African Americans: The Rebellion Of Colonized People
Introduction
African American is a minority group which lives in America. They experienced discrimination, and other prejudice mostly by white people. The most pathetic discrimination happened by black men. In the past, People considered them as unknown people because black men were lack of identities. It did not matter if they are slaves or freeman, fathers or children, religious or not. The discriminations were happened in public places, medical facilities, education and other community services. Seats for blacks, schools for blacks which lack of fund, and sometimes unfair treatment also received by African American people from White. However, The African American oppression was ended a long time ago by the emerging of civil rights movement. …show more content…
Nevertheless, the racial oppression toward African American is still happening but not as much as in the past. There are a lot of American literatures which describes about racism issues, African American issues, or other oppression. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” is one of the best-selling novel which is telling us about racism issues in civil rights movement era. The story is about a life of an African American girl who experienced discrimination and oppression. She lived with her Mama, Big Ma (grandmother) and her brothers (Stacey, Christopher-John, and Little Man). They lived in Mississippi where most of the residents are blacks. In this occasion, I would like to show how racism issues are depicted in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” and explain about social oppression which is happened in that era.
Statement of Purpose
In this paper, I would like to use Post-colonialism approach to explain about racism issues in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”. Post-colonialism is a children literature approach which is digging literary works by using history, stereotype also oppression which is happened or contained in it. The purpose of this paper is to explain the racial oppression that is experienced by the characters in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”. By using post colonialism approach, I found many unfair treatment, discrimination, and oppression which are done by colonizer. According to this book, “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” most of the story and the theme is reference to racism issues and rebellion of colonized people in America. Focus of The Paper is mostly about racism issues. However, I will explain about three aspects such as; discrimination and racial oppression, White domination, and The rebellion of colonized people.
Discussion
Discrimination and Racial Oppression
In the first chapter of this book, mostly describes about characters and main roles of each persons. Setting of the place is also shown in the first chapter. Logan family lived in Mississippi where most of the people are African Americans. Since this book is categorized as children literature, the roles and character is shown in the beginning to make the reader especially children easy to read.
In the first chapter, it can be shown the unfair treatment which is happened in their school named “The Great Faith Elementary and Secondary School”. The school is the largest black schools in the county. In this chapter, the racism issue is begun. One day, their school got new books from county. The students feel happy because mostly black schools on that era need more fund and charity. That is why those books are very precious for them. However, the main point is when Little Man (Casey’s brother) who got opportunity to have book, refuse it because the book is dirty and cannot be read clearly.
“ I-I said may I have another book please ma’am?” He squeaked.”That one’s dirty”
“Dirty!” Miss Crocker echoed, appalled by such temerity…”Dirty! And just who do you think you are, Clayton Chester?”
Miss Crocker who was on that day got angry because Little Man did not respect about the book. Little Man strongly rejected the book then Miss Crocker already set up the whipping chair. However, Casey curious why her little brother did not want the book? Right away she opened the last page of the book and found out that the book was a second-hand from White man and the book was in the very poor condition. It was not only about that but also they called them niggra in the column of race of the students. That was a dejected feeling from Little man with unfair treatment from Whites who called them niggra and gave them unproper books.
“No’m,” I Said hastily.” I just wanna tell you how come Little Man done what he done.”
Holding the book up to her, I said “ See, Miz Crocker, see what it says. The give us these ole books when they didn’t want’em no more”
The unfair treatment or discrimination towards African American people also can be seen when the White school “Jefferson Davis School” has a school bus while their school does not have any so they have to walk from their home to the school. When the school bus driver intentionally splashed mudpuddle into The Logans was one of oppression which done by White.
Knowing that the bus driver liked to entertain his passengers by sending us slipping along the road to the almost inaccessible forest banks washed to a smooth baldness by the constant rains, we continuously looked over our shoulders when we were between the two crossroads so that we could reach the bank before the bus was upon us…
African American people are always being a joke by White man. It is one of the racial oppression from White man. It can be seen when Christopher-John went to Wallace store.
