Racial Discrimination and Matrix of Oppression: A Critical Race Analysis of Wahala by Nikki May

Abstract

This study conducts a critical race analysis of Nikki May's novel Wahala (2022), employing Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a foundational framework. It aims to unravel the interplay between race, gender, and power dynamics within the narrative. Additionally, the study incorporates Collins' (1990) Matrix of Oppression from her seminal work Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment to deepen the exploration of intersecting systems of oppression.  Through textual analysis method, this study explores how race shapes the identities, interactions, and experiences of discrimination among the characters. It engages with CRT's fundamental tenets, such as the ordinary nature of racism and interest convergence, to identify subtle yet pervasive instances of racial discrimination embedded within the characters' lives. Furthermore, it investigates the intersections of race and gender, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by mixed-race women within the narrative. The findings reveal the profound impact of racial discrimination on the characters' lives, relationships, and self-perception, emphasizing the interconnectedness of race and gender in fostering systems of oppression. To sum up, this research seeks to raise awareness, encourage meaningful conversations, and advocates for the dismantling of oppressive systems to promote social justice.