Our world has experienced countless events since the beginning of time. Evolution occurred over time, leading to the emergence of humankind, which went on to dominate the kingdom of creation. Humans have shaped history through their control and expanded into different lands, creating cultures based on their beliefs. Language, art, and science have developed over time as well. The power given to humans has been unstoppable. We have created societies with different ideals and morals that sometimes clashed and resulted in years of war as we fought for our beliefs. Lands were separated, territories became issues, and even ownership of land was a cause for conflict. Freedom became a significant factor in societal revolts. Eventually, societies were classified into nations.
The population of dominant men grew, and the need for more resources and land became necessary. They explored every corner of the world in search of new lands to control. One such powerful land was Europe, which shaped the world as we know it today. The Europeans were powerful beings who controlled history, making them an inevitable part of every person’s life today. Their craving for power led others to create a new land separated from those who molded time – a land with different laws, environments, well-being, morale and life: America.
America was the major topic discussed in two famous essays: Stranger in the Village” by James Baldwin and “Utopia Achieved” by Jean Baudrillard.
In a land with great history, great problems arise and conflicts ensue. There is an unending chain of actions that lead to unending chains of questions. Throughout the centuries, mankind has tried to unravel the mysteries that life has to offer. These problems have made us intellectual and the encounters that pursue us have made us brighter. Language has been developed and our way of expressing our thoughts deepened through the use of our imagination. We have exceeded the boundaries of ignorance and created our own thoughts. James Baldwin and Jean Baudrillard are great examples of the dominant species called humans. America, the land of great opportunities, was part of their lives which gave them power to express themselves.
The Stranger in the Village is a story about James Baldwin, an African American, visiting a remote Swiss village located high in the mountains. The village is relatively unknown due to its location and isolation. It has a neighboring urbanized village below the mountains while the one atop has less modernization. Presumably, almost all of its citizens are Catholic based on their church’s Catholic style. There are few establishments in the village and only one school for early education. The village is covered with mountains carrying white snow, making it seem like a community lost in time preserved within mountain walls and not corrupted by the complexities of the world.
When James first entered the village, people always stared at him. He guessed that the villagers did not know that there was a black American among them. Their stares and criticism made him uneasy. Even on his third visit to the village, he still felt uneasy, as if it were his first time visiting. Children playing in the streets would always call him by the term Neger.” The children were only telling the truth – he was a black American from his dark complexion to his unusual hair. This made him feel different from others. The truth that he faced from America still haunted him in this overseas land.
The villagers had no idea how much pride-swallowing it was for James to bear their judgment. He could not blame himself for being a black American; he was just a person trapped by history’s cruelty. But there was no point in debating with his inner rants because this village was not acquainted with modern racism.
He was even told about a tradition in the village where they yearly purchase Africans to be baptized. This tradition is conducted so that they can save Africans who are not yet baptized. Although the intention behind this tradition is good, its morality is unjustified. Buying a person for spiritual salvation is not something that promotes freedom. Salvation does not have a monetary value; it is priceless. Despite the modern world we live in today, James was still disturbed by the scars of the past. The Swiss village serves as an example of a world full of judgment and biases.
Even though the village is remote and far from modernization, they still possess a gift bestowed upon them by their ancestors – the power of dominance. Black Americans do not have this advantage, and no matter how intellectual or modern they become, there will always be a gap due to the color of their skin. The village is not even aware that they possess this power. What if they did? Their authority would be overwhelming and evident worldwide, like Shakespeare’s sonnets, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Sistine Chapel. While white people were at the peak of their reigns, black people were left in uncultivated lands waiting for conquerors to enslave them. Their fate was decided for them; it was a harsh truth that history trapped them in. Biases from history will forever apply until all is lost.
White men have largely shaped the world and believe they are entitled to be the guardians of their creation. They view black men as obstacles to their task and a threat to their power. They cannot accept that the black people they once bought in slave markets are now part of modern society. This sentiment is shared by both Americans and Europeans.
However, it should be noted that white Americans cultivated a country that they share with black Americans, something no powerful country can overcome. In contrast, the Swiss village was locked in an old-fashioned way of viewing life and never saw other races as equals.
James Baldwin’s feelings towards racism were anguish but he also found contentment in how America has molded black Americans into who they are today.