As we turned away from the entrance, Melvin Simms said, “Just look at all the little niggers come to dance,” and the laughter of the men filled the room.
According to this book, we can notice that this book is from colonization era because when Big Mama and The Logan managed their plantation cotton. As we know that on colonialism era, most of blacks work as a farmer in plantation.
“Casey, you better watch yourself, girl” Big Ma cautioned, putting one rough, large hand against my back to make sure I didn’t fall.
I looked down at my grandmother from midway up one of the wooden poles Papa had set out to mark the length of the cotton field.
Since African Americans were minority group which were colonized by White, we can find unfair and unrespectful treatment from this book where Mr. Morrison gave explanation to Casey about how White people behavior and attitude are depicted by The Wallace.
“ But that store ain’t the place to be doing it. From what I hear, folks like them Wallaces got no respect at all for colored folks and they just think it’s funny when we fight each other. Your mama knowed them Wallacees ain’t good folks, that’s why she don’t want y’all down there and y’all owe it to her andy’allselves to tell her. But im gonna leave it up to y’all to decide,”
Another vicious oppression which done by White is when The Logan went to Mr. Berry’s house. Mama told them about the burning chronology of Mr. Berry which was done by Wallace.
After we were on the main road again, having ridden in thoughtful silence over the wooded trail, mama said quietly,” The Wallaces did that, children. They poured kerosene over Mr. Berry and his nephews and lit them afire. One of the nephews died, the other one is just like Mr. Berry.” She allowed this information to penetrate the silence, then went on. “everyone knows they did it and the Wallaces even laugh about it, but nothing was ever done. They’re bad people, the Wallaces. That’s why I don’t want you to ever go to their store again-for any reason. You understand?”
Colonizer Domination in “Roll of Thunder”
There must be domination in colonialism. Mostly the domination itself is done by colonizer. According to this book “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” the domination of White people is happened when The Logans and Big Mama went to Strawberry town to sell.
Most of other farmers seemed to have the right idea, and I couldn’t help but try to make her see the business sense in moving the wagon forward. “Why don’t we move our wagon up there with them other wagons, big ma? There’s plenty of room and we could sell more.”
“Them’s white folks’ wagon, Cassie.” Big Ma said gruffly, as if that explained everything.”Now hush up and help me get this food out.”
“Shoot,” I mumbled, taking one of the buckets from Stacey,”by the time a body walk way back here, they’ll have bunions on their soles and corns on their toes.”
It can be seen when Casey is wondering why they sell their goods in here, while there are a lot of farmers sells in front and it is possible for us to sell more. Big Mama answer gruffly that those goods are White. They are blacks only has a little chance to sell more in their wagons. This is explained that the domination of White in markets area is so influential. It is only White people can sell their goods with a good opportunity to have benefit.
Another white domination is when Miss Logan fired by Wallaces as Board of Advisor. It was an inspection from Board about teaching material. Miss Logan was teaching about history and she taught about slavery and colony countries which is very offensive. After the class end, The board told her to stop teaching because she is not a good teacher. It is a form of white domination because on that case, White rules her to stop and nobody can help her even Mr.Wellever.
“in fact” Mr, Granger continued, putting on his hat,” You so smart I expect you’d best just forget about teaching althogether…. Then thataway you’ll have plenty of time to write your own book.” With what he turned his back on her, glanced at Mr. Wellever to make sure his meaning was clear, and left with the others behind him.
The Rebellion of Colonized People
A forms of rebellions which are described in this book, mostly from the main character Casey.
Casey is described as a brave, strong, and smart girl. In fact, she is braver than her brother Stacey. She has courage to against white man rather than other Logans.
It was explained when, Logans went to town to accompany her Big mama selling goods, T.J went to Mr. Barnnet store to buy something. However, Mr. Barnet ignored T.J’s lists and went to another customer. This ignorance made Casey angry. I was hot. I had been as nice as I could be to him and there he was talking like this. “ we been waiting on you for near an hour,” I hissed, “while you’round here waiting on everybody else. And it ain’t fair. You got no right-“
The way Casey angry is how she expresses her rebellion towards white, because she has been treated unfair among other customer. It was one of the way how colonized people want equality.
