Racism Throughout 20th Century American Lit

Throughout 20th Century American Literature

Racism Adressed in Short Stories

Racism Adressed in Poetry

- Langston Hughes "I, Too, Am America," displays the speakers desire to be recognized as an equal to the white people.-"The Harlem Dancer," written by Claude McKay, revolves around the life of a colored woman who is oppressed by society and forced to use her body in order to survive.

Racism

-Booker T. Washington's "Up From Slavery," proves the stereotype wrong about how African Americans cannot succeed in a white dominated society.-"To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships"-W.E.B Dubois, "The Souls of Black Folk"-Ralph Ellison's "A Party Down at the Square," displays the torturing and public abuse of an African American man who's death is witnessed by a town of white people.-Nella Larsen's "Passing" illustrates the importance of fitting into society and being able to pass for being white.