The Price of Fear, Hatred & Prejudice
In general, there are two groups of people, those who desire change and those who wish things to remain the same. Seldom does the twain meet and the opposing conflict existing between the two groups is what causes progress to be a slowly moving social phenomenon which could be considered the distilled product of the forces of both groups. Thus, when we view the social concept of racism in Will D. Campbell’s Brother to a Dragonfly, and, Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi, we see that both groups for and in opposition to racism pay a price from the fear, hatred and prejudice involved. Both groups not only pay a price, but each has conflict engendered within its own group. This sociological conflict allows for a public debate if you will, that slowly distills an agreement that encompasses change but under conditions whereby the members of each group remain comfortable with the degree and pace of the change. The dynamics underlying this phenomenon of social change, with regard to racism, are clearly visible in each of these books, both autobiographical in nature. The authors encountered conflict intra- and extra-socially, but each persevered to champion the cause of civil rights for all human beings.
Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi is a story of being raised in the segregated and racist south that has much in common with other stories of a similar nature. Moody was abused by her own relatives as a young girl, lost her father to sex, gambling, and alcoholism, and early on knew the burdens of hard labor and poverty. However, a good student and talented athlete, Moody’s youthful enthusiasm and refusal to accept the oppression her voice made her determined to overcome myriad obstacles in her way. The greatest of these obstacles, of course, was racism. However, what is interesting is that Moody’s anger and resentment over racism is not only targeted at whites, it i...