The phrase "the more things change, the more they stay the same" brings to mind Bob Dylan's 60's song "The Times They are a-Changin'". Nevertheless, we must ponder whether we have genuinely advanced as a society in eliminating racism and prejudice from our language. Despite certain individuals holding this belief, the reality suggests otherwise. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, serves as a captivating demonstration of this point.
During the 1920s, African American individuals in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby were often portrayed using offensive and demeaning language that is now considered unacceptable. This derogatory vocabulary aimed to dehumanize them, treating them as objects rather than people. For instance, when Nick encounters a horse-drawn carriage with "two Bucks" and a Negro girl accompanied by a white chauffeur, he contemplates the potential consequences of t
...heir crossing a bridge. This incident highlights the prevailing attitudes towards free black families during Fitzgerald's time. Nick refers to the black males as "Bucks," drawing from the term used during slave auctions, as calling them "men" or "gentlemen" would imply a higher social status for black individuals.
The topic of the white race's downfall is a recurring theme in the novel. Tom and Daisy discuss this matter during a dinner conversation, with Tom expressing concern that the white race may be completely overwhelmed. Daisy chimes in, stating the need to suppress minorities. Fear of anything different and the absence of visual similarity between individuals led to an inevitable fear of minorities. Those who lacked wealth and were not white were viewed with apprehension.
Not only was racism present in the book, but characters also demeaned others based on their financial status. In
East Egg, one was considered wealthy and glamorous, while in West Egg, one was well-off but not as rich as those in East Egg. Nick, living in West Egg, was viewed as inferior by Tom due to his perceived strength and manliness. Tom declared, "Just because I'm stronger and more of a man than you are," showcasing his inflated ego. Nick wasn't the only outsider; Gatsby also felt like one. If Gatsby had been wealthy from the start, Daisy would have chosen him over Tom, a fact she confessed tearfully to Gatsby.
Despite being in the late 90's, people's attitudes have not changed. Wealth and racial differences still contribute to individuals' belief in their own superiority. An article from the Sacramento Bee discusses David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan who is running for U.S. Congress. This article reveals that nothing has truly changed. Duke proudly announces his intention to defend the rights of Christian whites during a 30-minute speech where he and Edward Fields blame Jews and Israel for global issues. They also argue that African Americans and other minorities have an excessive influence on American culture which needs to be stopped. Duke concludes by stating, "If we lose European Americans, we lose America," echoing Tom's fear of the white race being fully submerged. It is alarming how Duke's quote parallels Tom's comment from Fitzgerald's story after so many decades, serving as a reminder that societal change remains insufficient over time.
Tupac Shakur, a rapper, aptly states that it is time for people to make necessary changes regarding eating habits, lifestyle choices, and treatment of one another in order to ensure survival.
Bibliography:
Great Gatsby,
F.Scott Fitzgerald
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