In mid-twentieth century America, tensions regarding race were as high as ever. The nascent civil rights movement is beginning to be met with backlash by whites as blacks seek equality in America. Despite being set in Ohio and not the South, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison is chock-full of racial and socioeconomic divide. Nothing is more indicative of the racial problems that plague America than the formation of the "Seven Days Group" in this small midwestern town. This group of black men aims to attain revenge on their white counterparts by killing white people after black people have been killed. Guitar joins this group in order to feel as if he is helping to make progress in the battle for equal rights in America. The morality of the group is extremely debatable given the racial tensions in America at this time. On one hand, this group of black men is killing innocent white people, making the entire race look bad and completely epitomizing the "eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" adage. On the other hand, the group is seeking retribution to avenge the deaths of blacks across the country whose murderers are never as much as questioned for their crimes. From someone like Guitar's perspective, I can see how one would find this group to be a noble cause in the struggle for equality as Guitar has struggled with race problems throughout his life. From someone like Milkman's perspective however, I can see how this group would look like a group of crazed murderers as Milkman has not experienced the same kind of struggles as Guitar has. Personally, I don't believe that the "Seven Days Group" is moral as any kind of violence only further exacerbates the race problem in America. As seen in the work of MLK Jr., the best way to achieve equality is through peaceful protests as the public then perceives you as a cause worthy of its respect. In the words of MLK, "Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace."
I really like that you bring up the morality of the Seven Days because in this time period, like you said, tensions were high and no one really knew what the right thing to do was. I think in some ways, it was a way for people to get immediate comfort in a time of uncertainty and unaccountability. Yes, violence is not always to best solution but for Guitar, it is possible that it might have been. Call me cruel and heartless but the way Morrison sets up Guitar as a character, it seems nothing would satisfy him in this world of injustice if he could not have some sort of hand at making noticeable change. Again, I am not promoting violence but I think that violence was the answer in Guitar's case because it provided him with the comfort he needed to know he matter and was leaving his mark, if that makes sense. He gives up everything to do what he thinks is right, and honestly, what is right truly depends on who you ask. We live in a society that frowns upon violence no matter what but that is just not the case for some people, and me even saying this probably makes people immediately think that I am siding with terrorism or something dramatic and extreme like that, just further proving my point. We do not take note of the violence we take part in every day to make change and we as a people think that kind of violence is okay. Animal testing for medical advancements (not just cute puppies but rats and other understated groups), hazardous chemical bi-products destroying ecosystems for engineering advancements; the list could go on, but I think you get the point. It is all perspective and honestly, I cannot condemn Guitar. If you kept seeing people killed because of something that you were over and over again without punishment, how would that make you feel? Personally, I just think of the holocaust. Millions and millions of people like me were killed just for being what I am. Would I stand around and be alright with that? Could I let the Nazis do whatever to anyone? If there was a way I could somehow stop just one or two of these baseless hate murders, would I do it? Would I let my sister and family and close friends be made victim again and again because they were like me? I got it, and I am sure now you get it too. Make it personal and then we can talk.
ReplyDeleteI like how you bring up the reasoning for why Milkman disagrees with The Seven Days and Guitar's involvement with this group. I do not think Milkman as been exposed to the real life situations between whites and blacks so he cannot understand the reasoning behind this group. I also wrote about the Seven Days and the morality behind it and I agree with all of the things you included in the blog. It will be interesting to see what unfolds with the Seven Days and if they are ever exposed and what consequences will occur if they are exposed.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote on the Seven Days, but proposed the question "could you be a member?" and this question ties in with the one you suggested in your commentary. I, like Milkman, do not believe the Seven Days are moral organization, but like you said tensions were high and there were no other effective ways to demonstrate the seriousness of the blacks on the topic of black murders. I agree with your statements and like how you ended with a quote by MLK, which really hits home your point that violence, or the Seven Days, is not a moral organization.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote about the idea of morality in context with the Seven Days, although my point of view was a little different and more in line with what Alanna said above. I feel like morality is more subjective than we care to admit, and whether we find an act to be moral or immoral almost always depends on our own personal experiences and background. People can do good things for bad reasons and bad things for good reasons, and whether their actions as a whole are consdiered moral or immoral are dependant on whose judging. Someone who feels sympathy and can relate to the person who did a bad thing for a good reason places more importance on the intention and may have more tendency to believe the act to be moral, whereas a person who can't relate and is completely removed from the situation will base their judgement more on the bad thing being done and less on why it was commited.
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