Moreover, other rebellion that casey did is when she received books from school which contained niggra in column race of students as I mentioned before. She also refused the book.
“See what they called us” I said, afraid she had not seen.
“that’s what you are,” she said coldly.”now go sit
down.”…..
I started slowly toward my desk, but as the hickory stick sliced the tense air, I turned back around. “ Miss Crocker” I said, “ I don’t want my book neither.”
Another rebellion from Casey is when Lillian Jean Simms sister of Jeremy took Casey as her slave because she has fought against her.
“ Why, What you do that for?” Lillian Jean asked more startled than angry.
“ I got tired of carrying’em.” I said.
“this is what you brought me all the way down here for! Well you just best get untired and pick em up again”then expecting that her will would be done with no more than from her, she turned to leave the glade.
“make me,” I said quietly.
‘What” the shock on her face was almost comical.
“Said make me.”
The way Casey said “make me” and her statement that she is tired, explained us that the rebellion of colonized people in her casey is oppressed by Lillian.
Conclusion
There are a lot of racism issues happened in America. Most of the racism issues are experienced by minority groups which is African American. according to “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” Casey is the main role of here, wants to break a bad assumption about black. In here there are a lot of discrimination happened towards casey family. The conclusion of this paper is most of African American treated unfair by their surroundings. They are treated cruely by whiteman. Furthermore, there are domination by colonizer people ( White). We can see that most of seller, stores and other policy ruled by White. As a colonized people, there are rebellion which is explained by the character of casey. Most of African American people feels unfair but they did not want to speak up. However in this book, casey as the main character shows her rebellion that she wanted to treated equal as white.
Bibliography
D.Taylor, M. (1977). Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. garfiled, G. Through Our eyes.
University, B. An introduction to Post Colonialism.
AMERICAN CHILDREN LITERATURE
ROLL OF THUNDER HEAR MY CRY
FENITA AUSTRIANI – 13020112130020
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY
African American is a minority group which lives in America. They experienced discrimination, and other prejudice mostly by white people. The most pathetic discrimination happened by black men. In the past, People considered them as unknown people because black men were lack of identities. It did not matter if they are slaves or freeman, fathers or children, religious or not. The discriminations were happened in public places, medical facilities, education and other community services. Seats for blacks, schools for blacks which lack of fund, and sometimes unfair treatment also received by African American people from White. However, The African American oppression was ended a long time ago by the emerging of civil rights movement. …show more content…
Nevertheless, the racial oppression toward African American is still happening but not as much as in the past. There are a lot of American literatures which describes about racism issues, African American issues, or other oppression. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” is one of the best-selling novel which is telling us about racism issues in civil rights movement era. The story is about a life of an African American girl who experienced discrimination and oppression. She lived with her Mama, Big Ma (grandmother) and her brothers (Stacey, Christopher-John, and Little Man). They lived in Mississippi where most of the residents are blacks. In this occasion, I would like to show how racism issues are depicted in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” and explain about social oppression which is happened in that era.
Statement of Purpose
In this paper, I would like to use Post-colonialism approach to explain about racism issues in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”. Post-colonialism is a children literature approach which is digging literary works by using history, stereotype also oppression which is happened or contained in it. The purpose of this paper is to explain the racial oppression that is experienced by the characters in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”. By using post colonialism approach, I found many unfair treatment, discrimination, and oppression which are done by colonizer. According to this book, “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” most of the story and the theme is reference to racism issues and rebellion of colonized people in America. Focus of The Paper is mostly about racism issues. However, I will explain about three aspects such as; discrimination and racial oppression, White domination, and The rebellion of colonized people.
Discussion
Discrimination and Racial Oppression
In the first chapter of this book, mostly describes about characters and main roles of each persons. Setting of the place is also shown in the first chapter. Logan family lived in Mississippi where most of the people are African Americans. Since this book is categorized as children literature, the roles and character is shown in the beginning to make the reader especially children easy to read.
