A Raisin In The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry

In the American society of the 1950s, prevalence of discrimination strongly existed against colored people and women. To speak of this injustice, Lorraine Hansberry wrote a drama which revolved around characters whose such views plagued the lives of others. In the drama, A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry exposes the presence of oppression and white supremacy through the characters of George Murchison, Mrs. Johnson, and Mr. Linder.
Although George Murchison is depicted as a colored man, Hansberry still utilizes him to show the prevalence of white supremacy and oppression in the black community through his support of assimilation and his contempt for other blacks. During a conversation between her and her mother, Beneatha Younger states,

“[F]irst I’m going to be a doctor”. Then, she reveals that George Murchison discourages her dream to become a doctor and “still thinks that’s pretty funny” (Hansberry I. i). Without the consideration of Beneatha’s emotions, George oppresses her and her dream because he envisions that all women should to assimilate to the American culture and become subservient to men. For example, in the American culture of the 1950s, women only had jobs doing domestic works or nursing. Furthermore, George underestimates Beneatha’s capability of becoming a doctor and overcoming the standards society has set for women. When Beneatha informs her mother about her date, she describes George and his family as “honest-to-God-real-live-rich colored people” and states that “the only people in the world more snobbish than rich white people are rich colored people” like George (Hansberry I. i). Although George has become wealthy, his wealth does not impress Beneatha because she realizes that it has changed his personality. In fact, Beneatha reveals that George has become an assimilationist and has climbed up the social ladder. As a result, he has become judgmental toward the lower classes of the black community. As Beneatha tries to connect to her heritage in an expressive dance, George arrives to take her out on a date. Because Beneatha is not assimilating to the American culture but instead is becoming aware of her heritage, George has become angered and frustrated toward her. Additionally, he believes that the African heritage is centered around “a bunch of raggedy-a[**]ed spirituals” and stories about “the great . . . empires[,] . . . civilizations[,] . . . sculpture [and] . . . poetry” and “some grass huts” (Hansberry II. i). By his own words, George voices his support of assimilation to the American culture because he believes that gaining knowledge of his African heritage is just a sentimental waste of time. Therefore, George oppresses Beneatha’s engagement in her own heritage.
As a result of the carefully chosen characterization of Mrs.

Johnson, Hansberry reveals the major theme of white supremacy through segregation and oppression and discouragement of the Younger family’s dreams. As Beneatha strolled into the apartment and speaks only a few words to Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson voices, “[S]ometimes she [Beneatha] acts like ain’t got time to pass the time of day with nobody ain’t been to college . . . you know how some of our young people gets when they get a little education” (Hansberry II. ii). Through responses like these, Mrs. Johnson displays herself as hypocritical. Though she states that she is not criticizing Beneatha, other statements from her indeed support that she is critiquing Beneatha. Above all, Mrs. Johnson oppresses Beneatha’s dream to be successful and also discourages Beneatha’s pride in being educated. In addition, Mrs. Johnson voices that colored people should not aim for something higher in life. During her conversation with the Youngers, Mrs. Johnson criticizes them once again by saying they were “one proud-acting bunch of colored folks” and then supports her argument by quoting Booker T. Washington who once stated, “‘Education has spoiled many a good plow hand’” (Hansberry II. ii). By her statements, Mrs. Johnson shows her insincerity for the feelings of others. For instance, she insults Beneatha’s desire to become educated and insists that Walter having the job of a chauffeur monitors Booker T. Washington’s knowledge that only few colored people should become educated. When talking to the Youngers, Mrs. Johnson exclaims, “Lord—I bet this time next month y’all’s names will have been in the papers plenty—‘NEGROES INVADE CLYBOURNE PARK—BOMBED!’” (Hansberry II. ii). To further emphasize the prevalence of racial tension in society, Mrs. Johnson warns the Youngers of the consequences that could come when the family moves into the white neighborhood. Moreover, she supports her claim that colored people should

assimilate to society and not try to achieve big dreams in life. Though the Youngers are not pushed back by her, Mrs. Johnson tries to discourage and oppress all of their dreams.
Through the character of Mr. Karl Lindner, chairman of the Welcoming Committee of Clybourne Park, and his racial discrimination, Hansberry presents the major theme of oppression of the Younger’s dreams and supremacy of the white race. When Mr. Lindner offers the Youngers money for the home that they had recently purchased in Clybourne Park, he states he must do this because “people get along better, take more of a common interest in the life of the community, when they share a common background”. In addition, he believes that the concept has nothing to do with “race prejudice” but that “Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities” (Hansberry II. iii). By offering to buy the house back from the Youngers, Mr. Lindner reveals that he wants Clybourne Park to be free of colored people. Because Mr. Lindner strongly denies that racial discrimination exists, he declares that the Welcoming Committee’s decision has nothing to do with racism. Truly, Mr. Lindner is blinded by the belief that colored families are happier when they are surrounded by their own kind, but the Youngers solely desire to provide better living circumstances that their old apartment has not provided for them. To discourage the Younger’s determination to move into Clybourne Park, Mr. Lindner claims that colored people “aren’t wanted” and some white people “feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve worked for is threatened”. (Hansberry II. ii). Although previously Mr. Lindner presented the committee’s offer in a deceptively kind manner, he now bluntly states that colored people are not wanted in Clybourne Park. Ironically, he also proclaims that colored people threaten white people when they move into the neighborhoods. Instead, the honest statement would be that colored families feel threatened and discriminated by white people, much like what Mr. Lindner treated the Youngers. When Walter Lee Younger presents his speech and declines Mr. Lindner and the Welcoming Committee’s offer, Mr. Lindner is dumbfounded and questions Walter’s competence by asking Mama Younger “to appeal” because he believes that she is “older and wiser and understands things better” than Walter. (Hansberry II. iii). By ignoring Walter’s request and requiring Mama Younger to make the final, Mr. Lindner talks condescendingly toward Walter and undermines Walter’s integrity. Intentionally, Mr. Lindner does not believe Walter’s plea because he desires to completely discourage black people’s self-determination to make lives better for themselves and their families.
In the drama, A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry depicts the occurrence of white superiority as well as oppression with the assistance of the detailed representation of the characters of George Murchison, Mrs. Johnson, and Mr. Linder. Through the characters’ support of discriminatory acts and discouragement, the Youngers’ dreams, self-motivation, and well-being are partially destroyed and their lives are filled with overwhelming hardships. Even through the oppression and discrimination that they faced, the Youngers overcame the standards of society.