In his writing, Als focuses on a history of silence among black communities in America. Als speaks about how, growing up as a black boy in a racially divided country, he was taught to be quiet to protect and shield himself from racism. “Like any number of black boys in those neighborhoods, I grew up in a matrilineal society, where I had been taught the power—the necessity—of silence.” Als framing silence as powerful and a necessity for blacks shows how unaware whites are of their power and emotionally, and sometimes physically, harmful influence over minorities. Als statement of silence being powerful is significant because it is ironic––we usually synonymize speech and voice with power, especially in America where free speech is written in our Constitution, but it was the opposite for black Americans. Silence can be looked at as one way of staying hidden, and black Americans felt that silence and hiding their identities allowed them to be freer than if they spoke out about their grievances. “The world around us was not the one we had worked hard to achieve but the quiet, degraded world that our not-country said we deserved. We couldn’t keep nothing, the elders said, not even ourselves.” By saying “the world” and “not-country,” he is referring to individual black Americans and how their lives were given to them by society and their efforts to make their own lives better was cancelled. It is implied that the society given to them was flawed by racism and hate. This is solidified by the elders’ statement at the end, going back to the era of slavery, where black Americans had virtually no say at all in their own lives. This shows how even today there is that lingering fear within black Americans that a white-dominated society and racism determines the lives of others. “Are we a strange crop, constantly provoking strange responses—which are now out in the open, because, truth to tell, black people are also an important revenue stream, and Hulu wants to show us that, by streaming the “black stories” in its archives?” This quote interested me because It captured my naivety towards the rapid response of big companies to the Black Lives Matter movement. Although saying these companies have only selfish intentions by promoting black-American ideas is a perspective statement, I haven’t considered this side of the argument. This quote and his disheartening conclusion also left me to wonder, where does Als see hope for black Americans? Or if he doesn’t, what would hope look like to him, and how should America change?
2 thoughts on “Post #7”
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I liked your explanation of the importance of silence for the black community. It is powerful enough to protect the lives of black people and allow an escape away from a world that purposely prevents any opportunity of success for them. However, silence is dangerous. In return for the protection, the black community sacrifices their right of speech, which is them turning their backs to the administration that exploits them. It is a signal to the white administration that with enough police brutality, these individuals will be willing to ignore the white power and are willing to abide by their force.
It is definitely ironic that Americans flaunt the right to freedom of speech, but is a right that is not afforded to every American. As you mentioned, their silence gives them more of a sense of freedom because it allows them to stay hidden, and by staying hidden, they have more of a shot at safety. It is also very disheartening to think about companies and individuals paying attention to the Black Lives Matter movement only when it is “trendy” and benefits them.