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If beal street could talk, James Baldwin

             To go to jail for committing a crime, such as theft, rape, or murder, must be a difficult thing to do. To go to jail for a crime never committed must be worse. It must be a taxing event, both mentally emotionally. This is the situation that Fonny is in; accused of a crime he did not commit. He however, is strong. He is able to do so with the love and support of his family. .
             The early 1970's were still tumultuous times for African American people. New York City was no excuse. "New York must be the ugliest and the dirtiest city in the world."(10). Harlem New York is where Tish and Fonny grew up and still live. It is also here where Fonny was wrongfully accused of raping a Puerto Rican woman by a corrupt white police officer. Tish and the rest of the family work hard to try and free him from jail. .
             Baldwin addresses the monumental issues of black suffrage and the strength of love in this novel. Fonny, a black man, was wrongfully accused by a white and known racist police officer, of raping a woman. He went to jail but throughout the ordeal Tish always loved him. The love that they had for one another was impressive. It gave Fonny hope. This love also existed in the relationship the family members had for tish. They loved he and did not want to see her sad so they helped as well. Despite the lack of proof against Fonny and the amount for him he still is held because of a crooked judicial system. "as far as their concerned, the accusation is the proof."(129) .
             Tish is a "skinny and shy"(11) 19 year old young lady and the narrator of the novel. She is three years Fonny's younger and engaged to him as well. She is also carrying his child. A very headstrong person, she is the main drive trying free Fonny. .
             Fonny is an aspiring sculptor, who was wrongfully accused of rape by a corrupt police officer and put in jail. He is 23 years old and has "skin like raw, wet potato rinds and eyes like a china man and all that nappy hair and them thick lips.


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