July 8, 2011
Page 40
"He took off his hat as I approached him. He had known me all my life, and he knew my aunt and all my people before me, but since I had gone off to the university and returned as a teacher, he treated me with great respect." - Grant's thoughts as he approached Mr. Farrell Jarreau, a "small, light-brown man in his late fifties" who worked for Mr. Henri Pichot.
This explanation speaks in multitudes about just how prominent Grant is in his society. He has much respect from a man, who is considered an elder, therefore Grant should show the most respect to him. But that is not the case. This shows how an African American getting a degree in this time is a thing of great importance. It also shows how no matter what, African Americans will always be nothing to respect by white men. Henri expects Grant to call him sir even though he does not work for him. And that relates back to Jefferson begin called a hog. Within the black community Grant is an accomplished, well-versed man, but within the greater aspect of society, he is basically nothing.
Which is lame and stinks :(
ReplyDeleteWhat can Grant do in this situation? Is he responsible for changing this because he is more worldly? Should he just cover/watch his own butt and do what's best for him--society and surrounding be damned? How does this reflect back on us as individuals in a fundamentally flawed society?