James

by Percival Everett

Religion is just a controlling tool they employ and adhere to when convenient.”

At that moment the power of reading made itself clear and real to me. If I could see the words, then no one could control them or what I got from them. They couldn’t even know if I was merely seeing them or reading them, sounding them out or comprehending them. It was a completely private affair and completely free and, therefore, completely subversive.

I chose the word enemy, and still do, as oppressor necessarily supposes a victim.