Black Like Me And Soul Sister Analysis

Experience is the only source of wisdom and understanding; without experience, it is simply postulated and hypothetical. While knowledge is possible without experience, one will never know how to accurately apply it without the understanding gained from experience. This was the thought process of John Howard Griffin and Grace Halsell as they both chose to role play a black individual. The new lives each lived taught invaluable lessons which they passed on in their books, Black Like Me and Soul Sister, in hopes of sharing their experience to those who would not perform such an experiment. Though the experiment was performed through deception about their skin color, the experiment exposed potent, basic truths of African Americans in a hegemonic white culture that prove to be invaluable towards moving to a place of reconciliation. Griffin, a specialist in race issues, realized that he …show more content…
The presence of his white skin kills “communication between us [African Americans], there was no longer the glance that said everything” (131). While Griffin understands what the African American community goes through, he cannot be included in it since he does not belong anymore. This was not due to anything he had done, but the color of his skin (132). Griffin feels ostracized from a community simply due to his skin – the exact feeling African Americans deal with on a daily basis though they are ostracized from a life of justice and decency. Griffin does wrestle with how to use his newly gained experience and knowledge and what he realizes is: “the great danger in the South comes precisely from the fact that the public is not informed” (148). Therefore, Griffin seeks to use his privilege to inform others because “if virtues do not equal powers, the powers will be misused” (149). He desires justice and equity and will use his power to move towards