The Man Who Was Almost a Man | Historical Context
Racism and Black Masculinity
The first decades of the twentieth century were difficult and violent ones for African Americans in the South. The agricultural economy was suffering, leading to poverty for poor whites and blacks; but with ‘‘Jim Crow’’ segregation laws, which appealed especially to poor whites, blacks were kept oppressed with limited opportunities. Moreover, African-American masculinity was threatened during the time when ‘‘The Man Who Was Almost a Man’’ takes place, offering a useful context for Dave’s struggle for manhood and respect.
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