Self-Fashioning, Self-Defining

Self-Fashioning, Self-Defining

Dear Mr. David Waldstreicher,

My name is Diamond, and I am a Negro drummer aboard a ship: Albany. I have to say, I very much liked your realization and work about us people of color, us slaves, and runways. Yes. I think I most enjoyed your idea of self-fashioning…not only about wearing clothes, doing jobs, speaking right, or what-not. But, creating and manipulating the power and control of the white, free man for ourselves. I am a drummer. And I fashion myself as one. Though it often times feels like I am a servant to the free men, and though I am a slave—I am not. As an entertainer in endure a few privileges to my brother laborers. And it is nice.

Though sometimes, I wish I could fashion myself a pirate. I think I would have a lot more respect with them. Them boys love the music, they love to dance, and they have a great time.

But back to your work.; I have to say, I love that you bring to light that the abolishment of slavery came about not only by the tides changing in ideas of slavery by the free people, but that the mixed people, the colored people, were actively infiltrating the system. The slave system was flawed, we are not a lesser race. And we can do anything a free man can, sometimes better!

I like that.

Well salutations and good life to yeah

Sincerely, Diamond.

Questions:

1) Is identity really ambiguous? Is there really potential for change in our current vernacular? How would the idea of identity and difference/sameness have to change?
2) How is self-transformation and self fashioning a phenomenon now? In San Francisco? At Stanford?