Black Like Me Sociological Terms - 1088 Words

Lindsey Brown Final May 9, 2012 Black Like Me Black Like Me is a non-fiction book written by John Howard Griffin about what a black, middle-aged man has to go through every day in the Deep South. To find out what it is like to be a Negro, Griffin changes his skin color to that of a black. During his experiences, Griffin keeps a journal and that is what this book is. Black Like Me is a journal of Griffins feelings, experiences, pains, and friends. The setting of Black Like Me is intensely important. The setting starts out on October 28, 1959 in Mansfield, Texas. The setting in Black Like Me is so important because if the setting is any other place than the Southern United States then the plot is†¦show more content†¦He then goes off his medication entirely, permanently returning his skin color to white. He returns home to his family and writes his article, which is published in March 1960. After the article appears, Griffin is called on to do interviews with prominent television shows and newsmagazines. The story of his amazing experience quickly spreads around the world, and he receives a flood of congratulatory mail. In Mansfield, however, the prevalent attitude is that of racism, and Griffin and his family becomes the subject of hateful reprisals. An effigy of Griffin, painted half white and half black, is burned on Main Street, a cross is burned in a Negro schoolyard, threats are made against Griffin, including one to castrate him. By August, things are so bad that he has decided to move his family to Mexico. The reason I chose this book was because the title jumped up at me and my curiosity was aroused. I wanted to find out more about it. I was also drawn to the fact that the book was based on a true story. True stories interest me a lot and I instantly knew that I wanted to read this book. I also noticed that the book was a best seller and sold thousands of copies. As I read this book I’m glad that I choose it because it broadened my perspective on racism and the lengths that an individual is willing to go to in order to personally experience or understand a situation. This book has clearlyShow MoreRelatedThe Sociological Imagination, By C. Write Mills1409 Words   |  6 PagesWhen C. Write Mills talks about the sociological imagination, he is saying that it is the capacity to understand that individual life is complexly intertwined with events and issues present in the world. Sociological imagination can range from subjects as simple and everyday as hygiene, to something more serious such as racism. In terms of hygiene, there has been a rise in amounts of desire for state of the art hand sanitizers in schools, resulting from the Swine Flu epidemic of 2009. 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