The Pre-Civil Rights South and A Lesson Before Dying and The Color Purple

African Americans of the South were governed by strict racial caste system called the Jim Crow Laws for over a century before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. The Jim Crow laws were based on the belief that “Whites were superior to Blacks in all important ways” (Pilgrim). Blacks were subject to follow harsh criticism while following strict rules on the manner in which Whites should be treated. Blacks in the pre-Civil Right South were subjected not only to segregation but forced to follow rules of behavior: “A Black male could not offer his hand (to shake hands) with a White male because it implied being socially equal. If a Black person rode in the car driven by a White person, the Black person sat in the back seat, or the back of the truck” (Pilgrim). Blacks were not allowed to show superior knowledge to a White person, assert that a White person is lying, or curse at a White person. A Lesson Before Dying by Gaines shows the superiority of the White male over a Black male in the trial of Jefferson. In his defense was lying, or curse a White person. In A Lesson Before Dying and The Color Purple, readers gain a first person insight into the conditions of the pre-Civil Rights South as experienced by a Black.

A Jefferson is described as less than a human being, as a hog: “What justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this” (Gaines,8). Although Jefferson is in fact innocent of the crime, he is a Black and therefore he is sentenced to execution; being that Jefferson is a Black he has no importance and taking is life is equitable to taking the life of a hog. Jefferson was not the only Black character to face prison time. Sofia of The Color Purple by Walker is sent to jail after refusing to become a maid for the mayor and publically hitting him. According to the Jim Crow Laws in the South: “The warden shall see that the white convicts shall have separate apartments for both eating and sleeping from negro convicts” (Pilgrim). Walker shows the horrifying conditions faced by Black in jails of the South: “Everything nasty here, she say, even the air. Food bad enough to kill you with it. Roaches here, mice, flies, lice, and even a snake or two. If you say anything they strip you, make you sleep on a cement floor without a light” (Walker, 93). These conditions are appalling for any crime, but especially for Sofia who simply made a comment and stood up for herself. This shows that Blacks, especially women had no power.

Education and employment were major areas of segregation among Blacks and Whites of the South before the Civil Rights Movement. During the Jim Crow South, “the schools for white children and the schools for negro children shall be conducted separately” (Pilgrim). In A Lesson Before Dying, Grant is a school teacher for a Black school. Grant chooses this occupation because it is one of the few careers he can hold as a Black man. Even though he has graduated from university and more educated than many White men of the town, Grant receives no respect, especially from the Sheriff. When Grant visits Sheriff Guidry to ask permission to see Jefferson we see the lack of respect between the White man and the Black man: “’You’re too smart,’ Guidry said. ‘Maybe you’re just a little too smart for your own good.’ I was quiet. I knew when to be quiet [Grant speaking]” (Gaines, 49). Walker with her novel The Color Purple shows another unusual career for a Black woman with Shug Avery as an entertainer. Although she is not educated like Grant, she gains the respect and attention of those of her race, something Grant has not received. Shug’s admiration can be seen through Celie’s diary entry: “Lord, I wants to go so bad. Not to dance. Not to drink. Not to play card. Not even to hear Shug Avery sing. I just be thankful to lay eyes on her” (Walker, 26). These examples are rare for the pre-Civil Right Movement South, however they give a glimpse of what Blacks strived to achieve even under such strong oppression.

The pre-Civil Rights Movement South was a place of prejudice, discrimination, and a place with strict rules for Black men and women to follow; which is illustrated in A Lesson Before Dying and The Color Purple. These novels serve to show the injustice that has been overcome since the Civil Rights Movement, which African Americans deserve.

Works Cited
Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson Before Dying. New York : Vintage Books, 1993. Print.

Pilgrim, David. “What Was Jim Crow?” Museum of Racist Memorabilia. Ferris State University. Sept. 2000. 1 March 2010. .

Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. New York: Pocket Books, 1982. Print.