Conjure Tales Reflection #2

            The Conjure Woman Tales is webbed with signs of institutionalized oppression, particularly in Dave’s Neckliss. John doesn’t believe that Julius is aware of how degraded Julius is. John believes that centuries of repression bore their legitimate fruit. The years throughout the book sew a web of institutionalized norms that kept slaves and ex-slaves repressed and incapable of breaking social barriers. This in many ways mirrors the treatment of women. From the pages written by women centuries ago echoes the same message of institutionalized oppression in society today. The glass ceiling is very much so still in place. The removal of legalized slavery didn’t miraculously cure the symptoms of inequality and repression, just as women’s voting rights didn’t shatter the glass ceiling. The institutionalized inequalities have marched on.

            Julius realized that he was lower on the social totem pole than John and other white people. He knew that he had been mistreated countless times and will continue to be treated as lesser than those of lighter skin. However, John noted that Julius classified as kind the certain actions that authoritative people had shown him. While the authorities’ individual actions examined without taking a look at the situation at large may have been kind, it does not follow that the authorities actions are kind or noteworthy. The owners were not practicing supererogation. Julius’ ignorance to a life comprised of receiving continual and regular respect blinded him from seeing that several acts displaying minimal generosity from cruel people does not reflexively deserve appreciation. Julius did not speak in indignantly of the masters’ merciless, inhumane treatment. Instead he showed hesitation when speaking critically about the masters’ behaviors toward him. Julius’ insecurity implies that he doesn’t believe himself in the right to speak in arguably disapproving ways of his ex-masters. Throughout Julius’ existence, he was told that his life was less in value than that of his white masters, and treated accordingly. This reoccurring treatment and thought led Julius, and other slaves and ex-slaves, to believe that it was a truthful sentiment worthy of believing. The very act of believing creates a strength of its own, someone, somewhere once said. And this degrading, reoccurring thought became a belief, which in turn became truth to people.