http://www.womanist-musings.com/2011/09/review-of-push-by-sapphire.html
This review was written by Renee Martin in 'Woman's Musings.' Renee starts with a brief summary of the plot and the characters involved. She states that Clarise represents 'all those who have fallen from the system.' I feel this is true as the idea of the novel is that Clarise is able to 'push' herself in order to gain an education and enhance her own life, which very much follows the whole idea of the American dream.
Renee then goes on to state how Clarisee was shut out even though she was in need of care. She seems sympathetic as she says 'It had me wondering how many victims of child abuse slip through the cracks in just the fashion.' Thus, I believe she is not portraying African Americans in a negative light, rather the authority who fail to help her with her issues back at home. However, it is clear Renee believes that she is treated different due to her race. She states that Clarise refuses to discuss her problems with the police, which is 'another example of how social institutions have let down this young black woman.' as she feels she is unable to trust the white authority.
Renee Martin compares 'Push' with 'the colour purple'. She states that 'As much as this book was about sexual abuse, it was also a statement about the various ways in which the system continues to fail poor people of colour.' I agree with her statement, as even though Clarise pushes herself to read and write and how much readers wish for her to achieve a successful life, it turns out she has HIV, which there seems to be a higher rate of HIV among poor women of a different race.
Renee concludes that 'Push' 'is about seeing those whom we have chosen to create as invisible in order to actively oppress and exploit.' So basically the book had been written in order for more people to acknowledge that there are characters similar to Clarise out there who are not been treated fairly and that something needs to be done about it.
This review was written by Renee Martin in 'Woman's Musings.' Renee starts with a brief summary of the plot and the characters involved. She states that Clarise represents 'all those who have fallen from the system.' I feel this is true as the idea of the novel is that Clarise is able to 'push' herself in order to gain an education and enhance her own life, which very much follows the whole idea of the American dream.
Renee then goes on to state how Clarisee was shut out even though she was in need of care. She seems sympathetic as she says 'It had me wondering how many victims of child abuse slip through the cracks in just the fashion.' Thus, I believe she is not portraying African Americans in a negative light, rather the authority who fail to help her with her issues back at home. However, it is clear Renee believes that she is treated different due to her race. She states that Clarise refuses to discuss her problems with the police, which is 'another example of how social institutions have let down this young black woman.' as she feels she is unable to trust the white authority.
Renee Martin compares 'Push' with 'the colour purple'. She states that 'As much as this book was about sexual abuse, it was also a statement about the various ways in which the system continues to fail poor people of colour.' I agree with her statement, as even though Clarise pushes herself to read and write and how much readers wish for her to achieve a successful life, it turns out she has HIV, which there seems to be a higher rate of HIV among poor women of a different race.
Renee concludes that 'Push' 'is about seeing those whom we have chosen to create as invisible in order to actively oppress and exploit.' So basically the book had been written in order for more people to acknowledge that there are characters similar to Clarise out there who are not been treated fairly and that something needs to be done about it.
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