Dunbar's "We wear the Mask" p. 1043

I wanted to write about "We Wear the Mask" because it is short and it rhymes. I also enjoyed this poem because it reflects one of my own little rules of life albeit from a completely different perspective. Dunbar, having been born into so new an idea as freedom for African Americans, must have been one of the first to enjoy the ability of expression through written language.

I love the reference to supressed emotion as a mask worn by African Americans in that time. I believe that this small poem may well have lent inspiration to Amy Cunningham for her short essay "Why Women Smile." Both Dunbar and Cunningham feel like they are wearing the masks to keep their emotions secret but for different reasons. Cunningham seemed to feel that she had to maintain a positive outward appearance out of a sexist stereotype that had to be supported, while Dunbar protected his "Tears and Sighs" out of pride.

I too think about the artificial smiles and causual niceties that many people practice but my take on the issue is completely different. I see a friendly smile as the most selfless offering any one person can bestow on another. How often do we pass and exchange casual words such as "How's it going?" A simple smile can often alleviate the need for that exchange. When someone asks how someone else is doing they often could not care less about the well being. That is why I find it incredibly rude to be honest in these types of situations. The odds are that I have my own issues and that your bad day is the least of my concerns. That is why I wear the mask! I smile because I realize that my concerns are mine alone to bear. I didn't sleep well last night. I have been fighting a cold for a few days now. I am very stressed out with my school work right now. My migranes are coming more and more frequently but I don't have health insurance. Of course these are all legitimate complaints that I don't volunteer when asked. The fact of the matter is that my meager complaints do not hold a candle to the terminal brain cancer my friend's husband has. I doubt that when she asks about how I am doing she is that concerned that much with my fatigue.

That is why I wear the MASK!