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Impact of Racism in the Characters’ Lives in A Raisin in the Sun

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Impact of Racism in the Characters’ Lives in A Raisin in the Sun

Introduction

In 1959, renowned African-American playwright Lorraine Hansberry penned A

Raisin in the Sun. The Younger family, who reside on Chicago's south side in a small

apartment, is the focus of the drama. Despite their struggles with poverty, they have the

chance to improve their situation thanks to an insurance settlement. The play examines both

overt racism, as exhibited by the figure of Karl Lindner, and more covert kinds of racism that

permeate the Younger family's existence and influence their goals and decisions(Hansberry).

The Younger family is impacted by racism on a deep level, and this essay will examine how

this scenario has altered or remained the same over the past few decades.

Essay Body

Chicago's racial segregation and the Younger family's financial difficulties are

interwoven. The drama depicts the subtly racist housing practices that kept African-

Americans in particular communities, sustaining their poverty and limiting their potential.

For instance, Mama comments on the family's living circumstances in Act I, saying, “We are

descendants of individuals who possessed a significant amount of self-esteem and dignity. We

possess a considerable sense of pride,” which suggests that despite their difficult situation,

they value their self-respect (Hansberry 39). Due to the limited housing options accessible to

them, they were compelled to maintain their racial segregation, which fueled the systemic

racism of the day.

In her quest for education and identity, Beneatha, a member of the Younger family,

encounters subtly racist attitudes. She wants to be a doctor, but racial preconceptions and

skepticism hinder her ambitions. This bias is highlighted in Ruth's answer to her when she

discloses her goals in Act I: "You something fresh, lad. When I was growing up, we were
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concerned with avoiding lynching, trying to reach the North if we could, and finding a way to

survive while maintaining some dignity (Hansberry 50). Ruth's comment exemplifies the

widespread idea that African-Americans should put more effort into ensuring their survival

than pursuing loftier goals. This persistent rejection of her dreams shapes Beneatha's

experiences and self-perception because of her race.

Dreams postponed by the Younger family represent racism's more subdued

manifestation. Thanks to the insurance settlement, they have a ray of hope to get out of

poverty and settle in a better area. Karl Lindner tries to talk them out of moving into the

white area, jeopardizing their plans. Walter laments, "You have significantly disrupted a

personal aspiration of mine - you, who frequently discuss the aspirations of your own

children” in Act II (Hansberry 97). The fact that Lindner tried to buy them out further proves

that black families are not welcome in white areas. The Younger family experiences

diminished feelings of agency and belonging due to ongoing pressure to give up their goals.

Walter's Fight for Autonomy and Respect. In his quest for monetary gain and respect,

Walter, the family's patriarch, encounters subtly racist attitudes. To provide a better future for

his family, he had aspirations of starting his own business and buying a liquor store. He

receives scorn and disdain when he asks his white business partner for help. The conversation

is described by Walter in Act II: "He glanced at me... and then he looked at me... and he

said... 'You something fresh, boy. My age, you. However, you are not a man yet. Hanberry

(1998). The prejudiced stereotype that African-Americans are unemployable failures and

undeserving of respect in the corporate world is reflected in this dismissive behavior. The

prevalent racial bias Walter experiences makes it difficult for him to achieve autonomy and

have his goals recognized.

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Mama, also known as Lena, represents an African-American matriarch facing racism,

seeking better life and place for her family. She expresses her wish for a garden in Act II

when she says, " I have long harbored a desire to possess a garden akin to those occasionally

observed in the backyards of residences in my hometown. This particular plant represents the

nearest approximation to personal ownership that I have ever experienced” (Hansberry 79).

The symbolism of the garden is a representation of the hopes and aspirations that African-

Americans were long denied. Mama continues to be forgiving and resilient in the face of

adversity, highlighting the underlying prejudice that made her have to put her goals on hold to

provide for her family.

