Relentless Racism On The Ranch

Relentless Racism on the Ranch
John Steinbeck portrays racism on the ranch through the interactions or lack of interactions between Crooks and the other workers on the ranch. Crooks has been working at the ranch longer than most of the other workers and for the most part minds his own business. Despite Crooks being a nice fellow, most of the workers are racist towards Crooks. For example, many workers on the ranch use derogatory names when they speak or refer to Crooks. When Candy was welcoming George and Lennie to the ranch, he refers to Crooks as the "stable buck," which is a derogatory name to African-Americans. In addition, according to Crooks, other workers on the ranch claim that, "I[he] stink," which is a stereotypical idea white people
Steinbeck illustrates racism on the ranch through the workers ignoring Crooks and sometimes even forgetting Crooks works on the ranch. For instance, the fact that the boss gives Crooks his own to live in, suggests that the boss wants to separate Crooks from the other workers who are all white. Considering that Crooks lives with the animals he takes care of, implies that the boss and the other workers view him as an animal. Additionally, Crook's bed, "was a long box filled with straw" (Steinbeck 66). Also, the other workers ignore Crooks by not allowing him to play cards or go out with them. According to Crooks, the reason they do not allow him to play cards with them is, "… because I'm[he is] black" (Steinbeck 68). Because the other workers ignore him and do not allow him to participate in activities with them, he claims, "… all of you[white people] stink to me" (Steinbeck 68). Likewise, many of workers rarely talk to Crooks, because of his color. In fact when Candy visits Crooks' room, Crooks explains that, "Guys don’t come into a colored man's room very much" (Steinbeck 75). As a result of being deprived from social interactions with the other workers, Crooks becomes very lonely and hostile towards white people. Moreover the boss and the other workers on the ranch have ignored the needs of Crooks. However, despite most of the workers on the ranch being racist towards Crooks, Lennie does not see a difference between Crooks and himself. While Lennie does not have any prejudices towards Crooks, it can be likely contributed to his child-like personality. Despite Lennie's lack of awareness of the situation, the interaction between the two gives hope that one day racism will come to an