Racial Predjudice in Fiction and Current Events

Fiction is often as real as current events. Fabricated stories can remain close to reality because many are based on real-life problems and issues. Although “Desiree's Baby” by Kate Chopin is a fictional story and the New York Times article “Reaction to Ferguson Decision shows Racial Divide Remains Over Views Of Justice,” by Michael Wines is based on an actual event, Chopin’s short story and the shooting of Michael Brown are parallel to each other because they both encompass and highlight the harmful effects of racial prejudice and discrimination, a prevalent issue in today’s society.

In “Desiree’s Baby,” Chopin exemplifies the issue of racism, a major contemporary issue. In Chopin’s short story, Aubigny Armand is a perpetrator of racial discrimination. He defines a person’s value based on the color of his skin rather than his personality and morals. Comparable to modern day society, in August of 2014, an unarmed teenager named Michael Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson. In Wines’s article, he reports on the racial discrimination within the American political system and the injustice committed by the Grand Jury’s to not indict Wilson. The article and court decision show the flaws within the American justice system. It exposes that racial prejudice even exists within the system created to remove impartiality and ensure the rights of all Americans regardless of race. Correspondingly, “Desiree’s Baby” portrays and highlights this perpetual racism and judgement by appearance.

Similarly,”Desiree’s Baby” and the death of Michael Brown demonstrate the destructive nature of racial prejudice and discrimination. The failure to indict Mr. Wilson erupted in riots across the country. In comparison, even though Chopin’s short story is fiction, the destructive effect of Armand’s prejudice towards blacks is clear when he discovers his baby could be of mixed heritage. After Armand learns that his child is most likely not white, he transforms from a proud father to one who looks at his child without respect. As a result, his relationships with his family suffers because of his narrow-mindedness and preconceptions on what physical qualities constitute as a person of worth. His lack of respect and attitude towards his own child because his baby could potentially be biracial is comparable to the devastating consequences of racial prejudice and discrimination in the United States. In the article “Michael Brown and the deadly effect of colorism,” author Solomon Jones examines the  social and psychological effects of colorism, “the prejudging of others based on complexion.” This difference in attitude towards black Americans has caused blacks on average to have lower socioeconomic statuses and be more punished under the law. Racial bias within the political system has caused many Americans to be denied equal rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution.

In addition, nonfiction writers tend to construct works of art that emulate the world. Actual facts are used to create believable scenes that reflect the time period she is writing about.”Desirees Baby,” set in mid 19th century, exhibits how cultural and societal views influence the actions of individuals. The connection between Chopin’s short story and modern news lies within the examination of race and racial purity that results in racial discrimination. The dark reality of racism in “Desirees Baby” can be compared to the prejudiced court ruling regarding the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.

Ever since European settlers discovered America, racial prejudice has existed. From discrimination of Native Americans to the mistreatment of slaves, America has always struggled to accept that appearance does not define character and worth. The death of Michael Brown resurfaced an intensifying frustration with the maltreatment of people of color in America. Although “Desiree’s Baby” is a work of fiction, the core themes explored by Chopin connect with major current events that have challenged the nature of race relations in America. Irrespective of plot, characters, and setting Kate Chopin’s short story is as real as the news one reads in the newspaper for its issue at hand are unfortunately realistic.