‘Social Death’ and ‘Possessive Individual’ according to Grace Hong Essay Example

of social death stems from possessive individualism, which denies individuals ownership of their bodies and renders them socially insignificant. They are excluded from society in terms of nationality and lack inclusion in a nation's cultural center. However, they may still hold a role in the country's economy, particularly within the state-capitalist system. This was the experience endured by black Americans for over a century following the Emancipation Proclamation. While capitalism does not discriminate based on color or gender, nationhood does. Despite contributing to the economic system, black Americans faced social marginalization on Southern plantations. Only after the Civil War and emancipation from slavery could they reclaim their sense of self. This initial step marked their social rebirth and cultural revival, resulting in recognition of the "black voice" through various art forms, especially American literature since the late 19th century.

Reference:

Grace Kyungwon Hong, in her book The Ruptures of American Capital, Women of Color Feminist and the Culture of Immigrant Labor, explores the concept of national subjectivity and how it intersects with the experiences of women of color feminist in the context of immigrant labor. The author focuses on the complexities of possessive individualism and social death. This book was published by University of Minnesota Press in London in 2006, with a range of pages from 3 to 29.

The poem "Negro" by Langston Hughes connects with readers on an emotional level rather than relying on technical complexity or metaphorical richness. It achieves this through a skillful blend of simple language and references to historical events, resulting in a powerful work of art. The purpose of this essay is to explore how the poet utilizes poetry as a

medium to convey the horrors of black slavery, which remains one of the darkest eras in human history.

The poem revolves around the juxtaposition of the past and present conditions of black individuals, as narrated by an enslaved African American. It emphasizes the similarities between their own experiences and those suffered by slaves in various historical periods. These include examples such as King Caesar's empire, rule under Egyptian Pharaohs, captivity in native Africa, and subjugation by Belgians in Congo. Regardless of diverse political and social contexts, black people have encountered significant oppression globally, enduring slavery throughout different eras.