The idea of “who belongs” in America has constantly shifted, but exclusion has remained a consistent tool of power. Throughout history, different groups have been included or excluded based on race, gender, and social status.
Literary works like The History of Mary Prince show how enslaved individuals were denied basic recognition as people, let alone as members of society. By sharing her experiences, Mary Prince challenges the systems that defined her as property rather than as a person.
This pattern continues across time. As laws and policies change, the boundaries of belonging may expand—but they are often redrawn in new ways that continue to exclude. Art and literature allow us to see this pattern clearly, revealing how power defines who is “inside” and who is left out.
Source: Mary Prince, The History of Mary Prince (1831)