" I live in voluntary exile in France and I like it. There is nothing in the life of America that I miss or yearn for... I shall of course, keep my American citizenship, my American passport; but I prefer to live out my days among civilized people."
Ok, confused?! I sure am. I thought he hated America, the land of uncivilized people where there isn't an inch of freedom or as he states, "It was only in America where so much freedom is lacking that one hears long and impassioned arguments about freedom ... It is like listening to a starving man tell of his need for food."
Here is my thought Richard, get your thoughts and feelings in order. If you don't like America and how its run then Ovua! and while you're gone leave your American rights behind. America isn't perfect but it sure is better than living in many other places. You found a place that fits you, then HOORAY FOR YOU but leave the trash talking to your diary.
He was asked to write of his new life in Paris yet he flipped it around to fit his vengeful and hateful thoughts. Yes, it was difficult for him to have a life free of judgement but he didn't attempt to fix anything he just got fed up and left. What will happen if he encounters problems in France? Will he pick up and move to India? What if the same thing happens there? A pessimist will never find happiness unless he changes his mind. He will forever encounter an issue wherever he goes because he seems to focus on the negatives. Wen did he ever mention the good? Did he ever think that the only reason he was able to write and publish "Native Son" and "Black Boy" was because he had freedom of speech? Guess he never thought that one through.
“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose."
-Kahlil Gibran
Hi Ivette -
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your strong views and passion! For the purposes of academic writing, you do want to try to engage the texts without dismissing them - Wright is a serious thinker and writer, so he deserves a serious response whether you agree with him or not. Might there be reasons for his conflicting feelings you can figure out from the essay and respond to?
Also, keep in mind freedom doesn't just come from the government - after all, it was a magazine that refused to publish this article after asking for it.
If you don't like America and how its run then Ovua! and while you're gone leave your American rights behind. America isn't perfect but it sure is better than living in many other places. You found a place that fits you, then HOORAY FOR YOU but leave the trash talking to your diary.
ReplyDeleteYou appear biased.... One he wrote this in or before 1951. The world was different then; was it not?
Next he died in 1960 you argue like your arguing at him. He's dead.
Your argument here seems like something i would have written in the span of 10 minutes during eighth grade.