Prejudice And Racism In Walter Mosley's Fortunate Son

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The Effects of Racism
Racism continues to be one of the world’s largest social issues. Many people in the world are harassed and socially outcasted because of their differences, while others seek privilege and respect. Walter Mosley’s, Fortunate Son, is about the effects of privilege and racism as it shows the tale of how two brothers have to learn to grow up without one another while also coming face to face with all the cruelty in the world. They go through trials and discover that sometimes certain people will be treated better than others. Walter Mosley’s “Fortunate Son” is about privilege and racism. He notes that white people hold certain privileges in society whereas minorities experience the continued effects of racism as seen in their lack of status, power, …show more content…

These disadvantages are shown through setting and characterization.
Taking place in twentieth century America, the story shows that during that time, racism existed and it was an ongoing issue. Two brothers, Thomas Beerman and Eric Nolan, grow up in America with unconditional love. Thomas, an African American is taken away to go live with his biological father. Since he is used to living in a rich and white community he finds it rather hard to settle in his new environment. Thomas has to learn how to go days without eating and how to stand up for himself because his father, Elton, lives in a poor communality. In the story, it says “Then the policeman dragged Elton off. They handcuffed May and took her along too” (Walter 67). This is when Thomas first witnesses that living conditions usually affect what kind of privilege someone gets. Since Thomas lived in a neighborhood that was ghetto and poor, police usually showed up randomly time to time. The police took Elton to jail because they thought he was going to abuse Thomas. Since Elton was living in a rundown house, he was sent to jail because they thought he was not a fit father. On the other hand, Eric grows up in a rich and clean

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