In Jean Baudrillard’s title, he explains why America has achieved utopia. Our thirst for a radical anti-culture, the pursuit of meaning, rationalization of reason and representation have all been achieved in America. The anti-utopia that caused many side effects in Europe has been realized in America. Utopia is perceived as getting rid of territories, being undetermined by language and race and the objectivity of all values, death and culture alike. America has already created its own paradise where people thrive and associate with one another. This can be seen in physical landmarks such as Disneyland, Hollywood, Las Vegas among others.
Understanding the history of one’s situation is essential to realizing one’s utopia. If one cannot comprehend their own history, it may be because Europe conquered too much of itself and is unable to trace its origins. In the new world of America, understanding its history is even more perplexing. America was discovered with mysterious indigenous peoples who inhabited the continent. Even in modern times, it remains a question as to how America was formed since the beginning of its culture.
In America, there is neither culture nor discourse. Culture does not have more than one side, and no religion contains another religion. America has developed a culture for man, which includes space, theme parks, cinema, technology and others. A culture is authentic if everything else is authentic. Jean stated much of the positive side of the American way of life without looking at the dark cloud that always accompanies the bright sunshine. Nevertheless, his vision of a utopia where people live in an environment full of culture and content can be achieved in America; but what about other countries? They too understand their history and have authentic cultures.
Jean Baudrillard contrasts the way Europeans and Americans live. Basically, America was discovered by Europeans, and they inhabited it. Culture from all over Europe enveloped the land, mixing in a perfect sense. They were released from the history that imprisons Europe and made a fresh start that is not engulfed by its madness. From this fresh start, they created their own culture and way of life, doing things that Europeans were not able to do. Unlike typical Europeans who would be stopped in their tracks by history, America was challenged to attain a paradise in this world that history refused to give.
The Old World had bookstores, museums, libraries, national landmarks while America created malls, large theme parks and magnificent sites for culture and enjoyment. Jean Baudrillard admires the astonishing creation of America which is just a mixed culture of Europeans but still accepted as such.
Surprisingly though Americans are not productive in creating their European side such as building museums; they excel at creating magnificent films and roller coasters – things that have made America a living Utopia which stands out today.
Jean Baudrillard looked at the bright side of things in America. He disregarded the negativity and issues of America, noting that even though it has negative aspects, it is still the best cultural land in his eyes. For him, America is the utopia he dreams it would be. He stood out from all the pessimistic views of his time. Looking at the brighter side of things, one should not always focus on negativity. It is also important to be optimistic once in a while, which is what made Jean Baudrillard stand out from the crowd (Baudrillard).
Both Jean Baudrillard and James Baldwin wrote essays about America and its issues. They expressed their feelings and resentments through language, which they had developed. Both authors had experiences in America and saw Europe as a contrasting place. They shared similar sentiments regarding their views of their country, although they looked at America positively in an awkward sense.
Jean Baudrillard discussed the positive aspects of America, such as its creation of a unique culture different from that of Europe. James Baldwin also talked about the positive side of America, particularly in terms of how it treated black Americans compared to Europeans. Both authors cited personal encounters to support their statements.
Jean Baudrillard presented his message with utmost positivity towards the culture of America, without citing any negative aspects. In contrast, James Baldwin’s essay expressed much angst and anguish from the feelings he experienced in a Swiss village. However, he ultimately stated that Americans are not as bad compared to Europeans. Both authors praised America in their own way and compared it to Europe, with the conclusion that America has created its own culture and justice system. One contrasting element between their essays is that Baudrillard focused on positive encounters while Baldwin based his work on negative experiences. (David Bartholomae)
Nonetheless, both Jean Baudrillard and James Baldwin expressed a multitude of optimistic points about America. They drew upon the aspects of their personal histories that shaped them and used them to encourage contemplation by others. This is a wonderful result of humanity’s dominance – we have the ability to shape our world. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Let us use our power wisely.
Reference:
Baldwin, James wrote an essay titled Stranger in the Village” in 1955.
Baudrillard, Jean. Utopia Achieved.” America, 1986, pp. 97-105. Available at: http://www.ubishops.ca/baudrillardstudies/vol3_2/jb_utopia.htm.
David Bartholomae and Anthony Petrosky’s Ways of Reading” is now in its 7th edition, published in 2004.
