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00:00:00 – 00:11:46
The video delves into Claudia Rankine's "Citizen: An American Lyric," merging short stories, poems, and visual art to examine racial experiences and biases in America. The protagonist, addressed as "you," navigates a world where racism, both subtle and overt, is a constant presence. Early encounters include being mistaken for a black maid and facing neighbors' and colleagues' prejudices, underscoring the latent racism in everyday interactions. High-profile events, such as the misrepresentation of Serena Williams' reactions and the disproportionate scrutiny on her, heighten the narrative on racial injustice.
The protagonist's reflections mirror Zora Neale Hurston's sentiments on being most "colored" in a white-dominated space, and Rankine's scripts with John Lucas illustrate systemic neglect and profiling through events like Hurricane Katrina and the deaths of Trayvon Martin and James Craig Anderson. Additionally, the video discusses the global dimension of racism with references to the London riots and an incident from the 2006 World Cup involving Zidane.
Rankine's personal history and achievements, from her Jamaican roots to her influential literary and academic career, provide context for her profound exploration of race. Themes of hyper-visibility, emotional desensitization, and collective vulnerability to racially charged discourse are interwoven throughout, culminating in a powerful commentary on the enduring impact of racism in society.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker summarizes “Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine. The work comprises short stories, poems, pictures, and visual art, exploring varied topics and perspectives. The main character is a black individual referred to as “you”. Early in the story, a young white girl asks the main character to help her cheat in class, and the protagonist contemplates why the teacher hasn’t noticed—suggesting indifference or invisibility. Later, the protagonist is mistakenly called by the name of her friend’s black maid, highlighting persistent racism. This incident is visually supported by a Michael David Murphy photo “Jim Crow Road,” symbolizing the entrenched nature of racism. The main character continually faces subtle and overt racist comments, grappling with internal conflicts and social discomfort. Experiences include a university colleague’s complaint about hiring a person of color and a neighbor’s suspicion of a black friend picking up her child, reflecting ongoing racial biases.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the main character faces skepticism and racism from her neighbor and witnesses explicit racism in a Starbucks queue. The neighbor mistakenly perceives her friend as a threat and calls the police, leading to an awkward encounter where the friend insists on his right to use the phone. At Starbucks, a white man uses the n-word towards black teens, and when confronted, he dismisses the gravity of his words. The segment also examines how people of color, exemplified by Serena Williams, often endure additional scrutiny and criticism when they express anger at unjust treatment. Lastly, the main character experiences exclusion at a comedy reading due to the racially insensitive content and at another event, learns from Judith Butler about the inherent vulnerability of individuals to hurtful speech because of their addressability.
00:06:00
In this part, the main character realizes that being black in a predominantly white world makes her hyper-visible rather than anonymous. Referencing Zora Neale Hurston, the character reflects on feeling most colored against a sharp white background. Despite these reflections, the heroine continues to endure daily racist treatment in isolation.
The narrative then shifts to a more abstract and literary style as Rankin presents scripts for situation videos created with artist John Lucas. The first script includes CNN coverage of Hurricane Katrina and highlights the neglect faced by black communities along the Gulf Coast. Other videos remember victims like Trayvon Martin and James Craig Anderson, addressing racial profiling and police mistreatment.
In a specific scene, the main character discusses the London riots following Mark Duggan’s police-related death with another artist, challenging him on why he doesn’t write about it, revealing complex racial perceptions and justice.
Rankin further explores racism through the 2006 World Cup incident where Zidane headbutts Materazzi. She employs quotes from philosophers and writers to contextualize Zidane’s reaction, citing allegations of Materazzi using racial slurs and inciting Zidane.
00:09:00
In this segment, the protagonist notices no one wants to sit next to a Black man on the train, so she sits beside him, feeling a silent connection and recognizing the often necessary numbness Black individuals develop toward racial slights. The theme of numbness is tied to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer, emphasizing emotional desensitization. The book’s narrative shifts to the first person as the protagonist recounts an incident where a woman avoided parking next to her. The protagonist reflects on this through a metaphorical interaction with her partner about a tennis lesson, not a match.
About the author, Claudia Rankine was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to New York City at age seven. She has an extensive educational background, including a degree from Williams College and a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University. Rankine’s literary career includes significant works like “Citizen: An American Lyric,” which earned multiple accolades. She has also held teaching positions at various prestigious institutions and is currently a professor at Yale University.