The Prevalence Racism can Entail
Nicholas Conjelko
Sing, Unburied, Sing Blog Post
9-24-24
Racism is very prevalent in the lives of those who experience it. It can shape their experiences, the way they live their life, and their viewpoint on themselves and others. Those who do not experience racism on a daily basis have a hard time understanding this difference in lifestyles. Sing, Unburied, Sing does a great job at effectively pointing out how racism changes the lives of the main characters. In Jojo’s case, he faces racism when a cop pulls their family over in the midst of a family trip. Jojo is a little boy, his sole focus in life to protect Kayla- yet, the cop has no eyes for this. The officer sees the color of Jojo’s skin, and without having any empathy for the young boy the officer “reach[es] in his pocket” and “draws his gun on [Jojo], points it at his face” (page 102). A routine stop for a swerving of the car would lead to a ticket at most for a majority of white people, yet this black family has to live in fear every time they see those flashing red and blue lights. Jojo’s life was threatened, merely because of his skin color, for he had no role in the traffic stop. This stretches further into the life of Leonie. Although her actions are not always morally acceptable, she has to think about the racism she might face before she completes many actions in her life. In the main instance, Leonie is hesitant about taking drugs with her on their trip to pick up Michael- even though Misty is persistent in wanting to. Leonie has to take into account how differently she is treated from Misty, a white woman. Being a white woman, Misty is unable to comprehend the difference race can make on someone’s life. Many times, black people have to, unjustly, take into account the color of their skin before they set out to do things. Will it result in discrimination? Is it worth the effort? Will they get profiled? These are questions they may have to ask themselves. A movement against this must be made, for this story was set in a time very close in manner to current times, and problems such as those encountered in this book are still prevalent to this day. This is especially true for families similar in status to Jojo’s, a poor black family living in the South. Empathy must be taught, although a hard virtue to teach. Any solution to this problem would be complex and would take generations to fully see a change- yet any steps in the right direction is still considered a step.
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ReplyDeleteI fully agree that Sing, Unburied, Sing reveals how systemic racism influences every aspect of the characters’ lives, from their daily interactions to the societal pressures they face.
ReplyDeleteThe novel sheds light on the systemic strategies that have historically oppressed African Americans. The most notable symbol of this is Parchman Prison, where Pop’s memories of his time there reflect a modern-day form of slavery. His experiences show how institutions like Parchman are designed to keep Black individuals in fear and maintain control over their lives, “The dogs were set on me. I ran, but the pain from where the whip had cut into my back slowed me down” (Ward 47). This extends beyond a personal experience, reflecting part of a larger history of oppression that has shaped Black life in America.
The systematic targeting of Black communities through drug placement and mass incarceration is another form of subjugation that Sing, Unburied, Sing explores. Historically, the introduction of drugs into Black neighborhoods has been used to destabilize communities. Once people turn to drugs for escape, they are criminalized, further continuing the cycle of oppression. This reality gives greater depth to Leonie’s character and challenges, showing that her struggles are not purely personal but reflect a broader, unjust system. Her fear is not just personal anxiety but rooted in her understanding of how the world views and treats Black people. One powerful moment that encapsulates her fear is when she acknowledges the constant racial scrutiny she endures, “They look at me like I’m wrong, like I’m dirt. That’s how it is, and Misty don’t understand. She don’t understand what it is to be Black and woman and mother” (Ward 92). This quote highlights how systemic racism puts additional weight on her decisions and behavior. For example, Leonie’s hesitation to carry drugs during their journey is not just about the legality. It is about the genuine fear that, as a Black woman, the consequences for her would be far worse than for Misty.
Sing, Unburied, Sing shows how deeply embedded structures of racism are in the South, not just through overt violence or incarceration but also through the fears, choices, and limitations that Black individuals like Leonie must navigate. These fears are not imagined but are the product of a system designed to oppress and control. In the story, white people use fear as a tactic to control and scrutinize African Americans. This reflects a harsh reality that extends far beyond the novel’s fictional world and still occurs in America today.
Works Cited
Ward, Jesmyn. Sing, Unburied, Sing. Large Print Press, 2018.
“Give me a list of quotes that best align with the ideas of my blog post” prompt.
Chat GPT, Version 4o, Open AI, (24, September. 2024)
Excellent Blog Post with great use of examples!
ReplyDeleteSet in the rural South, the novel Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward portrays how systemic racism affects people's daily experiences and forces them to live in a world where being Black is seen as a threat.
One such moment that highlighted racism and stood out for me in the novel was when Pops was telling the real story of what happened to Richie, a young black boy imprisoned at Parchment, where she encountered the brutal realities of systemic racism. "I could see it on them: the way every damn one of them seemed to lean forward, eager as hounds to the hunt. And the laughing." (Ward 163)
Richie's crime was minor, but his punishment was disproportionate due to his race.
Blue, another figure from Jojo's journey to the spirit world, also represents the horrors of racial violence. He was also part of Pop's story. He, too, faced a punishment he did not deserve. "One of the trusties told me later they was cutting pieces of him off. Fingers. Toes. Ears. Nose. And then they started skinning him." (Ward 164)
Through Richie's and Blue's stories, Ward reminds us that the weight of racial violence cannot be easily lifted or forgotten. Instead, it continues to linger, shaping the experiences of Black people across generations.
Works Cited
Ward, Jesmyn. Sing, Unburied, Sing. Large Print Press, 2018.
"main incidents of racism in Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward". Chat GPT, Version 4o, Open AI, 24 Sept. 2024.