English 168
10/18/10
Kayla Beckwith
Shane McCauley
Ethan Frost
Blog Number 2
The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance agent promised to fly from Mercy to the other side of lake superiors at three o’clock. Two days before the event was to take place, he tacked a note on the door of his little yellow house.
“At 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday the 18th of February, 1921 I will take off from Mercy and fly away on my own wings. Please forgive me. I loved you all.”
(Robert Smith. Ins Agent).
The first line of the novel mentions a specific insurance company. We were forced to ask: “Is this a real company?” How is this company important to the message Morrison is trying to convey? As it turns out, the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company is a real company that was started and owned by African Americans and did most of its business with African Americans. This is relevant to the novel because it poses the idea of black business owners/ professionals in a racist/segregated world, and the history of the company itself sheds light on the setting of and characters in the novel. Moreover, NC Mutual’s ideology and mission statement relates closely to the themes and overall message that Morrison is trying to convey.
In 1898, the nation’s largest black insurance company was formed. Its name was North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, and it opened in Durham, North Carolina in 1899.4 The founder, John Merrick, was born into slavery and served as the first president. He was known to mirror Booker T. Washington’s idea of the politics of no politics. Some other presidents include: Asa Spaulding and William J. Kennedy, Jr. and they were represented as Black nationalists.2 Most of the Mutual men within the power structure were upper class or had middle-class craftsman heritage. They were professional, educated, and an advocate of Black Capitalism. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, this company was strictly ran for the African American race and would not employ agents of white people.2 During the first couple of years the company struggled, but by 1921 North Carolina Mutual moved into a six-story office building and had major influences within the black community. It promoted the growth and development of many businesses, including real estate, banking, and publishing. It also influenced decisions within the churches, schools, and civic activities on the local, state, and national levels.1 North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance became the most successful example of a black capitalistic enterprise.4 Not only did the company succeed financially, but also it succeeded in the racial progress distinctive to all black institutions.4 The black people of the south were fighting to improve their economic conditions, but they were also fighting for social and political rights. The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company helped them achieve both.
From its creation, North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance has been a symbol for combating oppression in the black community. By keeping business within the “black community”, NCMLI was thought of as a means for African-Americans to rise up. Flight as a means of escape is a main theme in Song of Solomon, so it is fitting that Morrison chose NCMLI. Their first motto of this company was “Merciful to All” 3 which is ironic since Robert Smith, the insurance agent, jumped off the roof of Mercy Hospital, or as the townspeople referred to it; No Mercy Hospital. Even though Mr. Smith is working for a predominantly black company and has black clients, they all dread his biweekly visits. Furthermore, the company represents the strength of the African American people when they are faced with oppression. NCMLI survived through the Great Depression, segregation, and all sorts of racism and prejudice and grew to be a great company. Likewise, Macon Dead Sr. lived through life as a slave and became a landowner and a successful farmer. Moreover, despite the loss of his parents and poor circumstances Macon Dead Jr. went on to be a successful business owner and contributing member of society, and concurrently works to instill his values and work ethic in his son Milkman.
All in all, Toni Morrison’s reference to NCMLI is an appropriate precursor for the story that she proceeds to tell. The story of the Dead family reflects closely to the history of the company. The setting of the book represents opportunity mixed with difficulty; an emancipated North with cultural tensions and remnants of racism, which is also the condition of NCMLI throughout much of it’s 100 year plus history. And lastly, the NCMLI pride of their history and roots provides an interesting contrast to Milkman’s nebulous family history.
2 Bishop, David. "Black Business in the New South: A Social History of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company." Journal of Negro History, 59.4 (1974): 399-400.
3 North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. Web. 19 Oct. 2010.
4 Strickland, Arvarh. "Black Business in the New South: A Social History of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company." Journal of American History, 61.3 (1974): 820-821.
This is a very interesting background to something which is not covered heavily in the novel. It really helps to show you to understand exactly how much the Smith event really stood for in the novel. It really makes you wonder exactly how much you miss in novels in smaller comments like this.
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