May 2018 Host:  Nancy

Black Boy by Richard Wright

Summary

This is an autobiography which begins by describing how it was for a black boy growing up in the 1910s and 1920s and gives first-hand accounts of the physical and psychological issues he faced from both whites and even his own family.   Even as an adult he was also always expected to be a boy, in his job titles such as cleaning boy or elevator boy, and was expected to be downcast and slump shouldered.  He was not allowed to look at another white person in the eyes or even display any emotion except fear or humility.  Richard eventually heads North and the second part of this book describes his adult life as a communist in Chicago.  Overall this is a very interesting read and recommended to anyone interested in learning more about the Jim Crow era and the harsh effects on blacks.  

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White Chicken Chili