Karen Blixen - Isak Dinesen home

Question 68: Karen Blixen racist?

Q. I have read Out of Africa a few times and have also read papers which argue that it is a racist work. I believe that there are elements of bias present and at some points I do agree with such thoughts. How do you respond to such accusations?

A. An article that analyses the charges of racism appears in Understanding Isak Dinesen by Susan Brantly.

My own opinion is that Karen Blixen was not racist, far from it. It isn't possible to criticize someone for using the language of her own era. She was one of the few who questioned that language, and she risked friendships for doing so. She took an innovative approach to the interaction between the races, at a time when few were challenging the prevailing mindset.

Copyright © 2003 by Linda Donelson. All rights reserved.