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Examples Of Racism In The Secret Life Of Bees

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The Secret life of Bees by Sue Monn Kidd explores different points of views about racism during the Civil Rights movement (desegregation). This is done by showing how racism affects men, women, and children of color. Three characters in the novel that learn about racism are Lily, Zach, and June Lily arrives at the Boatwright household to be the only white person in a house of 4 African American women. Even though she has been around a black woman she still has racism deep inside her but eventually learns from it. Through her experiences, she comes to learn how racism can separate her from the people she loves. In her hometown of Sylvan, Lily is exposed to all kinds of racism. These opinions and mindsets get passed on to her. This allows …show more content…

Since I want to tell the whole truth which means the worst parts I thought they could be smart, but not as smart as me, me being white.”(?) As a whole Lily is racist. Even though Lily’s racism is a result of how she was brought up, she does get to learn from it and become a better person. Lily has been surrounded by an environment that teaches her that white people are the superior and better race. It also teaches her that it is impossible for her to face prejudice and discrimination because the system is always in her favour. When June does not want Lily living with them she is shocked “This was a great revelation- not that I was white, but that it seemed like June might not want me here because of my skin color. I hadn’t known this was possible to reject people for being white.”(?) This goes along with the racism that Lily has already been taught. She believes that it is not fair for people to be prejudice towards because she’s white. This statement is ironic because African Americans have faced prejudice for 100s(?) of years, but immediately as someone has some dislike towards her race she is immediately offended. Lily learns that discrimination is everywhere no matter what race, age, …show more content…

He doesn’t allow the fact that he is black stop him from being in a relationship with Lily or from following his dreams of being a lawyer. This shows a particularly important characteristic that Zach possesses, perseverance. With this characteristic Zach learns to never give up even when it gets difficult. As a young white female, Lily has nothing to worry about, but Zach always lives his life in fear that he will say something or do something to upset a white person. “Lily I like you better than any girl I’ve ever know but you have to understand there are people who would kill boys like me for even looking at girls like you”. This shows Zach’s characteristic of never giving up. He truly wishes to be in a relationship with Lily even though it could risk his and her safety. Athleticism has always been related to African American men. Even today basketball and football stars are predominantly African American. In the 1960s black people were seen as unintelligent, so they could never find knowledge-based work. “Why is it sports is the only thing white people see us being successful at? I don't want to play football,” he said, “I want to be a lawyer”. Zach has always wanted to be a lawyer even though he knows that the system doesn't work in his favour. This doesn't stop him from following his dream. This is another example of Zach’s perseverance. At the end of the novel we Zach shows has a new

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