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AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies, Volume3, Number4. October 2019                                    Pp. 24-35

Elevating Social Status by Racial Passing and White Assimilation: in George Schuyler’s Black No More

Department of English Language and Translation
College of Arabic Language and Social Sciences
Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

Abstract PDF

This paper examines the legacy of the 1932 novel Black No More by George Schuyler with its message promoting assimilation. Racial divisions within the United States have a complex history, either insisting on separation or promoting unity, but advocates of assimilation have traditionally been viewed negatively. This paper aims to reconcile the assimilationist views of Schuyler against his larger purpose of empowerment through change. Schuyler focuses on issues of education, economy, and social status to demonstrate his thesis: meaningful change is possible if action is taken. Numerous theorists such as Jane Kuenz (1997), Hee-Jung Serenity Joo (2008), Jason Haslam (2002), and Ann Rayson (1978) have considered that Schuyler as an assimilationist. Schuyler’s novel builds a case for assimilation of individuals into the dominant culture as the practical course for improvement on both a personal and social scale.

Cite as:

Almenia, M. M. (2019). Elevating Social Status by Racial Passing and White Assimilation: in George Schuyler’s Black No More. Arab World English Journal for Translation & Literary Studies3 (4) 24-35.

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Dr. Almenia Received his Ph.D. in English Literature & Criticism in 2017 from Indiana
University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA. USA. His MA was in English Literature in 2012 from
Murray State University, Murray, KY. USA. He is an Assistant Professor of English Literature &
Criticism at the Department of English Language and Translation at Qassim University.
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1401-2796