Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry Racism Quotes

Racism plays a big role in Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry, a historical fiction by Mildred Taylor based on a black family in Mississippi.The main character Cassie, she becomes aware of all the racism around her because of what happened in strawberry. Cassie becomes more aware of the racism around her when she goes to the market in strawberry. She was about to check out at the front where the man at the checkout desk was and a white man walked in and needed to place an order and he just left her there and helped the white man. After Cassie was arguing with the two white men in the store about how she couldn’t just help her first because she was there first but then Mr.Barnett’s says, “ Then you get her out of here and make sure she don’t come

But then Stacey introups her and yells ``Shut up, Cassie.” (112) This shows that Cassie doesn’t know that Mr. Barnett could send her dad, mom, or even her to jail for just talking back to him and that's why Stacey tells her to shut up. Mr. Barnett says to Stacey to tell his mama to teach her what she is, which means to remind her that she is black and she is white. This shows that Cassie is not aware of the racism. Cassie learns why Mr.Simms was being mean to her and not Lillian Jean, his daughter. Mama is explaining to Cassie how Mr.Simms didn’t just defend Lillian Jean because she is his daughter, he defended her because she is white and Cassie is black. “ I didn’t say that Lillian Jean is better than you. I said Mr.Simms only thinks she is. In fact, he thinks she’s better than Stacey or Little Man or Christopher John-- . But Cassie introups and asks, just because she’s his daughter? But mama responds and says, ``No baby because she’s white.” (127) This is important because Cassie is learning about racism from mama explaining why Mr.Barret was so mean to her. Mama finally tells her that Mr.Barret Cassie is below white

In this chapter Lillian Jean thinks that Cassie wants to be her personal slave and carry her books all day so Lillain Jean tells Cassie all her secerts. But Lillian doesn’t know what payback from what happened in strawberry is coming her way so Cassie led her into the forest. “ Lillian asks, `` Well? Where’s the surprise? Cassie responded saying, ``Right her, smashing her books on the ground.” After Lillain got mad at her Cassie was explaining what she did, “ I punched her in the stomach and buttocks, and twisted her hair, but not once did I touch her face.” Then Cassie said to Lillian, “ Bet you won’t be learning no more secrets after that. It had all been a game.” (180-181)This quote is important because it shows how Cassie builds up the courage to stand up to Lillian Jean and knock some sense into her. At this moment T.J. knocked on their door bleeding and had trouble walking because R.W. and Melvin beat him up. When T.J. asked for their help Cassie denied but Stacey explained to Cassie about how T.J. couldn’t make it by himself like this and how they needed to help him. Then Stacey was about to go but Cassie wanted to help even though she believed it was a bad idea in the first place. “ Well, you ain’t going without me.” Cassie shows courage in this quote because even though all the stuff T.J. has put their whole family through like getting mama fired, Cassie went with her brother to help T.J. These