Many believe that minorities have come a long way and it is true, we have. However, the subject of racism and discrimination still plays a significant role in the lives of minorities including African Americans. When the 13th amendment was added to the constitution it was a very big deal because African Americans would be free from slavery and wouldn’t have to go through that same pain or suffering. However, they did not know the pain of being discriminated against or segregated would still occur. Even if legally there was no more slavery, African Americans probably felt it not much different from when slavery was still going pm because or segregation and discrimination. Paul Laurence Dunbar’s, “We Wear the Mask” enables readers to see some of the feelings African Americans had during this time when racism and discrimination was big issues in the U.S. as well as discrimination.…show more content… In Dunbar’s poem, the narrator is crying out, he is begging almost. This is why it is believed the poem was a prayer. The narrator says, “We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries/To thee from tortured souls arise.” (503) He is talking to Jesus, and telling him how he feels, how they all feel. African Americans are known to be very religious people, so it’s a given that this poem was made to speak to Jesus. It gives him comfort to speak out to Jesus and that is where one can relate. Speaking out to Jesus, or another spiritual being that can be believe in, can help one in so many ways to feel sane. It is a way to let all the emotions built up inside come out without having to tell someone who can then go and tell your business to another person. Also, if someone is a firm believer in Jesus, he can help solve whatever problems come about. The bigger the faith in him is the bigger the blessings will be, and he will help with any crisis. Whether that be one’s inner peace, money or
