Jamaica Kincaid’s “Blackness”

Allison S Curseen144 Comments

“Blackness” is a short story written by Antiguan writer Jamaica Kincaid. The story consists of the narrator, a black woman, describing her identity in relation to a certain “blackness” that consumes her within her vivid imagination. The narrator begins to picture her daughter, a transparent figure that has dominance over Earth’s features that were previously said to have been destroyed by a band of men. Her vision of her daughter causes her to realize that “the silent voice” has conquered the blackness and made her identity whole. 

The text begins and concludes by depicting the concept of “blackness” as it relates to the narrator’s identity. “Blackness” lacks a clear sequence of events as it is written from the perspective of someone’s consciousness and thoughts, having only one definite action mentioned when the narrator sits at a table. Kincaid also chooses to omit exposition of the characters-the narrator, her daughter, and the band of men-, as well as the setting. Kincaid employs repetition with the sentence structure “The blackness is not. . . though” when comparing the lack of physical existence of the blackness to its presence within the woman (362). Imagery is used throughout as her perception of herself and blackness is illustrated in connection to the earth, the narrator’s body, moments of joy, and silence. The scene of men destroying the narrator’s home and its surrounding nature seems to be an analogy to British colonizers’ destructive force and assimilation of Antiguans. 

“Blackness” was a very obscure and dark story to read for me. I appreciated the author’s writing style as the narrator’s consciousness is put into blunt and toneless words. By not implying any emotion that the narrator has of her circumstances, Kincaid helps give the feeling that blackness is a hopeless given that even takes away the voice of the narrator’s opinions. The lack of emotion continues to the point when the silent voice erases blackness, with no sense of resolution as the narrator is “no longer ‘I’,” a stylistic decision that I also liked. “Sweetness” by Toni Morrison also includes the concept of blackness and its takeover of a black person’s identity. In the text, the narrator hardly views her offspring as her baby and therefore does not let her daughter call her mother. The sole characteristic of race changes how the mother sees her child. 

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  72. Jamaica Kincaid’s exploration of “Blackness” in her works is both profound and complex, offering a nuanced critique of identity, race, and colonialism. In her writing, Kincaid examines the intersections of race, class, and gender, often focusing on the experiences of Caribbean women and their struggles for agency and self-definition in the face of colonial and postcolonial oppression.

    ### **1. Kincaid’s Depiction of Race and Identity**
    Kincaid’s works, such as *Annie John* and *Lucy*, offer a raw and intimate portrayal of Blackness, particularly in relation to the colonial history of the Caribbean. She often challenges Western perceptions of Black identity, highlighting how colonialism, racism, and classism have shaped not only the physical but also the psychological and cultural lives of Black people. Her characters struggle with a fragmented sense of identity as they navigate the complexities of their heritage and the colonial legacy.

    ### **2. Colonialism and its Lasting Impact**
    In *A Small Place*, Kincaid critically analyzes the lasting impact of colonialism on Antigua, her home country. She addresses how colonial structures have continued to shape economic and social inequalities, contributing to a deeply embedded racial hierarchy that still affects Black Caribbean identity. Kincaid’s exploration of the power dynamics between colonizers and colonized subjects illustrates how colonial legacies continue to influence how Blackness is perceived and experienced both within the Caribbean and globally.

    ### **3. The Personal and Political Dimensions of Blackness**
    Kincaid’s exploration of Blackness is not confined to the political or historical; it is also deeply personal. Her characters’ emotional and psychological struggles are intricately tied to their understanding of race. In works like *Lucy*, Kincaid delves into how Black women wrestle with their identity, often in the context of oppressive family and societal structures. For Kincaid, Blackness is an identity that must be constantly renegotiated, shaped by both personal agency and external forces.

    ### **4. Intersectionality in Kincaid’s Work**
    One of the key elements of Kincaid’s exploration of Blackness is her focus on intersectionality—the overlapping of race, gender, and class. She emphasizes how the experience of Black women is distinct from that of Black men, due to the compounded effects of sexism and racial prejudice. Through her female protagonists, Kincaid presents a complex portrayal of Black womanhood, exploring the unique challenges faced by these women as they struggle for independence and self-determination.

    ### **5. A Call for Self-Definition**
    At the core of Kincaid’s exploration of Blackness is a call for the self-definition of Black people, free from the limitations imposed by colonialism, racism, and Western standards of beauty and culture. Through her characters’ journeys toward self-realization, Kincaid advocates for a reclamation of Black identity that is authentic and untainted by external judgment.

    ### **Conclusion**
    Jamaica Kincaid’s exploration of Blackness is an intricate and multifaceted critique of the legacies of colonialism, race, and identity. Her works challenge the dominant narratives about Blackness, offering a space for Black individuals, especially women, to define themselves on their own terms. Through her deeply personal and politically charged writing, Kincaid invites readers to reflect on the complexities of Black identity and the ongoing struggle for self-determination and equality.

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