Native Son, Richard Wright

"Native Son" was, by far, the best book I've read this summer. It is a masterpiece of American drama that, tragically, I found as much application to contemporary Chicago (and the rest of the United States) as I would have found in the decade of its authorship, the 1940s. I connected deeply with Bigger Thomas' oppression and the oppression of Blacks and Communists in the era "Native Son" took place, in part because of the parallel oppression gay Americans face today. Among other things, this novel is a critique of blame and the notion of collective guilt, and the way different racial, ethnic, and political groups view one another.

I never thought I'd find myself including what is essentially a political novel (Richard Wright was a staunch member of the Communist party in Chicago, and the book's themes and characters surely reflect that fact) among one of my favorite books. However, since finishing "Native Son" nearly two weeks ago, Bigger has not left my mind. His story tapped into a quiet anger I didn't know I had, infused me with deep guilt at having implicitly taken part in the oppression of others, gave me a better understanding of Black America today, and allowed me to compare experiences of oppression across communities.

I can't do the best job I'd like at describing how thought-provoking and startling "Native Son" was for me, but I hope that it is included more often on required reading lists--not just for African-American-focused courses or political science courses, but for American literature and history as well.