Racial Injustice in Sue Monk Kidd’sThe Secret Life of Bees
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Central Department of English
Abstract
This study makes an attempt to explore the racial injustice upon black
characters inThe Secret Life of Beesby applying theory of justice perspective.The
Civil Rights Act of 1964, protected the rights of African-Americans to enter public
places, enrolls in schools, and avoids injustice from the white community. Although
the Civil Rights Act strengthened the black community and protected them from many
of the worst kinds of racism in America, it provoked a fierce and often bloodthirsty
backlash.Sue Monk Kidd eludes passingof the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and African-
American characters in order to show how privileged White characters oppressed
and dominated them and how African-Americans collective resistance and capability
challenge the white supremacy.To examine, analyse and interpret the racial injustice
eyes the theoretical insights primarily from theory of justice texts asJohn Rawl’sA
Theory ofJustice,Iris Young’sJustice and the Politics of Difference, Nancy Fraser
and AxelHonneth’sRedistribution or Recognition? A Political–Philosophical
Exchangeand Amartya Sen’sInequality Reexaminedhave been taken as theoretical
parameters. The researcher argues that unfair distribution, disrespect and
misrecognition, lack of participatory parity in policy and decision making bodies and
no incentives and opportunities for functioning the capabilities in Kidd’sThe Secret
Life of Beesmake them be entrapped in racial justice .
Keywords: Racial injustice, Civil Rights Act,distribution, recognition, participation,
capability, functioning