“Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby

“Racism in Literature” by Jennie Ruby first appeared in Off Our Backs in the August-September 1988 issue (Vol. 18, No. 8, p. 19), published by off our backs, inc. and preserved through JSTOR. The article explores how racism manifests in literary history, particularly within feminist scholarship, by examining the contradictions and prejudices of revered literary figures. It highlights discussions from a workshop where white feminist scholars grappled with the racial biases of past writers, such as Virginia Woolf and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and their failure to fully transcend the racial prejudices of their times. The absence of women of color from the workshop’s panel further illustrated the exhaustion felt by marginalized scholars who are often expected to educate others on these issues. The article also discusses the evolution of feminist consciousness in literature, citing Grace Paley’s shift in language use and the presence of racism within narratives that simultaneously sought to challenge it. Moreover, it examines how literary criticism must acknowledge the flaws of feminist foremothers to ensure a more honest historical reckoning. The article’s significance in literary theory lies in its call for scholars to confront and analyze racism within feminist literature rather than overlook it, thereby advancing a more inclusive and self-aware literary discourse. Ruby’s work serves as an essential critique of how literature both reflects and perpetuates societal biases, urging readers and scholars to adopt a more critical lens when engaging with literary history.

Summary of “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby

Theoretical Terms/Concepts in “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby

Theoretical Term/Concept	Definition	Application in the Article
Historical Bias	The tendency of historical narratives to reflect the perspectives of dominant groups while marginalizing others.	Emily Toth’s research on Kate Chopin shows how early male biographers shaped perceptions of female writers, often excluding women’s perspectives (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Intersectionality	The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, and class, which create overlapping systems of oppression.	The absence of women of color in the feminist workshop reflects how racial and gendered oppression interact in academic discourse (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Authorial Intent vs. Reader Interpretation	The debate over whether meaning in literature is determined by the author’s intent or the reader’s interpretation.	Dale Spender’s experiment showed that readers project biases onto texts, shaping their understanding based on assumed author identity (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Racialized Feminism	A critique of feminism that acknowledges how racial biases have historically influenced feminist thought and activism.	Linda Koolish emphasized that white feminist scholars must acknowledge their racial privilege when analyzing literary history (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Literary Canon and Exclusion	The process by which certain works are considered “classic” while others are marginalized due to racial, gender, or class biases.	The discussion highlights how feminist foremothers’ racist views are often overlooked in literary scholarship (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Cultural Hegemony	The dominance of a particular cultural narrative that reinforces existing power structures.	Harriet Beecher Stowe’s work, despite its anti-slavery themes, reinforces racial hierarchies through its portrayal of light-skinned characters as more redeemable (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Textual Silencing	The suppression of certain voices or perspectives in literature and literary criticism.	The Awakening was not officially banned, but negative reviews by male critics effectively silenced its impact (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Evolving Language and Consciousness	The idea that language use reflects shifts in societal awareness and ideological changes.	Grace Paley’s shift from generic male pronouns to gender-inclusive language illustrates changing feminist consciousness (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Race and Representation in Literature	The ways in which racial identities and experiences are depicted in literary works.	Glennis Carr’s research highlights the coexistence of racist and anti-racist elements in literature written by white women (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Reader-Response Criticism	A literary theory emphasizing the role of the reader in shaping the meaning of a text.	Spender’s reading experiment showed how the perceived identity of an author can alter a reader’s interpretation of a work (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).

Contribution of “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby to Literary Theory/Theories

Literary Theory	Contribution from the Article	Reference from the Article
Critical Race Theory (CRT)	The article exposes the racial biases embedded in feminist literature, showing how even well-intentioned feminist authors, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, reinforced racial hierarchies.	“Racism and anti-racism coexist, as in Harriet Beecher Stowe, who avoids certain stereotypes but uses a light skin/darker skin schema of salvation that is racist” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Feminist Literary Criticism	Challenges the idealization of feminist foremothers by revealing their racism and sexism, urging scholars to acknowledge their flaws rather than erase them.	Annette Kolodny states, “If our foremothers had not shared the prejudices of their time, we would have had to invent faults for them” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Intersectionality (Black Feminist Thought)	Highlights how mainstream feminism often excludes women of color, both in academic discourse and literary analysis.	“Of 34 scholars invited to speak at this workshop, half were women of color… No women of color agreed to participate” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Postcolonial Literary Theory	Addresses how white feminist authors wrote about race from a privileged perspective, often misrepresenting people of color.	Linda Koolish states, “As white scholars we will always be writing about territory not our own” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Reader-Response Theory	Demonstrates that interpretation of literature is influenced by the identity of both the reader and the perceived author.	“Spender related her experience of reading 100 anonymous books and finding that she could not necessarily tell whether the author had been a man or a woman” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Literary Canon and Exclusion	Questions the selection of literary texts in the canon, showing how historical biases have shaped literary scholarship.	“Kate Chopin’s The Awakening was never really banned, but it was silenced by negative reviews by men” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Historical Materialism in Literature	Examines how literature reflects the economic and social conditions of its time, particularly regarding race and gender.	“Cathryn Martin’s The Incredible Journey was intended to describe the devotion of a Black woman for her child. In 1923 she was reviled for daring to address this issue. Today, she would be reviled as racist, as not going far enough” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Language and Power (Linguistic Turn in Literary Studies)	Investigates how language reflects evolving feminist consciousness, particularly in how words like “queer” and gendered pronouns are used in literature.	“Judith Arcana spoke on the rising consciousness she sees in Grace Paley’s writing… Paley has characters protest sexist language” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).

