Racism In Huckleberry Finn And Dances With Wolves

Throughout the 1800s, racism evolved to be less violent. As seen in Huckleberry Finn and Dances with Wolves, it became more acceptable for blacks and Native Americans to coincide without blatant and harsh interactions. Both Huckleberry Finn and Dances with Wolves illustrate the positive growth between both minorities and whites over the past hundred years. While racism is not totally eradicated, these sources foreshadow the future and a country without segregation.

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain sets the scene as to how rampant racism and the slave trade truly were in the 19th century. The whites believed that the blacks were not human beings. Instead, they saw them as animals or property, only meant to do the dirty work of plantation owners in the South. In 1857, in the Dred Scott vs. Sandford case, the Supreme Court Justice ruled that blacks were not citizens; therefore, they did not have any rights or say in how they were treated. In

the book, Huck grew up with almost the same mindset. He did not particularly have a hatred for blacks, but he thought they were lower on the totem pole and saw that he was better than them. It wasn't until Huck ran away, found Miss Watson's runaway slave, Jim, and began their adventure together, that his perspective towards the blacks slowly began to change. “It was 15 minutes before I could work up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if id a knowed it would make him feel that way (Page 87).” - Huck
Huck started to realize that blacks and whites are capable of doing the same things. He saw that one is not wired more intelligently or wired with more abilities. Huck needed to humble himself because he needed Jim’s guidance. As history progressed, this mentality is seen in more literature and eventually led to the 1960 Segregation Movement. Mark Twain subtly helped set the stage for whites in America to change their mindsets to see blacks as equal counterparts. “It was a close place. I took it up, and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: “All right, then, I'll go to hell - and tore it up (Page 215).”” In that moment, Huck knew that Jim was a good man who was worth taking a risk for.
While blacks were treated poorly, and justice needed to be served, another minority group was also being affected by racism.

In Dances with Wolves, Michael Blake, the screenwriter, illustrated the cruelty and disrespect shown to the Native Americans. In the early 1800s, when settlers began moving westward for land, they discovered the homes of several tribes. Just like the blacks, the Native Americans were not thought of as human beings. Once the settlers made contact with these individuals, war broke out. Historically, Native Americans have been viewed lower than whites. While Dances with Wolves is a fictional depiction of the treatment of Native Americans, The Trail of Tears is a non-fictional depiction of forced migration. Early settlers forced Native tribes to move westward and forced them to live on sections of land that was not conducive to farming or hunting. Native Americans were not seen seen as citizens of the United States, but more as beggars and thieves who were not given the same rights and privileges as

whites.
Literature and film gave insight into the past and also paved the way for the future. While racism is still present, Mark Twain and Michael Blake encouraged Americans to think beyond the social norm. As the world continues to progress, literature will continue to address the issues that plague our society. Racism can be seen in any culture at any time. History will continue to repeat itself unless the issues are addressed. As seen in previous two examples, literature is an effective method in changing the mind of the reader or viewer.