In James Baldwin’s, Notes of a Native Son, Baldwin depicts a world, in his eyes, as a division between black and white. A perception of the “underprivileged” versus the “group of amazingly well-adjusted young men and women” (page 27) seems to be the on going comparison. The Aunt Jemimas’ and Uncle Toms’ of yester years are long gone, but the idealism and stereotypes are still engrained in our society minds of the black man. America has an underlining hidden racism for any ethnicities that doesn’t conform to the model of our ideal citizen. However, when we look back at our history, it’s a melting pot of groups who made this country. From the Irish, to the Vikings, to the Spanish and the natives who were here first. America is a country filled with cultures and differences in beliefs. So how is it that even now in 2010, we have racial discrimination and anti same sex marriage rallies?
A passage that really stuck out in my mind was on page 9 when Baldwin wrote: “ I think all theories are suspect, that the finest principles may have to be modified, or may even be pulverized by the demand of life, and that one must find, therefore, one’s own moral center……” A society might dictate what is acceptable and what is not, but I personally believe that is up the us as individuals to break through censorship and cookie cutter ideals. As artists, we have the opportunity to speak through our designs and create a world of less hate and more understanding of our differences regardless of race, gender or religious beliefs.
Ivy Bloemsma-Russell
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