Racism And The Empowerment Of Inequality
“’Nothing is fair in this world. You might as well get that straight right now,’” (Kidd 96). Racism and the empowerment of inequality are presented in the novel and to Lily Owens in order to show its absurdity and wrongfulness, in the real world. During the 1960s, in the Southern United States, Jim Crow laws, which enacted segregation, were supposedly repealed. However, they built an everlasting division between the two majority races. Thus, as seen in the novel, based in 1964, there are obvious tensions and doctrines of white superiority present. Lily’s African-American maid, Rosaleen, constantly receives slurs and hateful comments directed towards her. Yet, Rosaleen never once personally insulted or did anything harmful to those who batter
her. In summary, it seems that those who mistreat Rosaleen are simply portraying and acting in the way they were told to. As seen by Lily’s wonder and amazement that people of another race share common human characteristics, such as experiencing a broad range of feelings, it can be inferred her society was brainwashing her to believe fictitious and ludicrous lies about the others in her community. This is a forceful notion, as believing in lies and distressing assumptions, as presented, can only lead to personal deterioration.
her. In summary, it seems that those who mistreat Rosaleen are simply portraying and acting in the way they were told to. As seen by Lily’s wonder and amazement that people of another race share common human characteristics, such as experiencing a broad range of feelings, it can be inferred her society was brainwashing her to believe fictitious and ludicrous lies about the others in her community. This is a forceful notion, as believing in lies and distressing assumptions, as presented, can only lead to personal deterioration.