To Pass or not to Pass?
In the story Passing by Nella Larsen, the protagonists are two light-skinned African American, Clare and Irene. Irene only passes occasionally and uses passing for security and stability; however Clare builds a new identity based on passing full time for a white person. Through out the story the narrative repeatedly focuses on Irene’s insecurity and her need in order to reconnect to her true identity. It shows the damages and the harms that permanent passing can cause. Part time passing has brought many opportunities for African Americans to seize. Their passing has been often limited by their physical appearance. Other than that, when to pass and the period of passing are two factors that they should take in consideration. …show more content…
Black people were often not allowed to get a high level education. According to “Racial Passing” by Randal Kennedy, Anna Hemmings was the first black women to graduate from Vassar College. During her time of attending at Vassar College, she passed as white until she had to reveal her true identity before her graduation. She was allowed to graduate, and this act took direct impact on Vassar College’s policies. They decided to accept African Americans and let them study at this college. “Anita Hemmings, whom Vassar College touts as its first black graduate. Born in Boston to a family that identified itself as “black,” Hemmings matriculated at Vassar in 1897… In the course of doing so he learned of their negritude and revealed Anita Hemmings’s secret … although, the college officials permitted her to graduate.” Not only her passing gave her the chance to graduate from a college, but also it resulted in the change of policies. She showed that Black people are just as talented and smart if not smarter and have the right to get high-level …show more content…
Black people were often looked at, as under qualified for most positions and never given the chance to prove themselves. Many passed as white in workplace but they identified themselves as an African American outside of the work environment. “One girl who passed to get work as a clerk in a Chicago loop department store thought she had lost her job when …’Well, Baby, it sure is good to see this store is finally hiring colored girls.’ … a good friend of the girl who was passing and the secret did not get out”(Kennedy 2). Jack is a light skinned African-American in “Passing” by Langston Hughes, who passes as a white in order to get a better job. He believes that passing got him this job and in his letter he writes: “But I don’t mind being white, Ma, and it was mighty generous of you to urge me to go ahead and make use of my light skin. It got me this job, Ma, where I still get $65 a week in spite of depression.” Of course they are just as good as any other race in contributing to a job and they should have the same chances to get a job they deserve; therefore it is ok to pass if possible in order to have a fair chance at getting the
In the story Passing by Nella Larsen, the protagonists are two light-skinned African American, Clare and Irene. Irene only passes occasionally and uses passing for security and stability; however Clare builds a new identity based on passing full time for a white person. Through out the story the narrative repeatedly focuses on Irene’s insecurity and her need in order to reconnect to her true identity. It shows the damages and the harms that permanent passing can cause. Part time passing has brought many opportunities for African Americans to seize. Their passing has been often limited by their physical appearance. Other than that, when to pass and the period of passing are two factors that they should take in consideration. …show more content…
Black people were often not allowed to get a high level education. According to “Racial Passing” by Randal Kennedy, Anna Hemmings was the first black women to graduate from Vassar College. During her time of attending at Vassar College, she passed as white until she had to reveal her true identity before her graduation. She was allowed to graduate, and this act took direct impact on Vassar College’s policies. They decided to accept African Americans and let them study at this college. “Anita Hemmings, whom Vassar College touts as its first black graduate. Born in Boston to a family that identified itself as “black,” Hemmings matriculated at Vassar in 1897… In the course of doing so he learned of their negritude and revealed Anita Hemmings’s secret … although, the college officials permitted her to graduate.” Not only her passing gave her the chance to graduate from a college, but also it resulted in the change of policies. She showed that Black people are just as talented and smart if not smarter and have the right to get high-level …show more content…
Black people were often looked at, as under qualified for most positions and never given the chance to prove themselves. Many passed as white in workplace but they identified themselves as an African American outside of the work environment. “One girl who passed to get work as a clerk in a Chicago loop department store thought she had lost her job when …’Well, Baby, it sure is good to see this store is finally hiring colored girls.’ … a good friend of the girl who was passing and the secret did not get out”(Kennedy 2). Jack is a light skinned African-American in “Passing” by Langston Hughes, who passes as a white in order to get a better job. He believes that passing got him this job and in his letter he writes: “But I don’t mind being white, Ma, and it was mighty generous of you to urge me to go ahead and make use of my light skin. It got me this job, Ma, where I still get $65 a week in spite of depression.” Of course they are just as good as any other race in contributing to a job and they should have the same chances to get a job they deserve; therefore it is ok to pass if possible in order to have a fair chance at getting the