Has there ever been that moment where you feel different because of your race? I'm sure there has been a time when you look at someone through the eyes of race and culture. Suddenly, a person's race matters more than who they are and what their personality is like. Letting your race define you or someone else isn't a good thing. In these three short stories, "Red-Headed Baby" by Langston Hughes, "The Man Who Was Almost A Man" by Richard Wright, and "Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison, race affects how the main character sees himself and how others see him. .
In the short story, "Red-Headed Baby," a white man is treated better than other people. He is the main character, Mr. Clarence, and he's come from his job on a boat to visit a woman he knows. Because he is white, Mr. Clarence sees himself as having a higher power than others and being better than them, especially African Americans. In the beginning of the story when he walks into the girls house, the mother realizes he is white and gets him drinks and caters to all of his needs as best as she can. "No, suh, but I knowed you was some white man comin' up de walk. Yes, indeedy! Set down, set down. Betsy be here directly. Set right down. Lemme call her" Mr. Clarence just arrived and was being pampered by Betsy's mom while they waited for her. Being a white man he is treated better than others and is okay with that. He orders Betsy to get a small child that suddenly walks into the room out of his sight. " 'Hurry! Go on! Get him out then! What's he doin' crawlin' round Hey, Betsy, get him out!'" That child that roamed through the room had the same red hair as him and looked about three. He realizes it might be his child and leaves soon after paying for his liquor. Mr. Clarence doesn't want a mixed child and also doesn't need the responsibility of it. Having a child that was half African American would be a disgrace for him.
