Richard Wright : Black Boy : ...........continuing Remember Youre Black I held a series of petty jobs for short periods, quitting some to work elsewhere , being driven off others because of my attitude , my speech , the look in my eyes. I was nearer thanever to my goal of saving enough money to leave....... At home I decide if I could ever do it. One jobless morning , I went to my old classmate , Griggs , who worked for a Capitol Street Jeweler. He was washing the windows of the store when I came upon him. Do you know where I can find a job? I asked . He looked at me with scorn. Yes, I know where you can find a job, he said laughing. Where? But I wonder if you can hold it. he said. What do you mean? I asked. Wheres the job? Take your time , he said. You know, Dick, I know you. Youve been trying to hold a job all summer , and you cant. Why? Because your impatient. Thats your fault. I said nothing ,because he was repeating , what I had already heard him say. He lit a cigarette and blew it out liesurely. Well , I said , egging him on to speak. I wish to hell I could talk to you , I said. I think I know what you want to tell me , I said. He clapped me on the shoulder; his face was full of fear , hate , concern for me. Do you want to get killed? he asked me. Hell no! Then , for Gods sake , learn how to live in the South! What do you mean? I demanded. Let white people tell me that. Why should you? See? he said triumphantly , pointing his finger at me. There it is , now! Its in your face. You wont let people tell you things. You rush too much. Im trying to help you and you wont let me. He paused and looked about ; the streets were filled with white people. He spoke to me in a low, full time. Dick, look, youre black , black , black , see? Cant you understand that? Sure , I understand it , , I said. You dont acta damn bit like it , he said. He then reeled off an account of my actions on every job I had held that summer. How did you know that? I asked. White people make it their business to watch niggers, he explained. And they pass the word around. Now , my boss is a Yankee and he tells me things. Youre marked already. Could I believe him? Was it true? How could I ever learn this strange world of white people? Then tell me how must I act? I asked humbly. I just want to make enough money to leave. Wait and Ill tell you, he said. At that moment a woman and two men stepped from the jewelry store; I moved to one side to let them pass , my mind intent upon Griggs words. Suddenly Griggs reached for my arm and jerked me violently , sending me stumbling three or four feet across the pavement. I whirled. Whats the matter with you? I asked. Griggs glared at me , then laughed. Im teaching you how to get out of white peoples way , he said. I looked at the people who had come out of the stores ; yes , they were white , but I had not noticed it. Do you see what I mean? he asked. White people want you out their way. He pronounced the words slowly so that they would sink into my mind. I know what you mean , I breathed. Dick , Im treating you like a brother , he said. You act around white people as if you didnt know that they were white. And they see it. Oh, Christ, I cant be a slave , I said hopelessly. But you got to eat. he said. Yes, I got to eat. ........... to be continued Like-Share-Discuss
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 21:47:04 +0000
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