Late Submission by Temoc

04-18-2010

Dear Miss Sally Hemming,

I would like to personally address some things, in a letter that should never be read by any other eyes than our own. I would like to address my writings, visions, and actions. Though you cannot read, this letter, is for your eye, and will be said to you, with me by your side.

I have written a work called “Laws”, in my notes on the state of Virginia, mainly because I think we needed my opinion of laws to be written, seen, and heard. There are many issues to be sought out and fixed in this new country, and Laws, within the state and greater must be address.

Let it be known that I care for you deeply, as my helper, and that the secrete that I hold is one which I do not believe in everything I have written. Rather, I am deeply confused, but I know my vision and purpose, and God’s will. I know, for the time being, you must stay a slave. To please the common folk, the Negro must stay as servants to us. But as you know, from your time in France, this does not have to be true. Unlike what I have written in my notes, you are human, and you are a living being, and you deserve all the treatments of any other person….but I cannot write this. This is not the time.

You are my slave, my servant, my friend, and other times, another person for whom I cherish deeply. Ms. Heming, this is a hard letter for me to write, but I had to write it. What I have created, for Query XIV is to say the least, gross. But it is what is right, for the time now. It is just, it is my idea of the idea union, for this time. Over our time together, I know this, these words, are not correct, completely. However, I need you to know, that I am confused. And, that yes, you I care for deeply.

I have told this to you in my own ways, but in reflection to my article, this poured out.
Until this reading to you.

Sincerely,
Thomas Jefferson

1) How does “Laws” affect the creation of the Union and how does it form our ideas about the Negro people now, and of the Native population.
2) What are the differences of portrayal, between Ms. Hemmings and Ellen Craft, in terms of black womanhood? What are the common themes presented?





5-2-2010

Dear Mr. Jacobson,

I would like to address one small issue with you about your work…

I have to say, I do agree with much that you have written in the Political History of Whiteness. In terms of politics, scientific study, and privilege, I think you deconstructed our historical relationship whit whiteness very well. However, what about Blackness? And what of the relationship of whiteness to blackness?

You did site Franz Boas on page 33, and the discovery of modern anthropology, but what of the application and morphology of whiteness and blackness then? Yes, Black people were humanized more, and yes, white people became more homogenous in terms of culture, but from my perspective, nothing really changed….you just showed how the polarity of black/whiteness has more or less stayed the same. But, I do not think you illustrated the true ramifications of this kind of thinking.

The fact of the matter is, Black people, since and before Jefferson’s note, have been the alien—for lack of a better term. The blackness, embedded in our skin is the ultimate point of difference and discrimination. We have, and still are, treated with the first glace understanding that we are the worst of people, thought that may not be true. Yes, whiteness has not always been homogenous. And yes, there was strife. But, always, the black people are treated the worst, unless they can pass….and even then, alienation occurs within.

I have to say, you have written an important document. However, I would have like to see more of the other races represented in response and relationship to whiteness. More, importantly, a close comparative analysis, so that this history can be seen in relation to color. Yes, your document show much about whiteness, but, in then end, we are still only talking about white people—how much more work have you done than your predecessor?

Thank You

Toni Morrison.

In response to Sanchez’s work
1) How does Mexican American and Mexican culture mix and change? How do people adapt to place and space?
2) If Toni Morrison believes Blacks are the real Aliens, what does that have to do with Land and Sea? How does this speak to the immigration of the Mexican American?





5/9/2010

Dear Helga,

I have read about your journey. And I am happy, sad, and yet still hopeful.

You have been through so much honey, yes you have, and I see it. I am sorry where you end up. Why, oh why, I ask myself why do decided to have all those children and tie yourself to that man in the end. But I guess, a man of God is familiar, it is beckoning you.

But, you did, as I, know the life of a single woman. You knew what I meant. The hardship and troubles of being of color, and being in the city, alone. It is hard, full of danger, and like me, you had not idea what to do.

You didn’t know your place, but we didn’t have one yet. In the future, I am sure we will have one, but as of now, there is nothing for us…. there is only “our place”.

I have to say, even with your ending. It could have been worse. Going to Europe, going and minstrel shows being so popular there…we are not liked everywhere…but you had your journey.

I am so sorry it was so hard and sad for you. I had hoped you would fine your love you needed…but I think you did….in your children I pray. I pray for their future, and their work and adventures….for you were a beginning, and definitely not an end…

Sincerely

Hunter.

1) Who did it in the end of Passing? What do you think really happened?
2) In Pinky, how does blackness and blackface perpetuate? How does it do so now in our popular culture?





5/23/2010

Dear Lee,

Your work in Orientals can be seen to always show “the Asian” as other. Always….

It is a crazy concept to think of…
In most of your anecdotes, you play with what it means to be Asian, in response to the 3rd sexuality: “The male Asian, being so submissive he does not matter…. In fact, he is the other… just have him work for us, and let us make fun of his doppelganger phenomenon of himself”. It is all very interesting.

What I find most fascinating, is the relationship to Playing Indian…as my book is titled…
I find interesting the concept of other. For Indians, playing it shrouds oneself in other, that is assumed not to exist. But, for yellowface, one shrouds in the other that which is there, yet, fears no ramifications, because the subject is essentially dehumanized. Indigenous people are not even considered human, they are considered dead….and yet, Asian, knowingly alive and present—the model minority—well it does not matter. Even in the age of 2007, we play a racist role against the Asian males, and in Miss Saigon, the female…

I do like the concept of the other, and I believe it is accurate. I just wish there was a way to change it, and somehow make the Asian culture native….but I do find issue with that. How can we do such a thing without the continued erasing of the Native American population? How can the Alien cease to exist, when the native has always been here.

I think we have an interesting problem and dilemma here. After we talk about majority culture, and how they treat the minority races, how do minority races treat each other? Yes, of course along with the majority culture….but really, how does a melting pot really work? And how dangerous is it?

Very, and I think you would agree.

I would like to speak to you more about your work. Please contact me if you can.

Sincerely,

Philip J. Deloria

1) What are the differences, as Toni Morrison would see it, between blackface and yellowface?
2) What are the similarities between Mexican American immigration and integration and Asian American immigration and integration?