When looking at Passing, there’s an interesting discussion to be found on whether or not the novel holds a certain legacy or impact in present time. Published in 1929, the novel arrived in a time plagued with racial turmoil. Since then equality and racism has progressed significantly, yet one of the themes within the novel still has an interesting outlook even today. Identity is a pressing issue within the story for the majority of characters. The quest of identity, whether it be through Clare or Irene, remains a discussion that we have now. There’s considerable discussion and hype around the newly released film Black Panther, due to it’s majority black cast and subject matter. To me, the novel provides insight on this present day discussion of identity.
In the novel, Irene “passes” in public places due to the inability for black people to interact or indulge in certain spaces. There’s a lack of black presence within those places and therefore a lack of identifying representation. When she “passes” she leaves herself and culture behind and enters a place where there’s nothing to connect or herself too. Clare defies her true self and discovers the pain that can come with that. There’s a contrasting reflection within today’s time on representation in terms of film and other pop culture. A few years back there was a debate about the lack of diversity shown amidst Oscar choices in terms of black representation. To me, Passing reveals why those issues of identity and representation are important to those who seek it. There’s an innate need to discover one’s own culture and see it expressed in the environment we live in. Like Irene and Clare, African Americans of today need to see their culture embodied in society. It’s imperative for little boys and girls of color to see films like Black Panther and witness a culture and identity that resembles their own.
On that note, Passing also provides an example on why it’s important for everyone, not just African Americans, to accept and look in to other identities and cultures. In my opinion, John represents a lack of knowledge and ignorance about a people. There’s no indication from the novel that shows he has any knowing interaction with black people, yet he holds such strong views of them. These views come from the lack of immersion with diversity and are often the causes for racism that we see today. Going back to the above mention of the film Black Panther, that effect of seeing black actors on the screen for the majority of the time in roles that don’t cater to certain stereotypes helps bridge a gap not knowing, for a lack of a better word. Seeing people as they really are instead of here say and ingrained misconceptions could go a long way to eliminating the Johns of the world.
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