Essay Undergraduate 1,339 words

Claudia Rankine's Citizen: Race, Racism, and Modern America

~7 min read 5 sections Literature · African American Literature

Abstract

This paper reviews and analyzes Claudia Rankine's poetry collection Citizen: An American Lyric, exploring its treatment of racial bias, systemic racism, and the lived experiences of Black Americans in the contemporary United States. The analysis covers Rankine's use of real-world events—including the Trayvon Martin case and the Jena Six—as evidence of ongoing racial disparities in how Black people are perceived and treated. The paper also examines the concept of "John Henryism," the psychological stress caused by racism, and reflects on the book's potential to educate readers. It concludes by assessing both the strengths and limitations of Rankine's approach as a vehicle for social change.

Key Takeaways

Introduction: Historical context of U.S. race relations and Rankine's purpose
The Trayvon Martin Case and Everyday Racial Bias: Zimmerman case, racial perception, and real-world bias examples
John Henryism and the Psychological Toll of Racism: Stress caused by racism and its mental health consequences
The Book's Reception and the Limits of Persuasion: Reader responses and challenges of changing entrenched attitudes
Conclusion: Rankine's strengths and balanced approach to racial education

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What makes this paper effective

The paper grounds its literary analysis in concrete real-world events—the Trayvon Martin case and the Jena Six—giving the discussion immediate social relevance and context.
It introduces and explains the concept of "John Henryism," demonstrating the student's engagement with Rankine's text beyond surface-level summary.
The conclusion strikes a balanced tone, acknowledging both the power and the limits of Rankine's work, avoiding simple praise or condemnation.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper uses a text-to-world analytical approach: it reads specific passages and examples from Citizen alongside documented current events to argue that Rankine's themes are not merely poetic but socially urgent. This technique—connecting literary evidence to empirical and historical context—is a foundational skill in literary and cultural analysis.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a historical overview of race relations in the U.S. as context, then moves into a sustained analysis section covering racial bias, the Trayvon Martin case, John Henryism, and the book's reception. A brief conclusion evaluates Rankine's rhetorical approach and its social value. The structure is relatively informal—more review than academic essay—but the argument progresses logically from context to analysis to evaluation.

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Essay 1,339 words

Introduction

It is without question that race relations and the treatment of minorities—Black people in particular—have progressed significantly over the existence of the United States. Slavery was abolished nearly a century into the nation's founding in 1865, and the Jim Crow era came to a halt in light of events like Brown v. Board of Education in the 1950s and the Civil Rights laws passed in the 1960s. However, even though many of the most abhorrent behaviors that typified those earlier eras are now outlawed, what has instead emerged is a rather underground yet perceptible pattern of Black people being treated in ways that are clearly different—more negative and more violent—than is the case with white people or even other minority groups.

While some may disagree or downplay what is happening in today's society, Claudia Rankine, by her own words and as is evident in her poetry collection Citizen, is trying to shine a light on this remaining stain within the United States and its cultural and societal fabric—an era defined by events like the killing of Trayvon Martin and the Jena Six.

4 Sections Hidden · 805 words

The Trayvon Martin Case and Everyday Racial Bias290 words

Apologists for what supposedly occurred during the confrontation between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, just prior to Martin being shot and killed, point out that forensic evidence suggests Martin was leaning over Zimmerman and striking him. Beyond that, Zimmerman was indeed injured, and some have argued that…

John Henryism and the Psychological Toll of Racism160 words

Another concept Rankine addresses in the text is what is known as "John Henryism"—the idea that people experience significant psychological stress as a direct result of racism. In a world where Black people are routinely treated as less…

The Book's Reception and the Limits of Persuasion210 words

As for whether Rankine accomplishes her desired effect, the answer is mixed. The book's Amazon listing shows glowing reviews from those who took…

Conclusion145 words

Something that Rankine does exceedingly well is make clever, well-chosen points and provide compelling examples of how Black people can come to feel belittled or regarded as "less than." The common habit—regardless of intent—of treating it as remarkable or noteworthy that a Black man or woman is articulate or intelligent reflects a subtle but real form of bias that deserves to be called out gently and thoughtfully. By contrast, someone using a racial slur toward a Black person…

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Works Cited

Amazon. "Amazon.com: Citizen: An American Lyric (9781555976903): Claudia Rankine: Books." Amazon.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Love, Shayla. "Transgender Identity Is Considered a Mental Illness by WHO. But That May Soon Change." chicagotribune.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Rankine, Claudia. Citizen. 1st ed. Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2014. Print.

Walden, Tiffany. "George Zimmerman Shooting Suspect Has 'Fixation,' Other Problems, Report Says." OrlandoSentinel.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Key Concepts in This Paper

Racial Bias John Henryism Systemic Racism Trayvon Martin Microaggressions Civil Rights Black Identity Psychological Stress Cultural Change Literary Analysis