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What Is The Theme Of If He Hollers Let Him Go

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Since the beginning of time, the world has faced serious face and class injustices. Even though we have made major strides in the right direction in terms of these injustices, they still exist in 2023. In the reading, “If He Hollers Let Him Go” by Chester Himes, we see a first-hand account of racism that was present in everyday life for African Americans during the 1940s. In the story, we hear the injustices presented in everyday life for those of color. Even in Bob’s dreams we see racial injustices. In his dream, he recalls being at a criminal investigation where white detectives are looking for a crippled black man. In another dream, he is seeking employment from two white men, but they mock him for not having tools. In these two dreams …show more content…

Roosevelt’s executive order. Even with these new, increasing opportunities, racism is still extremely present. In the workplace, black workers are treated differently than whites, even when working the same jobs. In the story, we see the negative feelings from the white workers towards their African American counterparts which they refer to as “colored boys”. In Chapter 4, we see Bob being refused help at work by the white workers. They tell him to ask Madge Perkins, a white woman, for help, but this will again show the severity of the racism Bob faces. He is taunted by Madge when he asks for her help when he tells her “I ain’t gonna work with no nigger.” When he reacts to this racism with his own derogatory comment where he said, “Screw you then, you cracker bitch”, he is demoted. Why is it okay for Marge to make these comments, but when Bob responds in the same fashion, he is demoted from his position? We see the underlying theme shine through due to the fact that this was done because he was a black male and Marge was a white woman. Marge did not face consequences for her actions, but Bob did for his reaction. When he tries to defend himself, he is told he should have kept his composure and not lost his temper. When he keeps trying to defend himself, he is threatened with being fired. This situation that happens at Bob’s workplace truly shows us how present racism was in everyday life, work and

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