Of Mice And Men: Systemic Discrimination And Racial Prejudice

Ajit Gill

English 10

Mrs. Vincent

02/28/23

Systemic Discrimination and Racial Prejudice in "Of Mice and Men"

During the Great Depression, social inequality and discrimination were unrestrained in the United States. John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" explores the experiences of migrant workers during this period, including the character of Crooks, a black stable hand. This essay analyzes Crooks' character and argues that his experience as a black migrant worker in a white-dominated society reveals how systemic discrimination and racial prejudices preserves the exclusion of marginalized individuals from the American Dream, highlighting the devastating consequences of social inequality during the Great Depression.

Crooks' experience as a black

He knows that his dream of owning his own farm is just a fantasy because he is a black man in a society that discriminates against him. As he tells Lennie, George, and Candy, "Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land" (Steinbeck 74). Crooks' dream represents the American Dream, but he knows that he cannot achieve it because of his race. This is supported by research conducted during the Great Depression, which found that black workers faced systemic discrimination in the workplace and were often excluded from communal spaces like the bunkhouse (Cash and Smiley 2019). This demonstrates that Crooks' experiences were not isolated incidents but rather reflective of broader patterns of discrimination in

Crooks has been denied the opportunity to achieve the American Dream because of his race. He is excluded from the bunkhouse, from social activities, and from the opportunities that other workers have. This exclusion perpetuates his marginalization and reinforces the systemic discrimination and racial prejudices that exclude him from society. As Crooks tells Lennie, George, and Candy, "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you" (Steinbeck 72). Crooks' experience shows that human connection and belonging are essential to achieving the American Dream. The exclusion of marginalized individuals from society perpetuates their marginalization and undermines their ability to achieve their