Black Boy
I. Summary
Black Boy by Richard Wright is an autobiographical look at his life. It covers his life from the age of 4 years to his mid 20's. The book shows the life of a young black man growing up in the south with Jim Crow laws and the general hate for blacks by whites. After realizing that the color of his skin limited his opportunities in the south he dreamed of moving north for a different life. Eventually he moved north to Chicago, but only saw little difference in racial equality. In Chicago he began associating with the communist party: because of their fair treatment of blacks. Black Boy illustrates the plight of black America and how Wright dealt with it through education and reading. In his quest for knowledge, Wright stirred up animosity among both blacks and whites.
William Wright was born September 4,1908 on a farm in Mississippi.
A billiard hall for African Americans in Memphis, ...
"White" and "Jim Crow" railcars; racial segregatio...
Kevin and I with Paul Wright at Sonfest 2005He was the oldest of two, his brother Alan was a year younger. Wright had a rough childhood; plagued by poverty, abandonments, and constant beatings by family members. Through all of his hardships Wright never lost sight of what was important, his education and his self-esteem.
At a very early age Richard has to deal with some extremely tough issues. At the mere age of five, Richards father left him and the family behind for another woman. This financially ruined his family even worse. His mother had to get a job to feed them. His father offered no financial support nor did a court order him to. Because his mother could not earn enough money to buy food, Wright went out to find work to help; foregoing an education. At age 8 his mother suffered a stroke which paralyzed her, this made her unable to work. She...