Black Boy - Book Review

What is the extent of prejudice? How far will it go until the entire world realizes that it is wrong? Prejudice continues to infect and destroy the dreams and minds of many people. A human being is not born with prejudice. Prejudice is taught to children at an early age to make certain that their father's beliefs continue. By the time a child reaches adulthood, he or she might have the same hatred of their fathers. Prejudice has gone through many extremities.

In a book called Black Boy, a black woman is thrown out of a clothing store beaten and bloody for not paying her tab. In the movie "American History X" a boy is taught at an early age to hate anyone who isn't a white protestant. Stereotypes are used today to discriminate against others. A restaurant owner with stereotypical views charged a black man a 50% tip without his consent. When the owner was confronted by the customer the owner replied saying "black men don't tip well." Without discrimination, putdowns, stereotyping, and name calling, this world would be a better place. Instead we have prejudice. Prejudice is wicked and evil. Prejudice is a spurious occurrence that continues to confine those who deserve more, and infects the world with its hatred. Prejudice promotes violence and anger towards others who are different. Richard Wright's Black Boy writes, "They got out and half dragged and half kicked the woman into the store. White people passed and looked on without expression. A white policeman watched from the corner twirling his nightstick but he made no move to help."

Throughout the early 1900's people tolerated much more hate than they do now. The reason the lady in the quote was beaten was because she had not paid her bill. What is really distasteful is that people walked by without noticing the woman simply because she was black. Even a policeman observed this incident and didn't lift a finger to help her. Instead the officer arrested her for being a drunken woman and disturbing white folk. This is outrageous! White people didn't care and black people were afraid to intervene. The blacks were fearful because of the attitude that the next time it could be them. Blacks are forever at risk simply because of their dark skin. Prejudice makes an environment unsafe and almost impossible for people of color to exist in harmony with those of differing views. The Movie "American History - X", is a neo-nazi