Race and Racism in the Novel Sula

Abstract

Toni Morrison’s Sula offers a profound exploration of race and racism through the experiences of a Black community known as the Bottom in Medallion, Ohio. This research paper investigates how Morrison portrays systemic racism, internalized racial bias, and the intersection of race and gender in Sula. Employing close textual analysis and drawing on contemporary scholarship, the study reveals that Morrison critiques not only the external structures of white supremacy but also the internal dynamics of Black community life shaped by racial oppression. Key findings indicate that Sula depicts racism as an enduring force from the historical deceit that gave the Bottom its name to the characters’ encounters with segregation and prejudice while also highlighting Black resilience and solidarity. The novel’s portrayal of a Black female protagonist who defies social conventions illuminates the double burden of racism and sexism. The paper fills a gap in Morrison studies by providing new, nuanced interpretations of racial representation in Sula, ultimately confirming the hypothesis that Morrison uses innovative narrative strategies to expose and challenge the pernicious effects of racism on identity and community.