperate search of help. Earlier in the
novel, the community also rallies together to aid in the escape of Sethe and
her family, and Paul D and the prisoners work together to escape from their
confines, as well. As Paul D was quoted in the novel saying, “For one lost, all
lost” (Morrison, 130). For the slaves and the women in Cincinnati all worked
together to ensure the survival and safety of each member’s life, much like
people are continuing to do today, as they work to assemble protests, etc. to
bring safety and equality to their lives.
It’s a rather unfortunate connection, but I think this
article and contemporary times show similarities to the novel in terms of the relationships
and feelings the slaves had for their children. In the novel, while still
living in a racist and slavery confined society, Sethe felt as though she had
little power or control, especially over her children’s lives. Furthermore, because
of how dire and unfortunate the circumstances were, Sethe especially, feared
for her children and what may happen to them at the hands of the white men. Sethe’s
fear was most evident when the men from Sweet Home were coming to 124 to take
back Sethe and her children. Fearing a life of slavery for her children, once
again Sethe acted by,
“…snatching up her children like a
hawk on the wing; how her face beaked, how her hands worked like claws, how she
collected them every which way: one on her shoulder, one under her arm, one by
the hand, the other shouted forward into the woodshed filled with just sunlight
and shavings now because there wasn’t any wood.” (Morrison, 185).
I think this is similar to the article mentioned, and today’s
times, as many parents of minority races or ethnicities still fear for their
child’s future and everyday life, as inklings of racial inequality and
injustices still exist today. Recent events and the deaths of African American
men, like Freddie Gray, have really brought these issues to light. As one
mother in the above article, Tasha Stennett, noted that events like these,
“made me feel a little more wanting to hold the reins a little
tighter,”(Koplowitz, par. 5). Such quotes actions show the intense love and
fear of parents in both the novel and contemporary times.
Beloved further helps us understand and think about these issues as
it shows how our racial history in America has been difficult and unfortunate,
and how past perceptions, assumptions, and inequalities, continue to remain and
influence many in society today. Our nation’s past and history of slavery has
stemmed many, if not all, of these problems. For African Americans continue to
be subjected to inequalities and injustices in society, causing them to fear
and be cautious of whites with authority. The history of slavery and racism
that Beloved makes light of shows why African Americans still feel uneasy and
less trusting of whites in society, as stories of racism and mistreatment
continue to affect the next generations of children. Furthermore, I think
Morrison's novel shows that no matter how difficult or unfortunate these
stories and event can be, it's important that they are shared so we can not
only become more informed, but so can use these stories as a way to make
progress on these racial issues.
Citations:
Koplowitz, Howard. "Baltimore Uprising 2015: Parents Of Black Males On Opposite Sides Of Town
Fear Police Harassment, Violence Against Their Children." International Business Times. 30
Apr. 2015. Web. 4 May 2015.
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. New York: Knopf, 1987. Print.
You've made such strong connections here--particularly how communities gather together to seek better conditions or rally for social change, along with considering the struggles within a smaller unit like a family. If we think about all of Sethe's actions, from the heroic to the horrifying, as attempts to save her family and their freedom, that provides some important insight into the different reactions within the African American community in Baltimore and so many other cities in the US.
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