The book focuses on the Great Migration of Blacks in the 20th century to the West or North. Similar to other migrations, there was a catalyst. For this period of history from 1915 to 1975, it was deep racism. The South, while maybe not individually, had a penchant for expressing its belief in the inferiority of Blacks. It ascribed a level of worth that was even lower than that of animals to Blacks. Many whites voiced names such as “nigger”, “boy”, or only their first name to Black men while expecting Blacks to call them “sir” or “ma’am.” In regards to relations, the South had strict unwritten laws along with the well-known Jim Crow laws. Black children could expect physical punishment and mistreatment from whites for any misdemeanor but no Black …show more content…
By the same methods, the South kept Blacks from receiving proper housing. Segregation was mandatory and was ruled legaled so long as it was equal. This never occurred in the South. Several Blacks lived in the backwoods or at least out of cities and didn’t have proper facilities. Any movement towards better housing was pushed down by scare tactics or rioting. The book even mentions that Blacks were attacked in their housing without having provoked a White at all. In regards to education, the South limited Blacks through prohibitive and regulative actions. Many Whites directly impeded knowledge by making it illegal for Blacks to visit Black libraries (page 84). On another front, they prohibited learning by restricting funding for Black schools and materials. Books and materials were hand-me-downs from White