One specific example of the pressing social issue of racial discrimination in A Raisin in the Sun is institutionalized racism. In Act II, for example, Mama reveals to the family that she has purchased a home with Mr. Younger's insurance check, and she receives a surprised reaction from the Youngers:
WALTER. (Bitterly) So that's the peace and comfort you went out and bought for us today!
MAMA. (Raising her eyes to meet his finally) Son—I just tried to find the nicest place for the least amount of money for my family.
RUTH. (Trying to recover from the shock) Well—well—'course I ain't one never been 'fraid of no crackers, mind you—but—well, wasn't there no other houses nowhere?
MAMA. Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could. (93)
Through simple dialogue, Hansberry illustrates an example of structural racism in the Youngers’ context that has impacted the family’s sense of identity within society. Racist regulations were put in place to increase home prices so that blacks could not afford to purchase homes in white neighborhoods. Institutional racism limits Lena’s housing search, forcing her to have to work around this unfair barrier. Travis must listen to his father tell him stories of the glamorous lives that rich whites live, so Travis questions why his race makes him inferior. Even though the Youngers have wealth equivalent to these rich whites, Hansberry reveals that the color of one's skin mattered more in their social contexts.
The pressing social problem of institutional racism highlighted in the play has a direct impact on the Youngers. For example, after Mama purchases the family house, the Youngers receive a visit from Mr. Lindner, a representative from their new neighborhood. Mr. Lindner offers to buy the new home from the Youngers so they don’t move in, in attempt to keep blacks out of the Clybourne Park neighborhood. When the Youngers react in defense, the most racist comment he makes is:
LINDNER. (Looking around at the hostile faces and reaching and assembling his hat and briefcase) Well—I don’t understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren’t wanted and where some elements—well—people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve ever worked for is threatened. (119)
In this situation, Hansberry illustrates a specific example of racism directed toward the entire Younger family that occurs within the larger institutional racism of attempts to keep white neighborhoods “pure” of blacks. Though it is completely legal for the Youngers to move in their new neighborhood, they become the target of racism, a social construct that it is a step away from humanity. Lindner’s comment highlights the true context of the Civil Rights era and awakens readers to the extensive efforts to made for whites to maintain their superiority. Through Lindner’s racist remarks, Hansberry conveys how whites felt threatened when blacks rose to their status and capability because it would diminish their power and place on the social hierarchy.
While this racism Hansberry reflects in the play is extremely against humanity, it does make readers aware of this pressing issue and it also unites the characters by the end of the play. For example, Walter puts his foot down to Lindner’s racism by declining the neighborhood’s offer to buy the home from the Youngers:
WALTER. And we have decided to move into our house because my father—my father—he earned it for us brick by brick. (MAMA has her eyes closed and is rocking back and forth as though she were in church, with her head nodding the Amen yes) We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. (He looks the man absolutely in the eyes) We don’t want your money. (He turns and walks away) (148)
By the end of the play, Walter’s decision helps bring the family together and stand up to their prejudice. By deciding not to give in to the racism and rejecting their so-called inferiority, the Youngers rise up and feel a sense of unity and high-spiritedness at the end of the play. Even though Walter makes a huge mistake by investing the insurance check, he rises to manhood by defending his identity, humanity, and family in his rejection of Lindner’s racist offer.
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