The Pacific Ocean in itself did not cause her heart beat to quicken, nor did the roaring of its waves find an emotional echo within her. But on coming upon Bruce's Beach for colored people near Redondo, or the little strip of sandied shore they had appropriated for themselves in Santa Monica, the Pacific Ocean became an intriguing something to contemplate as a background for their activities. Everything was interesting as it was patronized, reflected through, or acquired by Negroes (Thurman, 437-438). This female does not get excited by nature like the ocean, but by seeing people of colored. I think because she can relate. Personally, I do not just get along with people because we are the same race, but because we can relate on a deeper level than just how we look. We have to have similar likes and similar feelings.
Her uncle Joe had been right. Here, in the colored social circles of Los Angeles, Emma Lou was certain that she would find many suitable companions, intelligent, broad-minded people of all complexions, intermixing and being too occupied otherwise to worry about either their own skin color or the skin color of those around them. Her uncle Joe had said that Negroes were Negroes whether they happened to be yellow, brown, or black, and a conscious effort to eliminate the darker elements would neither prove or solve anything (Thurman, 438). It is amazing that in Los Angeles she witnessed people of many colors be friendly to one another. I agree with her uncle on that having a light skin color would not solve anything.
Hicks, Jack, et al. “The Blacker the Berry.” The Literature of California, vol. 1, University of California Press, 2000, pp. 437–446.
Hi again, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this story, but I decided to read your notes on this one because I read other people's comments and analysis on it and this seems to be a good one. I even saved the title and I may read it someday!
It is horrible seeing Emma' struggles on trying to be accepted for being a black woman.