Post-Structuralism seems to be talking about structure and the lack of it. Interpretation such as psychoanalysis and Marxism or questioning what goes into interpretation and validity of interpretation. There is also a question of history and struggle and the attempt to move away from struggle. It seems political at first blush but I cannot help but look at the work of Toni Morrison and see elements of these literary positions in her work, as well as present day politics.

The history of slavery and the struggle to overcome racism and move away from slavery seem to be the interpretation of history of the African American people. Morrison though identifies this racism as internal to the African-American psyche, as it moves as a struggle between people within the African-American community, as a condition of class, sexism and skin color. Poverty, emotional deprivation, family secrets and personal successes and failures interact together in a continuing effort to define a people,relationships and characters.

The struggle of freedom and the success of Obama are also interesting in terms of post-structural views on racism in our culture, the African American people and perhaps Obama himself. Obama's own statements that racism is not behind the anger against some of his attempts to change policies such as health care to me is an example of this post-structural argument because of the avoidance of a struggle and attempt to reconstruct other's views of the black man as President. Is this the post-structuralist world that we have entered?

Morrison seems to be saying that the cultural struggles over racism are behind the lack of black cultural identity. Obama seems to be trying to move away from recognition of such a struggle. I think Morrison is right and Obama as a highly educated, light skinned, privileged black man raised in a white family calls upon some of the perceptions of Morrison's character, Jadine, in Tar Baby. If Michelle is more of Morrison's character, Son, transformed by her education and position to perhaps what he ran to in Paris, what has been her personal struggle in their relationship? Son and Jadine seem to have a failed relationship because of these cultural struggles. We know that Obama and Michelle have had their own personal and relationship struggles. Are American politics now struggling with a failed or successful administration based on racial identity issues?