Lesson Before Dying Racism
Skindeep
Throughout history and in literature, Black has always been portrayed as evil, whereas White has represented purity and light. These oversimplified stereotypes of something so abstract as skin color has plagued our culture with prejudice and hatred. Ernest E. Gaines, author of A Lesson Before Dying, tells the story of a young black boy named Jefferson who is set to die for essentially being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a schoolteacher who is faced with the task of making him a “man”. The novel takes place in Bayonne, Louisiana in the 1940’s, a time when racism prospered. At this time in history people faced extreme prejudice based on the color of their skin. Though slavery had been abolished almost eighty years prior, the repercussions of the concept of an inferior race prevailed. Racism is arguable the biggest social issue in A Lesson Before Dying, and this racism holds down the Black people of Bayonne, and makes them believe that they are indeed inferior, and that nothing will change for them. Gaines portrays this racism through Grant’s struggles as a teacher, the way the judiciary system treats Jefferson and through the colored people of Bayonne’s daily lives.
The novel takes place in the town of Bayonne, Louisiana in the 1940’s, a horrible setting for African Americans. Grant assesses that there is a “Catholic church uptown for Blacks, and a Catholic church downtown for Whites” (25). Though slavery has been outlawed, segregation is still a major issue for the people. Their facilities are inferior to those of the White people, and often times are completely decrepit. Additionally, the Black people of the town face prejudice in almost everything they do. When Grant went to deliver food to Jefferson, for instance, the sheriff searches the bags of food (70). Grant is only trying to preform a good deed by delivering the food, not to mention tutoring Jefferson, yet he is treated like a criminal. Additionally, Jefferson is not allowed
Throughout history and in literature, Black has always been portrayed as evil, whereas White has represented purity and light. These oversimplified stereotypes of something so abstract as skin color has plagued our culture with prejudice and hatred. Ernest E. Gaines, author of A Lesson Before Dying, tells the story of a young black boy named Jefferson who is set to die for essentially being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a schoolteacher who is faced with the task of making him a “man”. The novel takes place in Bayonne, Louisiana in the 1940’s, a time when racism prospered. At this time in history people faced extreme prejudice based on the color of their skin. Though slavery had been abolished almost eighty years prior, the repercussions of the concept of an inferior race prevailed. Racism is arguable the biggest social issue in A Lesson Before Dying, and this racism holds down the Black people of Bayonne, and makes them believe that they are indeed inferior, and that nothing will change for them. Gaines portrays this racism through Grant’s struggles as a teacher, the way the judiciary system treats Jefferson and through the colored people of Bayonne’s daily lives.
The novel takes place in the town of Bayonne, Louisiana in the 1940’s, a horrible setting for African Americans. Grant assesses that there is a “Catholic church uptown for Blacks, and a Catholic church downtown for Whites” (25). Though slavery has been outlawed, segregation is still a major issue for the people. Their facilities are inferior to those of the White people, and often times are completely decrepit. Additionally, the Black people of the town face prejudice in almost everything they do. When Grant went to deliver food to Jefferson, for instance, the sheriff searches the bags of food (70). Grant is only trying to preform a good deed by delivering the food, not to mention tutoring Jefferson, yet he is treated like a criminal. Additionally, Jefferson is not allowed