THE EXPLORATION OF RACIALISM AND DEGRADATION IN SUSAN LORI PARK’S VENUS

ABSTRACT
This research paper seeks to demonstrate the loss of identity of apartheid Africans due to ignorance and naivety leading to exploitation in degrading forms in Susan-Lori Park’s Venus. The innate study is carried out in using the post colonial theory which adopts the true-life story of the Venus Hottentot alongside Lori Park’s Venus to highlight and condemn the degrading acts of white supremacists whose decisions and actions shape the life of Venus Hottentot, ultimately leading to her loss of identity and exploitation. Lori Park uses the theme of racialism to show the true nature of white supremacy and how it can lead to total domination of the race and gender of a person, as characters like Mother Showman, Baron Docteur, grade school chum treat poor ignorant Venus Hottentot with spite, thereby abusing her physically, sexually and emotionally. The result of this research shows how Africans over the years have lost a significant piece of their culture, tradition and persona which is now impossible to get back from the webs and clutches of colonialism.