In modern literature the constant struggle of racism is frequently portrayed and the reader can be encouraged by those who stand up for themselves. The theme I have chosen to analyse is ‘how racism motivates people to not give up.’ Texts that show this theme are Caught in the Crossfire by Alan Gibbons, 12 Years a Slave the autobiography by Solomon Northup, the film, Nelson Mandela: Walk to Freedom directed by Justin Chadwick and the poem The Negro Mother written by Langston Hughes.
The novel Caught in the Crossfire is set after the 9/11 tragedy. British whites in Oakfield were persuaded that it was time to get back their rights from the Muslims. The Patriotic League was made up of leaders John Creed and Colin Stone. They returned to Oakfield, …show more content…
In 1948 when the Apartheid Regime is put in place in South Africa and the blacks were left facing many discriminatory accusations. The apartheid regime like the Patriotic League was in favour of separating the races. Although to a different extent, blacks in one town whites in another, the whites lived a superior life over the blacks. Nelson like Tahir was unable to stand back and be pushed around by the superior race. As Nelson joins the A.N.C (African National Congress) peaceful protests are set up. After the Police kill and injure hundreds of indigenous Africans in the Sharpeville massacre, like the citizens of Oakfield, the A.N.C turns to violence. The violent ways land the leaders of the A.N.C to life in prison. Even while being imprisoned Mandela’s determination of becoming level with the white race does not leave. This idea is portrayed when he says “I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities and I dare not linger for my walk has not yet ended” he says this in the context that he will be free. Mandela would not stand for the way him and the other blacks got treated in prison, he vouched for things to be changed in order to get equality. His Wife and Daughter along with himself helping with his release from prison.Being released allowed Mandela to stand up for himself and the rest of the Blacks living in South Africa. After Mandela’s …show more content…
We see this in the poem when it says “I am the one who laboured as a slave, beaten and mistreated for the work that I gave - children sold away from me, my husband sold too. No safety, no love, no respect was I due.” Through this we are able to see that The Negro Mother lived through many horrific experiences many of us could never imagine. She has to stand up for herself and other black people to give them freedom. This is illustrated when it says “I had to keep on. No stopping for me - I was the seed of the coming free.” The idea of racism motivating people to not give up is again reinforced in the end of the poem, it says “Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers, Impel you forever up the great stairs - For i will be with you till no white brother dares keep down the children of The Negro Mother.” From this poem Langston Hughes wants us to understand that even in the darkest of times, we are able to stand up and fight for our right to live a normal life. We are able to learn that even during such a devastating some black people overcame even the worst racism, because they did not give up.
The novel Caught in the Crossfire is set after the 9/11 tragedy. British whites in Oakfield were persuaded that it was time to get back their rights from the Muslims. The Patriotic League was made up of leaders John Creed and Colin Stone. They returned to Oakfield, …show more content…
In 1948 when the Apartheid Regime is put in place in South Africa and the blacks were left facing many discriminatory accusations. The apartheid regime like the Patriotic League was in favour of separating the races. Although to a different extent, blacks in one town whites in another, the whites lived a superior life over the blacks. Nelson like Tahir was unable to stand back and be pushed around by the superior race. As Nelson joins the A.N.C (African National Congress) peaceful protests are set up. After the Police kill and injure hundreds of indigenous Africans in the Sharpeville massacre, like the citizens of Oakfield, the A.N.C turns to violence. The violent ways land the leaders of the A.N.C to life in prison. Even while being imprisoned Mandela’s determination of becoming level with the white race does not leave. This idea is portrayed when he says “I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities and I dare not linger for my walk has not yet ended” he says this in the context that he will be free. Mandela would not stand for the way him and the other blacks got treated in prison, he vouched for things to be changed in order to get equality. His Wife and Daughter along with himself helping with his release from prison.Being released allowed Mandela to stand up for himself and the rest of the Blacks living in South Africa. After Mandela’s …show more content…
We see this in the poem when it says “I am the one who laboured as a slave, beaten and mistreated for the work that I gave - children sold away from me, my husband sold too. No safety, no love, no respect was I due.” Through this we are able to see that The Negro Mother lived through many horrific experiences many of us could never imagine. She has to stand up for herself and other black people to give them freedom. This is illustrated when it says “I had to keep on. No stopping for me - I was the seed of the coming free.” The idea of racism motivating people to not give up is again reinforced in the end of the poem, it says “Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers, Impel you forever up the great stairs - For i will be with you till no white brother dares keep down the children of The Negro Mother.” From this poem Langston Hughes wants us to understand that even in the darkest of times, we are able to stand up and fight for our right to live a normal life. We are able to learn that even during such a devastating some black people overcame even the worst racism, because they did not give up.