Calcifying Effects of Racism: Othello

¶ … calcifying effects of racism: Othello and a Raisin in the Sun

Both Othello and a Raisin in the Sun depict how racism is damaging to the souls and self-esteem of black individuals. Racism does not simply hamper social advancement. It also has a profound psychological effect on the person deemed 'inferior' by society. From the very first scene of Othello, the viewer is immediately alerted to the fact that he or she is witnessing a man living in a racist community. When Othello elopes with Desdemona, who is the daughter of the noble Brabantio, the villain Iago alerts the girl's father by shouting "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/Is topping your white ewe" (I.1). Iago's crudeness highlights how, despite the fact Othello is a great and distinguished general, in the eyes of much of Venetian society, Othello is still a Moor.

In a Raisin in the Sun, the impact of racism can be seen most starkly in the character of Walter Lee Younger, who works as a chauffer driver. The Younger family lives in a small, cramped apartment because there are few opportunities for them to advance in pre-Civil Rights America. However, just as Othello manages to transcend the effects of racism through his military accomplishments, the family is still capable of moving forward. The youngest daughter, Beneatha Younger, is studying to be a doctor. And Mama's late husband was able to work hard and long enough to buy a life insurance policy. Mama says she will use the policy money as a down payment on a new house and reserve some of it for Beneatha's education.

Othello's ability to rise above prejudice is manifested in the scene in which he defends his marriage to Desdemona, saying that he did not use witchcraft to woo the young woman. "I think this tale would win my daughter too," says the Duke of Venice, when he witnesses Othello's persuasive abilities (I.3). However, because of Othello' sense of social insecurity and vulnerability, Iago is able to turn Othello against his wife. Iago stresses Desdemona's youth, and the fact that she is of a different race and nationality to Othello, to make Othello suspect that Desdemona is being unfaithful to her husband with the younger soldier Cassio. While the other characters wonder why Othello, once so strong and noble, acts horrifically to his wife before murdering her, the audience knows why: it is partially the mechanics of Iago's plot, but also Iago's cunning words and attitude that enable him to prey upon Othello's vulnerable mind. Othello has experienced slavery and discrimination from a young age, and although he tries to create the impression that peoples' racist attitudes do not matter to him, the fact that he is so easily swayed to become jealous and angry suggests that such attitudes do have an influence in shaping his mentality. "Is this the nature/Whom passion could not shake?... Could neither graze nor pierce?" wonders those who observe Othello after Iago has used his deceitful persuasive strategies upon Othello's vulnerable psyche (IV.1).