The Enduring Alienation of Black Bodies and Migrants

A Comparative Analysis of James Baldwin's "Stranger in the Village" and Teju Cole's "Black Body"

Abstract

James Baldwin’s "Stranger in the Village" (1953) and Teju Cole’s "Black Body" (2014) offer critical examinations of racial othering and the alienation of black individuals within both foreign and domestic spaces. By comparing Baldwin’s reflections on being the only black man in a remote Swiss village with Cole’s contemporary experiences in the same location--both as they relate to America--this essay explores the persistent racialized scrutiny and societal exclusion of black bodies. While acknowledging the distinctiveness of blackness and migrant identities, this analysis underscores the shared challenges of alienation, stereotyping, and cultural erasure faced by both groups. Drawing upon Baldwin’s critique of historical trauma and Cole’s observations on the continued racialization of identity, the essay highlights how literature serves as a crucial medium for understanding systemic oppression. Additionally, insights elaborated on from other scholars and migrants further illustrate how dominant cultural narratives perpetuate exclusion by reducing individuals to racialized symbols rather than recognizing them as complex human beings. Ultimately, this essay argues that, despite progress, racial and migrant alienation remain deeply ingrained in societal structures. By engaging with these literary dialogues and fostering cross-group solidarities, we can challenge dominant narratives and work toward a more inclusive and equitable society.