WEEK 3
@jasonsfarr
After discussing the concept of intersectionality in regards to “Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom”, it is evident that one of the main intersections of identity are between race and disability. As Dr. Farr mentioned in class, the novel Embodied Avatars discusses the notion of identity being performative and thus, a “fleeting second self”. This can be applied metaphorically and literally to Ellen Craft as she physically disguises herself as an impaired white male in order to escape from the bonds of slavery with her husband, William. Ellen craft embodies this idea of performing new identities in order to flee to the free states. She takes on the role of a deaf white man, with bandages around his head and arm, and glasses on his face. Although, Ellen Craft is the one who is assuming this role, William still performs being a slave to his master even when he is given many opportunities to confide in other slaves or run away with the suggestion of abolitionists. When they are pulled aside before their last train ride into Philadelphia and they are informed that he (Ellen) may not bring his slave across state lines, it drew the attention of other passengers because “they thought my master was a slaveholder and an invalid gentlemen, and therefore it was wrong to detain him” (72). It was because of their clever idea to perform their identity as an impaired slaveholder and his slave that got them through the thousand miles into freedom. Together, William and Ellen Craft flee in their roles of their second selves.
This idea of identity poses the question of what is one’s identity. What constitutes as identity? According to Erevelles and Minear, there is an issue with seeing identity as any ONE thing. They argue that part of the problem of “relying on a static and singular notion for being or of identity is that the single characteristic that is foregrounded (female or black) is expected to explain all of the other life experiences of the individual or group” (356). Identities change and are constantly evolving. For example, when Ellen Craft decided to assume the role of being deaf when another man on the train was trying to engage in conversation in order to keep herself from being discovered (Craft 44). Her identity changed based on the environment she was in at the time. However, this poses the assumption that people who are impaired or a person of color should adapt their identity based on the harsh environment that is encircling them. Society should not dictate how a person expresses their identity, and based on the concept of intersectionality, there is no single notion of identity. People are made up of different identities and society should encourage difference instead of assuming that everyone desires to be a part of a synonymous norm.
-Jayda
