A Portrait Of Racism

Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Man, paints a very realistic portrait of racism in the 1930s. Discuss at least two ways in which racism is explored in this chapter. Include quotes and your own analysis of key moments in this chapter that clearly demonstrate the racism that existed in the American 1930s. What do readers understand about racism as a result of reading this chapter?

During the 1930's racism was realistic and played a big role in the mindsets of people.  In chapter 4, Crooks complains about his life being lonely.  He is separated from the white men and does not get as much power.  No one comes to see him except Slim and the boss.  "Cause I'm black.  They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black.  They say I stink.  Well I tell you, all of you stink to me."(page 68)  This shows that the other men do not include Crooks because he was African American.  When Curley's wife started threatening Crooks, he was powerless and put his head down like obeying to his master and then replied "yes ma'am."  "There wasn't another colored family for miles around.  And now there ain't a colored man on this ranch an' there's jus' one family in Soledad."  He laughed.  "If I say something, why its just a nigger sayin' it."  This shows that African Americans are not heard, are not listen to. 
Readers understand that racism was a crucial in the 1930's.  After reading this chapter, we understand that people did not give African Amercians the rights that a white man would have.  For example, not being able to live in the bunkhouse and having a room to himself, lonely and not being able to socialize with others.  No one cared to come in his house or invite him to the bunkhouse.  Crooks was saying that there wasn't a colored family around and that he had no one to talk to, no one with something common with him.  When Crooks said that, it's just a nigger saying that, it meant that no one listens to him, his thoughts, his feelings.  Colored people could not show what they truly felt, they were never able to talk to whites as a friend.  Whites had power and the ability to do as they want and say what they want while colored people were forced to be quiet and have distance from whites.  We find this out from the life style Crooks lives in.  This chapter has shown us how racism affects African Americans lives and how they are separated from Whites.

I found this link about segregation in the 1930's which shows how African Americans were treated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6CQ_Z9eflE