We've been talking in class about Macon Detornay's "right" to talk about civil rights issues, the black community, and the white community. While I definitely find issue with parts of Macon's self-image, as we progressed through the first half of the novel he sounded more genuine, and less comedic, to me. On page 141, Macon makes a couple of thought-provoking comments. Macon describes his take on how racial discussions have progressed. "...all they really learn is not to talk about it." Later on 141, "I think plenty of white people do know deep down that they're part of an evil system, and they learn not to think about it, because it would disrupt their lives." In this part of the novel, Macon doesn't feel like he's crossing a boundary into cultural appropriation, but rather bringing up an important and still-relevant point. As I read further, I'm finding that I find some opinions that Macon outwardly projects valid, even crucial, to encourage discussion about race. However, I still find issue with his self-glorification and am doubtful about his true reasons behind everything he does.
Whether or not it is "right" for Macon to be the face of a resistance movement, Andre and Nique make a good point on page 149, when they are talking about how a white person is able to slip through legality and jail time with more ease than a black person. While Macon finds difficulty justifying his cause to the black community, his white privileged status makes it easier for him to confront white people without as much restriction, and not get shoved aside.
I don't really think there is a "right answer" when it comes to talking about race. There isn't a rulebook for who should or shouldn't talk about what. I don't like many things Macon does or thinks, but I also see some truth and importance in some arguments he brings up to the public in the novel. Unless you are a victim of an issue, I think there is always a fine line between unnecessary heroism and genuine empathy. In our relatively privileged community itself, we talk about poverty and global health while drinking purified tap water and throwing away half the things we buy. But is it still important to discuss global and local issues and try to help? Yes. While there are things Macon could do so that he was trying to help a cause by actually listening instead of acting like a hero, I don't think his character can be boxed in, since he does make thought-provoking comments as the novel progresses, in the first half of the book.
Note: This was written a couple days ago, so obviously my opinion about Macon may have changed. Might follow up with a completely different outlook in my next blog post.
I agree, Macon is really hard to read (both literally and figuratively). Though some of the measures he takes may be cultural appropriation and done with the motivation of self-glorification, he may be doing something with seeds of positivity. I think it is true that as a privileged white person, he is in a good position to speak to privileged white people about whiteness, because these white people will pay attention when someone like them "goes awry." However, his selfish motives and the way he goes about them are definitely questionable.
ReplyDeleteI also definitely agree with this post -- It's hard to decide what to think of Macon, because he does make some really insightful points and he seems to be pretty genuinely invested in equality. I think your point about people at uni discussing poverty while throwing half our stuff away is a really interesting comparison. It's hard because it seems like doing something, even in a cringey macon-esque way must be better than nothing, but also the stuff Macon does, like the stuff we do at Uni, doesn't always have a positive effect and even sometimes could hurt the cause.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how you tied this discussion of race to our discussion about other global issues, and point out the kind of hypocrisy that seems to occur as we talk about these things. I agree that we can't completely bar Macon from talking about the black cause, even if it doesn't directly affect his life, and really more people should be discussing it in this novel. However, I also think that Macon needs to take a step back and re-evaluate his approach to bringing attention to the issue, because I don't think armed robberies and Days of Apology that turn into riots is the best way to get white people talking about it. These things also have a negative effect on the black community, which Macon doesn't really consider.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to put Macon in a specific group. I feel like Macon falls more on the side of unnecessary heroism. He could be a good ally but he goes so over the top without the assistance or want of the black community. He actually insults them instead of helping. Most of the bad outweighs the good in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteMacon's intentions don't seem to be in the wrong place, but they aren't as motivated as they could be. He seems to have genuine empathy and relates to the black community, but he seems to be helping them for himself as opposed to helping just for the sake of being kind. Macon relishes in his "fame" and wants to have his voice heard, and his opinions to matter.
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