Comments for The Bottom of Heaven

Comment on Finding The Bottom; or, What We’re All About by Jasmine

Jasmine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:45:28 +0000

What a beautiful blog. Beautifully conceived and written. Just shared with one of my students. I know I will do so with many others. Thank you.

Comment on Pencilfrying with Nikky Finney by Evelyn N. Alfred

Evelyn N. Alfred — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:44:14 +0000

I’m digging this poem. It makes me want to get the whole collection.

Comment on Poverty, Invisibility, and Dignity: Thoughts on 40 Years of The Bluest Eye by Holly

Holly — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:36:53 +0000

Ariel — I think you’re right! I also feel that part of showing respect for each other is not challenging someone’s pride — we should all have the freedom to be proud of the things we can do for our selves and each other. It is so wonderful that we all do care to give during the terrible disasters that we see and hear about, many of which are so removed from our lives. But what would compel us now to stop them from happening at all? I don’t mean stop disasters — but stop the inequalities that turn disasters into such unthinkable catastrophes. It would take more than individual donation… it would mean forcing political action, social change, and truly coming to terms with systematic forms of oppression and neglect, at home and abroad. It is amazing that this book is 40 years old and the themes are still so relevant. How many seeds in New Orleans won’t bloom… many. Just like others that didn’t bloom over the past 40 years. Whatever it takes to make that jump — to really make change — we’re just not there. And I really don’t know what it will take to make us take that move.

Comment on Poverty, Invisibility, and Dignity: Thoughts on 40 Years of The Bluest Eye by Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:22:27 +0000

I was listening to a news segment just yesterday of a similar nature about how employment benefits should be denied to those who have been out of work too long, in case they are becoming too dependent on “government money.” At the same time, I’m struck by how more and more Haitians are expressing their own concerns about 3rd party donations with strings attached – they appreciate the funds, but would like to rebuild (buildings as well as their confidence) on their own. I don’t think we’re taught enough about how to give without conditions, without judgment or pity. I’m still learning myself! I really enjoyed reading this post.

Comment on Poverty, Invisibility, and Dignity: Thoughts on 40 Years of The Bluest Eye by Ariel Jones

Ariel Jones — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:21:24 +0000

That is a very great argument that you bring up. I can’t say that I have a direct kind of answer, but i still wanted to post my thoughts. If I understand you correctly, it’s as if you ask: is there a way to be generous without generously dumping pity on others? In my opinion a real “do-good” action would require rebuilding confidence and spirit rather than buildings. I think what people really require is pride; and perhaps reinstating one’s pride is better than and effort composed only of free handouts.
For in Pecola’s situation, any vestige of pride was dashed away by her environment.

Comment on Celebrating Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye: Blogger’s Roundtable 2010 by Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:45:21 +0000

Hi Ariel, thanks for stopping by and leaving this excellent comment. That chilling moment - and Cholly's hate - makes me think a lot about what Zora Neale Hurston wrote in Their Eyes Were Watching God about the way black women have historically been treated as the "mule of the world," mistreated by both racists whites and powerless black men. And this most certainly has implications today. I do hope that you will take a look at Doret's post on Cholly and leave your thoughts there as well: "A Closer Look at Cholly Breedlove."

Comment on Celebrating Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye: Blogger’s Roundtable 2010 by Ariel Jones

Ariel Jones — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:31:08 +0000

One thing that I’m really curious about is the Black Male aspect in The Bluest Eye. i.e. Cholly. When he was caught by flashlight, his anger and hatred was directed towards the young lady. He was helpless and he could not protect her, yet he still hated her?
I can’t help but think that this faintly addresses a big problem in the black community that there are some black men that do NOT protect their women. I also can’t help to think that the whole “B****es and H**s” problem stems from the long history of Black men being largely unable to protect Black women’s virtue and sexuality as White men are able to. I must admit that I believe over all self-esteem issues prevailing Black men and women have roots in that issue.
That may be kind of far fetched, but it was one piece that I took away from reading the novel.

Comment on Poverty, Invisibility, and Dignity: Thoughts on 40 Years of The Bluest Eye by Celebrating Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye: Blogger’s Roundtable 2010 « The Bottom of Heaven

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:05:22 +0000

[...] At the Roundtable: The Bottom of Heaven: “Survivor’s Guilt: Claudia and The Bluest Eye” WriteBlack: “On the literary descendants of The Bluest Eye” Color Online (and THNP): “A Closer Look at Cholly Breedlove” Xavier Passvant: “Human Rights and The Bluest Eye’s Global Reach” Zetta Elliott: “The Bluest Eye and the Legacy of Colorism” Evelyn N. Alfred: “Claudia’s Poetry Notebook: Celebrating The Bluest Eye” Cold Spaghetti: “Poverty, Invisibility, and Dignity: Thoughts on 40 Years of The Bluest Eye” [...]

Comment on Claudia’s Poetry Notebook: Celebrating The Bluest Eye by Celebrating Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye: Blogger’s Roundtable 2010 « The Bottom of Heaven

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 10:48:34 +0000

[...] Zetta Elliott: “The Bluest Eye and the Legacy of Colorism” Evelyn N. Alfred: “Claudia’s Poetry Notebook: Celebrating the Bluest Eye” * [...]

Comment on TBoH Poll: Have You Read The Bluest Eye? by Claudia

Claudia — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:24:57 +0000

Hi Inda, I appreciate your feedback. Let’s hope maybe we’ve encouraged just one more person to take up the Morrison challenge!