American Identity Constructs
James Baldwin’s identity is for the most part moulded by his color. James Baldwin reminiscences, “I was isolated from Negroes as I was from whites, which is what happens when a Negro begins , at bottom, to believe what white people say about him.” This quote takes up overtones of internalized racism as James Baldwin speaks of himself as a Negro. As a result of internalized racism, James Baldwin could not recognize the value other people who were black like him and he could not connect with the white people because the ideologies of white sovereignty, which were chiefly disseminated by the whites, made him sentient him of his subsidiarity. James Baldwin moves to Europe with the anticipation that it will help him to patch up issues about his identity. Accordingly, Europe is of great magnitude in modeling the identity of American writers as it presents them “ a new sense of life’s possibilities” that are lacking in America.
In “The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”, Norman makes a great effort to figure out his identity as he emulates ‘hippy’ groups such as Kerouac’s with the optimism that he will be as mystique as them. James Baldwin observes, “Norman felt compelled to carry their (Kereouc and Suzuki Rhythm boys) mystique further than they had, to be more ‘hip’ or more ‘beat’ to dominate, in fact, their dreaming field.” Norman’s captivation with the inferior groups means that he is not contented with his whiteness. He is deluded to deliberate that by way of the simulations he will come to be a Negro. Furthermore, he considers that the imitations will make him as authoritative as the groups that he tries to be like. Norman’s position validates that even whites go through identity crisis.
Inter-racial Associations in Post-Slavery America
In “The Discovery of What it Means To Be An American,'' James Baldwin makes reference to the overwrought relationship between blacks and whites. While in Paris, Baldwin apprehends that, “we (blacks and whites) would no longer need to cling to the shame and bitterness which had divided us so long.” The acrimony can be traced to the slavery era whereby the blacks were imperiled by the whites. Even after the eradication of slavery the hostility drives a wedge between the races.
Comparatively, the conception of interracial interactions in “The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy” is matchless due to companionship blossoms between James Baldwin ( a black) and Norman Mailer ( a white Jew). The improbable alliance between Baldwin and Mailer gives a picture of the intersection between race and religion which conflates the American identity.
Writing Dynamics
In “The Discovery of What it means To be An American” James Baldwin argues, writing is imperative in outlining the American identity. According to Baldwin, the “endeavour to wed the vision of the old world with that of the New, it is the writer, not the statesman that it is our strongest arm.” James Baldwin contends that American writers ought to rise above the “American Myth” by illuminating the ‘hidden laws’ in America that hold them back from effusively being conscious of their identities. The implicit laws make them unconscious of themselves. Once the writers have deconstructed the hidden suppositions, it will become unproblematic to grasp what it entails to be American.
In “The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”, James Baldwin gives a picture of the tremendous pressure that American writers cope with. He writers, “ a writer who is worried about his career is also fighting for his life.” Apprehensions about victory or the probability of failing are mostly in all probability the reason why James Baldwin decided to go to Europe (in “The Discovery of What it means To be An American”).Furthermore, James Baldwin stresses the writer’s paramount role in life is to put together works that will revivify consciousness in America which will amplify social order in the all-inclusive America.
