How African American Writers Portray the American South in their Works - Book Report/Review Example

Therefore; through these, one can be able to determine the various social dynamics that characterized that particular period. Historical narratives have particularly been imperative in depicting the nature of the social environment of the respective period. African American writers have employed this avenue to inform their audiences about the nature of the American South. In their works, they portray the American South as being not only racist but also sexist. Social stratification is an aspect that is typical of American history.

In his research, Kelley ascertains that historical populations were aligned against distinct social structures (Kelley, 49). The treatment that communities, as well as individuals, were accorded was based on their race and sexual orientation. With respect to race, the White populations were considered superior to the persons of color. As such, they were treated with worth and had access to important social amenities that were instrumental in enhancing the quality of their lives. The persons of color, on the other hand, were maltreated and in most cases exposed to conditions that were socially demeaning.

Similar constraints were apparent in social perceptions towards different sexes. Likewise, women were treated differently from their male counterparts. Generally, Gilyard and Wardi conclude that “everyone in the United States has a default identity relative to whiteness formation, which was itself a carefully calculated social maneuver” (Gilyard and Wardi 912). At this point in time, the Negro community that inhabited South America is exposed to demeaning living conditions. Historically, these were captured by the White populations to provide labor for the White settlers.

In the ships during their transportation to the South, they are treated cruelly. This was aimed at affecting their capture and preventing their escape. The sanitation in the respective ships is very poor and generally, they are crowded and are beaten whenever they show any form of aggression. In his research, Warren cites Gilyard and Wardi noting that their “White counterparts were allowed to stay in more comfortable places” (Warren 114). Comparatively, they ate better food, slept in comfortable beds, and dressed warmly amongst others.

By demeaning the worth of the Negro populations, the Whites sought to underscore that persons of color were less important than their White counterparts. In their review, Gilyard and Wardi contend that the Blacks were “the most oppressed, the most marginalized, the most deviant” (Gilyard and Wardi, 449) In the South, they provided farm as well as domestic labor for the White populations. Likewise, the living conditions of the Whites on the farms were better than that of the Negro populations.

The Whites played the role of bosses while the Negroes were basically servants. In particular, the houses that they lived in were less comfortable than those of their White bosses. This disparity was also apparent in the jobs that they performed as well as in the social institutions that they attended. Comparatively, the Whites performed white collar jobs that were largely managerial. The Blacks, on the other hand, performed manual labor on the farms that were relatively tiring (McGraw-Hill 41).

Inherent disparities are also apparent in the social roles that are assigned to the male and female factions of the society. In this regard, the males are given jobs that require more physical energy.