"Consciously
playing the game, but never being able to win" seems to be a theme within
the Black community. How can one win a game they were never given a fair chance
to win? One they were never intended to win?
Turner seems to be making this argument when she details the difference in drug convictions between Whites and Blacks under judiciary law. "The 'white man's candy' or drug of choice was usually powder cocaine, and the sentencing guidelines were set up to give less prison time than a person caught with crack. Obviously, more minorities sold and used crack." (pg. 18) A system set in place not created for Blacks, a system Turner seems to recognize, is one that instead condemns and subdues them. It condemns them to become bodies within the penal systems capitalistic agenda. It subdues because these systems force blacks to succumb to a livelihood of drugs, gangbanging, etc. in order to live. I don't believe that it is ignorance that prompts blacks into their stereotypical roles of gangster, killer, gangbanger, deadbeat, or hoe; it is the aforementioned systems — systemic and societal constructs. I actually believe that it is the awareness of these systems itself that creates these images of blacks; the consciousness of being an active participant in this game and knowing that, by playing it fairly means losing themselves to a life of regret; it is not an option. The only way that someone who is not white and male can play this game fairly is to sacrifice parts of themselves, to assimilate to who the game was intended for (primarily white males, and in other instances, just males). I see these stereotypical characters (i.e gangbanger, gangster, hoe, welfare queen, etc.) as a sort of resistance to that assimilation; an awareness and a resistance.
This mentality of resistance to "the man" is generational. When Tuner writes, "...Taj was true to the game...He was a conscious player in the game, and was fully prepared to sleep in the bed he made when the heat came...[Tressa] fully respected the rules and principles of the game he molded into her" (pg. 14, italics mine). On the surface, this could be read that Taj was true to the game of drug slinging, but from a pro-resistance and personal feministic lens, I read this as Taj being true to himself in fighting systemic racial politics that condemn him and that he is extending the fight to his sister. Ironically, Taj is in prison at this point when Turner writes this. “…the same kinds of people Taj surrounded himself with on the streets were the same type of people who mostly ended up in the prison system,” (pg 23) because they were all fighting against the same constructs on the streets. “Taj was a real gansta on the street s an only carried it gansta while in prison. He only dealt with other real guys…there was always a sucker or weak dude trying to get brownie points by trying Taj.” (pg. 23) This quote demonstrates that being a resister is not a choice for some —for those like Taj in the real world—, but is a lifestyle carried from one system to the next, from one group to the next, with friend and with foe. “After all, prison is a world within itself. Lifelong relationships are built; friends, enemies, and bonds are made behind bars, while principles and rules are applied and broken.” (pg. 23).
I completely agree with your analysis of the book. In fact I felt that you took my thoughts and extended it to other areas of the book. I focused more on the drug dealing and the “project chick” than I did other stereotypes. I really believe that Turner is showing the readers the awareness and agency the characters are trying to show within a system that restricts and hinders them. When reading this book I can't help but think of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. She talks about this issue and breaks it down in her book.
ReplyDeleteI think this book is great at drawing intention to race and systems of oppression but also the oppression of being of a certain class. She(Turner) illustrates that operating within systems of oppression is difficult and people will do what they have to do in order to survive and make a living for themselves, disregarding whether it is illegal or not. This book, in my opinion, introduces readers to a culture that they may or may have been aware of that developed because of this oppression, and it’s really interesting that even though this book is usually considered a pleasure read that you can see an deep analysis of class and race within.
I agree as well. I think it is interesting that this novel presents a focus on the economical influence that impacts the ways African Americans in society live there lives. I think that your analysis of this focus is interesting as well. I agree that some of these formulations can be interpreted as a form of resistance. I also agree that it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to successfully exist in a system not built for them and not designed to support them. I wonder is you feel this "resistance" is a chosen outcome? I might argue that this is a result of their inability to function in a system that does not support them and as a result they have been forced to find different way to live and flourish in that system? I thought it was interesting and rewarding that you analyzed a male character in the novel. I feel as though there is a lot that can be understood about black masculinity by analyzing black feminism. I agree that Turner is attempting to show the agency and freedom the characters display within this constricting system. I really liked that you explored this aspect of this passage. This has changed my perspective on how I view the characters and their actions. I thought this was an insightful way to gain a further understanding of not just the characters but how society and the economic aspects impact and in some ways contribute to the characters actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I never perceived it as resisting or not assimilating. However, it makes sense. Their resistance to assimilation causes them to create an image out of necessity and survival. Moreover, the concept of playing the game fairly, limiting one to have to sacrifice parts of yourself reflects Tressa. She is a primary example of that concept and Taj's situation of having to sacrifice going to college and establishing what Turner might conclude as a legit/legal business/profession because of their mother going to prison. The theme of sacrifice is repetitive throughout the novel.
ReplyDeleteTurner gives an alternative to the discussed notion by suggesting that even though one is presented with a choice and the same opportunities, one may still choose the route of survival and resisting assimilation. Tressa's childhood classmate, whose sister is a veterinarian, chooses the 'gangster' life because it's fun and he doesn't seemingly have responsibilities. In fact, Turner uses Gator as an example of someone who did not initially have option of assimilating but was spoon fed the practice of resisting as a child, but who later chooses to not resist assimilation or to have another image of resisting assimilation. By not choosing that image of being a gangster or gang-banger, he creates an alternative route, outside of the stereotypical images others chose to resist. Tressa's classmate and Gator have different beginnings, different current situations, and different reasons for choosing to resist assimilation or choosing another image of resistance.