Black Like Me By John Howard Griffin

Imagine if one's presence had the power to change the mood of those around instantly. Without missing a beat, once happy, smiling faces turned sour. The expression shown would be as if there was a rancid taste in their mouth. An individual may ask, what has happened to these people? The answer is racism. Racism has the power to reform one's mind and dehumanize them. Southern society, blinded by the color of one's skin, disabled black people to share their true identity. The entries in John Howard Griffin’s book “Black Like Me” revealed the evils of racism within the South and the grotesque views of a white man on a black man. Through Griffin's experience and transformation to a black, second class citizen in America’s racist South, he exposes

the severity of racism and how it dehumanizes and alters a man on both sides of the color line.
Journalist John Howard Griffin marveled at the empty lie the white man had created to convince the world that the South did not oppress black people. Griffin noted that the suicide rate in the Deep South had risen for black people, in spite of what white leaders were saying, “they [Southern legislators] had a “wonderfully harmonious relationship” with Negroes” (Griffin 1). This relationship was completely opposite of ‘harmonious,’ yet many continued to believe it was, the words had come from well regarded men, and no one had reason to doubt them. Griffin had long wondered what it truly was like for a black man in the deep South, because the words he had heard were not exposing the whole truth. Although haunted by the thought of experiencing discrimination, Griffin sought out to learn the answer deciding that the only way he could find the truth was to live as a black man. As Griffin introduced his idea to those who could help him, he discovered that many doubted him, such as his doctor who claimed that the idea was absurd and “ ‘[he would] get himself killed fooling around down there’ ” (Griffin 2). Nevertheless, his close friends supported him and helped to create the experiment. With the use of medication and skin tint, Griffin was able to darken his skin’s pigmentation to a dark brown and although the treatment did not work wholly, in time the color would become darker. During the last visit with his doctor, it was decided that Griffin would have his head shaved, as his hair lacked curl. The transformation was complete, Griffin acknowledged that “[he] was imprisoned in the flesh of an utter stranger, an unsympathetic one with whom [he] felt no kinship” and that “ All traces of the John Griffin [he] had been were wiped from existence” (Griffin 10). His vision of disguising himself as a black man had become a reality. The reflection was no longer himself, Griffin's past identity had faded and with the loss of his past self, the new John Howard Griffin was prepared to cross the racial border.
As a newly second class citizen, Griffin began to understand the struggles blacks had faced.

Along the way, some offered their wisdom, such as a cafe worker who told Griffin “...If you stick around this town, you’ll find out you’re going to end up doing most of your praying for a place to piss. It’s not easy, I’m telling you ” (Griffin 19). In southern society, there were designated waiting rooms, bathrooms, and water fountains segregating whites and blacks. Griffin had to learn to obey the segregation, which proved to be a challenge, especially in times of need. Many changes had to be made from his regular daily life to satisfy the privileged life of his white counterpart. He quickly observed issues within the black society as well, such as “...their attitude toward their own race [was] a destructive one” (Griffin 8). Always being treated as lesser and worthless had led black people to self-hatred and in a society where the color of one's skin dictated rank, unity amongst black people was vital. As hatred among themselves grew, it had become easier for others to discriminate them because of their color. This lack of unity among blacks only created more strife, worsening issues among their race. “He also told me things that Negroes had told him--that the lighter the skin the more trustworthy the Negro” (Griffin 8). Blacks were convinced that lighter skinned black people had more worth as opposed to darker skinned blacks. If one was of the lighter skin, or were not purely

black, they would believe themselves to be of more value and would then look down on their own. This internalized racism would further break the unity within the race. Racism had created the stigma that color of skin defined a person. Despite the constant hatred and discrimination Griffin encountered, at times friendly faces would provide comfort during stressful situations. “Let’s all do it,’ a man said” (Griffin 61). At a rest stop, black bus riders were denied the chance to exit the bus and use the restroom, as a result of this, they came together and attempted to fight the injustice. This sense of comfort was unity at work. “We must pool all of our resources, material and mental, to gain the respect that will enable all of us to walk the streets with the dignity of American citizens” (Griffin 142). T.M. Alexander, founder of an insurance company, believed that everyone was equal. There was no greater power in society, and once realized, blacks could amount to greatness. Without unity, there was no possibility for progress, Griffin noted this as a major issue for black communities.
Griffin could have never prepared for the situations he would face, because the discrimination he had experienced went far beyond his expectations.

“Suddenly I had had enough. Suddenly I could stomach no more of this degradation- not of myself but of all men who were black like me" (Griffin 132). In a short amount of time, Griffin grew accustomed to the constant hate around him and engaged in it towards himself. Racism was like a powerful virus that invaded minds and altered them to a particular way of thinking. It consumed its host and dulled any ounce of humanity left in a person.“ ‘I’ll tell you how it is here. We’ll do business with you people. We’ll sure as hell screw your women. Other than that, you’re just completely off the record as far as we’re concerned’ ” (Griffin 105). When Griffin heard these words come from the man who had just kindly given him a ride, it stung. Black women provided pleasure, so they were of importance, but aside from that black people were useless. “You can kill a nigger and toss him into that swamp and no one’ll ever know what happened to him” (Griffin 104). The man whom Griffin had imagined as a friendly, kind, and family-oriented had more than likely been affected by the racist virus that distorted his views. His words further exemplified how black people's lives had no value, because if one’s skin is black, that made them less than human. More often than not, hate stares would be given to Griffin. “Nothing can describe the withering

horror of this. You feel lost, sick at heart before such unmasked hatred, not so much because it threatens you as because it shows humans in such an inhuman light” (Griffin 51). As Griffin encountered many forms of discrimination, he was constantly reminded of his inferior status and could not help but to take it to a personal level. On his journey through the Deep South, he saw how racism could completely transform a person into a monstrous creature.
While Griffin traveled to different states in the South, he witnessed the toll racism had taken on households. During a short stay at a new friend's house, he saw the sacrifices families were forced to make. “He said he lived back in the woods, but had six kids and only two rooms” (Griffin 108). This family could not afford to live in a more spacious home that could accommodate them as money was scarce, and jobs were not always available, especially if one was ‘colored’. As a result, black people were forced to live in poverty stricken conditions without choice. The society built around them was created to keep black people below the whites.“I’ll tell you—if we don’t have meat to cook with the beans, why she just goes ahead and cooks the beans anyhow” (Griffin 111). Although the family was very poor, they remained grateful for what they did have, acknowledging that as long as food was on the table, the family could survive. Unfortunately for some, to put food on the table meant bodily sacrifice. “And I guarantee you, I’ve had it in every one of them before they ever got on the payroll” (Griffin 103). Women often gave up their bodies, to be able to provide for their families. Refusal meant no work or pay, and that was a risk many were not willing to take. Racism robbed people of their freedom as humans and deprived households of the necessary means for survival.
What others saw Griffin as was a color, not a human being; He concluded that "When all the talk, all the propaganda has been cut away, the criterion is nothing but the color of skin. My experience proved that. They judged me by no quality. My skin was dark" (Griffin 115). Throughout his journey, Griffin saw how racism stripped humans from their humanity. His journal gave a glimpse of what living in the South was like, and the power Racism had on those whom it encountered. Racism affected life on both sides of the color line without hesitation and remorse.