Is it important to have an African writer’s perspective on race in America? Being African, the writer would have, for the most part, an unbiased opinion on what occurs in America; but this writer would not be familiar with the culture of America. This almost paradox gives both understanding and alienation. Being Caucasian, I have no idea what it is like being an African, or any other race, in America. An unbiased observer is the perfect candidate to write a book or newspaper article about American culture since that person would see it for what it really is outside the confines of familiarity or patriotism. The patriot inside me wants to say, “How can someone who was not even born in America turn around and criticize a country that he or she does not even know?” It would be like me—after only seeing Japan for two months; even if I was still living there—writing a commentary on Japanese treatment of race. The writer can only see the new country through the lens of their country, and thus can never truly understand another culture since it will always be seen through the lens of another country. Although the insight of an outsider can clearly observe another’s culture, I do not agree with him or her criticizing it as if it is his or her own country. An outsider can clearly observe behavior but they cannot understand it while conversely an American would not be able to observe an attitude but they would be able to understand the cultural mindset. The writings of an African author are needed in society to bring issues into light, especially the issue of the unequal treatment of the non-white races. Reading books written by authors of different races opens my eyes to their culture and the treatment of their race within my own culture. Despite their essential observations, nonnative born writers should do extensive research into the culture that they wish to analyze before evaluating a culture or a culture’s ideals.
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lep5240 says
While my response to your opening question is “yes,” we do need an African’s perspective on race in America, I can also understand your point of view. I think the main reason that we need an African’s perspective is because we are unable to experience racism, and therefore unable to fully understand how awful it is. An important idea to keep in mind is that the novel was not really criticizing American culture as a whole, but more so the racism that occurs within it. I completely agree that the author does not have the credibility to comment on the culture as a whole; however, I think that she kept her points mainly around what she was experiencing in terms of racism and cultural differences so I do not think she exceeded her boundaries.
jgs5271 says
I understand where you are coming from in saying that a non-American should not comment on the American lifestyle. However, when it affects the life of the person living there it definitely sparks discussion. In Americanah, Ifemelu was discriminated against because of her skin color in ways she had never seen in Nigeria. Whether it was being asked about her view from a black perspective in class or having to relax her hair for a job, there was a certain mold she was told she needed to follow, and this is not right. It is important that she expresses her opinions about it because it will open the eyes of people to realize this does not have to be the norm. We do not need to characterize people by their race. Though, she was only in America for a short time, she immediately saw the blatant difference in her treatment, and her voice deserved to be heard.
Adam Dormier says
This is an interesting and important point with regards to the role of a writer’s perspective. I think that most people’s instinctive response to your opening question is “yes,” but they miss out on a fact that you clearly point out: just because someone is not from a particular culture doesn’t mean that their observations and opinions are completely objective. We all process information within our own network of interpretation, and those networks are heavily shaped by the culture we grow up in. Consequently, we must take all cultural commentary with a grain of salt. While different perspectives are good for highlighting issues that people who are part of a society may not point out, the severity of the issue can be skewed by the cultural background of the observer. Perhaps, then, our best way to gain a near-objective perspective on our society is to look at commentaries on our culture from a wide range of people with a variety of different backgrounds.