Racism Is Power Essay

Hayley Thomas
Mr. Raschilla
English 12, Period 2
28 February 2017
Ebony and Ivory
Racism is prejudice plus power. Everyone has some prejudice. Without power, prejudice cannot have an effect. Prejudice plus power affects where we live, work and eat. It affects the quality of the education we receive and our income. It affects who is sentenced to jail and for what period of time. It affects who votes, who gets elected and what powers those elected wield. It affects who lives or dies and how. Without power, it is not racism; it is just prejudice. The concept of white supremacy is its root. In 1948, South Africa enacted the Apartheid Law. Apartheid, an Afrikaans word which means “Separate Hood,” essentially legalized racism. While never mentioned by name, apartheid is a prominent theme in Athol Fugard’s play Master Harold and the Boys, which is set in South Africa in 1950. Racism is the outcome of discrimination or preference for or against a person or institution based solely on their race. Under Apartheid Law, different people were segregated according to race and skin color. There were four race classes: Whites, the supreme race; Indians; Coloreds, a mixed race; and, at the bottom
of the hierarchy, Blacks. Whites were not allowed to be romantically involved with other races; if they were caught, they would be jailed under the “immorality act.” Since whites had so many privileges that other races did not enjoy, this rarely occurred. White South Africans relishes better education, higher paying jobs, superior transportation and lodging accommodations. In areas where white people lived, all other races were allowed to share the same facilities with whites on certain conditions.
There would be separate toilets, buses, beaches, theaters, cinemas, restaurants and park benches reserved for “Whites,” and all other races had to use “Non-Whites.” The Separate Amenities Act would subject a black man to fines of as much as three months in jail, simply for sitting on a “Whites only” bench. In Master Harold and the Boys, when Sam accompanies Hally to the park, he would not dare to sit on a “Whites only” bench for fear of being arrested. Hally would sit on the bench alone but did not notice the enforced segregation. He did not care about how being forbidden from sitting with him made Sam feel. His white skin made him superior and
privileged. In Master Harold and the Boys, Sam, a black man, was employed by Hally’s parents. Although Hally spent most of his time in Sam’s room, Sam was not allowed to enter Hally’s room. Sam educated himself and took on the role of a mentor, moral guide and friend to young Hally, who was ashamed of his good for nothing drunkard father. Sam was prepared to become Hally’s surrogate father, spending many hours trying to teach him basic life skills and principles. For Hally, the desire to look up to Sam stood in direct contrast to his school education and social surroundings, where he had been taught white supremacy. Despite being oppressed, Sam remains positive and respectful. He tries to teach Hally how to become a respected citizen. Hally is confused because his parents and school are teaching him the opposite. As Hally tells Sam, “My mother is right. She's always warning me about allowing you to get too familiar. [. . .] You're only a servant in here, and don't forget it…And as far as my father is concerned, all you need to remember is that he is your boss. [. . . ] He's a white man and that's good enough for you.” (1643-1656).