Life in 1900 was depressing, as it was an era filled with extremely hard and strenuous work that offered no future for the average African American in doing better. Most southern blacks did not experience any degree of wealth. There was a strict contrast between rich and poor due to the labor system necessary for its survival. Since most of the South was farmland, many blacks worked in an agriculture-based economy. This means that most blacks supported their families on the meager weekly wages that white plantation owners paid them, and all expenses incurred while working in the fields were garnished from their wages. short story about a young black boy's journey to becoming a man. The story brings to light the harsh truths and struggles that plague many young African Americans as they try to discover their purpose in an ever-changing South. Growing up in the early 1900s was a very difficult task for most blacks due to a lack of education and minimal job opportunities. One of the ah...