Oppression In James Baldwin's Down At The Cross
In James Baldwin's Down at the Cross, Baldwin exposes the confusion and oppression that suffocated him due to his place in society as a black American. Through recounting the strife he faced, he demonstrates to his readers the manifestation of racism in every facet of his life, as well as its personally devastating effect. Moreover, he points to various outlets to cope with this oppression, including involvement with the Christian church. As his dedication to the church increases and Baldwin grows older, the church's faults become progressively apparent, uncovered from its glorified exterior, which he aims to reveal to the audience. Accordingly, Baldwin searches for his identity outside of the church, and continues to advocate for the rights
of black Americans. Furthermore, he meets with Elijah Muhammad, a black American Muslim who wishes to persuade Baldwin to follow his movement. Concluding Down at the Cross , Baldwin compares the Christian and Muslim faith, as well as explains race relations in America and how to overcome white supremacy's relentlessness. By expressing a narrative of Baldwin's various experiences and opinions as a black American, he is able to connect with the reader on a personal level to better deliver his message of love, reciprocal freedom of black and white Americans, and the requirement to fight to liberate one's self from the repressive societal structure of America. Through Baldwin's personal recount with his experience in the Christian church, the progressive reveal of its ulterior motives becomes more sickening and intimate. Baldwin's retreat to the church originated from white American's oppression, which he describes as "...this cloud that stood between them and the sun, between them and love and life and power, between them and whatever it was that they wanted" (Baldwin 19). Baldwin's metaphor emphasizes the hopelessness and inevitability of their demise, encapsulating the mentality of black American youth. In turn, the reader understands the need for "a gimmick, to lift him out, to start him on his way" (Baldwin 24). However, Baldwin's "gimmick"
of black Americans. Furthermore, he meets with Elijah Muhammad, a black American Muslim who wishes to persuade Baldwin to follow his movement. Concluding Down at the Cross , Baldwin compares the Christian and Muslim faith, as well as explains race relations in America and how to overcome white supremacy's relentlessness. By expressing a narrative of Baldwin's various experiences and opinions as a black American, he is able to connect with the reader on a personal level to better deliver his message of love, reciprocal freedom of black and white Americans, and the requirement to fight to liberate one's self from the repressive societal structure of America. Through Baldwin's personal recount with his experience in the Christian church, the progressive reveal of its ulterior motives becomes more sickening and intimate. Baldwin's retreat to the church originated from white American's oppression, which he describes as "...this cloud that stood between them and the sun, between them and love and life and power, between them and whatever it was that they wanted" (Baldwin 19). Baldwin's metaphor emphasizes the hopelessness and inevitability of their demise, encapsulating the mentality of black American youth. In turn, the reader understands the need for "a gimmick, to lift him out, to start him on his way" (Baldwin 24). However, Baldwin's "gimmick"