Analysis Of A White Man By Charles Chesnutt

What is a white man?’ is an article that takes back its readers to a period of racial tension and injustice that most people and institutions choose to forget or take for granted. The article was written by Charles Chesnutt, a lawyer, and author who lived during the post-reconstruction period. Some people believe emancipation stopped all the injustices that happened to the blacks. However, the article recounts the ugly, unjust, and disgusting history that lived on for many years and was favored by the law. It is undeniable that Chesnutt had significant problems with the manner in which the laws treated people of mixed race: himself being of mixed race. The essay touch on areas like the literary perspective, why the article is likable, the purpose

of the text, and outlining some critiques. The essay concludes that the article projects optimism of racial acceptance which came to pass in later years. Nevertheless, we should never forget the ugly past since it makes us better people.
Larger literary interpretive perspectives
Charles Chesnutt was a black author who addressed the political and social tension that existed during his era.

Although slavery had already been banned, the article communicates of an era that had failed Charles. The reading’s subtext reflects of an individual that had significant problems with the manner in which the laws treated people of mixed race. It is possible that Chesnutt did not feel accepted by either the blacks or the white. For this reason, he wrote a long political article that longed for unbiased laws that did not play favoritism to the whites while chastising people mixed with white and

black.
Understanding of the reading
Evidently, intermingling of the races was looked down upon in the southern states. Yet, the intermingling of the races was inevitable even with the archaic laws in place. The racial tension that existed during Chesnutt’s era was sickening and needed to be changed. Heroes like Chesnutt sacrificed their social status, security, and profitable employment to write articles like ‘What is a White Man?’ calling out the ills of the society. From the reading, some of the problems that faced the society included intermarriage which was categorized as a crime punishable by imprisonment and fines. Chesnutt (1889) also called out the absurdity of measuring the amount of black blood which was painstakingly identified by several states.
Why I liked the reading
Apart from presenting the problems that existed during Chesnutt’s period, the article is likable for several reasons.

The article touches on the racial tension that existed during the post-reconstruction period. Particularly, some of these social problems were ignored by most writers as they pursued matters of ‘more importance.’ However, Chesnutt realized that the social construction of the society does determine the overall performance of society. Therefore, although these issues were largely ignored by the enlightened, and educated folk who fought for equal rights, Chesnutt did not overlook them. Issues like incurring a fine and risking imprisonment if a white married a black is cruel and unimaginable. It was the reality in several

states.
Why I agreed with the writer
Naturally, I agree with the writer that measuring the whiteness of a person was disgusting and change needed to happen. People should also be allowed to marry whomever they like regardless of race. Chesnutt (1889) also agrees that the laws were backward and unsustainable since the change was inevitable and many states had progressed in racial interactions. Additionally, such laws would only increase the racial tension that existed instead of focusing on the progress of the nation.
Purpose of reading the text
Arguably, the text fulfills several purposes. First, the reader is aware of the political and racial tension during the reconstruction period. Secondly, the text provides a detailed account of the laws that were overlooked then and hardly discussed even today. Additionally, the text serves as an object of history because of the amount of detail while cautioning modern society from falling back to racism which at its core is unfair and cruel to every human being.
Critique the text
Finally, Chesnutt questions the amount of white blood that is sufficient to remove the disability of color imposed by the white supremacist laws. Instead of looking for ways to be white, Chesnutt should have been bold enough to question why laws that prevented interaction between whites and blacks still existed. It is evident that his problem was mainly with the laws that mentioned mulattos. It is possible that he cared about these laws because Chesnutt himself was mixed race and wanted to be treated like the whites. For this reason, he wonders how much white blood would be needed to remove his black disability. Stating that being back was a disability is also problematic since different races create diversity and not a disability. Additionally, talking about the social issue shows that he was already withdrawn from issues like plantation tradition, which affected the majority of African Americans at the time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, that the article projects optimism for racial acceptance which came to pass in later years. However, we should also never forget the past as it makes us better people. Unfortunately, the racial injustices that happened in the past may still dictate how society relates today. Nevertheless, it is not too late to remedy the mistakes of the past creating cohesion and unity as a nation.