In the beginning of the “Shame” essay, Perry illustrates how we as African Americans, through socialization are prepared to face the horrible world ahead, because of the color of our skin (Perry, Melissa H. Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 101-102). With that said, we are not all taught to feel sorry for ourselves, but in turn grow pride in our race. This is done through news of success stories of notable African Americans. Thus, giving us hope for the future and assures us that our race or culture is not ignorant or inferior compared to any dominant race. We have the potential to do something of substance with our lives. What about those who allow self-loathing and where does it come from? Throughout this essay, I will analyze two characters
…show more content…
Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 104). This may explain why the character Pecola Breedlove displays these actions, which is the result of shame and happens during the entire book. In the text, Harris mentions how shame affects our lives globally and socially. She also states that we feel the need to please a certain audience, whether they are real or in a sense imaginary. We learn self-identity through those around us, whether it is family, peers or a romantic relationship. (Perry, Melissa H. Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 104-105). Pecola’s parents and peers played a huge part in developing her sense of self. She was frequently taunted at school from other classmates because of the way she looked. Her hair was too nappy, her skin was too dark and she was not the ideal look of “beauty”. Her mother even calls her ugly because of her darker complexion, but she feels this way about herself and Pecola is a reflection of her. What is more disturbing, the children her mother works for are shown more affection than …show more content…
From being abandoned as a child, he never got that sense of family. He had no father figure so he was not taught how to be a man. Although his Aunt Jimmy raised him with love, after she dies he makes the decision to go after what is missing in life, his father. Fathers are essential in regards to teaching a boy how to be a man. I am not saying that a single woman cannot raise her son up to be a wise gentleman, but it is quite difficult to guide a young man into manhood when you have not faced it yourself. “What is experienced often over many years of shame, has far more dramatic consequences” (Perry, Melissa H. Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 106). As he grew up, he became a drunk and very abusive to women, especially his wife. Conversely, there was one incident that changed his life forever. As he was having his first sexual adventure, he was caught by two white men and encouraged to continue his sexual act as if he was performing a show. Instead of growing hate towards the white men, he grows hate towards the young girl he was having sex with. He is aware of the dominance of the white race. From this he takes his anger out on every woman in his life, but he targets the powerless, black women. He is aware that we are inferior to men and inferior to the white race. We are a double minority, which puts us at the bottom of the totem pole. Accordingly, when he is reminded of this his sense of self is
Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 104). This may explain why the character Pecola Breedlove displays these actions, which is the result of shame and happens during the entire book. In the text, Harris mentions how shame affects our lives globally and socially. She also states that we feel the need to please a certain audience, whether they are real or in a sense imaginary. We learn self-identity through those around us, whether it is family, peers or a romantic relationship. (Perry, Melissa H. Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 104-105). Pecola’s parents and peers played a huge part in developing her sense of self. She was frequently taunted at school from other classmates because of the way she looked. Her hair was too nappy, her skin was too dark and she was not the ideal look of “beauty”. Her mother even calls her ugly because of her darker complexion, but she feels this way about herself and Pecola is a reflection of her. What is more disturbing, the children her mother works for are shown more affection than …show more content…
From being abandoned as a child, he never got that sense of family. He had no father figure so he was not taught how to be a man. Although his Aunt Jimmy raised him with love, after she dies he makes the decision to go after what is missing in life, his father. Fathers are essential in regards to teaching a boy how to be a man. I am not saying that a single woman cannot raise her son up to be a wise gentleman, but it is quite difficult to guide a young man into manhood when you have not faced it yourself. “What is experienced often over many years of shame, has far more dramatic consequences” (Perry, Melissa H. Sister Citizen “Shame” (2011) 106). As he grew up, he became a drunk and very abusive to women, especially his wife. Conversely, there was one incident that changed his life forever. As he was having his first sexual adventure, he was caught by two white men and encouraged to continue his sexual act as if he was performing a show. Instead of growing hate towards the white men, he grows hate towards the young girl he was having sex with. He is aware of the dominance of the white race. From this he takes his anger out on every woman in his life, but he targets the powerless, black women. He is aware that we are inferior to men and inferior to the white race. We are a double minority, which puts us at the bottom of the totem pole. Accordingly, when he is reminded of this his sense of self is