The Double-Fold Oppression Of Intersectionality. The American

The Double-Fold Oppression of Intersectionality The American nation has long served as a battlefield for whites and their social norms versus African Americans and their native cultures. Although successful in previous years in acquiring basic civil rights, the early 20th century signified the African American downfall as their white foes discovered a new source of perilous power. From the early to mid-1900s, white backlash increased with the passing of legislature to segregate blacks, most prominently the Jim Crow Laws in the South. Throughout this period of black isolation, literature arose seeking to reveal African American oppression as well as to formulate an explanation for its deep roots in American society, especially works by†¦show more content†¦The harsh treatment towards blacks is explicit through the ease at which whites declare black crimes. Sophia, a black woman in the text, is put in jail merely for sassing Miss Millie, the mayor’s wife, after it is requested that she become her maid. The â€Å"sas sing† that Sophia conducts is referencing her blunt reply of â€Å"hell no† to Miss Millie (Walker 68). Sophia is brutally beaten by the mayor and six policemen, terminating in imprisonment. When Celie visits Sophia in jail, she is surprised that she is still alive: â€Å"They crack her skull, they crack her ribs. They tear her nose loose on one side. They blind her in one eye† †¦ â€Å"She can’t talk. And she just about the color of a eggplant† (Walker 86-87). The inhuman treatment of Sophia for the mere repetition of a two-word phrase and fighting back after she is slapped, clearly represents the racial tension thriving bare on the fields of Georgia. As described by literary critic Trudier Harris, â€Å"Sophia must eventually suppress most of the traits that make her an interesting character, turning from vibrancy to somnambulism† (Harris 64). Furthermore, the power and influence of white ideology on society is evident through its mani pulation of the youth. One day, Sofia is instructed to watch Miss Millie’s children play ball. At one point during the game, the ball rolls across the yard until resting under Sofia’s foot. Miss Millie’s son demands that Sophia hand over the ball and continues to complain after she