Summary Of The Killing Season By Jarobi White
America is a nation supposedly founded on liberty and justice for all, yet the very economy of the United States is founded on a history of deep seeded racism, slavery, and the exploitation people. Jarobi White in “The Killing Season” illustrates the history of racism and exploitation and its role in our economy when he writes, “It must be killing season, on the menu strangefruit/ Whose juices fill the progress of this here very nation/ Whose states has grown bitter through justice expiration/ These fruitful trees are rooted in bloody soil and torment/ Things haven’t really changed” (The Killing Season” 42-46). “Strangefruit” is in reference to Billy Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit,” which was written as a protest against the lynching of African-Americans
occurring across the south in the early 1900’s. “Strangefruit” parallels the black bodies hanging from trees to a strange fruit hanging off of a branch, exemplifying not only something natural and normal, but demonstrating the worthlessness attached to African-Americans. “Progress” alludes to the development and widespread growth of the American economy that was revered by the world. Although the “progress” was exceptional, this “progress” was founded off the exploitation of people, as well as cheap or unpaid labor. “Justice” is the establishment of what is morally dignified and right. “Justice” in the United States, although still in progress for African Americans and other minorities, was brought at the end of slavery. “Bitter” alludes to feelings of anger, resentment, or disgust. “Bitter” is how many people in the United States have felt in relation to the rights and progress of establishing justice for African-Americans. The American economy for centuries has relied on exploitation, and although greatly reduced with the abolishment of slavery, African-Americans are still treated as less and exploited for economic gain and social dominance.
occurring across the south in the early 1900’s. “Strangefruit” parallels the black bodies hanging from trees to a strange fruit hanging off of a branch, exemplifying not only something natural and normal, but demonstrating the worthlessness attached to African-Americans. “Progress” alludes to the development and widespread growth of the American economy that was revered by the world. Although the “progress” was exceptional, this “progress” was founded off the exploitation of people, as well as cheap or unpaid labor. “Justice” is the establishment of what is morally dignified and right. “Justice” in the United States, although still in progress for African Americans and other minorities, was brought at the end of slavery. “Bitter” alludes to feelings of anger, resentment, or disgust. “Bitter” is how many people in the United States have felt in relation to the rights and progress of establishing justice for African-Americans. The American economy for centuries has relied on exploitation, and although greatly reduced with the abolishment of slavery, African-Americans are still treated as less and exploited for economic gain and social dominance.