Elena Ariola

Mrs. McGovern

B4 Independent Study

17, December 2018

Oppression in Society

The official definition of starving is to “suffer severely or die from hunger” (Webster

Dictionary). This definition is perfect for those who are constantly fighting for their respective

rights such as African Americans. It is clear that many suffer each day from the resistance of

acceptance that is reflected by individuals. Although hunger indicates a feeling of discomfort due

to a lack of food, it can also designate a strong desire or craving for something. The word suffer

in this definition perfectly describes how Richard felt throughout his lifetime. Oppression starves

a people of that which nourishes them: respect, justice, and opportunity.

About 795 million people in the world do not eat enough food to live a healthy active life.

One may argue that donations such as cans or boxes of food are distributed to be consumed by

poor families across the world. Although this can be true, we cannot classify the food given to

them as substantial or nutritious. A study done by the “American Institute for Cancer Research”

shows the link of consuming processed foods to different types of cancer. Unfortunately there

are too many families that don’t have the money to buy “decent” food; many live off of

processed boxes of snacks. This idea of not being able to afford quality food is expressed

throughout the book “Black Boy”. Richard writes about his experience growing up as a child and

the lack of food they were able to afford. Most of the time the food he consumed was cheap

boxed food or whatever scraps he could find.

 Respect is desired by people no matter what social class they are. Unfortunately many

individuals in our world are viewed as invisible or worthless. The protagonist in the book “Black

Boy” is a perfect example of one who was viewed differently from others. Richard was not

respected the same way others were. Several times, Richard gets punished in class for trouble

that another student caused. He goes through several violent encounters as people do not accept

him for who he is. The lack of respect towards African Americans is cruel and is still seen today

in the 21st century. Researchers at Stanford University found that “police are more likely to

speak disrespectfully to black people than they are to their white counterparts.” (Stanford Univ.)

Language and word choice have a lot to do with respect; unfortunately many people differentiate

what they say to people based on the skin color they are looking at. Language towards African

Americans has been inappropriate and disrespectful throughout history, it is not at all new.

Jennifer Poulos criticizes the book ​Black Boy​ stating that the author places “indiscriminate,

inappropriate swearing in the mouths of whites.” (Poulos 3) A lot of whites unfortunately have

negative terms and names to call African Americans. Wright explains his experience in school

being yelled at and called names for simply sitting quietly in class. Although it has been declared

wrong and frown upon, many use inappropriate language and word choice when talking about

blacks. Countless songs include the n word along with other racist terms.

The official definition of justice is “just behavior or treatment” meaning that if there is

justice, there is equality. Justice is not seen 100% in the United States today or even throughout

the world. Weather it is gender, racism, culture or ethnicity, people are so judgmental towards

diversity causing an unjust society. In many cases it has gotten so bad that many individuals are

not even seen as human. Society oppressed such unjust behavior that “there could be no living
worthy of being called human.” (Wright ) Wright shows the unjust and cruel behavior society

acted on individuals such as Richard by expressing his emotions and thoughts. It got to such an

extent that he believed life as a negro in America had lead him to feel that “the problem of

human unity was more important than bread, more important than physical living itself.”

(Wright) Society has always been unjust in racism or gender, this is not something new. It was

not until the 19th amendment in 1912 that women finally got the right to vote! In addition, blacks

were often treated as slaves and as property. It was the other way around where whites were the

slaves of blacks. This says so much about our society and the way people are treated.

Everyone is hungry for opportunity because it brings about a better life. Statistics show

that those that have less are more hungrier for work and opportunity. Opportunity has much more

value to an individual in need than one that is living comfortably. Unfortunately opportunity is

not offered to all. It is said that one must work for opportunity, but in some cases that is not even

enough. Wright writes about the struggle for African Americans to have opportunity as Richard

is unable to live like a white man. Blacks were never able to get the same level of education that

a white student would. Typically white students received the better textbooks and better teachers.

Another example of opportunity that many are hungry for is a job. Wright expresses the scuffle

for blacks to get a job in the book ​Black Boy​. An incident occurs at Richard’s job when two

white southerners claim that such skilled work is not meant for blacks. Instead of standing up

and defending Richard, the manager of the company-a white Northerner does nothing to help

Richard defend his case and keep his job.

Oppression is very impactful and effects an individual in many different ways. When one

is oppressed, they are hungry for the better; craving for a change. Society is so cruel and unfair
that many have nothing left to feel than worthless. The United States itself has been so cruel and

unjust towards minorities for centuries and does not appear to be getting better.