From: "Christopher Fan" <ctf5-AT-cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: Condemnation of "July's People"
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001 00:01:29 -0400


Gordimer has one of the longest histories of anti-apartheid activism and
radicalism. In response to Norman's original post, I've always been under
the impression that it's J.M. Coetzee, not Gordimer, who's considered 'not
radical enough.' On this, I'd argue that it's the extremely subtle force of
Coetzee's critique of liberal humanism that allows his work to be
appropriated even by the political right. I'd also go so far as to say that
he's a radical writer. Gordimer's radicalism, I don't think, has ever been
in question--her anti-racism, least of all. In fact, and Joya brings this up
as well, the brand of confused liberalism that leads these South African
teachers to declare "July's People" as racist--again, an -absurd-
assertion--is precisely what Gordimer and Coetzee so furiously combat.

-cf




----- Original Message -----
From: "Norman Cary" <norman.cary-AT-wright.edu>
To: <postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2001 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: Condemnation of "July's People"


I agree totally.  It's a marvel that she can critique the very liberals who
are
her readers in the "first" world.

Joya Uraizee wrote:

> Norman,
> I have taught and written about that novel and I think that projecting the
> self-complacent racism that the Smalses show is precisely Gordimer's way
of
> showing up the racist basis of S Africa under apartheid.  If readers
believe
> that Gordimer is endorsing the racist viewpoint of the Smalses then I
think
> they have misread the novel.  I would be interested in knowing more about
S
> African attitudes to Gordimer.
> Joya Uraizee
>
> Norman Cary wrote:
>
> > The other day on National Public Radio I heard that a committee of South
> > African teachers had condemned Nadine Gordimer's "July's People" as
> > racist.  Gordimer allegedly was surprised at this reading.
> > (Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" were judged too depressing).  I
> > have read that Gordimer's fiction is not held in high regard in S.
> > Africa because it is (a) too radical (b) not radical enough.
> >
> > I have taught Gordimer's novel many times and never did my (American)
> > students think it was anti-black.
> >
> > Comments??
> >
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>
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