The first image seen in Citizen is a street sign that says: “Jim Crow Road”, and a lot can be told about the way that Rankine uses images in text just from that very first image. Using images in text is a very tactical thing for a writer to do, I know as a reader when I flip a page and see an image my eyes look at immediately at that image first before I continue to read the text. When realizing this, I searched up some reasonings on why this is the case for me and in that I saw there is evidence to believe this is a case for a majority of readers. There is a study that is cited by numerous articles about how we perceive vision in text that states the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text and 90 percent of information transmitted to the brain is visual. Rankine cleverly uses images throughout her text because as readers we are drawn to it first and we process that image before we even read her text. The images in many cases are indicative of the theme or message of what she is talking about, a great example being in the case of the street sign, therefore aiding to make her message in the text clear. 

The sign is a huge indicator of what she talks about in the whole first section of the text because of the significance of it. Rankine talks about many instances in her life as a black woman where she has seen what modern racism looks like, and felt it in ways that echo the words of Hurston and Ellision. She wonders if her teacher “ever actually saw her” at the end of the first page which echoes the theme of invisibility shown throughout Ellison’s Invisible Man. The second instance she talks about is she feels “confused” or conflicted when a close friend confuses her for their black housekeeper: “You never called her on it (why not?) and yet you don’t forget.” That line is important in the text because it shows this gesture actually hurts the narrator and sticks with it, even though to the close friend it is nothing to even address. I think this is indicative of modern racism in 21st century society, where many white people are convinced that there is no such thing as racism anymore. Many people think we’ve moved on, they don’t think to address these acts that might still indicate that there is racism ingrained on a subconscious level and that racism is still seen throughout our society, albeit maybe only showing through more “subtle” ways. I say “subtle” because from white society’s perspective they may appear subtle, but to the other side, to black people who live in this modern society, acts like this are more blatantly seen in their perspective.This brings me back to the image that is seen right before we read about these stories, that image is a representation of the racism that still lingers in society. It’s a sign that is a blatant reminder to the Jim Crow era of history, and it stands regularly in this town. The first thought that occurred to me while looking at that sign was it must be seen as something blatantly disrespectful to any black person that sees it while not even given a second thought by the rest of the white people that use that street every day. Which directly correlates to the stories of the text, proving that Rankine used this image to foreshadow this message. 

I believe that using images as a way to solidify her ideas is not the only reason why Rankine chose to do this, though. This is because using images also creates a multimedia text that feels relevant to modern day society. This furthers her point that she is speaking about racism in the 21st century. She is making it clear, to those that may not see it, that this is racism that is occurring today. In an age of social media, Rankine used those to draw our attention to her message, to place herself in our modern world filled with visual stimulus, and as a way to directly address a society that is increasingly acting blind to the mere existence of racism.

Claudia Rankine’s Citizen an American lyric is a quintessential example of the power of mixed media art forms. Rankine initially introduces the idea of a lyric in her title which reminds readers of music and poetry which offers an escape from the pressures and expectations involved in being a black American citizen. However, she decided to shift focus from words and sounds associated with lyrics to visual images by inserting illustrations in her novel that seem to provide the reader with a better understanding of the emotions Rankine is writing about. Rankine uses the images to replace the photos procured in people’s minds while reading the novel and insert her own emotions and visuals to their understanding of her narrative. These images however are so nuanced and require a lot of thought that the text seems to explain the image as if it was a caption in a picture book. One of the emotions described by an image were those the protagonist felt when she rang the bell of her therapist’s office and “when the door finally opens, the woman standing there yells at the top of her lungs, Get away from my house! What are you doing in my yard?” (Rankine, 18). At that moment the protagonist felt meek in front of the woman like a “wounded Doberman pinscher or a German shepherd” (Rankine,18) and had to muster up all her courage to say she had an appointment. Rankine uses a wounded dog to describe her feelings at that moment because a dog is always reliant on others to sustain them. Dogs are the epitome of obedience because they have no other choice than to be subservient to their masters if they want to survive. However, the dog illustrated along with this story seems to have the face of a human which puts an image in the reader’s mind of how the protagonist is seen by the woman. The protagonist is not viewed as a complete human being rather a stray dog she quite literally tried to shoo from her property. The woman’s immediate instinct when seeing the protagonist is fear which represents how society views black people. But because the protagonist paints herself as a measly dog laying down on the ground in such a relaxed position Rankine is able to undermine the fear the woman experiences and paint it as completely unfounded. Despite the harmless display of the dog, the protagonist is still at the mercy of the women due to an irrational fear similar to that fear many experiences in relation to dogs. The protagonist is also disregarded immediately like a dog. This continues the narrative of being unseen by society that began with Sister Evelyn who “never actually saw you sitting there” (Rankine,6) all throughout school. The protagonist is vulnerable to what society thinks of her and must prove herself to get the decency she deserves. When she finally tells the woman she has an appointment the woman pauses and says “oh, yes, that’s right. I am sorry. I am so sorry, so, so sorry.” (Rankine,18). However, right after this apology comes the image of the wounded dog which proves that the apology did no good because the protagonist still feels like an abandoned dog who is at the mercy of the world. Rather than being viewed as the black American citizen, the protagonist is the black American dog who is meek in society, spoken down to and disregarded. 

