People are sometimes asked, “When did you become aware of your race?” This was not that moment for me, though around this time, I certainly realized that my race marked me as a thief. My aunt was being held by the mall police for shoplifting. “I swear she didn’t steal anything,” she said, crying, her head in her hands. When we arrived, my cousin was sitting on the edge of the pavement by the parking lot, waiting for us. We were on our way to one of the tax-free outlet malls in Delaware, but not to shop. “Don’t come back!” Not long after, I recall being inside a stuffy car with my grandmother. Just when I had settled on Famous Amos, I felt a hard push, then heard the words “Get out! Get out!” We were stealing, the shop owner said. I remember the outing vividly-even the brands of chocolate-chip cookies I was torn between buying. GradeSaver, 29 September 2021 Web.W hen I was 7 years old, I went with my friends to a nearby corner store after school. Next Section Symbols, Allegory and Motifs Previous Section Quotes How To Cite in MLA Format Will, Elisa. Will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback. You can help us out by revising, improving and updatingĪfter you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft.

Whitehead addresses crucial societal menaces affecting the African-American community and the society at large like corruption, privilege, power, race, morality, crime, civil rights, and black heritage. The story is surely entertaining and full of humor, as it undoubtedly highlights African-American's prowess in writing crime sagas. These criminal operations are damaging to the community, and Whitehead uses this novel to raise subtle political and social commentary that go a long way to complement the story of African-Americans trying to escape the trappings of poverty and lead decent lives.

Whitehead exceptionally paints a vivid picture using his powerful words to depict a neighborhood that's culturally diverse and closely intertwined, that everyone in Harlem seems like part of one big family.Įverything though is not as they seem, as there exists a very influential underground world of crime that has a grip on Harlem. Set in the vibrant and booming city of New York, Harlem of the 1950s and 60s, it explores the everyday life of the people that live in this inviting yet chaotic community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.Ĭolson Whitehead ventures into new territories, moving away from the heavy-handed social commentary, and into a close-knit story about family, loyalty, and crime. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

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