This counts for Week 5, I swear!

Again it failed to be mentioned in class (partially my fault, I neglected to speak up) that Kindred’s present-day storyline takes place in 1976. I think the significance of this cannot be overlooked. Our class touched on many excellent points regarding the importance of Dana’s arm being severed during her final return to the present. However, I feel like the bicentennial year cannot be ignored. The severing of her arm represents the mark that slavery leaves, both literally and symbolically, in the form of physical scars and emotional pain, on its victims. Despite being safe and secure back in 1976, she is reminded constantly of slavery’s cost. I think it is particularly poignant that Butler set this novel in 1976 because of the bicentennial, as I mentioned in my last post. Obviously I was not alive then, but from what I’ve learned the celebrations were lavish. I think Butler also has Dana’s final journey take place on July 4. Hmm. The juxtaposition of the horrors of slavery with the blind patriotism that a bicentennial celebration inspires shows us how little we talk about the systems that built this country in the first place. With all the talk of democracy, freedom, liberty and justice for all, it is still shocking, to me at least, just how hypocritical the American rhetoric is. Perhaps it is just the pinko commie liberal-progressive in me, but whenever I hear someone spouting the virtues of our just, moral American system, I cannot help but feel a little bit embarrassed.

I think Kindred helps us remember the values that this country was founded on. Values that we cannot continue to sweep under the rug in the name of freedom and prosperity.