Walter White Racial Discrimination Essay
Racial discrimination is the use of skin color, ethnic origin or nationality to apply preformed perceptions against individuals. The advent of racial prejudice has a long history in America with its peak noted in the 18th century, when there was widespread mistreatment of the Black population. The institution of slave trade and their prevalent exploitation led to the emergence of civil rights activism, which constituted groups of abolitionists that ware against this trade. Amidst this institution, there were those that avoided marginalization by acquiring the white identity through racial passing. This includes those who changed their names and nationality to conceal their individuality as well as those who used the advantage of being a mixed
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However, from the current state of the society this moral compass is lacking. It is safe to say that Walter White’s story is identified with by many African Americans whose life and children’s lives were plagued by the battle of being Mulatto during the Jim Crow Era. It is also slightly comforting to know that Griffin was not the only individual to experience and attempt to share the plight of the Negro. Practically overlooked, in the wake of Griffin's escapade, were the encounters of columnist Ray Sprigle. In 1948, Sprigle composed a series of articles under the title, "I Was a Negro in the South for 30 Days," which was distributed in numerous daily papers after masking himself as a Black man. The efforts of these men are highly revered. Walter White and John H. Griffin’s stories were well written, engaging, and gave America two perspectives that were unfavorable yet essential. Racial passing is a direct product of racial discrimination. It is usually expected that individuals will pass for personal reasons such as escaping slavery or the hardships thrust upon them due to the label “Colored”. “Black Like Me” and “A Man Called White” present to us two men with unselfish desires who used racial passing to aid in the steps toward creating unity among Blacks and
However, from the current state of the society this moral compass is lacking. It is safe to say that Walter White’s story is identified with by many African Americans whose life and children’s lives were plagued by the battle of being Mulatto during the Jim Crow Era. It is also slightly comforting to know that Griffin was not the only individual to experience and attempt to share the plight of the Negro. Practically overlooked, in the wake of Griffin's escapade, were the encounters of columnist Ray Sprigle. In 1948, Sprigle composed a series of articles under the title, "I Was a Negro in the South for 30 Days," which was distributed in numerous daily papers after masking himself as a Black man. The efforts of these men are highly revered. Walter White and John H. Griffin’s stories were well written, engaging, and gave America two perspectives that were unfavorable yet essential. Racial passing is a direct product of racial discrimination. It is usually expected that individuals will pass for personal reasons such as escaping slavery or the hardships thrust upon them due to the label “Colored”. “Black Like Me” and “A Man Called White” present to us two men with unselfish desires who used racial passing to aid in the steps toward creating unity among Blacks and