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Who Is Richard Wright's Black Boy: A Victim Of Racism?

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In Richard Wright's memoir “Black Boy”, Richard experiences racism and his own emotional/psychological disturbances severely influencing his reality. Being raised in the South around 1910s, Richard experienced the segregation amongst the two cultures. And from time to time he was affected by racism throughout his life. However, Richard was also known for doing strange and unexplainable things based on curiosity, vengeances, and fear. Furthermore, his memoir takes us on a journey to discover if he was a victim of his own disturbances or racism. This memoir unfolds truths like no other, and display evidence that could aid either one of these arguments. With so much evidence for both arguments, knowing which one of them was more influential is …show more content…

Richard Wright started distinguishing the segregation of the two cultures at a very young age. He was usually discriminated because he was African American which made his life far more complicated than any others. He was the sole provider for his ill mother, aunt, and younger brother. For instance, Richard got a job working at an office dominated by white people. While adjusting into this new setting, Richard asked for guidance regarding the office machines. The white men there did not want to help Richard, and stated using the machines was “white men’s work” (pg.188 p.1). This exclusion from the rest of the group, affects Wright because it prevents him from doing his job. If he can't do his job, he'll get fired, and won't be able to provide for his family. Wright also experienced racism when a group of white men offered him a ride to his destination. Once Richard got on they started to talk, but the comradery ended when a white man told Wright that he didn't say “sir” when talking to another white man. They all got offended because Wright did not show respect, so they smashed a bottle of whiskey on his head which made him fall off the moving car (pg.181 p.2). Both of these events occurred because of racism affecting his reality more than disorders because his life and occupations were on the

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In the memoir “The Black Boy” by Richard Wright, it tells a story in first person view of a young six-year-old boy who lives his life during the Jim Crow time period. The memoir tells a story of young Richard growing up in the south, living with his family he experienced many struggles growing up, beaten and yelled at by his family; his mom, grandmother, employer/employees and the kids at school. He would try his best to learn what he considered acceptable to the society and what is not. Due to his race, skin color, and the time period, he struggles to fit in with the people around him, and all he wish he could do is for everyone around to accept who he is. Wright tries to convey this theme that Richard tries to join the society on his

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Since they do not earn a decent wage, they don’t have the minimum amount of luxury in their lives. They are deprived of homes, food and other essential necessities. The effect of racial discrimination discloses on Wright in the guise of starvation. As a child, Richard could not grasp the concept of racism. But when he grows up, he acknowledges why he and his sibling need to feast upon the leftover sustenance of the white individuals.

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Some policemen saw him riding his bike through a white neighborhood at night. The officers swerved into him and forced him to put his hands up as “they climbed out of the car, guns drawn, faces set, and advanced slowly.” (10) They searched him thoroughly and seemed disappointed when they found nothing. Neither Wright nor the woman had committed any offense or broken any Jim Crow laws, but law enforcement still harassed them solely on the basis of their race.

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