Repression of Identity

Africans that were forced into the slave trade came from various different backgrounds, with unique cultural identities. As slaves were commodified, they lost their former identities as unique autonomous human beings. Slave traders and masters stripped them of their former identities, forcing the black man to embrace the identity of slave. In Homegoing, Ness describes how her mother was forced to abandon of her identity as a Twi speaking African woman saying that, “Esi had spoken to her in Twi until their master caught her. He’d given Esi five lashes for every Twi word Ness spoke” (Gyasi 71). For self preservation, Esi repressed who she was. She spoke English and had Ness speak English as well.

When Quey is found “wrestling” with Cudjo, his father sends him away to England. Throughout the chapter it is clear that Quey is aware that his feelings towards Cudjo are considered wrong and unnatural and his repression of his identity as a homosexual male parallels to the forced repression of slaves identities. Although Quey was not a slave, he was greatly involved in the slave trade and his role in it requires that he marry a woman to protect his tribe. “He was in the business, of slavery and sacrifices had to be made” (Quey 69). This quote reflects both on Quey’s repression of his sexuality and Esi’s and Ness’ forced repression of their language. Quey chooses to marry a woman and ignore his feelings for Cudjo in order to protect himself where as Esi is beaten into rejecting her language. Although these two situations are not the same, they reflect on the sacrifices that were made by Africans to the institution of slavery.

Overtime both African identity and homosexuality are still seen as taboo in western culture. African American women who wear their hair natural can be perceived as being untidy or unkempt. There are cases of African American girls being pulled out of classes and women being addressed by their bosses for their natural hair. Natural hair is a part of a persons make-up, but deviating from the white standard is something that can make a person be perceived as inferior. As a homosexual woman, I have been told that my sexuality is unnatural and wrong. Society still sees white and straight as the norm and any deviation from this perceived tradition of white heteronormativity is seen as wrong. A lot has changed since the time of Quey and Ness, but the inequalities of today are rooted in tradition that dates back centuries. The United States is a country founded on the ideals of white supremacy in a heteronormative world. The deviants to these traditions must conform for safety or fight for equality.