In the first chapter, it can be shown the unfair treatment which is happened in their school named “The Great Faith Elementary and Secondary School”. The school is the largest black schools in the county. In this chapter, the racism issue is begun. One day, their school got new books from county. The students feel happy because mostly black schools on that era need more fund and charity. That is why those books are very precious for them. However, the main point is when Little Man (Casey’s brother) who got opportunity to have book, refuse it because the book is dirty and cannot be read clearly.
“ I-I said may I have another book please ma’am?” He squeaked.”That one’s dirty”
“Dirty!” Miss Crocker echoed, appalled by such temerity…”Dirty! And just who do you think you are, Clayton Chester?”
Miss Crocker who was on that day got angry because Little Man did not respect about the book. Little Man strongly rejected the book then Miss Crocker already set up the whipping chair. However, Casey curious why her little brother did not want the book? Right away she opened the last page of the book and found out that the book was a second-hand from White man and the book was in the very poor condition. It was not only about that but also they called them niggra in the column of race of the students. That was a dejected feeling from Little man with unfair treatment from Whites who called them niggra and gave them unproper books.
“No’m,” I Said hastily.” I just wanna tell you how come Little Man done what he done.”
Holding the book up to her, I said “ See, Miz Crocker, see what it says. The give us these ole books when they didn’t want’em no more”
The unfair treatment or discrimination towards African American people also can be seen when the White school “Jefferson Davis School” has a school bus while their school does not have any so they have to walk from their home to the school. When the school bus driver intentionally splashed mudpuddle into The Logans was one of oppression which done by White.
Knowing that the bus driver liked to entertain his passengers by sending us slipping along the road to the almost inaccessible forest banks washed to a smooth baldness by the constant rains, we continuously looked over our shoulders when we were between the two crossroads so that we could reach the bank before the bus was upon us…
African American people are always being a joke by White man. It is one of the racial oppression from White man. It can be seen when Christopher-John went to Wallace store.
As we turned away from the entrance, Melvin Simms said, “Just look at all the little niggers come to dance,” and the laughter of the men filled the room.
According to this book, we can notice that this book is from colonization era because when Big Mama and The Logan managed their plantation cotton. As we know that on colonialism era, most of blacks work as a farmer in plantation.
“Casey, you better watch yourself, girl” Big Ma cautioned, putting one rough, large hand against my back to make sure I didn’t fall.
I looked down at my grandmother from midway up one of the wooden poles Papa had set out to mark the length of the cotton field.
Since African Americans were minority group which were colonized by White, we can find unfair and unrespectful treatment from this book where Mr. Morrison gave explanation to Casey about how White people behavior and attitude are depicted by The Wallace.
“ But that store ain’t the place to be doing it. From what I hear, folks like them Wallaces got no respect at all for colored folks and they just think it’s funny when we fight each other. Your mama knowed them Wallacees ain’t good folks, that’s why she don’t want y’all down there and y’all owe it to her andy’allselves to tell her. But im gonna leave it up to y’all to decide,”
Another vicious oppression which done by White is when The Logan went to Mr. Berry’s house. Mama told them about the burning chronology of Mr. Berry which was done by Wallace.
After we were on the main road again, having ridden in thoughtful silence over the wooded trail, mama said quietly,” The Wallaces did that, children. They poured kerosene over Mr. Berry and his nephews and lit them afire. One of the nephews died, the other one is just like Mr. Berry.” She allowed this information to penetrate the silence, then went on. “everyone knows they did it and the Wallaces even laugh about it, but nothing was ever done. They’re bad people, the Wallaces. That’s why I don’t want you to ever go to their store again-for any reason. You understand?”
Colonizer Domination in “Roll of Thunder”
There must be domination in colonialism. Mostly the domination itself is done by colonizer. According to this book “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” the domination of White people is happened when The Logans and Big Mama went to Strawberry town to sell.
Most of other farmers seemed to have the right idea, and I couldn’t help but try to make her see the business sense in moving the wagon forward. “Why don’t we move our wagon up there with them other wagons, big ma? There’s plenty of room and we could sell more.”
