Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Passing (2)" by Toi Derricotte is a thought-provoking poem that explores the complex dynamics of racial identity, perception, and the concept of "passing" as light-skinned black individuals navigate spaces that may presume whiteness. Through a personal anecdote set in an academic environment, Derricotte delves into the nuanced conversations around race, the assumptions made based on appearance, and the challenges of self-identification within rigid racial categorizations.

The poem opens with the speaker's invitation to a "Black Lit" class discussing Nella Larsen's "Passing," a novel that deals with the themes of racial identity and the practice of passing as white among light-skinned African Americans. The interaction between the speaker, the students, and the professor immediately sets the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes, particularly when a black student asserts the ability to identify racial identity based on appearance, inadvertently excluding the speaker.

The moment the speaker reveals her black heritage serves as a turning point in the poem, prompting her to question the class about the nature of passing. Was she "passing" simply by existing in her skin, without declaring her racial identity? This question challenges the assumptions and expectations of the class, especially a white woman who feels deceived, highlighting the societal tendency to fill in the blanks of identity based on physical appearance and preconceived notions of race.

Derricotte's interrogation of "passing" not as an act of omission on her part but as an act of assumption by others is a powerful critique of the ways in which identities are constructed and policed by society. The reference to Larsen's novel further underscores the arbitrariness and fluidity of racial boundaries, as well as the personal and social implications of navigating these boundaries.

The poem concludes with a personal story about the speaker's father, who refuses to verbally declare his race when obtaining his driver's license, challenging the clerk to make a determination based on his appearance. This anecdote mirrors the poem's earlier exploration of the complexities of racial identification and the power dynamics involved in declaring or withholding one's racial identity.

"Passing (2)" is a compelling reflection on the intricacies of race, the subjective nature of perception, and the profound impact of these factors on individual identity and social interactions. Through her nuanced portrayal of personal experiences and the broader historical and literary context, Derricotte invites readers to reconsider their own assumptions about race and identity, and the ways in which these constructs shape our understanding of ourselves and others.

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