Life On The Color Line Analysis

Gregory Howard Williams tells of his story from when he was born in 1943 through his book “life on the color line.” Gregory starts out life living officially as a white child with his mother and father for his first ten years. After his mother left to be away from his abusive father, Gregory went with his father to live with his father’s family. Since Gregory was part black, and he was now living with his black relatives, he was then known officially as a black child. This changes his life by giving him less opportunities and more scrutiny from his teachers and peers. Gregory and his younger brother end up living with an older lady known as Dora Smith, who helps teach Gregory honesty and how to deal with the discrimination. Gregory grows up
I thought it was astounding that one could even change classifications on paper just by who they are living with, even with no choice of their own. Gregory was put in a unique situation where he not only got to see how life was as being classified as a white and colored person but even got a whole new perspective because of his situation. For example while he was being classified as colored, he was not allowed to date a white girl. However if he attempted to date a colored girl with a darker skin tone than him, he was scrutinized just as much. Gregory also missed many chances and recognitions that he should have received as well. When he found himself enjoying basketball he was soon discouraged when he was moved down the team. Losing his joy of basketball he focuses on schooling and finds another passion in history. When he was in sixth grade, even though his grades were great, because he was officially recognized as being colored, he was not allowed an award for is academic achievements. Despite these discriminations Gregory still strive for his dreams and eventually made