The Artificial Nigger

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As the world evolves and we grow more knowledgeable of our own species, we tend to find patterns in everyday lives. We make judgements according to people's behavior's and self-competence. From today's greatest stars to the man behind JFK, they have a place in someone's mind for their repeated actions. In the knowledgeable words of Mr. Head one of the protagonist in the novel the Artificial Nigger he states that he will “carry out a moral mission in putting the boy in his place.” We become aware of the stressful relationship between Mr. Head and Nelson due to the fact that Nelson claims to be incredulously smart leaving Mr.Head powerless as a guardian. Mr. Head manipulates Nelson into thinking that they are superior to the african american race referring to them as “niggers”, encouraging Nelson's racist personality to manifest itself, reassuring Nelson his dependence upon his grandfather. Nelson's grandfather clearly states that he wants to show Nelson "everything there is to see in a city so that he would be content to stay at home for the rest of his life.” Mr. Head is cold-hearted racist and self-important but ironically Mr.Head needs his grandson, because they are both alone in this world. Mr. head tells Nelson to be aware of the “niggers” that will be in the city demonstrating his racist judgements by referring to the colored people as a “niggers.” Mr. head shows his grandson a nigger sitting across from them in the train, thinking to himself "the thing to do with a boy is to show him all it is to show. Don't hold anything back." Mr. Head passes down his prejudices to his grandson, all mistaken as a force of guidance. Mr. Head persuaded his grandson into believing the nigger sitting across from them was a bad person. N... ... middle of paper ... ...ity towards the Negros race influenced his grandson into believing that the blacks were the minority however they are extremely dangerous and only his grandfather will protect him against the world. Nelson realizes his dependence upon his grandfather. Racism is portrayed as moral lesson and it was meant to bring them closer together, but it only pushed them farther away from each other. As a result, racism still exists today , african americans vs. whites as well as vice versa. People 
are constantly discriminated or passed over for jobs because of race, 
gender or ethnicity. The society we live in today face challenges that we have never faced before. Many people have the opportunity of attending schools, when back in the face the possibilities were very slim. Ironically, people are so well educated yet, lack integrity, character, accountability and virtues.

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