Alright, so we go to the extremely sheltered, extremely innocent high school of McFarland. The closest that we have ever come to segregation is the cliques at the lunch room tables. We don't see black and white, we see nerd, jock, priss, prick, pretty, ugly, sodapop kid, etc. etc. We know from our history books that people have been discriminated against for their race, but it seems like it happened on some distant neverland that never really existed, just some scary bed time story meant to keep kids in line when they're interacting with others.
From reading Caucasia though, that neverland seems to be materializing into reality. I can't imagine a father ignoring one daughter and doting upon the other just because of their skin color. They're both considered black, but just because one is a darker shade then the other, they are treated so incredibly differently. It's weird, people justify their cruel treatment by saying that "blacks are different" "blacks are dumb" and all that other stupid garbage. Birdie is black though, and you would never guess it by looking at her. She gets treated like all the other white people, but if they really believe what they are saying, isn't she too "different" and "dumb" for them to talk to? What about Cole? If black people are saying that the whites are a cruel race, then why are they preaching to Cole? Why are they so desperately trying to get her to fight on their side?
What it comes down to, is that it's real, it's stupid, it doesn't make sense, and people only look skin deep before they judge.
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4 comments:
I agree, it's a very sad concept. It's horrible that people will say such negative things about the color of someone's skin, and then talk to someone like Birdie about it. She, too, is part black, and just because she doesn't look the part doesn't mean she isn't. It's horrible that her father also treats her as so different from himself and Cole because she has a lighter skin tone.
It makes me sad reading about it. =[ Good post though Lisa!
I totally agree...especially about us being sheltered here in mcfarland. Also, when you talk about Birdie and Cole's dad i think that he should just love them equally no matter what their skin color. after all they BOTH are his daughters! great post!
Lisa-
I completely agree with you. I totally think that we sheltered. I also know that everyone judges people before they get to know them. Its like the saying that your first impression sticks. The first time people see you they will judge you and keep that opinion of you. Even though they may see you tomorrow looking completely different they will keep their first opinion of you.
I also agree with the things you said about Birdie and Cole and how they are treated. That part of the book is so sad yet it was reality. It is hard for me to believe that your own parents discrimate against you. However, cole also discriminates against her mom because she isn't black. She told her mom that she didn't know how to raise a black child. Well you raise any child just the same it doesn't matter whether you are black or white.
Nice Blog Lisa!! Loved IT!
-Rachel :)
We really do go to a sheltered school...
And I seriously starting loling when you said "sodapop kid." ...lol :P
But anyways, I totally agree with you on your post. The contrast of how the two sisters are treated in the same society is one part of the book that pulls me in though; although, it is quite sad. ._.
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