man, and ordering him to forget his own.Another work that deals with racial issues in South Africa is Mark Mathabane’s autobiographical essay, “I Leave South Africa”, in which Mark describes his first trip to America. Expecting the Promised Land, a country that tolerates all individuals, regardless of race, class, or cultural background, Mark is shocked when he speaks to the Black Muslim. The Muslim asks Mark for his African name and he responds with his “white” name, but the Muslim is not fooled. Mark writes, “I was startled by this. How did he know I had an African name? I hardly used it myself because it was an unwritten rule among black youths raised in the ghettos to deny their tribal identity and affiliation, and that denial applied especially to names” (786). He is also surprised when the Muslim encourages him to attend a black college. Mark thought that he was talking about a tribal school, apparently another tool used to segregate the races in South Africa.It is important to note the Muslim’s perspective on integration in America. He believes that it is a way for the “white devil” to force the black man to become more and more dependant on whites. He says, “This integration business in America is a fraud. It ain’t good for the black mind and culture…also, no matter how integrated we become, white folks won’t accept us as equals. So why should we break our backs trying to mix with them, heh? To them we will always be niggers” (787-88). He also tells Mark that, “You will find a lot of South Africa in this country, brother” (788). This perspective, while extreme, did not spawn itself. It came about because of racial oppression. These ideas are similar to those of Malcolm X, an American.Etheridge Knight, an author of poetry and winner of an American Book Award, read the Autobiography of Malcolm X while serving time in the Indiana S...
