African American Culture In Kathryn Stockett's The Help

In Kathryn Stockett’s The Help, there are many references to historical events and figures that each lends insight to African American culture in the southern United States in the 1960’s. One example of a historical reference in the novel was included in the many instances where segregation was present. Throughout the books, segregation was a very prominent issue, showing up with Hilly’s bathroom initiative and when the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi didn't want a biracial committee. As displayed, the mayor of Jackson at the time, Mayor Thompson, said, “‘I am not going to appoint a biracial committee. … I believe in the separation of the races and that’s the way it’s going to be,” (Stockett 231). For explanation, Mayor Allen Thompson, of Jackson,

This occurred because of Mayor Thompson’s beliefs that colored people were not equal to white people, thus, the city of Jackson was very racist, as a result of the rules set there and the people who resided there. In effect, the Mayor excluding people of color from participating in a career that should be available to all, aids in displaying African American culture in the south, as it shows the prejudiced treatment they lived with, as well as why they wanted to start a Civil Rights Movement. Another instance where a historical event was present in The Help was the death of Medgar Evers, as he was shot, allegedly, by a member of the KKK, “ The KKK was here, five minutes away, to hunt down a colored man,” (Stockett 229). During the 1960’s, extreme racist were very present, even the ones who weren’t considered the KKK, each of these groups displayed bitterness towards all people of color. As a result of these hate groups, many innocent colored people died or were badly injured, thus causing the entirety of the African Americans, especially in the south, to be fearful of white