Essay on Slavery, Blackness and Women Empowerment in the Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

Historical themes of women empowerment, blackness, and slavery remain core in developing various documents and narrations such as the Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez. Richard Allen on To those who keep slaves and approve the practice talks about the need to abolish slavery as everyone is equal. In the letter which is addressed to the slave keepers, Allen states we believe if you tried the experiment of taking a few black children and cultivate their minds, you would find that they were not inferior (Allen 1). Here, Allen is requesting for equal opportunities for everyone irrespective of diversity such as race or gender as their worth can be realized if only they are given similar chances as their masters. While focusing on slavery and blackness, Martin Luther Kings speech on I have a Dream focuses on the need to have freedom and equality while focusing on the black people. Further, Luther states As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always match ahead (King 20). Here, Luther is advocating for everyone regardless of their minority such as being female or black take up the role of striving to succeed in a world that is characterized by oppression, racism, slavery and gender inequality. While integrating the themes of women empowerment, slavery, and blackness in the Gilda Stories by Gomez, the historical novel focuses on a supernatural world where a young black woman thrives in the vampire world. Although the novel is centered on supernatural world, one which is jumbled and confused to the human beings, Gomez reflects on key aspects of slavery, blackness, and women empowerment through the life of the main character, Gilda.

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The nineteenth and twentieth centuries were characterized by slavery and particularly to the black people who were oppressed in regards to their rights and being forced to work in hard labor. Gomez begins by narrating the escape of a black girl who worked in the cotton plantation together with her family (Gomez 50). As Allen puts it but the dreadful insurrections they had made when an opportunity had offered, this reflects on the retaliation of the slaves and considering other options such as escape (Allen 3). In this regard, Gilda, the young black girl escapes from slavery in Louisiana, a city known for practicing slavery and runs into two vampire women who run brothels. Although the women are vampires unlike Gilda who is human, it is apparent that ending slavery was based on doing more than it was expected. Gilda, in this case, takes her chances and integrates with the supernatural world of vampires. Considering Gilda experiences, she wrestles with the responsibilities and challenges of the new life.

In the theme of blackness, it reflects on the impact of inequality on racial diversity. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, racism was also common and being black subjected an individual to oppression, suffering, slavery and other cruelties (Holmgren 58). Gilda, therefore, accounts for various transformations which had an impact on rights of the individuals globally when fighting racism and oppression. Gilda who is a black character reflects on power if given an opportunity (Azza 24). Allen (3) states that if the slaves and particularly the black people are given the power and resources as their counterparts, it is possible that they can express their strengths similarly to the white. Gilda after being taken by the vampires is given education, shelter, and love where despite her blackness; she becomes a member of the family and later takes the name of her master.

Another theme is that of women empowerment where the female gender in these centuries was seen as weak to rule and being in power. The story of Gilda through the 150 years reflects on the rise from a simple slave girl to a strong black woman manifesting on the near-future of America. After being taken to the brothel, she is accepted as family and given education. The young slave finally inherits the name Gilda from the 300-year-old vampire. Gilda becomes a beautician and succeeds ahead of the rest in a time characterized by challenging harsh economic and financial conditions. Women empowerment although in a vampire world is reflected in the Gilda Stories as the story of a slave girl finally becomes that of heroism. Before the death of her master, Gilda is loved and trusted by her family members who she now resides with in the brothel. Various metaphors are also used by Gomez to manifest on women empowerment. Gildas relationship with the whites reflects on the new society she is using her power to form, one which is characterized by love and trust. Gildas bite as a vampire is irresistible which reflects on high levels of power.

In conclusion, historical aspects are reflected in various historical documents as well as narrations. Key themes or aspects discussed are slavery, women empowerment, and blackness. According to Martin Luther King, the black community ought to fight oppression and take up their societal place. Richard Allen, on the other hand, echoes Luther King through requesting an end to slavery to those who embraced it. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries were characterized by these aspects which were mainly centered on oppressing the blacks and slavery. The novel, Gilda stories reflects on these themes through the narration of a girl who escapes slavery and is taken by vampires who educate and take her as family. Gilda, the name the girl inherits from her master is a typical example of the current society where women empowerment is crucial to the development of a nation.

Works Cited

Allen, Richard. To those who keep slaves, and approve the practice. 1794. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.

Azza, Sekar Yolanda. Lesbianism as portrayed in Jewelle Gomezs short story Dont Explain. Diss. Uin Sunan Kalijaga, 2016.

Gomez, Jewelle. The Gilda Stories: Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition. City Lights Publishers, 2016.Holmgren, Maria. Between Memory and History: The Nineteenth Century in Jewelle Gomezs Vampire Novel The Gilda Stories and the TV Series True Blood. 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.

King, Martin Luther. Martin Luther King, Jr.S I have a dream speech. 28 Aug. 1963. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.