The definition of right and wrong, of good and bad, and of what is normal and not have has been inculcated since the time we became conscious of our existence. We have always been guided and constrained with the norms and rules of behaving in the social world we live in. Anything that contradicts and breaks the expectations set by the social institutions that have the greatest influence in the way we should behave stigmatizes us and characterizes our actions as deviant or beyond normal. Social inequality and racial collectivism did not only misplace and isolated the colored community geographically but also crippled them in different aspects of their society in terms of economic, political and cultural conditions.
Independence Day, Manley Hot Springs, Alaska talks about how it was like to move out of home (“dangerous” California) to live and try the life from a distant territory (“better” Alaska) in the hope of better living conditions. In the narrative, among the reasons her mother wanted to migrate were the muggings and violence in the streets of America. Opportunity knocked for a greener pasture – that is, Alaska where pipeline projects lured people from nearby territories to get a better life. The author effectively described the fears of uncertainty through her observations on her mother, the difficulty of experiencing racial discrimination at an early age, and the hardships of adjusting to new social environment where no one is a familiar face.
But more explicit are the narratives on disappointing economic and social conditions that are far from what the characters expected particularly on the issue of skin color. “And he whips around raises a shotgun and aims it at my face, “I told you goddamn Indians to get the fuck out of my bar.”” (par. 1 p. 75) The author has precisely described the scenario of the story reflecting the reality of the time it was written. “The bearded man is the man who owns the lodge and he tells his side calmly, reasonably, as if there is nothing unusual about pointing shotguns at twelve-year-olds. …. As for me, “she looks like a goddamn Native,” he says, and shrugs.” (par. 8, p. 76) This allowed the readers to better see the perspective that the author offers to his readers.
In life, each and every one of us is fueled by the dreams and hopes we believe in. We strive to be better individuals by taking care of our families, working harder, and being humane in the hope of attaining our aspirations. Being raised in a family that teaches the value of compassion instill in me the belief that every act and decisions we do will not just affect our personal concerns but will greatly influence the people around us. Sadly though, not all people share the same values we uphold when it comes to respecting others and the conditions in life they endure. Furthermore, most real life situations are unfortunately characterized with lack of kindness, sympathy, and concern for the people that are of our equal to us in the eyes of God.
Just like previous Silent Dancing talks of how it was like to move out of home to live and try the life from a distant territory in the hope of better living conditions. However, it portrayed the concepts of discrimination and inequality not just in the light of differing skin color but also of the existence of such social condition within the discriminated sector in the society. “It became my father's obsession to get out of the barrio, and thus we were never permitted to form bonds with the place or with the people who lived there. Yet El Building was a comfort to my mother, who never got over yearning for la isla. She felt surrounded by her language: The walls were thin, and voices speaking and arguing in Spanish could be heard all day.” (par. 12)
The difficulty of experiencing racial discrimination and the hardships of adjusting to new social environment come not just as a constant comparison between two differing social sectors but between and among the very complex diversity that resulted to the popular migration of Latinos to the Americas. “In truth, compared to our neighbors in El Building, we were rich. My father's Navy check provided us with financial security and a standard of life that the factory workers envied.” (par. 15) More interesting is how the author artistically laid out the conflict in the story in the simple way that will most fittingly reflect how the events could possibly happen making more real.
We hope to create an ideal social environment where people live in bliss. But reality tells us norms of the society resulted to different stereotyping behaviors. We are still negatively perceived by people when we look and act contrary to the expectations set by the people around us. More misfortunate is the fact and instances when the very institution that brought us up believes in the black and white perception of things and people. As we are trained to respect the people who have authority over us, we are at the same time silenced with such obedience. Guilt haunts us in different forms. And we just finally feel sorry for ourselves and the people who experienced the same. It is ironic that the strict rules of conduct that are believed to foster equality most of the time serve as gags to fully express, live and assume the very same promise.
Despite the attempts of various individuals from different sectors of the society to promote equality as evident in the works of the both authors, the truth is social inequality and racial collectivism hovers not only over the colored community and crippled them in different aspects of their society in terms of economic, political and cultural conditions. But what is important is the fact that highly relevant public issues are recognized and awareness between the different sectors of the society is upheld. I commend the authors for their work for they were able to give the moral essence of life’s hopes and realities in the midst of chaotic social environment beset cultural and political challenges.
References:
Chavez, L. (n. d.) Independence Day, Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. Available at: http://www.projdm.com/misc/Chavez.htm. [Accessed: 16 January 2007].
Ortiz Cofer, J. (n. D.) Silent Dancing. Available at: http://www.projdm.com/misc/Cofer.htm. [Accessed 16 January 2007].
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