Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen: An American Lyric” covers the issue of racism and how it prevents someone from developing into their true self. This text is similar to Zora Neale Hurston’s “How it Feels to be Colored Me.” Rankine’s text emphasizes the obstacles that African Americans face when developing their own individuality and Hurston’s text contributes to that.
One major idea present in both texts is the unrecognition of African Americans. We can see this idea in the first chapter of Rankine’s text. It occurs when the main character is taking an exam and is asked to lean over by another student so that the answers can be copied. The teacher or proctor that was present during the exam did not say anything to the other student. This makes the main character think about the lack of involvement or saying from the teacher. The idea manifests into something larger and the main character notices that the teacher may not even notice her presence in the classroom. This lack of notice by her teacher may be connected to the color of her skin and her race. This idea is also present in Hurston’s text. In the beginning of her text, Hurston starts the second paragraph by saying “I remember the very day that I became colored.” This very sentence goes on to foreshadow other events mentioned in the text. Hurston also refers to her experience of education and the lack of diversity. She recalls her time attending Barnard and how she would physically stand out of the crowd of white students due to her race and skin color. “For instance, at Barnard. “Beside the waters of the Hudson” I feel my race. Among the thousand white persons, I am a dark rock surged upon, and overswept, but through it all, I remain myself.”
Both of the two events experienced by Rankine and Hurston took place in an academic setting. This is especially unfortunate because academic settings such as schools and universities are where students should feel the most comfortable to be themselves and properly express themselves. Without this confidence, there can be a stunt in growth or self-development. The events mentioned by Rankine and Hurston really highlight this.
Another major idea present in both texts is the idea of dealing with racial insults. Both Rankine and Hurston mention the constant harassment and racial insults thrown their way, and their reactions to it. In Rankine’s text, this occurs within the first chapter. It takes place when the main character associates her with another person who happens to be a maid. The only reason this association is made is due to the main character being the same race as the maid. Her friend eventually realizes and stops making the association to end the awkward situation. Although this was a specific situation in Rankine’s text, Hurston mentions it as being a more general and regularly occurring obstacle that she faced. “Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me.” Both Rankine and Hurston attempt not to acknowledge the insults and move past it so that they can better themselves.
Claudia Rankine and Zora Hurston both discuss the issue of racism within their texts. They especially highlight how this racism can stop or defer the growth and development amongst African Americans. Although both of these texts are from the past, many of the issues discussed are still issues that we face today in the modern world.
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