There can be no debate over the fact that Phillis Wheatley was one of the representatives of the marginalized communities during her time. She belonged to be African American community and was sold as a slave to a family. She went on to become an eminent poetess as she grew up exuding her creative skills. She was encouraged by the family that bought her as a kid. It needs to be noted that in spite of being from the marginalized community, Wheatley came to be a celebrated creative artist through her grit and resolution. Now, in the present day scenario, one can take into account the marginalized condition of the LGBT community. There can be no doubt that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of the society has not been able to receive universal acceptance. They have to face social stigmatization and taboo, while they should be given equal respect and place in the society. These people cannot and should not be discriminated on the basis of their sexuality.
However, while in the past times the African American community was marginalized, now the LGBT community is among the marginalized communities. It was due to the marginalization that the African Americans were subjected to slavery. They were dominated and regulated by the hegemonic force of the dominant community of the society. Now, the parameters of marginalization might have changes, but the woes still remain similar to the ones before. The marginalized people have to struggle for their respect, and have to exude grit and resolution to find their rightful place in the world society overcoming all the impediments coming their way. Poetry or literature plays a very important part in voicing the perspective of the marginalized community. Literature can be seen as the mirror of the society and it plays a part in influencing the avid readers. Hence, representation of the marginalized community becomes very important. While at present, perspectives of LGBT community can be found in literature, at the time of Wheatley, poetry became her voice just like the letters by female authors voicing for the issue of gender equality.
Works Cited
“Marginalized Groups.” Unitarian Universalist Association. uua.org, n.d. Web. 21 Feb.
2016.
