Comparison Of Nina And Strange Fruit

Comparison of “Nina” and “Strange Fruit”

Throughout history, black people have suffered from oppression, which continues today. But what do these experiences really feel like? Abel Meeropol wrote a song in 1937, named “Strange Fruit”, reflecting the way black people suffered during this time. Meeropol’s piece uses motif, comparing black people who were lynched to natural things like fruit hanging from trees. Meeropol illustrates the cruelties that black people have experienced in a subtle, yet eerie way, giving us a better look at what went on. The song “Nina” by Marlana Evans opens with a quote from “Strange Fruit”, and has strong influences from Meeropol. Evans also speaks on the more modern examples of racism that continuously occurs today.

Evans alludes to a tragedy that occurred in 1955, and explains how it impacts how she can act in today’s society. Evans states that she can either “emit light” or “Emmett Till” (Evans). By referencing Emmett Till, a fourteen year old African American boy who was lynched simply for offending a white woman, Marlana Evans lays out her options as a black woman (Library of Congress). She could either “emit light” by enlightening the people about the unjust treatment toward people of color in a progressive way or backlash could occur toward what she has to say, and she could become like Emmett Till, murdered for offending a person with racist ideals. This relates to “Strange Fruit” because they both depict how black lives have been taken at the whim of racist people's desires. Meeropol creates the scene of “black bodies swinging in the southern breeze” (Meeropol). His use of “swinging in the southern breeze” makes the scene seem calm and carefree, this is a metaphor for the people of the South during this time. People of the South had the same carefree mentality when it came to lynchings, once again “black bodies” suffering at the expense of these people's careless, prejudiced wants. Overall, impacting the actions of black people, causing them to constantly be on their toes in order to stay under the radar. Both lines of each song illustrate how lives were taken for

Both views exemplify the stereotypes of black people and how society has evolved to better their opportunities. In the song “Nina”, Evans takes a more positive approach toward the situation by alluding to very successful African American people. Evans states that she is going to be like “Henry Louis Gates when [she] cops [her] some new estate” and “make room for [herself]” (Evans). She is referring to famous black author, director, and professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. who has dedicated his life to educating the public about black culture and has become a highly regarded icon (Library of Congress). By stating she will be like Gates, she is separating herself from the stereotypes of African American people being “lazy, dumb” and “unsuccessful” (Reyna). Instead, she is working hard to become successful like Henry Louis Gates and be seen by society. Evans is describing how she is giving herself permission to take up space, buy a house and be noticed by society which she wouldn’t have been able to do in the past because of the restrictions from government and other racist people. Abel Meeropol has a different, dispirited approach in his views of the future of African Americans. When referring to African Americans who were hanged, Meeropol says they will be left “for the sun to rot” (Meeropol). While this is historically accurate, it is also a metaphor for