Responding to Possession and Ownership in July’s People

After reading this week’s selection of July’s People, I was also struck by the importance that material possessions held in July and the Smales’ situation. I’d definitely agree that the bakkie is a point of tension between the team of Bam & Maureen and July. While it may seem that July has the upper hand in this situation because he gets away with using a car that was not originally his, I think the car is more of an instrument for control rather than an indication of his power. After working under his “masters” for fifteen years and now attempting to protect them under his people, July is able to keep the Smales’ at his house, but cannot control the way his people think of them. July’s mother, for example, pleads, “they have money, let them go to their relatives, to other white people, if they’re in trouble” (132). No one is particularly pleased or even understanding that the Smales are living with July for their own protection. To them, it seems that July is still under the control of his white masters, to an intrusive degree that impacts their home and daily routines. July’s attempt to reclaim the bakkie is a desperate attempt to gain control, not definite proof of power in the situation. Furthermore, before he can even operate the bakkie, he relies on the help of his people to learn to drive. This parallels his reliance on his family and community to tolerate the presence of the Smales. July, therefore, is not in total control of the situation, but is fighting for respect: both from his people and from his employers.