Review of “Not Entirely Strange, But Not Entirely Friendly Either: Images of Jews in African American Passing Novels Through the Harlem Renaissance.”
by Lorene Russell
Many African American novels deal with a certain common theme: blacks attempting to pass for white in order to attain a better social position. In order to pass for a different race, there must be expectations set for each of the races. These expectations are translated into a “color-line.” Adam Meyer attempts to address the “color-line” while looking at several literary pieces in his article, “Not Entirely Strange, But Not Entirely Friendly Either: Images of Jews in African American Passing Novels Through the Harlem Renaissance.”
Meyer examines what exactly the “color line” is and how this line affects literature. Meyer points out that if there is a line that separates race into black and white, mixed-race people have defied these race categories and can be placed in either one. Lastly, he suggests that race is based on appearance, but appearance can be deceptive in relation to mixed people.
Meyer indicates that a prominent display of the color line and passing over the line is through “African American culture and literature” (441). He states that through passing novels, the author exemplifies the racial differences between blacks and whites. Meyer believes that these writers have an opportunity to encourage readers to turn away from terminology that creates a division between the races.
However, these writers often criticize the characters who pass and often kill or have them return to their “proper” place within a certain race. Within these novels, Meyer writes that the authors show over and over again that the individuals trying to pass would be better off accepting the black race and by passing they are creating a dangerous situation while searching for their identity. Meyer points out that passing for white might be physically easy for some of the mixed culture, depending on their skin shade; it is, however, not easy to break away from the cultural differences.
Another culture that seems to struggle with the color line is Jews. Meyer writes, “Jews challenge the myth of the color line in much the same way that mixed race people do: by seeming to stand on top of it rather than to one side or the other” (443). Through his examination of several authors who write of Jews passing as white, Meyer draws the conclusion that though blacks and Jews have some things in common, Jews are connected more with the white status than with black.
Through Meyer’s examination of different African American literature, he is able to express the idea of passing from one race to another. Mixed races, including others, such as Jews, of different ethnic backgrounds, sometimes struggle with the concept of being either black or white and this struggle is often displayed in novels.
Works Cited
Meyer, Adam. “Not Entirely Strange, But not Entirely Friendly Either: Images of Jews in African American Passing Novels Through the Harlem Renaissance.” African American Review, Volume 38, Number 3 (2004): 441-450. Academic Search Premiere. Web. 12 June 2013.
by Lorene Russell
Many African American novels deal with a certain common theme: blacks attempting to pass for white in order to attain a better social position. In order to pass for a different race, there must be expectations set for each of the races. These expectations are translated into a “color-line.” Adam Meyer attempts to address the “color-line” while looking at several literary pieces in his article, “Not Entirely Strange, But Not Entirely Friendly Either: Images of Jews in African American Passing Novels Through the Harlem Renaissance.”
Meyer examines what exactly the “color line” is and how this line affects literature. Meyer points out that if there is a line that separates race into black and white, mixed-race people have defied these race categories and can be placed in either one. Lastly, he suggests that race is based on appearance, but appearance can be deceptive in relation to mixed people.
Meyer indicates that a prominent display of the color line and passing over the line is through “African American culture and literature” (441). He states that through passing novels, the author exemplifies the racial differences between blacks and whites. Meyer believes that these writers have an opportunity to encourage readers to turn away from terminology that creates a division between the races.
However, these writers often criticize the characters who pass and often kill or have them return to their “proper” place within a certain race. Within these novels, Meyer writes that the authors show over and over again that the individuals trying to pass would be better off accepting the black race and by passing they are creating a dangerous situation while searching for their identity. Meyer points out that passing for white might be physically easy for some of the mixed culture, depending on their skin shade; it is, however, not easy to break away from the cultural differences.
Another culture that seems to struggle with the color line is Jews. Meyer writes, “Jews challenge the myth of the color line in much the same way that mixed race people do: by seeming to stand on top of it rather than to one side or the other” (443). Through his examination of several authors who write of Jews passing as white, Meyer draws the conclusion that though blacks and Jews have some things in common, Jews are connected more with the white status than with black.
Through Meyer’s examination of different African American literature, he is able to express the idea of passing from one race to another. Mixed races, including others, such as Jews, of different ethnic backgrounds, sometimes struggle with the concept of being either black or white and this struggle is often displayed in novels.
Works Cited
Meyer, Adam. “Not Entirely Strange, But not Entirely Friendly Either: Images of Jews in African American Passing Novels Through the Harlem Renaissance.” African American Review, Volume 38, Number 3 (2004): 441-450. Academic Search Premiere. Web. 12 June 2013.