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.

In Rankine’s “Citizen: An American Lyric” we are introduced to a recount of various memories and experiences that the narrator has had and experience them ourselves. Rankine makes this possible through her usage of pronouns and I argue that she “makes” us into the narrator. The pronouns that Rankine uses offer an interesting take on the narrative. Upon reading the text, the reader may be confused at first, seeing the words, “when you are alone and too tired”(Rankine), I assumed that the book was speaking to me. I was preparing myself to read something that would be relatable but I was not prepared whatsoever. The use of “you” really entails you and places you in a position where you are experiencing these events along with the narrator. The main purpose of using the second person is to tell the readers a story and to allow us to be more engaged in the story but Rankine uses it in a matter where you, the reader, are experiencing these events. Not only are you experiencing the narrators moments in which she experiences racism and discrimination, no it is way more than just that, you are also being told an important message from the perspective of a black narrator. The message of how this discrimination happens in everyday life across multiple points in a day. It is unavoidable and happens in real life or even in our digital lives. This really gets you thinking about the world around you even today. The reader experiences the discrimination firsthand and she does a beautiful job at doing this by offering various descriptions and dialogue throughout the story. We are introduced first to a child’s perspective much like in “The Bluest Eye” and are told about multiple events that transpired to the narrator. These descriptions along with the usage of the second person provide a rich narrative as we “experience” the events being told to us by the narrator. Rankine’s narrator is speaking to the reader and attempts to make us understand how it feels to be looked down upon by a white girl. A feeling that neither the reader nor the narrator enjoys.

 The story progresses as we see the narrator’s experiences move beyond childhood and into adulthood. Much like the “Invisible Man” we are introduced to an adult perspective. We are no longer children but have now become adults along with the narrator, we “grew together”. In another memory, the narrator asks a friend to babysit her child while she watches a movie with her partner. Here we are introduced to another microaggression. What makes this memory interesting is the addition of interactions with the “third persons ”. In this memory, the narrator’s neighbor mistakes her friend who is black, for a robber. We see the stereotype of the neighbor and the interaction between the narrator and her neighbor. The readers feel as if they are interacting with the neighbor which is Rankine’s overall goal. This “third person” reassures us that we are now part of the story and are no longer just the reader. At the end of the memory, we speak to the narrator’s friend and tell him to speak in the backyard next time so that he is not mistaken for a burglar. The friend rightfully is upset by this and says he can speak wherever we want. We along with the narrator are left to respond with “yes of course”, and we can see that although the narrator had good intentions, she is in the wrong. What’s magical about this event is that through Rankine’s usage of the pronouns “you” we the readers, feel bad for telling our friend that it’s his fault for being consciences that way. This usage of pronouns allows Rankine to “attach” and embeds the reader to the narrator and turns us into the narrator. She was preparing us for our role in the novel and we have now become a part of Rankine’s story as both the reader and the narrator. This foundation allows us to interpret and understand the narrative in a different way as we continue to read it. 

Post Note: I feel as if readings like The Invisible Man and The Bluest Eyes have prepared us for this text. We saw different perspectives in each story and saw the world of each novel through different lenses. These lenses, I feel, are allowing us to be a part of Rankine’s novel and allow us to become the narrator.