The subtle racism that Beneatha encounters and the internal struggle of cultural

assimilation are exposed by her love relationships. George Murchison, her prospective

husband, is an example of an assimilated African-American who disassociates himself from

his cultural roots. Beneatha chastises George in Act II for wanting to forget his African

heritage, telling him, "You are lost, little lad. You're confused, and you're not even sure about

what you're confused about, to use Hansberry's words (91). The idea that assimilation is

required for acceptance and success is perpetuated by George's attempt to adopt white

culture, which reflects the pressure to adhere to dominant societal norms and reject African

origin. Beneatha won't consent to such assimilation shows how resistant she is to giving up

her identity and cultural heritage to adapt to a racist culture.

Conclusion

In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, racism is portrayed as overt

discrimination and a pervasive underlying force that molds the Younger family's lives. The

drama highlights how racial segregation affects the economy, how Beneatha's dreams and
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identity are undermined, and how the entire family's dreams are put on hold because of

outside forces. These components show racism's subtlety and affect the heroes' lives.

In spite of the significant strides that have been made against overt racism in recent

decades, covert prejudice is nevertheless prevalent today. These more covert types of

discrimination continue to be a source of inequity and injustice for underrepresented

communities because they are frequently deeply embedded in a wide variety of institutions

and systems.

Discrimination in housing is one area where these subtleties still exist. (Kristen 51-

76). Despite fair housing rules, discriminatory practices harm underprivileged populations,

especially minorities, and African-Americans. For instance, redlining, which dates to the

1930s, led to the routine denial of mortgages and loans to those residing in communities with

a high percentage of non-white residents. The legacy of redlining still manifests in housing

segregation and unequal access to housing possibilities, even though such explicit tactics are

no longer legal. Minority groups frequently face more obstacles to homeownership and are

more likely to reside in underdeveloped and neglected areas.

Another important aspect that emphasizes the persistence of racism's complexity is

the disparity in educational opportunities. Although legal school segregation is no longer

enforced, de facto segregation still exists in many locations due to varying residence patterns

and economic conditions. Therefore, schools in minority neighborhoods frequently receive

less funding, resulting in inferior quality education and fewer chances for students. Because

they may alter teachers' expectations and opinions of students, racial stereotypes also

contribute to the persistence of educational gaps.

In addition, racial stereotypes still impact various societal issues, such as how people

are portrayed in the media, how the criminal justice system operates, and how people are
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hired. The media frequently reinforces negative stereotypes by influencing public perception

and fostering biases. Inequalities in arrest, sentence, and incarceration rates are still a problem

in the criminal justice system due to racial profiling. Minority people may also encounter

prejudice due to unfair hiring procedures or a lack of representation in particular professions

and executive positions.

Affirmative action and fair housing have aided in promoting equality and justice, but

they cannot reverse racism's lasting impacts (Gertrude 81-107). People from marginalized

groups struggle with access to employment, housing, healthcare, and education due to

slavery, segregation, and systematic racism. Education exposes these inequalities, and

minority populations suffer long-term effects from redlining and housing discrimination. To

overcome discrimination, society must recognize past wrongs and move towards a more just

future. Comprehensive, non-legislative actions, ongoing education, and investment in poor

communities promote education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

Individuals, communities, and institutions must keep up their efforts to challenge and

resist prejudice as we advance. In order to achieve this, continued work must be put into

addressing hidden biases, advancing diversity and inclusion, and fighting for laws that

support more equal systems. Education is essential for promoting empathy and

understanding, dispelling preconceptions, and creating a culture that values variety rather

than cultivating prejudice.

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Works Cited

Ezorsky, Gertrude. Racism and justice: The case for affirmative action. Cornell

University Press, 2018: 81-107.

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Random House, 1997.

Jones, Kristen P., et al. "Subtle discrimination in the workplace: A vicious

cycle." Industrial and Organizational Psychology 10.1 (2017): 51-76.