February 10; "What are we talking about, here?": A Review of the Commentary of our Readings

The topics of the first month of our class have been layered and deep. There is A LOT to talk about, and in my best efforts to summarize the conversation of our selected authors, I would describe our overarching theme as be the internalization of guilt and shame amongst minorities.

The video we watched put this in profound perspective. Most people know the study. Sad, yes. But what really pounds the point home is the linear logic that follows this tragedy. "What doll is prettier?"

(White)

"Why not the other one?"

(It's black)

"Which one looks more like you?"

(Black)

That is a wretched stereotype that is disturbing to hear from an aggressor. But when heard coming from a victim, it's truly tragic.

Perhaps beauty is much like racism: learned. It's difficult for me to admit, but I had trouble understanding the function of campus groups like YBBW (Young Beautiful Black Women). I always have voiced support for such groups as support networks, but I was worried that they would isolate some members from the greater community. I never really understood what the need was to distinguish one as beautiful on the count of a racial status.

Shame on me.

Toni Morrison gives an earth-shattering look into the depths of the experience of someone walking in the shoes of a minority status. I have a better understanding now of why we have, why we need groups like Young Beautiful Black Women. Everybody deserves to feel beautiful. My favorite chapter from Morrison's book is the second sub-section of the Spring quarter. It's the one where she engages us in the experience of Pauline Breedlove, cleverly executed from an intermixed third and first-person narrative. It's both beautiful and heart-breaking. In the early parts we hear about how she relocated from the south. For the first time she experiences a new, foreign kind of prejudice. It's not that of being insulted for color, it's the prejudice of ignorance; of no acknowledgement; of self-hatred.

She talks about her stigmatization of wearing her hair naturally curly, not initially conforming to white standards. She watches it play out with the "beautiful" movie stars. She's tormented by the distorted realization that she is less than human. UGLY! And it's a stigma that her kids have learned at a young age. The best she can do is distract herself by working for those of who are made of beauty.

In conveying her experience, Pauline is referenced in the most powerful line in the entire book: "... - physical beauty. Probably the most destructive idea in the history of human thought."

It's a cold realization; that beauty must be seen as an exclusive trait, rather than that which can be celebrated by all. It's understood as another distribution for the haves and have-nots.

Jin, Pauline, Pechola, and minority children around the nation have to learn to grapple with something that the rest of us may never give a moment's thought to. It's sad. It's perceived. To many, it's reality.

---Apologies for the tardiness of this response. Heard that class was canceled and didn't check email until earlier today.