Love is a powerful bond that has different levels of intensity and strength. It can make the weakest person strong, and the strongest person weak. In a world where humans have categorizing themselves by their skin color, gender, sexual orientation, religion and wealth, love is the only force strong enough to fight off societal oppression. This is apparent in two pieces of literary works by authors who share the common factor of being a part of an oppressed minority. James Baldwin’s is a gay African American writer and activist. His novel If Beale Street Could Talk is packed with the use of flashbacks in order to tell the story of Tish and Fonny. A young African American couple who find themselves in turmoil when Fonny is wrongly charged for
…show more content…
Although Thom is fearful of his sexuality being revealed to his father, he does not hesitate when his father begins to lash out at the one person that makes him comfortable with his identity. His love for Ian overpowers his fears of coming out as well as his father preconceived idea of homosexuality. Even Ian was took by surprise at Thom’s actions being that Ian has always defended and protected Thom’s identity. Although times have changed and more people are accepting of the LGBT community, Mr. Wright symbolizes the part of society that follow the traditions of heteronormativity. As Thom’s father defends his viewpoints through his empty yelling, Ian and Thom symbolically come together and stand up to Mr. Wright holding hands in solidarity. Mr. Wright’s reaction to this unity is the icing on the cake in proving how love overpowers society 's negative views on minorities, as well as society’s oppressive nature towards the people that do not follow its norms. In contrast although Thom and Tish come from different minority groups, they both share a powerful love for their significant other that gives them the strength to put themselves in a vulnerable state in order to defend the ones they love from societal
Although Thom is fearful of his sexuality being revealed to his father, he does not hesitate when his father begins to lash out at the one person that makes him comfortable with his identity. His love for Ian overpowers his fears of coming out as well as his father preconceived idea of homosexuality. Even Ian was took by surprise at Thom’s actions being that Ian has always defended and protected Thom’s identity. Although times have changed and more people are accepting of the LGBT community, Mr. Wright symbolizes the part of society that follow the traditions of heteronormativity. As Thom’s father defends his viewpoints through his empty yelling, Ian and Thom symbolically come together and stand up to Mr. Wright holding hands in solidarity. Mr. Wright’s reaction to this unity is the icing on the cake in proving how love overpowers society 's negative views on minorities, as well as society’s oppressive nature towards the people that do not follow its norms. In contrast although Thom and Tish come from different minority groups, they both share a powerful love for their significant other that gives them the strength to put themselves in a vulnerable state in order to defend the ones they love from societal