Summary Of Richard Wright's I Choose Exile
The excerpt from Richard Wright’s “I Choose Exile (1950)” describes his personal experience and reasons behind leaving America and moving to Paris, France in order to experience pure freedom regardless of race. The excerpt from “The Southern Manifesto (1956)” describes a battle of power between The Constitution and The Supreme Court. Moreover, The Constitution is thought to be supreme; however, the judiciary system constantly entertains cases to overrule the original document. Overall, both documents provide insight in the severity of the social injustice that takes place in the United States.
Richard Wright expresses that he was an American citizen and according to The Constitution American citizens have natural rights and liberties. Furthermore,
in the 1950’s America continued to suffer a great racial divide. America is identified as nation-state with a supreme social contract, The Constitution, outlining the values of being an American citizen. This same nations-state treats citizens barbarically because of race and indeed has dislocated their values. The nation has formed a division against its own citizens and continuously robbed African American Negros of their natural right to freedom and inequality. Furthermore, it effects all Americans, because if The Constitution violates the rights of certain Americans, then it cannot be seen a document powerful enough to preserve this rights of any American. Those who either participate in the heinous acts of discrimination and racism or do not do anything to stop it are equally guilty.
The Southern Manifesto claims the Supreme Court decision is a threat to constitutional government. The Constitution is meant to be a powerful and supreme document that should not be altered unless under extreme circumstances. However, The Supreme Court has a history of blatantly disregarding the values and rights set forth in The Constitution by hearing cases that defy these said right and values. For example, cases such as Brown vs. Board of Education and Plessy vs. Ferguson either support or undermine The Constitution because the main issues addressed in these cases are/ are not outlined in The Constitution.
Both documents illustrate contrasting understandings of freedom at the dawn of the civil rights movement. The excerpt from Richard Wrights “I Choose Excel,” expresses the severity of the racial divide in America. Wright made the decision to exile from America to France because the lack of freedom and value of all human rights was unbearable. Wright mentions The Constitution because it is a document that outlines the freedom and values for each individual American citizen and these values should be applied to each American citizen. However, The Constitution does not apply to all citizens because African American Negros were still at a racial disadvantage. In contrast, the document from “The Southern Manifesto” views The Constitution similarly but does not recognize that it is flawed and the need for Supreme Court cases to address issues not outlined in The Constitution.
Richard Wright expresses that he was an American citizen and according to The Constitution American citizens have natural rights and liberties. Furthermore,
in the 1950’s America continued to suffer a great racial divide. America is identified as nation-state with a supreme social contract, The Constitution, outlining the values of being an American citizen. This same nations-state treats citizens barbarically because of race and indeed has dislocated their values. The nation has formed a division against its own citizens and continuously robbed African American Negros of their natural right to freedom and inequality. Furthermore, it effects all Americans, because if The Constitution violates the rights of certain Americans, then it cannot be seen a document powerful enough to preserve this rights of any American. Those who either participate in the heinous acts of discrimination and racism or do not do anything to stop it are equally guilty.
The Southern Manifesto claims the Supreme Court decision is a threat to constitutional government. The Constitution is meant to be a powerful and supreme document that should not be altered unless under extreme circumstances. However, The Supreme Court has a history of blatantly disregarding the values and rights set forth in The Constitution by hearing cases that defy these said right and values. For example, cases such as Brown vs. Board of Education and Plessy vs. Ferguson either support or undermine The Constitution because the main issues addressed in these cases are/ are not outlined in The Constitution.
Both documents illustrate contrasting understandings of freedom at the dawn of the civil rights movement. The excerpt from Richard Wrights “I Choose Excel,” expresses the severity of the racial divide in America. Wright made the decision to exile from America to France because the lack of freedom and value of all human rights was unbearable. Wright mentions The Constitution because it is a document that outlines the freedom and values for each individual American citizen and these values should be applied to each American citizen. However, The Constitution does not apply to all citizens because African American Negros were still at a racial disadvantage. In contrast, the document from “The Southern Manifesto” views The Constitution similarly but does not recognize that it is flawed and the need for Supreme Court cases to address issues not outlined in The Constitution.