Dreams from My Father Ch11-14

During the course we have talked about stereotypes. Whether it was in the readings that we had, or real life scenarios. An instance in Obama’s book that I really appreciated (not sure if that’s the right word) him having in it was when he realizes that he is scared of the stereotypical bad boys on the south side of Chicago. Obama was asked earlier if he was scared, and he said he didn’t think so, but after he goes to yell at a group of boys for making too much noise, he realizes that he is frightened, “I turn back toward my apartment knowing that I’ve been both stupid and lucky, knowing that I am afraid after all.” (Obama 271). He realizes that in his location, and the time period he is in, that telling those boys to shut up, he could have easily been shot and killed. I like that Obama put this in his book, because unlike the other books we have read, it shows the other side, that even people of color can be fearful of their own race, and people of white skin can be fearful of their own race. In a lot of the narratives we read it seemed very white and black, whites feared blacks, blacks feared whites, and by telling us this story of the time he realizes he was scared, we see that it’s not always just about color of skin.

The formation of identity seemed to be an important concept, not just racially but acceptance of his history. His sister comes to visit him where he learns about what his father was really like in Kenya. How he put his own interests and pride first even when it wasn't for the good of the family. He was a drunk and did not take care of his children. His half brother Roy ran away and his sister eventually was able to go to boarding school to get away. This realization destroyed his previous image of the "old man", his father.  After this moment, he no longer knew how to think of his father. He had the image of his father of this wonderful man and the other side his half sister told him about. As he was questioning how he should identify his dead father, he began to question his own identity. Everything he did, he now wanted to make sure that he would not follow in his fathers path. He became even more determined to make something of himself as a way to separate himself from his father. He never truly accepts his identity, the past that comes with his last name. Although he has never lived in Kenya, that is where his name comes from. Someone asked Obama why he hadn't visited Kenya and he replied with he was scared with what he would find there. He visits his half brother in D.C and sees how his brother's life is falling apart, it seems as if he is becoming their father. Obama, in the back of his mind, always is trying to make sure that he defies his genes and never becomes like his father.  This running away from his father's history is a part of his identity.