Fear in of itself has no boundaries. It takes many forms and has varying effects on different groups of people.M ore specifically, the fear through the eyes of oppressed groups and their own personal impacts of fear. Fear allows for unity within oppressed groups or individuals. In Gays’ short story, the fear of the outside world brings the two women closer together. However, within Coates essay, he explains the effects the fear by the hands of “the great destroyer “ upon the African American community today.

 

Coates forces the readers to truly see what fear really is within the black community.  Transporting them into the everyday reality of the average black person. Everything that you have is at risk of being “destroyed“.Sell cigarettes without proper authority and your body can be destroyed.T urn into a dark stairwell and your body can be destroyed. The destroyer will rarely be held accountable .”(Coates)This fear tells individuals within the black community, you have no right or control to your body, one form of fear he goes into depth about is inflicted by, in Coates’ words, “the destroyer .”There is nothing uniquely evil in these destroyers or even at this moment. The destroyers are merely men enforcing the whims of our country, correctly interpreting its heritage and legacy. “(Coates ) The origins of fear he offers have evolved within the very social constructs of the black community. “The fear lived on in their practiced bop, their slouching denim, their big T-shirts, their calculate dangle of their baseball caps, a catalog of behaviors and garments enlisted to inspire the belief that these boys were in possession of everything they owned.“(Coates )Fear is well embedded in our culture. But this is not how he wants the black community to be represented. That we should neither be seen as a group to be feared or a group that fears this so-called destroyer. Whether it be the white man or the police. Fear does not separate us. Instead fear unites us as a group and a people. This is the sole focus of his essay . “ They made us into a race. We made ourselves into a people.” (Coates)But we must also understand that these are still issues that exist and we don’t have the same privilege as others  to look away or not address it.

For some of us, who are within the black community, are forced to address it in our first stages of life . For me, I was only  eight years old when I had my first encounter with truely, unfathomable fear.I was left alone in the kitchen and looking at an image of a black man lynched, his beaten body and puffed up eyes . And I was  terrified that someone was capable of doing that and I changed the channel because I didn’t want to see it . But I changed it back, somehow I knew I needed to see this, I needed to know that this was the world I was living in .”You must never look away from this.”

And a very similar aspect of fear is represented in Gay’s piece, however this time it is in the point of view of a lesbian couple. Their is represented by the outside world is, the perpetrator in a since, instilling a similar kind of fear on to them . In turn, the couple uses this to grow closer and feel safer with each other . One argument that can be made is that man is this fear. There entire relationship is seen by some men, is something only meant to please them. Not to be confused with a serious relationship between two individuals who truly care for one another . “...he tries to charm us with lines we didn’t fall for fifteen years ago and lines we won't fall for now because we already have men who make us plenty happy.” (Gay)

This story has such a sad and depressing element hiding within the text . Both women seem so desperate to be be with one another . So close  to each other, their very beings feel intertwined . I feel my morals are going against each other with supporting their relationship or from simply trying to comprehend the complexity of their situation.you could  Their fear within the text seems to switch sides . One being the presence of man within their relationship and the other themselves. Any time a man is present in a text, they do one of two things . Cling to one another in fear of man or, allow his presence . Feeling he is necessary to solidify their relationship. “A young guy with lean, dark features will buy us drinks, lots of drinks, and sit with us, on my side of the booth and we’ll stare at each other as he tries to charm us with lines we didn’t fall for fifteen years ago and lines we won’t fall for now because we already have men who makes us plenty happy.” (Gay) And the fear within their within their relationship is not as outwardly shown as in Coates’ essays . Within their times of passion and deep intimacy, I am sound pessimistic , however, I felt major moments of doubt on both sides. Them seem to collide with one another because they want this relationship so badly and deeply. Even through all the flowery language despair and sadness still lingers. It truly is a hard pill to swallow .“We will eat French Fries so hot little puffs of steam will fill our mouths with each bite and greasy hamburgers congealed together with cheese that make our fingers lick and salty. We will complain about our diets and how we're ignoring them and how we're going to have to make amends with ourselves when we return to those from whom we have stolen away. “ (Gay) Even with the outside fears and pressures resting upon their relationship , they are still able to find times where they are able to enjoy themselves with one other, then in fear.

Both texts present the many forms that fear can take in two marginalized groups of people. Within Coates’ piece, fear is seen more openly and and is very much a physical thing. It can be held and seen. He forces people on the outside to see the the issues within our community which have commonly been ignored. While in Gay’s piece everything is in the open and it actual fear that exists in the piece can not be seen . You have to read between the lines in order to find the heartbreak and dismal state of these two individuals. Fear will always be an ever evolving and truly represents what makes us human .