In "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," the interactions between white people and black people highlight the complexities of racial dynamics and the differing perspectives of each group. While these interactions sometimes provide opportunities for learning and mutual support, they also exhibit instances of failed communication and the withholding of important information.
In "No Witchcraft for Sale," by Doris Lessing, Gideon and Teddy, a white family, employ Gideon, a black African, as their cook. Gideon possesses traditional knowledge of a plant called "Queen of Sheba," which can cure snake bites. Initially, the white family views Gideon and his knowledge as exotic and merely a commodity for them. However, when Gideon's son, Teddy, gets poisoned by a snake, the family suddenly realizes the value of his traditional knowledge and pleads for his help. Here, the white family benefits from Gideon's expertise, highlighting their dependence on the black community's traditional wisdom.
Similar to "No Witchcraft for Sale," the short story "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," by Nadine Gordimer, explores racial dynamics. The story is set during apartheid in South Africa and focuses on the relationship between a white farmer, Van der Vyver, and his black servant, Lucas. When Lucas accidentally kills Van der Vyver's son, it is revealed that Lucas had a deeper connection to the white family than anyone knew. The story illustrates how both Van der Vyver and Lucas have been withholding something vital from each other due to their different perceptions of racial identity. This withholding of information ultimately fails both characters, as it results in tragedy and demonstrates the destructive consequences of racial divide.
In "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," by Bessie Head, a black prisoner named Brille and a white prison superintendent named Fischer form an unlikely connection. Fischer recognizes Brille's intellectual potential and secretly sends him books, establishing a mentor-like relationship. Throughout the story, Fischer tries to protect Brille from the oppressive prison environment and supports his pursuit of education. Conversely, Brille helps Fischer understand the inhumane treatment of prisoners. However, despite their support for each other, Fischer fails Brille by not challenging the systemic racism and injustice within the prison system. This failure stems from Fischer's fear of jeopardizing his position and highlights the limitations of their relationship.
These stories illustrate that while there are instances of mutual support and learning between white and black communities, there are also failures and withheld information that perpetuate racial divisions. In some cases, the white community tries to protect its own status and interests, often ignoring or exploiting the knowledge and experiences of the black community until it becomes necessary for their survival or well-being. The black community, on the other hand, sometimes withholds information due to vulnerability, fear, or a long history of mistreatment.
By showcasing these complex dynamics, the stories shed light on the importance of open communication, empathy, and challenging structural racism. They highlight the need to move beyond surface-level interactions and recognize the shared humanity and inherent worth of all individuals, regardless of their race. Only then can there be genuine teaching, learning, and support between different racial groups.
Examine how white people and black people regard each other in "No Witchcraft for Sale," "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off," and "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses." How do they help to both teach and support each other, and how do they fail? Think about what each group is trying to protect and when it withholds something from the other.
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