Final answer:
Dr. Rearick suggests that invisibility is particularly painful for those marginalized by a primary culture, as encapsulated in Ralph Ellison's 'The Invisible Man'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Rearick suggests that the especially painful quality for those marginalized by a primary culture is the experience of invisibility, as portrayed by Ralph Ellison in his novel 'The Invisible Man'. Ellison's work echoes the sentiments of many African Americans who have been subjected to racial inequality—a reality that is compounded when discrimination occurs unexpectedly, transforming an impersonal system of caste into a deeply personal moment of degradation. This quality of invisibility, deeply connected to racial prejudice, represents not a literal inability to be seen but a metaphorical one where a person's humanity and identity are disregarded by the dominant culture, leading to a profound sense of isolation and despair. Affected individuals like the protagonist in The Invisible Man might 'ache with the need to convince yourself that you do exist in the real world...you strike out with your fists, you curse and swear to make them recognize you', as Ellison poignantly describes.
Oftentimes, the deepest wounds are inflicted when individuals expect to be treated with dignity and thus lower their guard, only to be reminded of their marginalized status. For instance, a Houston resident's anguishing memory of his father being humiliated on his ninth birthday in a downtown ice cream parlor exemplifies this personal degradation. Even amid systematic challenges like housing shortages, ghettoization, and segregation, the desire for recognition and respect remains, leading some to turn to social and political activism in an attempt to reclaim their dignity and place in society.