Theme of Racism in The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (Book Analysis)

It is not astounding to hear how racism is still going on in the world today. Racism is taught, not an act we all accordingly choose to do. Racism can also be based on the geography one lives in. It has been seen worldwide in the modern world today as well as in the past. It’s horrific to know that while racism is being taught today, it proceeds to get worse as time goes on. Instead of stopping and being equal, many have the audacity to judge others based on their background. In the “Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd, the geography of the story can show how being a slave can also lead up to racism by the free people. In Mahwah and the United States today, our geography can as well show how racism can be indicated.

As a person of color and with ethnic roots, racism has been displayed against my community in several different ways. Mahwah isn’t as diverse as other towns or cities which can cause others to disrespect different communities. This is because they aren’t used to being around other ethnic backgrounds and feel free to say what they want without hurting others. There have been several times in my life where I have been mocked or made fun of just for being Hispanic. There have also been times where I have been told that I wasn’t ‘dark enough’ to be considered Hispanic. It doesn't necessarily matter what color I am to be considered a Hispanic. Everyone is completely different and many do not understand that. It matters from the roots, and where you come from. It’s a shame to know that many Caucasians think it's okay to say those thoughts out loud. Coming from a kid with Mexican parents, Mexicans are seen as bad people who only want to sell drugs and destroy Americans' lives. Former President Donald Trump considered those who crossed the border an ‘invasion’ and also called ‘aliens’. I was born in America, it doesn't make me any different from everyone else. It hurts to know that my parents had to deal with his words for four years. I was afraid that my mother could have been deported back to Mexico due to the strict ISIS restriction that took place in those four years. Many people think that Mexicans are a threat and won’t benefit America enough. That they just want to come here and destroy others’ lives. My father, however, is such a hard worker and not many people see that. He works hard to support his family and provide us with the necessities. My parents came here to have a better life, not feel unbiddened just by who they are and their roots. The geography and society that we live in today don’t talk about these matters enough. Geography plays a role in this because racism is where you are from and being taught about it as well. Many Americans are racist depending on where they are from. Towns, states, and cities with more diverse people don’t experience this as much. For instance in Mahwah, there are an incredible amount of people who are racist based on skin color, religion, clothing, etc. It is important to know and acknowledge that many different lives matter and many don't think Hispanic people deserve those rights. Being treated unfairly and disrespectfully is something many of us have to deal with every day. 

Considering the previous paragraph, the book “Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd can correspond to both slavery and racism throughout the whole book. Sarah wanted to help Handful out so she wouldn't look like a slave to her so she upskilled her how to read. When John Grimké found out what Sarah has been doing and teaching, he says, “These are sad truths in our world, and one slave who reads is a threat” (Kidd 67). While analyzing this quote, John is saying that the slaves who read are a threat. This can come hand in hand with how Trump called Mexicans out by saying they want to sell their drugs and destroy others lives by coming here. John is also saying that all education to slaves is prohibited and won’t be allowed. While Handful got caught and punished, Sarah got punished as well. The difference, however, was that Sarah was not allowed in her fathers’ library but Handful got whipped with one lash. While the geography and location is in the South and slavery was quotidian there, it can show the difference between the two. Handful got harshly punished just because she is black and is a slave. Sarah, who is white has freedom, fewer punishments, and more rights to many important needs such as reading, education, etc. While it is said that Handful is a slave, there are other possible ways that Handful could have been punished. Another illustration that can be connected is Charlotte's quilt. Charlotte’s quilt told her life story and Handful watched her as that piece of art was being created. While she is a slave and doesn't have any education, her quilt shows who she is as a person alongside her talents as well. Only several people know that she had the potential to sew. Kidd writes, “It was the finest work ever to come from mauma's hands” (Kidd 147). While analyzing this quote, it’s safe to say that Handful praises her mothers’ beauty, hard work, and tenacity. Handful, Charlotte and many other slaves have several talents however with the community they are surrounded by, it's hard to express those talents out. The slaves down in the South are only to be known for the hard labor that they have to do. It is very rare for them to have free time to work on their own substances since they are owned and are consistently working for their owners. Everyone has special talents and Charlotte has a special one considering the fact that she is a slave and is a industrious worker. 

Given these points, it is clear that racism has not been left in the past and is still an ongoing situation in modern day. The “Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd was based in the South in the 1800s. In the United States and Mahwah NJ today, It is clear thar racism is It can easily be said how geography has impacted how people lived in that society. In contemporary society today, many major events still go on and racism is one of them. Geography can easily say much about a person based on where they live and where they come from. It all comes from what is taught at home and who everyone is surrounded by.