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P1 Week Four

Joanna Weiss
“‘The Help’: America pats itself on the back”
The Boston Globe
August 16, 2011
In “‘The Help’: America pats itself on the back,” Joanna Weiss analyzes ‘The Help’ and makes an intriguing comparison between the novel and Obama’s political power. Weiss describes the plot of The Help and goes into particular themes and ideas that the book portrays. For example, Weiss touches on “the social dynamic when poor women raise rich children as their own, then become their employees.” Furthermore, Weiss states that Americans “yearn for validation” and enjoy seeing the impact of good intentions. At this point, Weiss compares this ideal with the position of Barack Obama as president. Barack’s win in the 2008 Presidential Election exemplifies how Americans feel morally good with the idea that a black man can be president. Weiss closes with posing the thought that Obama represents how far America has come with the acceptance of race. Obama is the first black president, yet he is still just another president and one who makes mistakes. Weiss can relate the themes of a novel to modern-day politics, and the overarching evolution of racism.

 Comments on: Grace Scott, Charlie Roth, Anna Katherine Whaley

Comments

  1. LandrySeptember 29, 2019 at 5:20 PM

    Comment for the author: How has the evolution of racial injustice changed to today? Has Donald Trump as president influenced any of these racial ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jylliann HuffSeptember 29, 2019 at 6:45 PM

    The evolution of racial tension in America is a topic my blogger, Jamelle Bouie, frequently touches on. Bouie entwines the history of African Americans, the recent issues surrounding the black community, and his own opinion while trying to inform his audience of racial injustice. The comparison between "The Help" and Barack Obama's position as president is an interesting take. Weiss appears to appeal to pathos by mentioning that Americans "yearn for validation", which is a very relatable quote.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 29, 2019 at 11:15 PM

    Weiss took a very unique approach comparing a book to the former president, two things which show some unexpected parallels. The fact that she particularly touches on how what is "right" has evolved is an interesting idea to acknowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Allen S.September 30, 2019 at 7:21 PM

    Barack Obama becoming President created a great deal of pride from the African-American community. However, a question that is being still asked today. Did it really help to resolve or worsen racial injustice? I see Weiss tries to answer this question in her column, analyzing the effects of his presidency.

    ReplyDelete

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