The Vanishing Half is a multi-generational, multi-geographic story that jumps back and forth between the 1950s and the late 1990s, and from Mallard, a small, light-skinned community, to New Orleans and the Northern States. The novel covers, among others, the topics of colorism and the ways in which it affects darker-skinned Black people. Jude, the character in question, is a dark-skinned daughter of one of the central characters of the novel, Desiree. Her life in Mallard is therefore disturbing and damaging in multiple ways, discussed further in this paper.
The community of Mallard allows only light-skinned Black population to be its members; for the founding townsfolk this prejudice is the matter of pride. “In Mallard, nobody married dark,” – directly states the author (Bennet, 117). Over time, the colorist misconceptions continue to plague the town up to a point of potential white passing. Within this environment, it is especially difficult for Jude, a dark-skinned child, to feel safe and welcome. The key issue of the novel concerns the hierarchy of oppression within the underprivileged communities (Epstein). It is indicated within the book, that ultimately the lightness of Black skin does not protect the marginalized race from hatred and violence exhibited by white people. Such, Jude’s grandfather, despite being light-skinned, got lynched by a group of racist extremists.
Nevertheless, although the ideas of colourism are indicated to be false within the book time and time again, their impact on Jude is undeniable. She internalizes some of this prejudice and feels herself less worthy of love and affection then her lighter-skinned peers. The feeling is, to a degree, combated by Jude’s mother Desiree, who continuously loves and supports her daughter throughout the story. Thus, Jude’s life in Mallard has continued greatly to both her insecurities and negative perception of herself, and to her bond with Desiree.
Works Cited
Bennet, Britt. “The Vanishing Half”, 2020, Riverhead Books.
Epstein, Rachel. “‘The Vanishing Half’ Is A Brilliant Exploration Of Race And Identity”. Marie Claire Magazine, 2022, Web.