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Comparing Racism In Everyday Use By Alice Walker And Audre Lorde

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In a well-developed essay, compare and contrast the development of the theme of representations of race and/or racism in any of the texts from two different writers that we have studied during the second half of the semester. Your essay must have a clear, original thesis that states what larger point your paper will make by comparing and contrasting your chosen texts. You must refer to concrete examples from the text to support your claims.
During the late 60s and early 70’s the civil rights movement was in full swing, with many famous Civil Rights activists fighting for equal rights and what they believe. It was one thing being a black male during this time period, but it was another being a black female during this movement as women were …show more content…

Both of their poems are powerful and the use of feminism and racism is apparent throughout. In the opening paragraph of Poetry is not a luxury, Lorde indicates right away what the poem is going to be about. “It is within this light that we form those ideas by which we pursue our magic and make it realized.”(Lorde) Lorde states that Women are in this without a choice, however it’s what they do whilst in the situation that will make history and get their voices heard. Similarly in the opening paragraph of Everyday Use, Walker states that it was the women of the house that swept up the floor. “I will wait for her in the yard that Maggie and I made so clean and wavy yesterday afternoon.” Indicating right away that one of their chores as a colored female is to make sure the floor is swept as clean as can be so it’s almost like a living …show more content…

Dee also tries to explain to Maggie the meaning of heritage and that there is so much more out there than your own neighborhood. ““Your heritage,” she said. And then she turned to Maggie, kissed her, and said, “You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But the way you and Mama still live you’d never know it.” (Walker) In comparison to this, in Poetry is not a luxury, there is also a sense of heritage and looking back upon where they came from, and Lorde emphasizes the fact that women need to be more in touch with their past. “But as we become more in touch with our own ancient, black, non-European view of living as a situation to be experienced and interacted with, we learn more and more to cherish our feelings, and to respect those hidden sources of our power from where true knowledge and therefore lasting action comes.”

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