Lonnae O Neal Parker S View Of Racial Identity
Willene Joan D’ Costa
LIT 370
Professor Abbott
2/19/15
Pinky
Lonnae O'Neal Parker’s view of racial identity isn’t based on physical and biological traits, but on the individual’s innate choice to proudly accept their roots and who they truly are (O’Neal Parker). Pinky Johnson is a strong character who chooses to pass as white at first, but then not only regrets her decision, but also refuses to pass ever again (Pinky). She doesn’t make this decision just because she must accept the social view that she is black, but because she feels that by embracing her community she can lead a more meaningful life (Pinky).
Pinky Johnson is originally from the south where she was always curtailed due to her race. Hence, her grandmother decides to send her to Boston where she would be able to get a better education and more opportunities (Pinky). While in Boston, Pinky begins to call herself Patricia, educates herself to be a professional nurse, and begins to live a life as a high class northern girl (Pinky). Elia Kazan, the director of Pinky, portrays the character of Pinky as a woman of mixed race whose ‘white’ features are so distinct that nobody would even guess that she has African American blood unless they were actually told that (Pinky). The only other way of knowing about her heritage was through her grandmother, Dicey Johnson, who is distinctly black. Elia Kazan perfectly portrays this in the scene where the two cops mistake Pinky to be white and come to help her because they think that Jake is molesting her (Pinky). At first they are very protective and respectful of Pinky, but the moment she tells them that she is actually black and is Dicey Johnson’s granddaughter, they begin to harass her, and even arrest her for no fault of her own (Pinky).
Minute signs of Pinky’s regret towards passing can be seen in the beginning of the movie as the reason for her return to the South (Pinky). While she was in Boston, she hid the fact that she is of mixed race and passed as white
LIT 370
Professor Abbott
2/19/15
Pinky
Lonnae O'Neal Parker’s view of racial identity isn’t based on physical and biological traits, but on the individual’s innate choice to proudly accept their roots and who they truly are (O’Neal Parker). Pinky Johnson is a strong character who chooses to pass as white at first, but then not only regrets her decision, but also refuses to pass ever again (Pinky). She doesn’t make this decision just because she must accept the social view that she is black, but because she feels that by embracing her community she can lead a more meaningful life (Pinky).
Pinky Johnson is originally from the south where she was always curtailed due to her race. Hence, her grandmother decides to send her to Boston where she would be able to get a better education and more opportunities (Pinky). While in Boston, Pinky begins to call herself Patricia, educates herself to be a professional nurse, and begins to live a life as a high class northern girl (Pinky). Elia Kazan, the director of Pinky, portrays the character of Pinky as a woman of mixed race whose ‘white’ features are so distinct that nobody would even guess that she has African American blood unless they were actually told that (Pinky). The only other way of knowing about her heritage was through her grandmother, Dicey Johnson, who is distinctly black. Elia Kazan perfectly portrays this in the scene where the two cops mistake Pinky to be white and come to help her because they think that Jake is molesting her (Pinky). At first they are very protective and respectful of Pinky, but the moment she tells them that she is actually black and is Dicey Johnson’s granddaughter, they begin to harass her, and even arrest her for no fault of her own (Pinky).
Minute signs of Pinky’s regret towards passing can be seen in the beginning of the movie as the reason for her return to the South (Pinky). While she was in Boston, she hid the fact that she is of mixed race and passed as white