Supposedly, changes are taking place in the South to combat racial disparities; nevertheless, the history concerning Blacks and Whites stay subjected to the throes of deep-rooted supremacy, prejudice, and biases, predominantly by Whites toward Blacks. As a matter of fact, in A Gathering of Old Men, Ernest Gaines novel is set in Bayonne, South Louisiana where racism runs rampant toward Blacks by folks referred to as Cajuns. Also, Cajuns are depicted as being superior to Blacks, but they are the lowest classification of Whites. Case in point, The Encyclopedia of World Cultures reports, “within the regional class structure, Cajuns are considered better than Blacks, but the lowest group of (“Cajuns”) Whites. As a result of their prejudices and
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To illustrate subjection, “Gaines has Snookum; a young Black male, being summoned by Candy; the owner of the plantation, to run and tell the older Black men to get here quick” (Chapter 1). As in the past, Blacks still do what they are told by Whites, no matter what. Likewise, the graveyard is representative of the death of Blacks who endured merciless subjection to Whites. Also, another example of the death of subjection to Whites, from Black men is echoed thru Sidney Brooks; “aka” Coot,” as he and the other old Black men spread out through the weeds to do battle with the Whites coming for them. Indeed, Coot remembers the time when he fought as a soldier in the World War I and thinks that he has not felt so good since then” (Chapter 16). Thus, death is the perfect representation for the absolution of the customary existence that Blacks have adapted to over …show more content…
Equally important, Gaines characters all recall the history of the horrendous White supremacy practices Blacks were subjected to all over the South, through reflection and flashbacks of their individual personal experiences with the Cajuns in South Louisiana. In addition, Gaines characters provide his readers with a history lesson of how Blacks past and present, were and are dehumanized, women are raped, men are beaten, hung, their homes are burned, they are cheated out of wages, and even soldiers returning from war are not treated fairly, or with respect, and in what ways these atrocities affect Blacks incessantly. There is more change that has to happen to rectify unbalancing the
To illustrate subjection, “Gaines has Snookum; a young Black male, being summoned by Candy; the owner of the plantation, to run and tell the older Black men to get here quick” (Chapter 1). As in the past, Blacks still do what they are told by Whites, no matter what. Likewise, the graveyard is representative of the death of Blacks who endured merciless subjection to Whites. Also, another example of the death of subjection to Whites, from Black men is echoed thru Sidney Brooks; “aka” Coot,” as he and the other old Black men spread out through the weeds to do battle with the Whites coming for them. Indeed, Coot remembers the time when he fought as a soldier in the World War I and thinks that he has not felt so good since then” (Chapter 16). Thus, death is the perfect representation for the absolution of the customary existence that Blacks have adapted to over …show more content…
Equally important, Gaines characters all recall the history of the horrendous White supremacy practices Blacks were subjected to all over the South, through reflection and flashbacks of their individual personal experiences with the Cajuns in South Louisiana. In addition, Gaines characters provide his readers with a history lesson of how Blacks past and present, were and are dehumanized, women are raped, men are beaten, hung, their homes are burned, they are cheated out of wages, and even soldiers returning from war are not treated fairly, or with respect, and in what ways these atrocities affect Blacks incessantly. There is more change that has to happen to rectify unbalancing the