In the novel the Citizen an American lyric,  written by Claudia Rankine .  She targets the issues of racism on a smaller and a larger scale . Bringing forth  the  issue of   micro aggression  in the United States . Her novel is related to both the poetic and critical minds . Tackling the hypocrisy that exist in white America towards people of color. Her novel brings forth a very unique perspective. Creating a personal interaction between her readers  with the use of pronouns such as you , we, he and she etc. An example of Claudia’s use of pronouns can be seen as she narrates “what did he say?, did she really say that?, did I hear what I think I hear?(pg9).” In this text it focuses on the victim and the perpetrator. Allowing one to question themselves , their reality and what they think they know. In this society  our knowledge is often perspective passed down from one person to the next. We hold biases based on ideas that we deem as satisfactory to our beliefs. Barely making room for questions and logics. Thus creating an illusion of the truth and a lie. In order to see one’s point of view one has to experience it. People are quick to judge and dismiss what they are not familiar with. Which often is the instigator behind most discriminatory acts of racism.

This is why people are most likely offended by what is said or done at times. Placing judgment on what they think a person did or said.  Rather than just asking to gain more clarity. Moreover, judging a person based on their outward appearance, rather than their inward qualities. Forming personalities , and characters that only exist in their minds.

It is unexpected that she  targeted both the first, second and third person in this situation. By placing all individuals to questioning. Which brings forth the idea that it takes more than one person to cause a conflict. This reflects society in the sense  that it takes the law , the citizens and yourself to decipher what is acceptable or not.  Along with the fact that there is always two sides to a story. In addition , each individual Is responsible for their own actions .

Claudia’s use of pronouns creates a familiarity between the readers world and the narrative she’s projecting. Allowing them to be critically involved and appealing to their emotions. People are always more receptive when they can relate to a situation. They understand the feeling of victimization and being miss understood or mistreated. So Claudia plays on these personalizations which creates the novels strength and individuality.

As people we tend to compare ourselves to what ifs, creating a life scenario in our minds. What if the roles were reversed, what if I could just be free like the falling rain, what if we lived like trees? Different types living among each other but serving the same purpose. In a world where the narrative seems to be against them, you or me. The first thing that comes to one’s mind is why?…. why the separation and disunity Among our own.

     We create our own narrative and we don’t even realize. Our actions determines that of the next person. What happens today and tomorrow . Along with who’s accepted and who is not. Claudia’s use of pronouns points to us . We the people, the law , the government and ourselves. We and we alone can change the narrative of the stories. We can create a different mindset by moving beyond  the monopolized way of thinking. It is then and only then the you the he and she can be removed . Thus creating the we and the us.

The first image we see in the text pictures a suburban neighborhood, highlighting the boisterous street sign named after the Jim Crowe laws that allowed for segregation.

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