In Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age, Boyle highlights illustriously the unfortunate consequences faced by the “colored race” due to the Jim Crow system. He simultaneously places emphasis on the reaction that developed as a result of this system. His major premise focuses on the development of segregation in the Northern part of America is a heavily ignored aspect of American society, which still exists today.
Boyle tells the sad tale about the struggle faced by an African American family who refused to remain in the status quo black family portrait. “When Ossian Sweet bought the house on Garland Avenue in the spring of 1925, he imagined his family living a life free of segregation’s most crushing burdens. …show more content…
This symbol is one which resonates throughout the black rights movement in America’s post slavery environment. The Incredible burden of racial injustice, and the corrosive power of the newly created system of social segregation are what Boyle attempts to illuminate in his book. “it was partly the way that discrimination struck at the professional pride that he was so eagerly embracing” (93) He moves into this neighborhood because it was what he deserved, he like other successful, educated individuals in the society deserves the best, however the changing dynamics is what stifles his stride. He is incapable of getting justice in what was once the escape route for blacks, the north was where blacks were to be free, but they too were developing sentiments of racism and they desired segregation. Thus, Sweet becomes the example, and unexpectedly a prime example. His case acts as the dawn of America’s racial awakening, this garners attention from the NAACP, who needed a story to capture the attention of the public. Everyone was aware that white people “knew how to be cruel. But they had to create a social system premised on cruelty” (55) therefore by using Sweet’s case they would be able to attract the right publicity. His story gives the movement momentum, as it demonstrates to the wider community the reality of the
Boyle tells the sad tale about the struggle faced by an African American family who refused to remain in the status quo black family portrait. “When Ossian Sweet bought the house on Garland Avenue in the spring of 1925, he imagined his family living a life free of segregation’s most crushing burdens. …show more content…
This symbol is one which resonates throughout the black rights movement in America’s post slavery environment. The Incredible burden of racial injustice, and the corrosive power of the newly created system of social segregation are what Boyle attempts to illuminate in his book. “it was partly the way that discrimination struck at the professional pride that he was so eagerly embracing” (93) He moves into this neighborhood because it was what he deserved, he like other successful, educated individuals in the society deserves the best, however the changing dynamics is what stifles his stride. He is incapable of getting justice in what was once the escape route for blacks, the north was where blacks were to be free, but they too were developing sentiments of racism and they desired segregation. Thus, Sweet becomes the example, and unexpectedly a prime example. His case acts as the dawn of America’s racial awakening, this garners attention from the NAACP, who needed a story to capture the attention of the public. Everyone was aware that white people “knew how to be cruel. But they had to create a social system premised on cruelty” (55) therefore by using Sweet’s case they would be able to attract the right publicity. His story gives the movement momentum, as it demonstrates to the wider community the reality of the