The Black Table Is Still There: Racism in “The Black Table Is Still There” by Graham
1. Introduction
In “The Black Table Is Still There”, Graham Lawrence points out the existence of racism. In his story, the ‘black table,’ as portrayed by his fellow black schoolmates is no more than racism. The black table is where the black kids sit during lunchtime. It is separate from the white kids’ tables. The story is set in a time when racial segregation was still practiced in some parts of the United States.
Racism is an act of discrimination or prejudice towards people based on their ethnic, national, or racial origins. It can also be defined as the belief that one race is superior to another. Racism is often used to justify discrimination and violence against certain groups of people.
There are different forms of racism. Individual racism refers to the prejudices that one person has against another person or group of people. Systemic racism is a form of racism that is built into social, economic, and political institutions. It benefits those who are in power at the expense of those who are not. Structural racism is similar to systemic racism, but it also includes the ways that policies and practices perpetuate racial inequality.
2. The Black Table Is Still There
– Racism in “The Black Table Is Still There” by Graham
“The Black Table Is Still There” is a story about racism and segregation in schools. The story is set in a time when racial segregation was still practiced in some parts of the United States. The main character, Graham, is a black student who attends a predominantly white school. He and his black classmates are made to sit at a separate table during lunchtime. This table is known as the ‘black table.’
The black table is seen as a symbol of segregation and racism. It segregated the black students from the white students. It also showed that the black students were not equal to the white students. The fact that the black students had to sit at a separate table also showed that they were not allowed to interact with the white students. This shows that racism was still present in society even though it was not as openly practiced as it was in the past.
Graham and his classmates eventually start sitting at the white students’ tables during lunchtime. However, they are still treated differently from the white students. They are made to feel like they do not belong there. This shows that even though segregation was no longer practiced in schools, racism still existed. It was just hidden behind polite words and fake smiles.
Eventually, Graham and his classmates start sitting at their own table again. They realize that they will never be truly accepted by the white students no matter how hard they try. This story shows that even though things have changed since racial segregation was practiced, racism still exists today. It is just hidden behind polite words and fake smiles.