“Them’s white folks’ wagon, Cassie.” Big Ma said gruffly, as if that explained everything.”Now hush up and help me get this food out.”
“Shoot,” I mumbled, taking one of the buckets from Stacey,”by the time a body walk way back here, they’ll have bunions on their soles and corns on their toes.”
It can be seen when Casey is wondering why they sell their goods in here, while there are a lot of farmers sells in front and it is possible for us to sell more. Big Mama answer gruffly that those goods are White. They are blacks only has a little chance to sell more in their wagons. This is explained that the domination of White in markets area is so influential. It is only White people can sell their goods with a good opportunity to have benefit.
Another white domination is when Miss Logan fired by Wallaces as Board of Advisor. It was an inspection from Board about teaching material. Miss Logan was teaching about history and she taught about slavery and colony countries which is very offensive. After the class end, The board told her to stop teaching because she is not a good teacher. It is a form of white domination because on that case, White rules her to stop and nobody can help her even Mr.Wellever.
“in fact” Mr, Granger continued, putting on his hat,” You so smart I expect you’d best just forget about teaching althogether…. Then thataway you’ll have plenty of time to write your own book.” With what he turned his back on her, glanced at Mr. Wellever to make sure his meaning was clear, and left with the others behind him.
The Rebellion of Colonized People
A forms of rebellions which are described in this book, mostly from the main character Casey.
Casey is described as a brave, strong, and smart girl. In fact, she is braver than her brother Stacey. She has courage to against white man rather than other Logans.
It was explained when, Logans went to town to accompany her Big mama selling goods, T.J went to Mr. Barnnet store to buy something. However, Mr. Barnet ignored T.J’s lists and went to another customer. This ignorance made Casey angry. I was hot. I had been as nice as I could be to him and there he was talking like this. “ we been waiting on you for near an hour,” I hissed, “while you’round here waiting on everybody else. And it ain’t fair. You got no right-“
The way Casey angry is how she expresses her rebellion towards white, because she has been treated unfair among other customer. It was one of the way how colonized people want equality.
Moreover, other rebellion that casey did is when she received books from school which contained niggra in column race of students as I mentioned before. She also refused the book.
“See what they called us” I said, afraid she had not seen.
“that’s what you are,” she said coldly.”now go sit
down.”…..
I started slowly toward my desk, but as the hickory stick sliced the tense air, I turned back around. “ Miss Crocker” I said, “ I don’t want my book neither.”
Another rebellion from Casey is when Lillian Jean Simms sister of Jeremy took Casey as her slave because she has fought against her.
“ Why, What you do that for?” Lillian Jean asked more startled than angry.
“ I got tired of carrying’em.” I said.
“this is what you brought me all the way down here for! Well you just best get untired and pick em up again”then expecting that her will would be done with no more than from her, she turned to leave the glade.
“make me,” I said quietly.
‘What” the shock on her face was almost comical.
“Said make me.”
The way Casey said “make me” and her statement that she is tired, explained us that the rebellion of colonized people in her casey is oppressed by Lillian.
Conclusion
There are a lot of racism issues happened in America. Most of the racism issues are experienced by minority groups which is African American. according to “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” Casey is the main role of here, wants to break a bad assumption about black. In here there are a lot of discrimination happened towards casey family. The conclusion of this paper is most of African American treated unfair by their surroundings. They are treated cruely by whiteman. Furthermore, there are domination by colonizer people ( White). We can see that most of seller, stores and other policy ruled by White. As a colonized people, there are rebellion which is explained by the character of casey. Most of African American people feels unfair but they did not want to speak up. However in this book, casey as the main character shows her rebellion that she wanted to treated equal as white.
Bibliography
D.Taylor, M. (1977). Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. garfiled, G. Through Our eyes.
University, B. An introduction to Post Colonialism.
AMERICAN CHILDREN LITERATURE
ROLL OF THUNDER HEAR MY CRY
FENITA AUSTRIANI – 13020112130020
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY