Racism Destroys Us All
How many people would say they are prejudiced? Although most people are prejudiced about something, they would probably say they have no prejudices. Perhaps the most painful form of prejudice is racism. Although most of us try to avoid the issue of racism, it is all around us. It is unavoidable. In his story, "Lawyers League," Sherman Alexie confronts racism and its effects openly. He tells how a person can be both the victim of racism as well as the racist. It also illustrates how racism destroys people's lives as well as their dreams.
In this story, Richard is a Political Science graduate of the University of Washington. He is half black and half Native American descent. His goal is to be the President of the United States. During the story he is portrayed as both the victim of racism as well as a being a racist.
Sign for "colored" waiting room at a Greyhound bus...
Richard & Friend
the gang + Richard DawkinsBy the end of the story racism has destroyed his dreams and left him alone, wondering what his life could have been.
Although minorities, like Richard, are most frequently the victims of racism, Sherman Alexie shows how the minorities can also display these same feelings. After meeting a woman during dinner, Richard begins thinking about marrying her. Why does he suddenly
change his mind? After seeing their reflection in a mirror he decides that, "she was short, blond, blue-eyed and white-skinned" (60). Even though he clearly likes her he lets racism influence his feelings about her. Choosing not to like someone simply because they are different is racism at its worst. All over the world, every single day, thousands of people lose their lives because they are "different."
The next time we see Richard he has gone from the racist to the victim. While playing basketball with seven...