Kemol Mott discussion 13

After reading “White Lies” by Natasha Trethewey, I initially didn’t understand the poem’s deeper meaning. This lack of understanding led me to assume that something was wrong with me or the poem itself. However, upon further reflection and analysis, I came to realize that the poem was exploring the idea of lying as a survival mechanism for people of color in a society where white people hold power and privilege. The speaker in the poem, a young Black girl, quotes “I could easily tell the white folks that we lived uptown, not in that pink and green shanty-fled shotgun section along the tracks. I could act like my homemade dresses came straight out the window of Maison Blanche”. tells white people that she lives in a more affluent area, rather than admitting to living in a poorer neighborhood near the train tracks. The poem also touches on the idea of shame and the internalized racism that can lead people to disavow their own cultural roots. The speaker’s mother punishes her daughter for these lies, “Mama found out. She laid her hands on me, then washed out my mouth with Ivory soap”. Revealing the desire for honesty and authenticity in one’s identity. Overall, the poem explores complex themes of identity, race, and power dynamics, and it takes time and reflection to fully appreciate its significance.