A person’s history will often shape his or her identity. African Americans who grew up in the early to mid 1900s held a different outlook towards society in relation to those that were born later. Although most of the blame lies on segregation being legalized through Plessey vs. Ferguson, African American’s approach towards their place in society obstructed their view for a better future. This was especially prevalent in males around the age of forty in the mid to late 1950s: the reason being that they were born and raised in a time when segregation was legalized and widely accepted. August Wilson, an African American playwright, illustrates the struggle between the past generation, whose view is obstructed, and the future generation, whose
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Since the beginning of colonialism, African Americans had been seen as inferior to any other race. Slavery came to an end abruptly in America and African Americans have been struggling to be accepted in society since. One of the main struggles that African Americans faced was their need for recognition. In the play, Troy faces a situation when Lyons asks his father for a loan and Rose steps in and gives Lyons Troy’s money resulting in Lyons thanking Rose instead of Troy. Troy was outraged by this and called Lyons out by asking him if he “looked to see where she got [the money] from” (Wilson 19). When African Americans were enslaved, they would do all the work on the plantation and receive no credit for it. Troy feels similarly to his ancestors in the fact that he earned the money yet is not being thanked for loaning it. The aftereffects of slavery do not stop at just a way of thinking; however, it continues to show itself in the everyday life of African Americans. Most young Blacks did not aspire to be anything more than what their parents were at the time and when they did; their ideas were shut down by others. This endless loop resulted in African Americans maintaining a lowly position in society. Troy exemplifies this through his own actions. …show more content…
Although African Americans had worked their way up in society they continued to hold the lowest level job possible. Troy worked as a garbage collector and in that job, they had “white men driving [the truck] and the colored lifting” the trash into the truck (Wilson 2). This shows that the society continued to treat African American as if they were lower than others. Racism of this sort was exemplified in most African American lives. In addition, Blacks were denied certain services. This is exemplified in Fences through Troy’s experience in the furniture store. When Troy went to buy furniture, although he was constantly working the, “man [told him] that [he] can’t get no credit” resulting in Troy unable to buy anything at that store (Wilson 15). This was a common tactic to prevent African Americans from buying goods at their store. This would ensure that the store would not receive any hatred from the civil rights movement for being segregated yet continue to supply only the people that fit their criteria. The third exemplification of racism in America toward African Americans is unfair judgments. This is the most prevalent problem in America for African Americans. Many civil right leaders argue that the reason that the highest demographic in prison is African Americans
Since the beginning of colonialism, African Americans had been seen as inferior to any other race. Slavery came to an end abruptly in America and African Americans have been struggling to be accepted in society since. One of the main struggles that African Americans faced was their need for recognition. In the play, Troy faces a situation when Lyons asks his father for a loan and Rose steps in and gives Lyons Troy’s money resulting in Lyons thanking Rose instead of Troy. Troy was outraged by this and called Lyons out by asking him if he “looked to see where she got [the money] from” (Wilson 19). When African Americans were enslaved, they would do all the work on the plantation and receive no credit for it. Troy feels similarly to his ancestors in the fact that he earned the money yet is not being thanked for loaning it. The aftereffects of slavery do not stop at just a way of thinking; however, it continues to show itself in the everyday life of African Americans. Most young Blacks did not aspire to be anything more than what their parents were at the time and when they did; their ideas were shut down by others. This endless loop resulted in African Americans maintaining a lowly position in society. Troy exemplifies this through his own actions. …show more content…
Although African Americans had worked their way up in society they continued to hold the lowest level job possible. Troy worked as a garbage collector and in that job, they had “white men driving [the truck] and the colored lifting” the trash into the truck (Wilson 2). This shows that the society continued to treat African American as if they were lower than others. Racism of this sort was exemplified in most African American lives. In addition, Blacks were denied certain services. This is exemplified in Fences through Troy’s experience in the furniture store. When Troy went to buy furniture, although he was constantly working the, “man [told him] that [he] can’t get no credit” resulting in Troy unable to buy anything at that store (Wilson 15). This was a common tactic to prevent African Americans from buying goods at their store. This would ensure that the store would not receive any hatred from the civil rights movement for being segregated yet continue to supply only the people that fit their criteria. The third exemplification of racism in America toward African Americans is unfair judgments. This is the most prevalent problem in America for African Americans. Many civil right leaders argue that the reason that the highest demographic in prison is African Americans