The Growth of Racial Discrimination in a Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun is the play that has brought a significant change in the American theatre. Lorraine Hansberry, the author had experienced segregation, the enforced separation of the white and the blacks in her childhood. Chicago turned out to be the first city with divided white and black neighborhoods. Her family was the first one to move into the white neighborhood. However, she went to a school reserved for the blacks. Neighbors started threatening them with legal action and violence. This is when Hansberry’s father took the matter to the Supreme Court. A Raisin in the Sun is autobiographical. The key characters of the domestic tragedy are Lena ‘Mama’ Younger, Beneatha Younger, and Walter Younger. In this essay sample, we will talk about the racial aspect of the play.

A Raisin in the Sun the Turning Point

This domestic tragedy can be taken to be a turning point in regards to American art. This is because it addresses various issues of the 1950s. This age is mocked in the modern era as an age of conformism and complacency. With the end of World War II, there was a growth in racial and domestic tension. 1950s America, the land of black content and their inferior status brought about a social resentment. Ultimately, this found a public voice in feminist movements and the civil rights of the 1960s.

A Raisin in the Sun is a revolutionary work of its times. Hansberry has created a Younger family. The growth of racial discrimination in a Raisin in the Sun is the most honest depictions. That is why students are often given a Raisin in the Sun research essay to be done. Not only does it explore the tension between black and white societies but it is also the strain inside the black community regarding how they should react in an oppressive community. Hansberry’s play asks some difficult questions about identity and assimilation. Though Joseph Asagai, Hansberry showcases a trend of celebrating the African heritage. When he calls for a native revolt, the author is predicting the anti-colonial struggles in the African countries of upcoming decades and the necessity of integration.

Racism in a Raisin in the Sun

The play has three acts and doesn’t just explore the tension between black and white but also between strains that existed in the black community regarding how they should react to the oppressive white society. Several characters have been introduced in the play and they suffered various problems. Each character comes with different dreams.

The play ends on reconciliation and fights against racial discrimination. Finally, they won over the white community. The idealism of gender and race boils down to timeless points. The play primarily focuses on the dreams that drive and motivate the main characters. These dreams function in a positive manner and they lift mind off the hard work and the difficult lifestyle that they are leading. It creates dissatisfaction with the present situation. Nevertheless, the negative dream emerges from focusing on the materialistic goals instead of familial happiness and pride. According to Hansberry, as long as people make an attempt to do the best for their families, they will be able to lift each other.

Racism has been a major issue in the United States since colonial times and a burden of this falls on African Americans. There are many essay examples on this topic. The play talks about racial prejudices. The white population settled down in America and the blacks had been brought into the country as the slaves. The white didn’t prefer living with blacks and took the latter to be untouchables. The racial prejudice was spread purposefully by a section of the white people. They are known as fundamentalists or racists. They would like to retain their own identity while dividing society.

People threatened blacks with violence. The play showcases the suffering of the oppressed half of the society and the feelings of the various characters.

The housing industry shown in the play is racist in nature due to the differences in the housing cost between white and black communities and their different localities. Ruth and Walter Young are surprised that Mama has bought a house in a white neighborhood as it can put their lives at risk. She says that the houses available for the colored are available at double the price and are located in segregated communities.

Beneatha explains that several minor intellectuals, such as Lorraine Hansberry, have a cynical approach towards religion. She has lost all hope in Christianity and God due to the dominance of white people.

Karl Linder also offers an insight into the racist Christian leaders. He has dressed up professionals and is showcased as a gentleman. According to him, most of the troubles are because people do not sit down and talk to each other.

Later, Carl Hansberry was sued as he remained in the new neighborhood and mobs hurled bricks through the window.

The role of racism in the segregated housing of Chicago is an essential focus of A Raisin in the Sun. Lorrain Hansberry has portrayed the struggle of the African American people in a realistic way.