LITR 4332: American Minority Literature

Sample Student Final Exam Answers 2002
Question 3 creative option on origin / creation stories

3.         The African American’s relationship to the dominant culture was determined when he was first taken from his homeland in Africa. His creation began when the slave trader planted him on a slave ship-the womb of his metamorphosis from free, self-sufficient man to slave. The creation of African Americans included the involuntary migration to America, the learned behavior of submissive servitude, and a new language. The slave traders were like a cruel and vengeful god creating a race based on physical torture and psychological trauma. Their abusive control was reinforced with the fact that the Blacks did not share a common language when they were in Africa, therefore they were unable to communicate amongst themselves and forced to learn English if they wanted to communicate at all. In addition to compassion and dignity, the slave gods withheld education forcing the dependence of this new race on his white oppressor.

The creation of African Americans did not stop there. Once the slaves were granted their freedom, they advanced from “slave nigger” to simply “nigger.” The progression continued through the decades with their identity changing as follows: Afro-American, Black, and today, African American. Their identity continues to evolve as their race struggles to find equality. They have seen an end to slavery and segregation and the stigma of mixed-marriages is slowly eroding. However, the distrust instilled in AA centuries ago is still present today. Black and white racial relations remain at constant odds whether the topic is crime and punishment, education and employment, or preserving the integrity of the neighborhood. How long will both races have to face the consequences of the slave trader’s actions? When forgiveness, forgetfulness and equality prevail. Maybe, then.

            Native American creation stories significantly contrast the biblical creation stories because they do not believe in a monotheistic deity that is responsible for creating all things. They also do not believe that man’s nature conflicts with the nature of other living things (plants, animals, etc.). Most importantly, they believe in a harmony and balance between man and earth that has not been challenged by the Christian belief in man’s evil pre-condition. Therefore, NA do not require salvation in order to be in a state of grace with the Great Spirit.

            As far as the NA relationship with the dominant culture, Handsome Lake sums it up best with his retelling of the Columbus story. He tells how NA survived the white man’s invasion despite his gifts of cards, money, the fiddle, whiskey, and disease. Lake portrays Columbus as the devil plotting to destroy NA.  Here again, the forced behavior of the dominant race has instilled a sense of distrust in NA, just as it did with AA. It’s a difficult decision to chose which culture suffered the most. I want to say it was the AA, but a NA may see it differently.

            The apparition of the Virgin Guadalupe by Juan Diego personified the MA religious (Catholic) experience because the apparition occurred in Mexico before a young Mexican boy and her physical appearance equaled that of other Mexican women. According to our class discussions, this story relates the syncretism between the Catholic religion and the ancient mystical Indian beliefs of Mexico. There is no doubt the apparition confirmed the Catholic religion as the primary religion of MA but it also united the MA with Catholics around the world. This mutual religious belief serves to unite MA culture to the dominant culture in a way that the AA and NA cultures do not. Although, the cultural differences are many between Hispanics and the dominant culture, Catholicism is a strong common denominator for the two. 

            These origin stories confirm the social contracts between the AA, NA, and MA cultures to the dominant culture the same way the literature of this course has done. The consequences of distrust towards the dominant culture manifests in the AA dream of a better life. What I’m trying to convey is, their lives have improved since the first African set foot on American soil. That is not to say more improvement is not necessary. In this light, they are still dreaming of a better life.

            Handsome Lake’s creation story reiterates the loss and survival theme. Columbus may have been responsible for destroying thousands of Native Americans, but six centuries later, their culture still exists.

            Finally, the MA creation story of the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe and its impact on current day religious practices maintains the ambiguous nature of MA culture. They are MA, so they are different from the dominant culture, but they are Catholic, just like many of the dominant culture. Where do they fit exactly? One foot on both sides of the imaginary line – in their own space. [TStJ]