Sometimes I wish Darth Vader had been my father. I'd have been better off. I wouldn't have a right hand, but I definitely wouldn't have the burden of being black and constantly having to decide when and if I gave a shit about it. Plus, I'm left-handed.
In the quote from Paul Beatty's novel "The Sellout," the speaker expresses a paradoxical desire to have Darth Vader as a father figure. They suggest that life under such a powerful and iconic character would have been easier, despite the comedic trade-off of losing a hand. This reflects a sense of longing for a simpler existence, free from the complexities of racial identity.
The speaker further reveals a struggle with the expectations and burdens that come with being black in society. The mention of being left-handed adds another layer of identity, suggesting that the speaker grapples with multiple facets of themselves. Overall, Beatty's work explores themes of identity, societal norms, and the absurdities of race in a nuanced and humorous way.
