Black, Green, White, and Frenchies

“The Ethics of Jim Crow” by Richard Wright sheds a very unique light on the Jim Crow laws of the South. It was very reminiscent of Frederick Douglass’ narrative in that it was an account from a southern black man with the intention of exposing the racial tension and problems in the American south. This is by no means a romantic portrayal of the South but is meant to show how cruel an environment early 20^th century southern life was for African-Americans.

For Wright, the differences between whites and blacks come very clear to him at an early age. I found it interesting how Wright uses colors to describe the differences at the beginning of the text. He uses three colors in the first chapter a number of times: white, black and green. The white and black shouldn’t need too much of an explanation, but I liked how he used the color green, trees, bushes, and nature to describe the white’s property (although the houses are white, of course). White people had big lawns, trees, and bushes while blacks had a “skimpy yard with black cinders.”(548) The first difference begins not with any physical or mental comparison, but a comparison of property. Not only is the white’s property more pleasant to look at, but proves dangerous for blacks, as the white find cover in the trees and bushes while throwing bottles at the black kids who are armed merely with cinders and no cover. Wright says “Even today when I think of white folks, the hard, sharp outlines of white houses surrounded by trees, lawns and hedges are present somewhere in the background of my mind. Through the years they grew into an overreaching symbol of fear.”(549) Wright has come to identify white people with the property they own, and learned to be afraid of everything about it.

Another perspective I found really interesting in this reading was the reaction of other, older blacks every time Wright comes home hurt or embarrassed because he didn’t follow the Jim Crow laws perfectly. After quitting his job at the optical company in order to walk away with his life he goes home and “When I told the folks at home what happened, they called me a fool.”(551) I would have expected support, comfort, and advice. His mom beats him when he comes home with three stitches in his neck after the white boys hit him with a milk bottle, says they were right to hit him with it, and tells Wright he should thank God they didn’t kill him.(549) I was surprised by the lack of community in Wright’s portrayal of Southern blacks. Given, this is one short piece, but there is no mention of family outside of his mother beating him. I would have thought they all the blacks would look out for, protect, and educate each other. This is not the case in Wright’s writing. He portrays his fellow blacks as strangely independent. Everyone must learn these lessons of Jim Crow life on their own.

I’d like to conclude by noting how much I enjoyed the part where Wright talks about what topics were taboo for whites to speak to blacks about. It honestly made me laugh out loud, even though I know it shouldn’t have, but some of the topics were pretty hilarious or so obvious that it was funny he included them. Among my favorites-France; the entire Northern part of the U.S.; French women, the Pope, social equality, Socialism/Communism, and slavery. Mostly, I liked how the most accepted topics were sex and religion. While I think it’s safe to say sex is still a hot conversation topic among men in any blue collar working environment still today, I think religion has taken a backseat to celebrity gossip, fantasy sports, and my sources tell me that France and the 13^thamendment have snuck in there.