Symbolic Characterization: Apologizing to Caliban

This week I read A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America, by the late Dr. Ronald Takaki. This text retells American history from a minority perspective, and exposes the holes in the history that most of us probably learned in grade school. The interesting thing about how Takaki makes his claim is that he uses Shakespeare's "The Tempest," and specifically the character of Caliban to do so. Caliban was vilified in the play and was subjected to being Prospero's servant. Takaki draws the connection between the original performance of Shakespeare's play in London, and the years of colonization in what we now know as the United States of America. At the time of the play, settlers had already come in contact with Native Americans but had not yet engaged in warfare with them. They had opportunity to observe them but obviously did not know much about them. Takaki also notes that at this time, many of those in the audience may have come in contact with Africans as well, because of documentation suggesting that "five "Negroes"" had been transported to England "until they could speak the language" (p. 49).

This is of interest because Caliban was described as a kind of "savage," one living outside of "civilization." He is said to be, "dark in complexion. His father was a demon and his mother was Syncorax, a witch who had lived in Africa" (p. 49). There was a clear image placed into the consciousness of the audience, even at this initial showing of this Shakespearean play. It seems that the association with darker skin, savagery, living outside of civilization, were all indicators of a kind of vilified characterization. This is significant because, for many (if not most) Europeans, these were the first significant connections made between them and Blacks, Native Americans, and even lower class Irish (who were also described as living outside of civilization). It is also important to note this because these images had a direct connection to the ways that English colonizers viewed the Native Americans, which ultimately justified their mistreatment of them and eventually African slaves.

I point this out because these kinds of images directly affect the way we characterize, and treat others. What would have happened if the English colonizers would have learned more about Native Americans? Africans? Would they have discovered that just because their language and customs were different, they weren't savages? How different would they have treated them if they understood their difference as just that, and not something to be threatened by. Would they have collaborated with them at the initial settlement, like some scholars have suggested the Natives sought to do? Some would look back and say that the U.S. would not be what it is today if it were not for the English settlers. And that's a bad thing? Our America is indeed a country with some great qualities. But let's not forget that our America has a long history of injustice, bigotry and dehumanization of minorities of all kinds. And simply put, many of these atrocities are a direct result of the language we choose to use to describe those we consider to be "other."

In thinking about all of this, I must apologize to the Calibans of our world today. On behalf of this country, I apologize to the LGBTQ communities for the ways you have been treated by those who have not taken the time to get to know you as human beings, and instead have seen you through the oppressive lenses of heterosexism. I apologize to the Native Americans who have been stereotyped and passed over on such opportunities that many other people are granted. I apologize to my own people, Blacks, for the history of racial violence and injustice that we have endured (and still do), and the fact that we are profiled as criminals on a daily basis. I apologize to women, because your worth has not been realized by our patriarchal leaders. Not to mention we have used objectifying language to describe your beauty. I apologize to the Latino/a population because we have made you jump through all kinds of hoops just to become part of this country, a country that purports an "American Dream" that will continue to be a nightmare for many of us. The list goes on...

I hope that we as a human race can begin to take steps to resisting the negative images that the privileged in our country want to perpetuate. I hope we can make ourselves aware of the appropriate ways of talking to and about those who are different from us. This is our responsibility, and in an age when technology is where it is, there is no excuse! So from now on, when you watch the news and see a black man guilty of a crime, please remember that Blacks aren't the only ones committing the crimes that are publicized in the media. When you hear of women fighting for equal pay, remember that women have been integral in the building of our country and are only asking for what should have been given to them since day one. When you read about American history, understand that the victor gets to tell the story, while the victims voice is rendered silent. We live in a country with a complicated and nuanced history, with oppression that is even more multilayered and systemic. But we also live in a country that is represented by a beautiful collage of diversity, with people who all have something significant to offer. To the Calibans of today, we need you to continue to let your voices be heard so this country can continue to be broken, and to heal.