Limited Knowledge
Per Alidz O:
In class, Professor Schaub talked about cultural mixing and diverse knowledge. Schaub described Beneatha as a college student who brings new ideas into her family. However, when she dresses up as a Nigerian woman and begins to dance to "African" music, we see that Beneatha has only limited knowledge about what it means to have a Nigerian identity. I wonder, why would Hansberry do this? To have her cutting-edge figure appear ignorant is an unusual choice.
5 comments:
I think what is going on with Beneatha is that she despises the oppressive white culture. Any culture she can become a part of is better than what she is currently experiencing. I think that her new idea is just something to shove in the metaphorical face of white culture.
I think Beneatha is immature. As mentioned, she slips into the guise of a Nigerian woman, but clearly shows (when pressed) a general lack of understanding (“How should I know—out hunting or something”). Not only is her knowledge incomplete, but she is also highly suggestible. The Asagai figure comes into the Younger home and begins teasing Bennie about her “mutilated” hair. One would think she must like her hair-style, yet at his simple comment she immediately begins trying to “correct” herself. I think she’s so busy trying not to be an “assimilationist” she’s completely missing the point of the struggle. It’s not about dressing in tribal garb (I don’t think anyone wants to wander around in togas or animals skins), but rather about being who you are. One doesn’t want to replace one stereotype of the black community with yet another stereotype. If she’s being real, it doesn’t matter how she dresses or what her hair looks like—it’s about being an individual, rather than adhering to the stereotype (even one of good intentions), of an African-American woman.
Beneatha is only ignorant because her family is ignorant. Her first experience with Nigeria was probably because of Asagie. The true reason Beneatha may be interested in Nigeria is soley because of her interests in her suitor. She is realizing that there are other cultures in the world than the American culture, but still does not know much about them.
Beneatha confuses having a unique African-American identity with being suppressed by the whites. To be true to herself (or whatever she is trying to accomplish in life), she does not have to reject American culture completely for the country of her ancestors. She fails to realize that people who adapt to the society, like George Murchison, are not negative examples of blacks because they have conformed to white society. Beneatha's stance against assimilation is the reason she seeks to be a part of Nigerian, rather than her own, culture.
I also think Beneatha is immature and she is very idealistic. She hates the white culture, like many blacks during that time but she feels that since she is an educated black person she should get back to her roots in Africa. She is still very ignorant and thinks that she is better than the other average black person that has just accepted the white culture. I think Hansberry does this to show that still many black people are ignorant of their roots and really dont know what it is like in Africa.
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