The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees

Wow. How else to you respond to a work such as this. Sue Monk Kidd has created a novel that is unforgettable. In the fine tradition of Harper Lee, Kidd has shed light on the darkest depths of humanity and taken us on a journey where we discover that the wonderful things in life can rise to the surface. Having been raised in the South, at about the same time as Lily, the issues raised by Kidd concerning racial injustice hit close to home for me. Kidd has surpassed most in her ability to illuminate the ugliness of prejudice and what it is to suffer that degradation as a human being. For those not raised in the racially charged 60's in that demographic, I would imagine it is difficult to believe that such bigotry did and still does exist. Having seen it first hand, I assure you it is as real and horrible as she makes it. Growing up surrounded by it, you never forget that there is an ugliness based in ignorance that can not be overcome with logic. To believe that one sect of society is better than another based solely on the color of ones skin is not only accepted there, but in some areas, remains the prevailing attitude. Rosaleen is a character of great strength and courage. Uneducated but proud, she is willing to face the devil of bigotry in order to exercise her right as a human being. Her determination to vote is something that so many take for granted, yet for her, it is a step toward freedom and self-rule. That may sound strange considering the civil war ended in 1865, but in South Carolina in 1964, few attitudes reflected that victory, especially in rural areas. Along with Rosaleen, in my opinion, Zach is the definition of heroism. He refuses to accept the restrictions placed on him by being black and faces every obstacle without ever losing sight of the goal. He intends to change the world rather than accept it in the broken state in which it exists. Even though they were faced with the same limitations placed on the black community, in many ways, the "Calendar Girls" and Daughters of Mary were able to rise above racism in creating their own world of "divine female power". Such ignorance could not harm them in any meaningful way. Through personal strength and strong faith, they created a world where love, not hatred, ruled their lives. Lily experienced what it was like to be "other" when she moved into the pink house. While watching the news reports on the violence caused by bigotry, she felt "self-conscious and ashamed". I remember experiencing feeling much like that myself as a child. I wanted to apologize for being white because so much pain was caused in the black community by white people. I do not intend to suggest that being Southern is synonymous with narrow-minded bigotry. There are just as many Southerners who grew up ashamed to be associated with that intolerance and fought against it. At times, I share Lily's opinion that the world be a better place in no one had pigment in their skin. If we were all the same, the pain and suffering caused by racism and the injustice it created would have never been able to flourish. The reality is that, if not skin color, it would be religion or socioeconomic status or gender or eye color etc… Sadly, in a society as diverse as ours, there will always be those who ignorantly judge others with a twisted measuring stick. The best of humanity is found in our ability to recognize the truth and rise above bigotry in any form. Only then can we succeed as a nation, or in Tiburon, South Carolina. As Kidd teaches us we must live with love and acceptance in our hearts, not only of others but ourselves as well. Only then will we find true peace.