IM Project by Christina Pantano

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-01 14:53:42 UTC

"I stared at the glass, see how the light shown through, throwing a transparent, precisely flute shadow against the dark grain of the table, and there on the bottom of the glass lay an eye. A glass eye" (Ellison 474).

As blindness plays a key role in the novel, the reoccurrence of the motif is revealed within Brother Jack's character. The narrator and other black people from the community appear as invisible to specifically The Brotherhood, and other white individuals in the book. Brother Jack's blindness in one eye symbolizes his lack of acknowledgment of black people. He is not only physically blind but is unable to see black people as individuals, as he only sees them as a group.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-01 15:04:58 UTC

"Before that I lived in the darkness into which I was chased, but now I see. I've illuminated the blackness of my invisibility-and vise versa" (Ellison 13).

From Chapter 1, the idea of invisibility and blindness to the black community has been recognized. The narrator's grandfather advised him to essentially obey the white people, as he states to "Overcome 'em with yeses" (Ellison 16). His advice is exemplified in the novel (to an extent) as blacks are often overlooked. The narrator and other black characters are dominated and demonstrated by strong-headed white individuals, acknowledging them, though they are unable to be seen.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-01 15:27:15 UTC

"Thus despite the bland assertions of sociologists, "high visibility" actually rendered one un-visible-whether at high noon in Macy's window or illuminated by flaming torches and flashbulbs while undergoing the ritual sacrifice that was dedicated to the ideal of white supremacy" (Ellison XV).

Ellison describes the neglect and discrimination against African Americans, and explains the difficulties deriving from "high visibility." Though Ellison explains Black Americans as more noticeable and visible, they are still invisible to the public. White supremacy plays a major role in Invisible Man as the narrator and other black individuals are undoubtedly ignored and uncared for. The group, The Brotherhood, deliberately believes that the Black Community acts as a natural resource to be sacrificed, that is, for the benefit of the white people.

The Pedestrian by Tommye Blount

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-02 18:46:07 UTC

Tommye Blount wrote a poem about his experience with a truck driver. After he almost took out his arm, the driver responded with a smile, knowing he would not go to the police. Tommye's altercation demonstrates the leverage white people have over black people and the minimum of help they can receive. Tommye ends the poem with, "..he never saw me-of course, I saw him." Similar to Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, invisibility is prevalent within these topics, enhancing the cultural barrier between Blacks and Whites. Invisibility reoccurs in these works to display the level of discrimination and prejudice against black people, so much so that they struggle to be noticed.

"Being Black in America is Exhausting" by Jonathan Capehart

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-03 20:59:44 UTC

Capehart's essay refers to living as a Black individual in America as tiring, though "tired' is an understatement. In his work he mentions the trials of George Floyd and Derek Chauvin, how "tired" does not exemplify the life of being black in America. These trials display the unjust, cruel, and undeserved trauma projected against black people, and as Capehart describes, no matter what they do they are viewed as threats. The narrator in Invisible Man has the same issues that Capehart describes, they are treated as inferior no matter their gender, age, or socioeconomic status (Capehart). In Chapter 1 at the battle royal, the narrator and other black men were forced to fight for entertainment and eventually electrified. Not only that, but if the narrator even looked at any of the white females he would be punished. These cruel situations have traumatized the narrator, which is shown when he accidentally touches the white female on the bus to New York. Capehart's essay applies to Black men in America, including the narrator in Invisible Man, where they struggle to find equal treatment and status in the world. The narrator is constantly placed into violent and immoral situations where the rules that regulate society are inapplicable, which is often applicable to other Black men in society.

"This is America" Childish Gambino

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-03 21:42:10 UTC

Gambino's song "This is America" represents the oppression against Black people and gun violence. Despite the obvious gun violence displayed in the video, there are hidden additional aspects that go unnoticed by watchers. The pose in the first scene of violence against the guitarist is comparable to the Jim Crow poster, a figure demonstrating black people as lazy and stupid. A red cloth is also prevalent throughout the video, representative of blood. White Gambino is dancing with the kids, someone commits suicide in the background by jumping off the railing. These numerous acts in this video display the amount of violence and racism that is completely disregarded and uncared for.

Amendment #8

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-04 13:13:47 UTC

The purpose of the 8th Amendment is to protect against cruel and unusual punishment, but unfortunately, it is not that easy. The trials of Duante Wright and George Floyd are cases where the 8th Amendment was completely disregarded and the victims were unlawfully punished. This illustration of the 8th Amendment displays the confusion and invisible aspects of the Amendment, which is often directed toward Black individuals. The immoral violence that occurs is significant to the 8th Amendment as its key components are ignored. Social and political laws are unable to protect society from possible cruelty.

The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-04 14:33:24 UTC

White supremacy and the domination of whites over blacks are present in society. Black culture is often overlooked and not taken into consideration. In society, black people are forced to fit into white people's standards. Though there is not one way to be black, there is one way to live as a black individual in America. Their past and history are not honored or remembered, as many people already have conclusions about the identity of black individuals. This excerpt highlights the idea of concealing their past and pretending to be someone they're not, that is if they are even noticed. In Invisible Man, the narrator is unsure about his own identity, he is told to change it for the Brotherhood and to adapt to white culture. Though the narrator goes through these changes, he still goes unnoticed and appears invisible to Brother Jack and other white individuals.

"The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

pantanoc2024_ — 2023-12-04 17:35:27 UTC

Adichie speaks about growing up in a predominantly white area where Black people felt ignored and inferior. She explained how British people had no care for Black people and their culture, causing them to assimilate into British culture and leave their heritage behind. The life of Black people is often unfair and their stories do not get to be told. Adichie says during her TED talk that a single story can rob people of their dignity (Adichie), causing them to ignore their own identity and true self to be approved by society. This idea of altering self-identity and appearance is shown throughout the narrator in Invisible Man, and through his internal struggle of finding his genuine identity.