Richard Wright's 'The Ethics Of Living Jim Crow'

Words: 530
Pages: 3
Open Document
Richard Wright is an African American writer who is well known for his controversial writing. Most of his storys have to do with the difficulty of being black in America during the 19th to a20th century. His most popular novels are Black Boy and Native Son.
“The Ethics of Living Jim Crow” was published in 1937.
Essay and Biograhpy
Object of Hatred- This was used when Richard was working at an optical company for the second time. He asked a man to use his name so that Richard could get books from the library easily and the man consented, because in the eyes of Richard he saw himself as an object of hate. To me this means that during that time there were white people who understood what was happening was wrong, but at the same time were only helpful if it meant making themselves not seem as bad as the rest.
Taboo- Also during his second time working at the optical factory he learned that white men would not talk about certain things with black people expecially …show more content…
A policeman standing at the corner looked on, twirling his nightstick. I watched out of the corner of my eye, never slackening the strokes of the chamois upon the brass. After a few minutes, I heard shrill screams coming from the rear of the store. Later the woman stumbled out and was accused drunk and arrested.”(pg 174) This shows just how unsafe it was during Jim Crow times, you could be beaten in front of the people who are supposed to protect you then beaten by them shortly after. Richard probably wanted to do something, but if he did the same thing would have happened to him or worse. This further backs up how he says during Jim Crow you just have to learn have to behave or you will pay the
Show More

Related Documents: Richard Wright's 'The Ethics Of Living Jim Crow'

Richard Wright's The Ethics Of Living Jim Crow

Richard Wright's "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow," is an autobiographical sketch about his challenges and observances while navigating the Jim Crow laws in his southern state. While reading, one may form an opinion about White privilege and Black inferiority as well as the negativity surrounding Blacks during the era. Wright uses vivid imagery and the juxtaposition between White privilege and Black inferiority to provide readers with an account of his personal journey as he witnessed the brutality…

Words 252 - Pages 2

The Ethics Of Living Jim Crow Analysis

The times where we feel at most ease ,that is because someone else had to do the suffering.In “The Ethics of Living Jim Crow” written by Richard Wright, speaks of the dreadful period in American History where African-Americans in the South were seen not even second-class citizens ,but as objects that when told to do something they must follow with no objection.This timestamp in today’s society has diminished, but not become fully eradicated in the eyes of some.Wright our protagonist has faced discrimination…

Words 210 - Pages 1