The Invisible Man

I really, really liked this story. The first paragraph really struck me. Every single word in the paragraph has a deep meaning; the author is narrating his struggle of being a black male. Since he was born he was an invisible man, yet he looked for answers and some kind of identity all his life. He says “I was naive, I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer…”

I’m assuming he knew these answers because of what he experienced growing up so he comes to the conclusion that he’s nothing but an “Invisible man” A man who was told he was free just like his ancestors did but he was oppressed and separated just like the rest of his fellow African Americans.  A follower of Mr Booker T. Washington, he wanted to pursue an academic career.

The part where he delivers his speech at the “smoker” was so sad, but I believe the author really portrayed the struggle of every single African American at the time. They were humiliated and treated like animals, no freedom, no rights. They were beaten and abused physically and emotionally. However they stood up and just like the Phoenix they rose from the ashes and prove that they can be more than just slaves. This young man, stood up, his weak and bloody body was not an excuse to deliver his speech, and he knew it was the right thing to do. His grandfather’s words were ringing in his head just like the bell announced the end of the fight. In the end he got a scholarship, it was his ticket to a better life. To me he was not invisible anymore…