A Raisin In The Sun Racism Quotes

In the timeless play “ A Raisin in the Sun” by african american writer Lorraine Hansberry, one of the most significant theme is that there is an intersection of sexism and racism. This pattern of conflicting attitudes are both limiting and demeaning.

In the play, a speaker who stands out and is a big example of this intersection of sexism and racism is Walter. A first example of this is with his addresses colored women in the world specifically. “ This is what is wrong with the colored woman in this world… Don't understand about building up their men and making ‘em feel like somebody. Feel like they can do something.” This connects with the theme because, as a black man that experience racism more often than not, he still degrades women

and of color. Considering the similarities is Walter any better than other people who is racist or sexist.

Another example of Walter being both sexist and racist is his feelings and beliefs towards his sister Beneatha’s dream. “Who the hell told you to go and be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people- then go be a nurse- or just get married and shut up”. This comment on Beneatha and her dream of becoming a doctor compels the feelings of the time. The fact that she wanted to be a doctor as a women and a colored women was an outrage enough to Walter that it alludes to the fact that was abnormal life. Enough for a brother to degrade his sisters dream. Another character that is another illustration of the connection is Walter's sister, Beneatha. With the instance where Beneatha talks about rich people and pay special attention to a certain race. “... the only people in the world that are more snobbish then rich white people are rich colored people.” Beneatha being a colored women but being judgemental towards people of her race for their successes. With this it shows her belief in racism and shows that she too is demeaning to others and, applying it to all genders also. My final character that I think represents this theme is Mama.

Some may say this is just mistaken for the age of Mama and her old time beliefs. But the way you were brought up affects who you are but you do choose your own choices. In a quote of the play Mama comment pay close attention to race. “Well let her have it. I'll call up and say you have the flu”. In this quote from the play it again demeans both races because it makes it seem as colored people they assume things of their race and accept how they are being seen. With them accepting how they are seen they limit themselves. Also in the play while Beneatha is speaking about her worries on becoming a doctor but not getting married, to Mama this was unacceptable. “ If, Now Bennie”. In this it shows the fact that it would be a outrage at the time that she as a woman would have chosen a career over a marriage. With this being a shock to Mama it shows the sexism, that a women must get married it makes it seem that is really only real important thing, which is limiting to the group of modern women who choose to be feminist in this time period.
Looking through the play it displays the intersection and connection of racism and sexism in many of the characters and, it represent the thought and the beliefs that consequently limited the people of the time.