Interpretation of Black Like Me

Essay by kjeezyfotweezyHigh School, 11th gradeA+, April 2004

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In the book, Black Like Me, John Howard Griffith tells a story of an experiment that he made. Griffith, a white novelist, couldn't really understand what blacks went through in the Deep South. He decided to darken his skin and see what life was like. The book is about all of the trials and tribulations that he experienced during his experiment. Griffith was very suprised by the difference in the way he was treated as a black man from the way he was treated as a white man. This is a great idea and truly honorable and daring effort to bring light to the ways of the people in the South. Reading this book left me both shocked and amazed as to how human beings could treat other human beings with no respect whatsoever.

I found it amazing, the things that we as everyday people take for granted. Griffith found himself forbidden from doing things as a black man that he did as a white on a daily basis, for example ordering a drink at the soda fountain in a drugstore.

He was the same person, but because his skin was darker, he was treated differently. It is amazing to see a white man experience what black men talk about. Griffith found a full understanding of racial discrimination. He found himself growing depressed due to the unjust treatment he was recieving as a black man, thus explaining the rise in suicide attempts among blacks. If after only a few days Griffith was entering depression, how must have blacks felt on a daily basis?

Griffith realizes that although the standard of living among the blacks may not be high, the level of dignity and honor is much higher than that of the whites. The blacks are always looking to help...