Justice In Richard Wright's Black Boy

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In Richard Wright's Black Boy, Richard, is a rebellious teenager with a strong hunger for justice. First, there is not much food to go around because of his parent’s absence and his hatred amongst family members; therefore, he is forced to work and pay for his own food. Second, his education takes on many adversities that cause time off from the classroom. Third, Richard fights for what he believes in and does not accept the common thoughts of blacks. Weather at work, in school, or on the streets, Richard has a desire to go overboard and test the whites that try to control him. The situation that begins Richard's story has him “[begging]” for food. Richard decides to work for his own food and clothing, and not fall into the isms of the other …show more content…
His mother is in need of groceries and Richard is up to the task. He gets beaten the first few times by a “group of boys”, but his mother teaches him to “stand up for himself”. She gives him a “stick” and instructs him to “swing it” if they get close. If he wants to make it in the real world, he will have to follow his mother’s orders and fight for himself. At home Uncle Tom gets angry at Richard for giving an estimated time and his even sassier response. Richard is not sure why is uncle is making such a big “deal”. His uncle is bewildered by Richard's response and can not seem to understand why he would act in that manner. His uncle proceeds to “whip him”, but Richard decided a long time ago nobody was “going to whip [him]”. Richard fights back with a “razor” because he is tired of being abused and beaten for petty offenses. The most important situation in Richards youth is when he wins the right to work. This is his goal and he finally achieves it. He confronts his granny about wearing “shabby clothes” while she insist he does not work on Saturdays because it goes against the Church, but he wants to “get a job anyway”. She threatens him and he does not take it as a joke as he is determined to “leave this minute”. He runs to his room and brings down a full suitcase. Granny is beyond mad at the young man who is making life decisions, but his mom is happy he “defined …show more content…
First, he is physically starving to death because of a lack of money and care from his parents; as a result, he works for money and experiences how the world works very early in his young life. Second, he is most engaged when he is in school because it is interesting to him, but he has to deal with teachers and administrative faculty that want him to fail, which makes school a undesirable place. Richard is not one to sit and watch; rather, he tries to “get in the way” and not let people judge or subjugate him just because he is a young black kid. Whether at work, in school, or on the streets, Richard has a drive that does not let him be dominated or controlled by the white
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