Who was I kidding? I'm a farmer, and farmers are natural segregationists. We separate the wheat from the chaff. I'm not Rudolf Hess, P. W. Botha, Capitol Records, or present-day U.S. of A. Those motherfuckers segregate because they want to hold on to power. I'm a farmer: we segregate in an effort to give every tree, every plant, every poor Mexican, every poor nigger, a chance for equal access to sunlight and water; we make sure every living organism has room to breathe.
In "The Sellout," Paul Beatty presents the perspective of a farmer who reflects on the nature of segregation. He contrasts his actions with those of historical and contemporary figures who segregate for power and control. The farmer’s form of segregation is motivated by a desire to nurture and provide equal opportunities for all living things, rather than for the sake of oppression or dominance.
This distinction highlights the farmer's belief in equality and support for growth, suggesting that his separations serve a purpose of balance and health within the ecosystem. Through this lens, segregation takes on a more benevolent connotation, suggesting a commitment to ensuring that every entity receives necessary resources for survival and thriving.
