Written English I Samantha Hull

Have you ever felt like you were trapped in the wrong body? Often times people struggle with this question because they find it difficult to identify with one specific group, whether it be gender, race, religion, etc. For example, an interracial individual may find it more difficult when trying to answer the often popular Ethnicity question found on various forms. When that individual tries to answer, he/she may often feel they identify more with “African American” rather than “Caucasian.” An author, by the name of Judy Ruiz, wrote an interesting essay called “Oranges and Sweet Sister Boy.” In this essay, Ruiz attempts to describe her struggle with the acceptance of her brother identifying himself as her sister. Often times it is hard to understand the full significance of changing views that have been so instilled in the mind in an attempt to connect with individuals who have those opposing views.
Ruiz makes the attempt to understand how her brother, whom she has always associated as male, is now identifying himself like her, a woman. She struggles with that acceptance of his confused mentality. When her brother states, “The first time I got caught in your clothes was when I was four years old and you were over at Sarah what’s-her-name’s babysitting. Dad beat me so hard I thought I was going to die. I really thought I was going to die. That was the day I made up my mind I would never get caught again. And I never got caught again,” (Ruiz, 121) it shows how he struggled with his feelings. In fear of physical abuse he felt it necessary not to share his actions or thoughts. This begins to make sense though because her family and counselor made her feel as if she were imagining those things occurring.
Ruiz then uses an orange as a form of symbolism, which is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. She makes the reference to the orange by saying, “Because oranges are mildly intrusive by nature, put the orange somewhere so that it will not bother you - in the cupboard, in a drawer, even a pocket or a handbag will do. The orange, being a patient fruit, will wait for you much longer than say a banana or a peach." This is a way of stating that even though everything may not have a perfect explanation, the issue will be patiently waiting for a better understanding when you are ready to explore it more. The orange can also be seen as a symbol of how much that idea means to one person compared to another. In the essay Ruiz states that she takes sacks of oranges into a classroom of special students who admired them as gifts. The oranges meant something to those students where as others may just see the fruit as nothing more than food. Applying that concept to the issue, it helps to show perception of an issue is simply a state of mind.
In conclusion, understanding the concept of changing views is often a long process that may never fully make sense. In today’s world it is becoming more understandable to feel confused about gender and “Oranges and Sweet Sister Boy” is a great story of one sibling’s journey of acceptance. Ruiz’s use of symbolism to make it more relatable is an inspiration to help others who may be struggling with their own identity.