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Richard Wright Stereotypes

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“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. had given many speeches to appeal to his own kin and tried to convince them that as life is filled with challenges, and discrimination is just one of those challenges. Richard Wright is a prefect example of how many individuals had fought against the discrimination in many ways, yet there were many who were too fearful of change. Throughout his autobiography, Black Boy, Richard Wright does not succumb to the influences around him, and gives his best effort to refuse the stereotypes placed on how a typical Negro should live his future.

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Wright’s introduction to this lifestyle is when his mother sends him to buy some groceries, but he is confronted by a group of boys who beat him up and take his money. A bruised and beaten up scared boy walks back home, empty handed, and tells his mother the story. “ ‘Take this money, this note, and this stick,’ she said. ‘Go to the store and buy those groceries. If those boys bother you, then fight.’ ’" (17). Richard is taught at a young age the “fight or flight” response, which became a characteristic that he needed in order to survive the world they live in. Later on in his life, Wright is beat by his Uncle and Aunt for actions that they saw as “wrong”, yet he knew that he had not done anything wrong, so he starts to rebel against these beatings. “I knew that I had conquered him, had rid myself of him mentally and emotionally” (160). This quote came after Uncle Tom and Wright were having an argument about how he had informed his Uncle of the time. He was trying to go to sleep and Uncle Tom had interrupted him and asked for the time. Richard was a bit drowsy, so he was unsure of the exact time and said, “If it’s a little slow or fast, it’s not far wrong.”(162) For some reason, this made Uncle Tom furious enough to want to give a whipping for the sassy tone he had. Wright had enough of those around him telling him that he’s a monster, a criminal with no future, and comes to the resolution to not take the beatings for when he isn’t in the wrong, and fights back. An event occurred in Sacramento on the night of March 19, where a young African American by the name of Stephon Clark, had been fatally shot by two officers. Outrage broke out, as the victim, Stephon Clark, was shot to death, as the officers assumed that the cell phone he was holding was a firearm, and shot a total of 20 shots in total.

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W. E. B. Du Bois's Black Boy

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In other words, Mrs. Wright sent Richard to the store not so he could be beaten but so he could face the boys. If she hadn't did what she did, he would be scared of everyone all his life. Even though the method of her sending him was bloody, it was a very efficient way of getting him to stand up for himself and become the "man of the house" for his mother. The mother did not want to get involved but she helps him master his difficult situation. Richard finally understands that he cannot escape his problems and must face

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Wright’s wisdom was when she sent Richard to go shopping for food. He came back empty handed and crying. Some boys had stolen all the money and sent him running home in panic. She sent him out again with more money and another list, he returned home shortly with the same story. Mrs. Wright knew that she wasn’t always going to be around to defend him, to teach him a lesson on how to defend himself she sent him out again and gave him a heavy stick.

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Racial Segregation In Richard Wright's Black Boy

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“I was learning rapidly how to watch white people, to observe their every move, every fleeting expression, how to interpret what we said and what we left unsaid” (Wright 181). Richard uses his observation of whites to guide himself on how to act and react around white people. For example he must agree with the whites even if he truly disagrees. For example he must agree with the whites even if he truly disagrees. “I answered with false heartiness, falling quickly into that nigger-being-a-good-natured-boy-in-the- presence-of-a-white-man pattern, a pattern into which I could now slide easily” (Wright 234).

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Black Boy Critical Analysis

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Richard Wright’s autobiography Black Boy follows Wright from a young age as he overcomes the trials and tribulations of growing up as an African American in the Jim Crow South. Throughout the story, themes such as individuality and self-perspective play a vital role in Wright’s personal development. From the beginning of the story, Richard’s actions illuminate his stubborn and individualistic nature. Due to the racial tensions during this time, it was quite difficult for an African American with these characteristics to be accepted into society. Richard constantly demonstrates this desire to join society on his own terms, rather than bend to societal pressures and conform to other peoples’ expectations for him.

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