Teju Cole's "Black Paper": Illuminating Essays in a Dark Era
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Chapter 1: A Journey Through "Black Paper"
Teju Cole’s collection of essays, “Black Paper,” stands out as a beacon of hope in a world often overshadowed by darkness. Although it might seem that these essays were inspired by the tumultuous years of 2020 and 2021, they were actually crafted between 2016 and 2019—an era when exploring cities was still a common pleasure.
Cole’s writings take readers on an extensive journey, moving from Syracuse to Ramallah, and from Oslo to Berlin, among other urban landscapes. Throughout these travels, he intricately blends themes of politics, art criticism, and the essence of travel itself. The result is a compelling portrayal of identity and belonging in the contemporary world.
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Section 1.1: The Opening Essay – After Caravaggio
In the opening piece, "After Caravaggio," Cole finds himself in Italy, retracing the footsteps of the iconic artist whose work captivated him during his youth in Lagos. While in Syracuse, he encounters D, a Gambian asylum seeker. Together, they visit the church that houses Caravaggio’s "Burial of Saint Lucy." D reveals to Cole that he has never been inside a church, having been raised in the Muslim faith. Standing before the monumental artwork (which spans ten feet wide and over thirteen feet tall), a poignant contrast emerges: two black men entwined in the geopolitical strife of the late 2010s. While one is there to appreciate art, the other is fleeing a reality that could well have inspired one of Caravaggio’s dramatic scenes.
Subsection 1.1.1: Magical Moments in "Black Paper"
Cole’s essay "Quarter for Said" explores the four cities that shaped the life of the late Palestinian scholar: New York, Ramallah, Beirut, and Berlin. In "An Incantation for Marie Cosindas," he pays a whimsical tribute to the American photographer, aiming to evoke a similar emotional resonance as her photographs do, “so that the experience of looking at a selection of them [the photos] is like watching a single sentence unfurl over several pages.”
Section 1.2: Cole's Lyrical Power as an Essayist
The true strength of Teju Cole as an essayist lies in his lyrical prowess. He does not aim to save the world, fully recognizing the limitations of art in achieving such lofty goals. Instead, he invites readers to challenge entrenched beliefs. “Black Paper” serves as a doorway into a personal reflection, prompting us not only to consider the world around us but also to explore our own identities. In doing so, we illuminate our own paths.
Chapter 2: Embracing the Complexity of Identity
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