A Challenge to Racial Discrimination in the US
A large number of people who believed that the division was improper fiercely opposed the widespread practice of racism toward black people in the US, especially in the southern states. James Baldwin, Martin Luther King, and Ta-Nehesi Coates are just a few of the authors who have produced works that challenge the pervasive isolation that was aimed at black people. The three authors produce writings at various times that they direct to various readers with the intention of educating them about the injustice that blacks experienced due to the white population. The three convey a similar message—that discrimination against the black community is wrong—despite coming from different backgrounds. The three scholars' writings develop a common topic which is the need to suppress racial inequality that existed between the white and black populations. The topic comes out clearly in James Baldwin's "Letter to My Nephew on the Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation" through his reference to the idea that white people subject blacks to harsh living conditions that can barely sustain a good life. Baldwin develops the concept of racial inequality by informing his nephew that "This innocent country sets you down in a ghetto in which, in fact, it intended that you should perish" (2). Luther's letter which he writes from the Birmingham jail also creates the essence of ending racial segregation through the statements he makes. Luther (1) for instance, mentions that his major cause for being in jail is because the white population detests black's presence in America. He further proceeds to mention that the injustice black people face contributes towards his tribulations. Readers through the statements, easily learn of the injustice black people faced during the era when whites assumed supremacy. Coates (2) in his letter, informs his son of a situation where the killers of a black person (Michael Brown) go free because of their race. The letter's writer through the statement shows how black people's lives were regarded to be inferior compared to white people's lives. The three scholars not only identify the same problem, but also have a common view of the issue. They all feel that enmity would increase between the two groups if the process of building equality delays.
Solutions to End Racial Segregation
All the scholars who address letters to different recipients come up with solutions that they feel would lower the enmity that exists between black and white populations. Baldwin (3) for example, advises his son to show love to the whites instead of expressing their anger and displeasure which may aggravate the problem. Baldwin (2) writes "The terrible thing old buddy is that you must accept them. And I mean that very seriously" to show how he feels being kind in return would transform how whites relate with blacks. Luther on his part feels that the only way to end the tussle is to allow black people enjoy the privileges whites enjoy such as good education and better health services. Coates on his part, feels that the black community should not give up in their quest for freedom. Coates (13) makes readers aware of his solution by stating that "You are called to struggle, not because it assures you victory but because it assures you an honorable and sane life". Readers however, note that Luther and Coates develop solutions that are more aggressive in nature compared to Baldwin's. Whereas Baldwin feels that showing love in return would end the segregation, Luther and Coates believe being persistent in the struggle would develop unity. All in all, the writers develop solutions that they feel would be helpful in ending segregation against the black community.
Timeless Message Against Racial Segregation
Even though the writers create their documents in different time periods that does not alter the message they intend to pass. All three clearly show that racial segregation against the black population is incorrect and should end to witness equal growth. Writing in the different time frames only informs readers that segregation has been part of the society for many years. Readers through the three letters acquire the awareness that the white population suppress black people simply because the latter group are immigrants and also because of color.
Conclusion
The letters the scholars present to different recipients pass a common message that racial discrimination is incorrect and should not prevail. Baldwin feels that whites subject blacks to poor living conditions which make it difficult to attain equality. The scholar feels that to end the segregation, the black population should relate with whites in a friendly way to build a good relationship. Luther, on his part, feels that liberating black people from the oppression they face will end the confrontation that exists between the two races. Coates' solution to the problem is that black people should not relent in their quest for equality. Finally, even though the scholars develop their writings within different time periods, they still pass a common message that racial segregation is wrong.
Works Cited
Baldwin, James. Letter to my Nephew on the Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation. n.a. Print.
Coates, Ta-Nehisi. Letter to my Son. 2015. Print.
Luther, Martin. Letter from Birmingham. 1963. Print.
