Why, you reckon that racism is so influential? During the Great Depression, racism made life extra hard for black people. In Langston Hughes short story “Why, You Reckon?”, the main character narrates about an encounter he had in the depression times before the war. He is a black man in poverty walking down a street near some bars during winter. Another hungry black man convinces him to help rob “The first white guy what comes out.”(253) They go through with the mugging, but in the end the narrator is betrayed. These actions of the characters in “Why, You Reckon” are directly influenced by racism.
Initially, the narrator explained that the setting of his story took place during the depression. “I was hongry that night. Indeed, I was! Depression times before the war plants opened up.”(253) The depression lasted from 1929 to 1941, during this time jobs were scarce, more so if you were black. The narrator states that he was hungry, most likely the result of not having a job. All of the jobs that were previously considered “Negro jobs” were given to white people instead of black people, making a majority of black people jobless. …show more content…
“Even if you are starvin’, don’t starve like a fool. You must be in love with white folks or somethin’. Else scared. Do you think they care anything about you?”(253) The other guy is trying to justify robbing a white guy because they don’t care anything about them. As a result the narrator gives in because he is hungry and relates directly to what the other man is saying. Also, he presumably doesn’t want to be taunted as a white people lover by the other
Initially, the narrator explained that the setting of his story took place during the depression. “I was hongry that night. Indeed, I was! Depression times before the war plants opened up.”(253) The depression lasted from 1929 to 1941, during this time jobs were scarce, more so if you were black. The narrator states that he was hungry, most likely the result of not having a job. All of the jobs that were previously considered “Negro jobs” were given to white people instead of black people, making a majority of black people jobless. …show more content…
“Even if you are starvin’, don’t starve like a fool. You must be in love with white folks or somethin’. Else scared. Do you think they care anything about you?”(253) The other guy is trying to justify robbing a white guy because they don’t care anything about them. As a result the narrator gives in because he is hungry and relates directly to what the other man is saying. Also, he presumably doesn’t want to be taunted as a white people lover by the other