Racism and imperialism are two heavyweights in the ring of social critique, and they’ve both taken some serious punches from writers who refuse to back down. George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” and Jacob Riis’s “How the Other Half Lives” might seem worlds apart on the surface—one is a personal narrative steeped in colonial conflict, while the other is a groundbreaking photojournalistic expose of life in New York City’s slums. However, both texts dig deep into the effects of racism and imperialism, albeit from different angles. In this essay, we’ll unpack how these works challenge our understanding of power dynamics and human dignity through their vivid storytelling and biting commentary.
The Weight of Colonial Expectations
Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” puts us right in the thick of British colonial rule in Burma. The story follows Orwell himself, a police officer wrestling with his conscience while facing societal pressures to conform to expectations placed upon him by both the British Empire and the local Burmese populace. When he’s called to deal with an elephant that has gone rogue, he finds himself caught between his moral qualms about killing it and his perceived duty as a representative of colonial authority.
What really stands out here is how Orwell illustrates the internalized racism that comes with imperialism. As a white man wielding power over an oppressed people, he realizes that he’s not just enforcing law; he’s also perpetuating a racist system that dehumanizes both himself and those around him. The very act of shooting the elephant becomes symbolic: it represents not only his complicity in violence but also his loss of individuality amidst oppressive expectations. He must cater to the crowd’s whims rather than listen to his own moral compass, showcasing how imperialism stifles genuine humanity for both colonizers and colonized.
A Glimpse into Urban Poverty
Now let’s shift gears to Jacob Riis’s “How the Other Half Lives,” which provides us with a stark look at poverty within America itself during the late 19th century. Unlike Orwell’s colonial context, Riis addresses urban issues exacerbated by industrialization—issues deeply rooted in systemic racism as well. Through compelling photographs paired with descriptive narratives, Riis exposes how immigrants—primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe—were trapped in cycles of poverty often due to societal prejudice against them.
Riis doesn’t just highlight economic disparities; he digs into how these conditions are intertwined with race. For instance, many immigrant families were subjected to poor living conditions because they were seen as ‘the other,’ undeserving of society’s resources or respect. His work calls attention to how systemic structures maintain racial inequality even within what was supposed to be ‘the land of opportunity.’ Just like Orwell grapples with being part of a racist regime abroad, Riis challenges readers at home to confront their own prejudices toward marginalized groups.
The Human Cost
Both authors tackle something incredibly poignant: the human cost associated with racism and imperialist ideologies. In “Shooting an Elephant,” when Orwell reluctantly kills the elephant—a creature symbolic not only of physical power but also innocence—he reflects on broader themes such as loss and guilt stemming from a violent imposition of authority over another culture. His final thoughts linger long after pulling that trigger; they speak volumes about what happens when someone allows external pressure to override personal ethics.
Similarly, Riis uses photography as a powerful tool for empathy in “How the Other Half Lives.” The images serve as windows into suffering lives filled with despair yet glimmers of hope emerge through community resilience among those depicted. By putting faces on statistics regarding poverty—and particularly highlighting marginalized populations—Riis invites readers into these cramped tenements where people struggle not just against economic hardship but also against deep-seated racial biases that define their existence.
A Call for Reflection
Ultimately, both texts implore us to reflect on our roles within systems infused with racism or imperialistic ideals—even if those systems manifest differently based on geography or time period. Whether you’re shooting an elephant under duress or bearing witness to lives lived in squalor next door while feasting comfortably across town—the underlying message remains clear: recognizing our shared humanity should trump any imposed hierarchy dictated by race or class status.
In conclusion, George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” and Jacob Riis’s “How the Other Half Lives” confront readers head-on about uncomfortable truths surrounding racism intertwined with various forms of domination—be it through imperialism overseas or socio-economic oppression at home. They challenge us not only to see beyond superficial differences but also encourage active engagement towards dismantling these systemic injustices for all individuals involved.
References
- Orwell, George. “Shooting an Elephant.” Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., 1950.
- Riis, Jacob A. “How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York.” New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1890.
- Baker, Carlos (Ed.). “The Essays Of George Orwell.” London: Secker & Warburg Ltd., 1968.
- Katzman, David M., et al., “Encyclopedia Of American Social History.” New York: Scribner & Sons Press., 1993.
