Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

In these strange, unsettling times, the world needs solutions to many of the socio-political issues it struggles with—solutions which can illuminate and inspire as well as challenge us

Dr. Lois Tucker, though already contributing to the solution of these issues in her role as principal of the Bermuda Institute (BI), is now offering another in her very first book. The book, Demystifying the Hierarchy: Redefining Family in Charles W. Chestnut, looks at the contribution of America's first great Black novelist, Charles W. Chestnut to civil rights and some of his personal struggles.

In her book, Dr. Tucker shares Chestnut’s views on the family and what it means to be a part of a family. She said “Chestnut strongly suggests that our family is not necessarily where we are from or the family in which we were born. The family is where love is.” She continued that it therefore takes more than blood to make a family. Chestnut defied the traditional definition of the family and shared this view by defying the ‘white’ process through his academic excellence and use of novel medium.  Dr. Tucker states, “This book explores Chestnut’s crafty and witty rhetorical manipulations, which dupe the literary opponents in his works and engage the reader in interpretative analyses. It further discloses him as a champion of a cause that not only may be recognized today as a predecessor to the Civil Rights Movement in America but should also be recognized as a significant human concern throughout the world generation after generation.”

As a mulatto (person with one white parent and one black parent or a person who has both black ancestry and white ancestry), Charles W. Chesnutt was determined to disseminate his convictions about the right for all men to be treated as equal. Using the untenable circumstances endured by those of mixed racial ancestry, he launched a campaign for equality through his writings and distinguished himself through his adeptness with the language.  An entry in his personal journal shows Chestnut’s opinion about his place in the society (of the South): "I occupy here a position similar to that of Mahomet's Coffin. I am neither fish, flesh, nor fowl-neither "nigger," white, nor "buckrah." Too "stuck-up" for the colored folks, and, of course, not recognized by the whites." This forced Chestnut to ask where does the black man fit – and by extension where do we all fit? In Chestnut’s days and even today in many parts of the world, so much about one’s place and identity is based on what an individual looks like. However, our true purpose or calling is not tied to our race or culture but our own determination to make something of ourselves.

The book evolved from Dr. Tucker’s doctoral dissertation over four years ago which addressed issues of racism and civil rights. “The book became a reality after a friend recommended a publisher to me,” said Tucker. “The publisher made contact with me and I forwarded the material and was excited that they accepted the project,” she continued. Dr. Tucker believes that though there is a scholarly/literary approach to the book, it is for the general public as it touches many socio-political issues facing Bermuda and the rest of the world today.

Dr. Tucker’s book can be purchased from Amazon.com.

About Dr. Lois Tucker

Lois P. Tucker studied Literature and Criticism at Oakwood University, Andrews University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Although she is presently the principal of the Bermuda Institute, because of her love of literature and her love for teaching, she continues to serve as Adjunct Lecturer in English at the Bermuda College. Dr. Lois Tucker is a member of the Midland Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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..., A marvellous, well-written article, congratulations

September 03, 2009     

A marvellous, well-written article, congratulations Mr. Saunders! Inspiring that a literary novelist can use his medium not simply to entertain but to challenge and to motivate. Amazing that a busy principal of one of Bermuda's finest schools can find time to make such a valuable contribution to strengthening the moral fibre of our community. Well done, Dr. Tucker. Glory to God.
Jeffrey O. Brown | 209.240.39.73 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

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