Examples of Critiques Through “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby

Literary Work & Author	Critique Through “Racism in Literature”	Reference from the Article
To the Lighthouse – Virginia Woolf	Woolf, despite being a feminist icon, expressed racist views, highlighting the racial biases of admired literary figures.	“Virginia Woolf talked about Leonard’s curved nose,” illustrating how even celebrated feminist writers held prejudices (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Harriet Beecher Stowe	While the novel critiques slavery, Stowe maintains racial hierarchies by portraying light-skinned Black characters as more redeemable.	“Harriet Beecher Stowe avoids certain stereotypes but uses a light skin/darker skin schema of salvation that is racist” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
The Awakening – Kate Chopin	Chopin’s work was not officially banned but was dismissed by male critics, showing gender bias in literary criticism.	“The Awakening was never really banned, but it was silenced by negative reviews by men” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
The Incredible Journey – Cathryn Martin	Martin’s attempt to depict Black motherhood was progressive in 1923 but later viewed as reinforcing racial stereotypes.	“In 1923 she was reviled for daring to address this issue. Today, she would be reviled as racist, as not going far enough” (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).

Criticism Against “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby

• Lack of Representation of Women of Color’s Perspectives
  • While the article critiques the absence of women of color in literary discussions, it does not include direct perspectives or voices from these marginalized groups, leading to a potential gap in its analysis (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
• Overgeneralization of Feminist Writers’ Racism
  • The article presents feminist foremothers’ racial biases but does not explore the complexities of their ideological growth. It risks reducing their legacies to their flaws without fully contextualizing their historical limitations (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
• Limited Engagement with Critical Race Theory
  • While the article highlights racism in literature, it does not engage deeply with Critical Race Theory (CRT) frameworks that would provide a more nuanced critique of systemic racism in literary production and reception.
• Focus on White Feminist Scholarship
  • The article predominantly centers white feminist perspectives, despite its critique of the racial biases within feminism, which may limit its effectiveness in advocating for an intersectional approach (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
• Absence of Contemporary Literary Criticism
  • The analysis does not incorporate insights from Black feminist scholars or postcolonial theorists who have extensively critiqued race and literature, potentially leading to a less comprehensive evaluation of the issue.
• Potential for Presentism
  • The article risks judging historical figures and literary works by contemporary moral standards without fully considering the constraints and context of their time (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).
• Limited Solutions for Addressing Racism in Literature
  • While Ruby identifies racism in feminist literature, the article does not offer clear strategies for addressing or resolving these issues in modern feminist literary criticism (Ruby, 1988, p. 19).

Representative Quotations from “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“All knowledge belongs to the person knowing it, and human beings are inevitably flawed… We don’t see things the way they are, we see them the way we are.”	This statement emphasizes the subjectivity of knowledge and perception, particularly in the interpretation of literature and history. It underscores how biases shape literary criticism and historical understanding.
“As white scholars, we will always be writing about territory not our own.”	This quote from Linda Koolish acknowledges the limitations of white scholars in analyzing racial issues. It highlights the need for scholars to recognize their positionality when engaging with racialized literature.
“The audience appeared to be entirely made up of white women.”	This observation critiques the racial homogeneity in feminist literary discussions, pointing out the lack of participation from women of color and the exclusionary nature of mainstream feminism.
“Racism and anti-racism coexist, as in Harriet Beecher Stowe, who avoids certain stereotypes but uses a light skin/darker skin schema of salvation that is racist.”	This critique of Uncle Tom’s Cabin highlights how even anti-slavery literature can reinforce racial hierarchies, showing that well-intentioned works can still contain problematic elements.
“Virginia Woolf talked about Leonard’s curved nose.”	This quote illustrates how revered feminist authors, like Woolf, held and expressed racial prejudices, challenging the tendency to idolize literary figures without acknowledging their flaws.
“The Awakening was never really banned, but it was silenced by negative reviews by men.”	This statement reflects the gendered nature of literary criticism and how male-dominated literary institutions historically dismissed or marginalized female authors.
“In 1923 she was reviled for daring to address this issue. Today, she would be reviled as racist, as not going far enough.”	This commentary on Cathryn Martin’s The Incredible Journey reveals the shifting standards of literary critique and how perspectives on race change over time.
“How much do your own ideas determine what you read?”	This rhetorical question raises issues related to reader-response theory, suggesting that readers project their own biases onto literature, influencing their interpretation.
“We must be as honest as possible about our history.”	This quote calls for transparency in literary and historical analysis, urging scholars to critically examine past figures rather than idealizing them.
“You cannot stand in some sort of pure place from which to judge things.”	This statement acknowledges the inevitability of bias in literary criticism, emphasizing that no perspective is completely objective or detached from historical context.

Suggested Readings: “Racism in Literature” by jennie ruby

1. ruby, jennie. “Racism in Literature.” Off Our Backs, vol. 18, no. 8, 1988, pp. 19–19. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25796514. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
2. Bowser, Benjamin P. “Racism: Origin and Theory.” Journal of Black Studies, vol. 48, no. 6, 2017, pp. 572–90. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44631325. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
3. Fields, Barbara J. “Whiteness, Racism, and Identity.” International Labor and Working-Class History, no. 60, 2001, pp. 48–56. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27672735. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
4. Nelson, Jacqueline K. “Denial of Racism and Its Implications for Local Action.” Discourse & Society, vol. 24, no. 1, 2013, pp. 89–109. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24441659. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.