From Color-Coded to Color-Blind In a world in which everything created is an equal masterpiece of G-d, discrimination ought not to exist. Therefore, the cruelty that the black nation endured throughout the slavery era leaves a tarnished reputation in the history of the United States. Although the 13th amendment abolished slavery in 1865, it did little in terminating the agony that African Americans suffered in this so called glorious country. As a result, in the early 1900s, many blacks put pen to paper to record the heinous suffering inflicted on them and to leave memoirs for the coming generations. Essays like, On Being Crazy by W. E. B. Du Bois, Graduation by Maya Angelou and Fifth Avenue, Uptown: A Letter from Harlem by James Baldwin, instill in readers a disgusted feeling of hostility towards their own people for this inhumane wickedness.
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However, as Baldwin acknowledges in his first quote, one who disparages another will disparage himself simultaneously. Interestingly, De Bois used the concept of this quote to allow white fellows to feel their self-debasement. To emphasize from his article, whenever reminded of the non-existence of social equality, he would respond, as if naively, that he is not looking for equality but for food, rest, or entertainment. On the other hand, Angelou despises Donleavy, the white graduation guest speaker, for his mocking words meant officially to boost their moral while accomplishing the mere opposite. Oblivious to Angelou, Donleavy's derogating speech left him with disdainful feelings towards himself, as noted in Angelou's memoir; "He never looked up to acknowledge the grunts of acceptance." The disgrace in which white Americans viewed the blacks lingers in the back of all minds to the present day and calls for constant
However, as Baldwin acknowledges in his first quote, one who disparages another will disparage himself simultaneously. Interestingly, De Bois used the concept of this quote to allow white fellows to feel their self-debasement. To emphasize from his article, whenever reminded of the non-existence of social equality, he would respond, as if naively, that he is not looking for equality but for food, rest, or entertainment. On the other hand, Angelou despises Donleavy, the white graduation guest speaker, for his mocking words meant officially to boost their moral while accomplishing the mere opposite. Oblivious to Angelou, Donleavy's derogating speech left him with disdainful feelings towards himself, as noted in Angelou's memoir; "He never looked up to acknowledge the grunts of acceptance." The disgrace in which white Americans viewed the blacks lingers in the back of all minds to the present day and calls for constant