Theme of Independence in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and Kat Moon’s article How a Shared Goal to Dismantle White Supremacy Is Fueling Black-Asian Solidarity

Whether it is for politics or social culture, people have always put an utmost importance on independence. Particularly in the U.S, the prevalent idea stands that no one is dependent on someone else, and anyone can do anything without the need for others. While this may incite hope in the minds of Americans, it also keeps them from attaining progress and growth. This is illustrated through the works of John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath and Kat Moon’s article “How a Shared Goal to Dismantle White Supremacy Is Fueling Black-Asian Solidarity” that portray people's need for a strong sense of belonging as well as the capabilities of a community, proving that working with others is essential during hardships.

Steinbeck and Kat Moon reveal that community is fundamental to solving dilemmas  due to the human condition of belonging and affiliating with others. The Grapes of Wrath demonstrates this through the progression of the Okies' hardship throughout the novel. As more Okies settle in California, they slowly realize that they are not the only ones suffering; it is ultimately a “we’ problem.  This sudden realization gives them the urge to help others who are in similar situations as them. This is symbolized at the ending of the novel after Rose of Sharron begins to breastfeed a starving man after the loss of her child. The starving man’s boy begs his father, “Got to have soup or milk…he’s dyin’, I tell you! He’s starvin’ to death, I tell you” (Steinbeck, 454). The boy's plea describes the starving man’s needs, who needs motherly care. Similar to the child, the man is hungry and helpless. In an act of selflessness, Sharron then begins to take care of the starving man with something as personal as breastmilk, as she finds similarities between the man and the child. Ultimately, Sharron’s actions illustrate people's sympathy for others similar to them. Consequently, Steinbeck argues times of difficulty calls for people to look out for one another, as everyone is facing the same problem. Similarly, Kat illustrates the strong sense of connection people have during her interviews with Asian activists who support Black Lives Matter as they highlight the unity of those “who are down and will show up for Black and brown struggle, who will continue to fight for the greater social justice movement not only when we’re under attack but when everyone is under attack…But I often joke that white supremacy is the final boss, and that’s who we all should be going after” (Moon). Clearly, the unity between the two activist groups is created due to the similar situation they are facing; the injustice and racism that affects people of color. Due to their similarities, they feel the need to help each other out, instead of fighting with one another. This led them to work together, to fight a common enemy. Essentially, human nature is to sympathize with others. Inevitably, communities will naturally develop and form during times of difficulty, when everyone is being affected.  Both John Steinbeck and Kat Moon portray the commonality between people, and its importance for adversity.

In addition to the intrinsic desire to unite with others who have similar problems, the sheer size and strength that comes with community proves its necessity to face certain issues. For example, the Okies in Grapes of Wrath are discriminated against and exploited throughout the novel. Despite their troubles, the Okies are helpless, as they do not possess the resilience to defy the ultrarich companies. However, over time the Okies began to band together; as a result, they have the power to voice their opinions and trigger fear among the rich. Casey begins to realize after his time at prison that the only possible solution is unity, claiming, “...they gave us some beans that was sour. One fella started yellin’, an’ nothin’ happened… Then another fella yelled. Well sir, then we all got to yellin’. And we all got on the same tone, an’ I tell ya, it jus’ seemed like that tank bulged an’ give and swelled up”  (Steinbeck, 382). Undoubtedly, the situation in Casey’s prison demonstrates the ineffectiveness of working alone. As one prisoner, he was helpless against the well-armed guards. However, a group of prisoners can outfight the guards, as they have more power through numbers. Likewise, the Okies can not fix their living conditions and wages just by working alone against the wealthy Californians; they must band together and protest in groups. In the same way, the Black and Asian activists began to also realize the end of their injustice is only possible through working together. Kat interviews Lisa Lue, a protestor for Black and Asian solidarity, who recognizes that when the two groups of people come together, “...we can be louder and we can finally get some justice” (Kat). Comparable to Casey, Lue understands that the ends to racism will only be possible when she unifies with Black activists. By creating more numbers, there will be more recognition due to bigger protests. Consequently, laws and police reform will occur  more efficiently, due to the gravity of the situation created by the large numbers. Similar to the prisoners in The Grapes of Wrath, they take advantage of the benefits of a group to unironically unite against the same enemy, law enforcement. Casey and Lue’s revelations illustrate the strength and capabilities of a community, illustrating the need for it to solve problems.

Both Steinbeck and Kat illustrate that working alone is ineffective in meeting goals. Whether it was to survive the hot lands of California or fight against the brutality of law enforcement, both Okies and people of color achieved their goals together. As both the activist and the Okies felt a connection through similarities and overcame obstacles that were once impossible alone, they revealed the key to withstand times of distress; community. In spite of this, it is clear that the long standing tradition of self-dependency still prevails in society. During the emergence of Covid-19, people have defied vaccinations and quarantines due to their worries of their own freedoms rather than the safety of everyone, slowing down the process of combating the disease. Evidently, when people begin to work together, both locally and internationally, will humanity return to its normal state.