The Black Boy as a Catalyst to End Racism Around 2000 BC, the Egyptians enslaved the Jews into slavery as caged animals because they were targeted as inferior race and therefore chosen for work. Only 1500 years later, the Jews themselves were guilty of racism, labeling the same association with the Samaritans as a profound sin. In 1861_1865, the United States divided brother against brother in one of the bloodiest battles of all time over black slavery. Racism survives not simply as an intangible historical fable, but also as a truly modern problem. In today's civilization the Palestinian Arabs are at war with the Israelis to find a homeland; the Ku Klux Klan records largest influx of members in more than 20 years; and in the United States, where freedom reigns, Americans have never voted for anyone other than a white male to be president. Denny's restaurants, Texaco gas stations and Avis car rental are just a few of the many national companies accused of glorifying racism in this "apartheid America." Although it was less subtle in the lives of Americans then, racism also thrived in the souls of people living in the 1920s. Even though the war on slavery ended on the battlefields, white racists were at heart bloodthirsty lions, as demonstrated in the book Black Boy. The setting of Black Boy is in the Deep South of Jackson, Mississippi, where whites attempted to domesticate themselves. subjugation of blacks through harsh discipline. This was the case with Richard in Black Boy, his autobiography. It seemed that the more successful Richard became, the more hurt he became. In Black Boy, Richard suffers abuse from white people because he reminds white people of their lack of identity and inability to meet society's expectations. Their lives have become bland... middle of paper... humility imposed by the elves, the person gets a sense of gratification in his life. Now he knows he has a good reason to keep going. Eventually the person will receive the same love from others too. Therefore, a new source of positive gratification and love is created, making racism obsolete. These principles have not been fully successful as people are naturally more willing to be lethargic than active, are more likely to be followers than leaders, usually submit rather than stand up. for themselves. They need courage. Courage must come from inner love, it must be true courage. For some, it doesn't come naturally, but with a strong foot forward and a heart for others, racism can be defeated and the world can live in peace and equality. Works Cited: Wright, Richard. Black Boy (American Hunger): A Record of Childhood and Youth. 1998 ed.