Sunjata And Fredrick Dougalss Essay Research Paper

KATRINA GRIFFIN

10/12/99

HUM 2011.4

PRO CHAMBERS

RESPONDS ON SUNJATA AND FREDRICK DOUGLASS READINGS

In the story ?The Guardian of the Word?, it shows how Africans Americans and modern post-colonial Africans are a like in rejection of history and traditional culture. The griot in the story was trying to explain the history and lineage to a young African boy when his teacher came and deliberately interrupted the lesson. The teacher regarded the griot?s lesson as meaningless and trivial compared to modern day teachings. The teacher did not understand or want to understand the old traditional way and culture from whence he came. The teacher represents the African Americans ignorance of their culture, while the groit and boy symbolizes the old knowledge and desire to learn it.

Moreover, it is important to know and remember one?s past wither it be good or bad. If it is good, why not continue and let the future be as fruitful as the past? If it was a bad event, can a lesson be learned from it? One would not want to repeat a grievous incident because failure to acknowledged it happen before. For example, slavery for black people was a terrible act, so to pretend that such an event did not happen or became null to the causes that produces it, is a trap set for oneself. An ignorant person of his culture and history leaves themselves open to all the predators ready to devour, like a lamb without its shepherd. Besides, having a rich cultural memory makes one whole and strong. There is no doubt that anything can be conquered and tamed. There is a sense of passion for one?s being, like the famous poem ?EGO TRIPPING?? ?I made the pyramids and the wonderful mystery of the Sphinx.? Is this not a marvelous history to remember?

In respond to Fredrick Douglass, he becomes the master of his own fate and not his white overseer. He realizes his worth? ?Why should he be the butt?, quoting from ?The Souls of Black Folk?. Douglass certainly did not want to be ?invisible? anymore. In Nietzsche terms; Douglass uses the oppression and suffering to power him into the mind frame of being the master. He does not accept fear but gives it heartily to his overseer, which indeed changes his future relations with him.

According to the writer, William Blake, one should always say what they are thinking or want changed. To act not is to murder your own being, mind, and proud history. Another writer, James Baldwin states ?man is forced each day to snatch his manhood, his identity out of the fire of human cruelty?if he survives the effort?he can teach, achieve own authority and that is unshakable?. This statement is clearly demonstrated in both stories (Sunjata and Douglass). Both people took control and authority of their life, which force everything to become subordinate and humble. That is the power of realizing ones proud history and self worth.