The Struggle for Social Justice in the American Civil Rights Movement
The struggle for social justice that took place during the 1950s characterized the American civil rights movement. The movement called for equal rights for the African Americans who lived in the United States. The American Civil Right Movement sought to abolish the violence and prejudice that surrounded the African American community despite the eradication of the slavery regime. Lorraine Hansberry tries to capture the events that took place during this era in her play A Raisin in the Sun. The play revolves around an African American family trying to escape the hard life that Chicago South Side offers them.
Lorraine Hansberry and the African American Neighborhood in Chicago
Lorraine Hansberry writes about the life she lived in the African American neighborhood in Chicago. She was born into a family of successful and educated African American parents in 1930. Lorraine lived during the era where the discrimination against the African Americans was prevalent. She chose the setting of her play as the Chicago South Side to ensure that the audience will be able to incorporate the historical context while watching the play. During the 1950’s segregation was a common norm in the south and Chicago was one of the states that reinforced the segregation rules between the whites and the African Americans (Alexander. 20). The African Americans and the whites did not live in common estates the African Americans lived in secluded neighborhoods. The neighborhoods were overpopulated and different families had to share important amenities like the bathroom (Hansberry, 28). Lorraine describes the Southside neighborhood as the slums since they did not have proper housing, it was overpopulated and the lacked better infrastructure (Hansberry, 12). Moore posits that the cost of living in Chicago was unfair for the African Americans. The property owners charged exorbitant prices for the low-cost houses and the housing taxes were quite higher for the African Americans than the whites. In addition, the overpriced housing costs ensured that the African Americans could not save enough money to afford better houses in the white estates.<\/p>
Religion and the African American Culture
Religion was an uncertain aspect of the African American culture during this period. The skepticism rose from the fact that the religious leaders during this period favored segregation. For example, in the play, Karl Lindner when talking to the Younger family about their new house in the white area states that most of the problem exists because people cannot sit down and talk to each other. Beneatha also states that Lindner suggests that people should sit down and hate each other with good Christian fellowship (Hansberry 121). Even though the white religious leaders preached about goodwill, they still believed that their neighborhoods were safe form African Americans.
Racial Tension and Discrimination
Racial tension and racial discrimination existed in the society during this period. Many of the of the African American families still did not see eye to eye due to the differences that existed in their skin complexions. The racial tension did not only exist in between the whites and the African Americans but also spread to the African Americans community. The Younger ‘s strive to rise beyond the racial and social confines but still face resistance from the whites in the community. For example, they manage to secure a property in the white environs since they want to have a better life and housing. However, the white community meets their purchase with skepticism and sends a representative from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association to try to persuade the Younger’s to sell the house and reconsider their decision to move to that area. (Hansberry, 115-119). The society did not approve of any form of integration between the whites and the African Americans. When the Africans Americans tried to secure better housing and infrastructure in the white neighborhoods, the whites saw the move as a threat to their existence and livelihood (Moor). For an instance, Mr. Lindner tells Walter that they are not welcome in that neighborhood and their presence is a threat to the life and work of the white people (Hansberry, 119). Even after the abolishment of slavery, the whites still did not see the African American as worthy people before them. They coined up all sort of words to refer to the African American people. In the play when Mr. Lindner addresses Walter he constantly refers to them as ‘you people’ when referring to the people from the African American race (Hansberry, 115). The term is not only derogatory but also creates a distinct perception that they are different from each other. Mr. Lindner goes ahead to state that he is not racists but Negros are happy when they are in their own communities. Mr. Lindner still uses another offensive term for African American families (Hansberry, 118).
New Hope in the American Civil Rights Movement
The American Civil Right Movement phase created new hope for the African America community. This phase would ensure that African Americans had better housing, education, successful careers, and employment as well as improved health care. According to Von Hoffman from late 1950, the campaigns championing for civil rights had gained momentum in the United States. In the year 1964, President John F. Kennedy approved the new civil rights legislation policy. A Raisin in the Sun is a play that captures the hope that African American individuals had about a new life after slavery. In this play, the characters seem o have to hope for a better life and state. For example, Mama in the play dreams of a happy family, freedom and a good home in the best neighborhood she can afford. Most of the whites and the African Americans believed inequality that the Civil rights would accord. Willy Harris tries to assimilate in the society by owning a liquor store with a white partner. The American Civil Rights era was a period of great hope for all Americans for equality and integration in the society.
The Relevance of A Raisin in the Sun Today
The setting of the play in Chicago is quite realistic as it characterizes the events and situations of the exact period. Additionally, Hansberry outlines the issues that the Africans Americans faced and the circumstances that defined their lives between 1950and 1960. Racism, violence between the Whites and the African Americans, equality and dreams are part of the critical terms in the American history. The play dramatizes the events that led to the creation of the American civil rights and the struggle that the African Americans went through to get recognition in the society. A Raisin in the sun is a vital player for anyone who wishes to learn about the American history. This play is still relevant in the world today as it still captures the gender and racial concerns that still exist in the world today.
Works Cited
Alexander, Michelle. "The new jim crow." Ohio St. J. Crim. L. 9 (2011): 7.
Hansberry, Lorraine. "A Raisin in the Sun. 1959." New York: Vintage
(1994).
Moore, Natalie Y. The south side: A portrait of Chicago and American segregation. Macmillan, 2016.
Von Hoffman, Alexander. "A study in contradictions: The origins and legacy of the Housing Act of 1949." Housing policy debate 11.2 (2000): 299-326.
