Racial Prejudice in A Raisin in the Sun Essay

Racial Prejudice in The Raisin in the Sun

Racial prejudice prior to the civil rights movement was not only the way a person thinks, instead it was America. Racial prejudice was ingrained in our laws and institutions. It is the act of judging someone due to their race, prior to having knowledge of them or their personality. There are many issues that accompany racial prejudice, but one of the main issues is that it is simply degrading; which can lead to many other issues such as fighting within the family.

When Lena buys a house in Clybourne Park, at first there are mixed emotions; however, Mr. Lindner a member of the welcoming committee feels opposed towards the idea. The community feels against having colored people in their neighborhood, so they are willing to buy back their house at a financial benefit to the Younger family. Without even knowing the family, the people of Clybourne Park prematurely reached the conclusion that the Younger family is like the rest of colored people. Upon hearing the proposal, the family is against the idea; however, when Walter tries to make an intelligent investment with the remaining $6,500, he loses it all to the sly Willy Harris. At that point, Walter became desperate, and therefore decided to accept the welcoming committees offer. After discussing the idea with his family, everyone except for Walter is appalled by the idea. Walter is a prejudiced chauffer; whose philosophy is that life is all about money. Lena believes that their family has worked hard to earn their current status, and that money doesnt determine who they are. Racial prejudice clearly degraded Lena, which caused internal fighting within the family.

Lena says, Go on, so, you show your boy what our five generations done come to, (pg. 200). This is taking place when Mr. Lindner has come to bribe the family to leave Clybourne Park after Walter has decided to accept the money. Even though Lena convinces Walter not to take the bribe, it still shows the heavy effect that racial prejudice can have on people. It shows how racial prejudice can lead to fighting within the family and emotional distress or degrading effects. The quote also illustrates how racial prejudice oppresses people into staying in their current social status. The quote shows how racial prejudice leads to most, if not all of the Younger familys problems.

The Younger family lives during an oppressive era during the civil rights movement. Despite many generations of hard work and perseverance, the Younger family still faces many of the issues that they faced many years ago. Racial prejudice is a limiting quality that demoralizes people. The author uses the instance when Mr. Linder tries to bribe the Younger family to leave Clybourn Park to show how racial prejudice can negatively impact even the strongest families.