The Migration presents the dilemma that many African Americans dealt with as they gained their freedom from slavery, but must now adapt to American society as a free race. Despite family connections, staying in the south was unappealing because racial discrimination was extremely prevalent and it was dangerous to live there. The white southerners planned to “keep the Negroes down,” and they did so in any way they could think of. Negroes were constantly humiliated and talked down to. Segregation in schools obviously favored the whites, as the black children only received a fourth of the funding that white children got. On the other hand, the north could at least offer political freedom, however moving during those times was a huge risk because jobs were not guaranteed. Chicago became a popular place for African Americans to migrate to because it was more of a middle ground, easy to find work and not too far from home for many people.
There is Confusion was very confusing. Many characters appeared in this slice of the play and complicated relationships and past events were evident, but exactly what happened is hard to determine from this one scene. Philip dies from war injuries, but not before he is reunited with the love of his life. His sister played a crucial role in keeping them apart but she apologizes for her wrongdoings. Joanna finds happiness in the simple things in life after her success as a singer.
Slavery has thrown the Byes into confusion. Old man Meriwether wishes to include his illegitimate son in his will, but Peter insists that Meriwether reveal the truth and claim his son. When Meriwether refuses Peter also refuses to accept any offerings to them on his son’s behalf. He has an obvious pride in refusing handouts from these white people that have so wronged them. Meriwether’s behavior seems arrogant as he expects the family to take his gifts without condition, he does not realize that black people can have pride. No one involved is particularly keen that white and black blood runs in the young Meriwether’s veins.
The Fire in the Flint is the 2nd novel written during the Harlem Renaissance. Kenneth Harper is a struggling, young negro physician in a small Georgia town. Most people refuse to go to him because “he’s just a negro” and everyone knows that white doctors are better than black ones. Kenneth was very aware of the fact that democracy stops at the color line and he saw his race as a societal handicap. Dr. Williams, the only other negro doctor was old and set in his ways and did not help pave the way for young Kenneth to start his practice. When Kenneth’s mother insists he check on Mrs. Bradley though she only trusted white doctors. Dr. Bennet, her white doctor, claimed she simply had a stomach ache, but Kenneth knew immediately that she was suffering from appendicitis, despite her insistence that she did not have her appendix. After arguing with another white physician to give her anesthesia, Kenneth finally convinced him to help out with the surgery and he was able to operate. Kenneth saved Mrs. Bradley’s life and built his firm up from her wonderful reviews. Bennet, the white doctor, refused to give Kenneth credit for his diagnosis or even to admit that he was wrong about the stomach ache. The idea of white superiority is evident in this story. The arrogance of those who put down the black race is actually ignorance. I think the lesson here is that whites needed to accept that blacks were just as capable of practicing medicine or doing anything else. Stubbornness can threaten your life, as Mrs. Bradley learned. She took a chance on the black doctor and he saved her life while the white doctor would have let her die.
Works Cited
White, Walter. "The Fire and the Flint." The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader. Ed. David Lewis. New York: 1995. 351-362.
Woodsen, Carter. "The Migration of the Talented Tenth." The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader. Ed. David Lewis. New York: 1995. 6-9.
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