Racism vs. Self-Acceptance

Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye, explores racism and its detrimental effects on a person's self-image. Pecola (the story's protagonist) is a confused and misguided African American 11 year-old girl growing up in a damaging environment. Within her close-minded community, she is surrounded by people who mistreat and abuse her. Even her own flesh and blood treats her like a piece of garbage. Without a positive role-model and a loving outlet, Pecola is suffocated by society's dismissive standards while her self-image rots into decay.
Everywhere Pecola turns, beauty is associated with white skin color. The racism that is so prevalent within her community influences Pecola's own self-image, leaving her with no self-worth. The idea of black=ugly becomes engrained into her head, and without an escape, Pecola blames her problems on something she can't control: her skin color. Instead of embracing her identity, Pecola wishes for blue eyes, as if it would solve all of her problems.


Much like Pecola, one cannot achieve success or happiness without self-acceptance. Both the media and society are very influential, and can also inhibit a person from developing a unique identity. Pecola feels trapped and ashamed of her skin color, race, and even her identity. Such low self-esteem can happen to people of all different backgrounds. Whether it is the media or a surrounding community, the environment always has a dominating impact on self-image. Are people growing up in the ghetto destined to be criminals? Can homosexuals involved in religious societies escape from the ridicule?


Use these sources and an open-mind to explore some tangible problems in today's society that are similar to those of Pecola.

For Questia article please follow these steps:
1. Log onto www.questia.com
2. Type USA: The Struggle for Freedom and Self-Respect. in the search panel. It is the first magazine article listed.
3. Click and read.

Podcast

Directions:
1) Become familiarized with the electronic sources to grasp a solid understanding of the issues faced within The Bluest Eye.
2) Trading Places: BLOG POST: Imagine you are removed from your current community and placed within one opposite of your present home (higher crime, poverty) and you are the minority. How would life be different if you lived there all your life and if you just began living there?
3) BLOG POST: Write a thank you letter to a person who influenced you when you were in a bad situation. Then write another letter and imagine you are in a bad environment. How has this (imaginary) person given you self-confidence?
4) Create a storyboard timeline of your life, with pictures, and imagine how it would unravel if you were to grow up in a negative community.