The Piano Lesson
From the 1880s to the 1930s, the lives of African Americans had developed drastically. The Civil War, Reconstruction, and Great Migration happened during this time period. The development of civil rights did not come along easily. New laws were made for the improvement of civil rights such as the 13th and 14th Amendment. Unfortunately Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws were also apparent during this time period. This restricted many African Americans from gaining more equality and they had many struggles in their lives because White Americans generally did not accept for them to be on the same level. These changes were seen through the perspectives of characters in the play, “The Piano Lesson”, written by August Wilson. Although there was social
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Although there was a separation of schools for the White and African American children there was an improvement because “higher education [was accessible for the] Negro youth, [so that they could] concentrate all their energies on industrial education, and accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the south” (The Soul of Black Folk). African Americans were able to attend schools so that they can develop skills for work to support their families. African Americans had the right to work for industries, which was an improvement for their lives because they were able to expand their social horizon. Lymon, Boy Willie’s best friend, aspired to go north in search of job opportunity and to have a new start in life. In the south, there were very little jobs in industry. During this time in history, racism was still a large problem for African Americans living in the US during the 1900s. There were industrial jobs for African Americans in the north, but many jobs in the south still had low waged jobs such as sharecropping. Boy Willie states “See, a nigger that ain’t afraid to die is the worst kind of nigger for the white man.” (The Piano Lesson) The main character, Boy Willie, wanted to buy the land that his grandparents once worked on in the north. This shows that he was bold and determined to have advancement in his life and rise above white supremacy. It was believed that if African Americans did not contribute to gain equality, they are just as bad as the ones who are taking away the rights of the African
Although there was a separation of schools for the White and African American children there was an improvement because “higher education [was accessible for the] Negro youth, [so that they could] concentrate all their energies on industrial education, and accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the south” (The Soul of Black Folk). African Americans were able to attend schools so that they can develop skills for work to support their families. African Americans had the right to work for industries, which was an improvement for their lives because they were able to expand their social horizon. Lymon, Boy Willie’s best friend, aspired to go north in search of job opportunity and to have a new start in life. In the south, there were very little jobs in industry. During this time in history, racism was still a large problem for African Americans living in the US during the 1900s. There were industrial jobs for African Americans in the north, but many jobs in the south still had low waged jobs such as sharecropping. Boy Willie states “See, a nigger that ain’t afraid to die is the worst kind of nigger for the white man.” (The Piano Lesson) The main character, Boy Willie, wanted to buy the land that his grandparents once worked on in the north. This shows that he was bold and determined to have advancement in his life and rise above white supremacy. It was believed that if African Americans did not contribute to gain equality, they are just as bad as the ones who are taking away the rights of the African