Effects Of Racism In A Raisin In The Sun

Everyone is born into their own lifestyle. From the place you live in and the people that surround you, it makes you into who you are and impacts how your life will be. In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, The Youngers’ grew up on the poor side of town in Chicago during the 1950’s. Whites had it better than blacks at the time. Blacks would be discouraged while trying to achieve a goal or dream because they felt like they would not qualify as much as a white person would. Sometimes they would even feel threatened to be up against a white person. The Youngers’ apartment shows how they lived and what little they had for the amount of people living there. After Mama got the check for her husband's death, she did not want the money to get

There were racial conflicts between blacks and whites. Blacks migrated to Southside Chicago trying to escape racial discrimination and looking for work. Blacks still faced problems because of their race and unofficial segregation. The 1950’s was the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The racial issues during the time period foreshadowed conflicts throughout the play. In the play, Mama and Ruth both did domestic work for white families and Walter was a driver for a white man. Beneatha had dreams of being a doctor and she was going to school for it and she kept on being discouraged by the people who did not think it was possible. “Walter: Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messin ‘round with sick people-then go be a nurse like other women-or just get married and be quiet,,,,”(497 in pdf). Walter was discouraging Beneatha for wanting to be a doctor because it was uncommon for women to have that career choice. Beneatha was very strong minded so she did not let that stop her. The whole Younger family had strong mindsets that they let no one

“At left, a door leads to a bedroom which is shared by Mama and her daughter, Beneatha. At right, opposite, is a second room (which in the beginning of the life of this apartment was probably a breakfast room) which serves as a bedroom for Walter and his wife, Ruth,”(24). As you can see, the apartment was one bedroom made into two, to accompany the large family. Mama and Beneatha shared a room, as well as Ruth and Walter. Travis did not have a room, so he had to sleep on the couch. Living in such a small place, made them work harder for what they had. They were proud people and were grateful for everything they achieved on their own. When Travis asked Ruth for money, she denies saying she has no money for him, but Walter gave Travis the fifty cents. “Walter (to Ruth only): What you tell the boy things like that for?,”(492 in pdf). Almost like Walter did not want Travis to think they were struggling. They had their struggles, but did not want to show to Travis since he was the youngest and most vulnerable. Living in such a small home with what little they had, they did not limit themselves. Beneatha had a dream she was trying to achieve, as well as Mama. They did not let their state of poverty define