September 4, 2016 - 01:47
In June Jordan’s Report from the Bahamas, 1982, Jordan begins by expressing her discontent of the idea that Bahamian and black people were not given the same credit and recognition that white people like Christopher Columbus were given. This statement along with Jordan’s “consciousness of race and class and gender identity” begins to set up the feeling of disconnectedness and tension between the people of the Bahamas and Jordan. She even declares herself along with her siblings as “intruders”(7) as she recognizes her differences such as being able to afford gifts for her family while the Bahamian women risk going hungry. She also recognizes that she has different rights than Olive, the maid who works at the hotel Jordan is staying, does. It seems as if Jordan does not connect with anyone as she disagrees with the superiority that comes with having white skin but also does not identify with the lower class black women who work in the Bahamas. Later on in Jordan’s report, she tells readers that she was given a novel to read based on the hope that it would “create another connection between [Jordan and a Jewish boy who loaned the book to her]”(9) which the book was successful in doing. Despite that, Jordan notices differences in their ideas about Federal Student Loan programs and because of that, their growing connection is brought to a halt. Furthermore, when speaking to a student, Jordan is appalled by the idea that a white student describes Jordan as lucky for having a cause such as fighting against discrimination and police violence. Although both the student and Jordan are female, Jordan realizes that they can have no connection beyond that due to the fact that their experiences are too different. Despite that, near the end of her report Jordan is able to bring together two women who at first are complete strangers but soon become as close as sisters. It was only because of Jordan’s connection with both Sokuto, who is being abused by her husband, and Cathy, who is willing to help Sokuto, that Jordan is able to bring them together to save Sokuto’s life and fulfill Cathy’s purpose. Therefore, although people themselves may not have strong connections with others, these connections allow people to bring others together in the hope of bettering, or in this case, saving someone’s life. People need to find ways to unite because it is the unity that can heal wounds others may have left on our lives. If people do not find ways to come together, this world will have too many enemies and so the “clouds[, our enemies,] may erupt to kill us all”(16).
A time in which I had an encounter that taught me something about myself was in the sixth grade. It was the first day of art class and I was approached by a girl I had never seen before. This girl, who introduced herself as Katie, kept talking to me although I made it clear that I did not want to be bothered. Our personality differences was a hindrance to a friendship. Because of this encounter I discovered that I was an introverted person who preferred to be by herself. While Katie was outgoing and was not afraid to approach me I was more closed off and wanted to focus on my art project without being bothered. Similarly to Jordan who had encounters with people of the same race, class, and gender identity, there was always one other difference that drove me away from further continuing relationships. Katie and I shared many similarities such as being of the same race, social class and overall background but because our personalities clashed too much, we were not able to further our friendship. Despite that, in the following school year Katie and I were placed in the same math class. Surprisingly, we were able to bond over the fact that we had the same sense of humor and have remained close friends today. This situation is similar to Jordan’s because Jordan was surprised that Cathy, an Irish girl, had offered to help her deal with Sokutu’s situation since Jordan was bullied by Irish kids in the childhood. Now an Irish woman has generously offered to help Jordan. Ultimately, from my situation with Katie, I realized that I was not only an introvert but also the type of person to judge people too quickly. I now make sure to give second chances and to not close people off immediately.
Jordan’s essay helps me understand my own story because like Jordan I have encountered people who are too different from me that I realize that there is no way a relationship can form between us because of that issue. Like her, I also feel disconnected from people who are of a different social class than I am. Moreover, I also feel the need to explain myself if I am doing something out of the norm. For example, Jordan ponders over the idea of Olive asking her why she decides to stay at her hotel or why Jordan is not with her husband. Everyone’s ideas of what is normally done is different. People’s background and culture shape who they are. Jordan has different ideals from Olive because they were taught different values. In the same way, my values and the values of who I meet are also different and therefore may seem strange. Furthermore, when someone calls me “lucky” I am also a bit taken back. It is because of the difference of backgrounds that leads to this misunderstanding. People wish for different things. In Jordan’s example, she wishes for the end of discrimination while the white female student Jordan speaks to declares Jordan lucky for having a purpose not realizing the discrimination Jordan suffered and continues to suffer. Jordan, on the other hand, thinks of the student as lucky for having privileges that many people do not possess. She declares that if this woman does not support her mission to end discrimination then Jordan will not offer to help this woman’s cry to end her purposeless life. Therefore, Jordan’s story has helped me understand my differences amongst people. Furthermore, Jordan’s pattern of behavior is similar to my own when in similar situations. From Jordan’s story I have also reflected from my own life that bringing together connections in my life can create good.
A quote that resonated with me is, “When we get the monsters off our backs all of us may want to run in very different directions”(13). Tragedies bring people together. Unfortunately once people finish grieving, they usually forget and move on. Despite that, people come together in times of need and bond over similar goals and experiences. Sometimes these people may drift apart but if the event or situation they have experienced together is not significant enough. This quote resonates with my life because throughout the years I have had many relationships that have ended due to distance and lack of communication. Once an experience is over in which people no longer rely on each other, they drift apart. Throughout our lives we form many connections but it is only the meaningful ones that remain.