CR#7 Major vs Minor

What? What is the difference between Majority and the Minority according to James Baldwin? What is that fear he talks about?

Baldwin explains the Majority as “influence” (216). He wants the reader to understand that Majority does not refer to numbers or power, instead, he says “we are the Majority.” We need to create the influence in our community to create change. The Minority also refers to influence, but these groups did not have as big of a difference as other “Majority” groups, “a minority because their influence was so slight and because it was their necessity to make themselves over in the image of their new and unformed country” (217). His fear is that people will not create the change or be the influence the community needs. People need to take on the role of the “Majority” so the world will become all that it can be.

So What? How does Paul Farmer, through his stories, illustrate the issues that Baldwin brings up? Do you have other examples, either from your own life or from working with the community, that can help demonstrate the dynamic Baldwin is talking about?

Farmer uses his stories to give life to the issues and problems Baldwin talked about in the other article. Farmer illustrates life in Haiti for Acephie and Chouchou. Both died due to the Majority influence in Haiti of the government. There is a hierarchy that is making sure people can not make the change, the influence that is necessary for a better life for the lower status communities.

Now What? How does this “fear” that Baldwin articulates compare to the current politics in our society? How could the fear affect the community you are working with?