The Link Between Racism and Conflict in Fences by August Wilson

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The Link Between Racism and Conflict in Fences by August Wilson
The world today is embroiled in racism. The media reports disturbing information regarding victims of racial discrimination despite globalization. Racism is basically characterizing people ethnically in accordance to certain traits that are distinctive. It is a tool humanity has adopted to socially discriminate those indifferent to them. The author of fences, August Wilson, set his work in late 1950’s through to 1965, a period when racism in America was a contentious topic. Through his literary work, he communicates the predicament of the blacks living in that society and how racism affected their social life. Fences sheds light on the underlying issues and their ripple effect through families and society that are born of racism. The main protagonist, Troy Maxson is an African America man who works for the sanitation department and through his life and family, we get to uncover the devastating effects that come with racism. Therefore, to end this social evil, new generations should not be taught racism but forgiveness and equality of humanity.
Conflict between troy and his employer is hinged on racism. Troy questions why there is no black driver in the department and blacks are just the lifters. Troy: "I went to Mr. Rand and asked him, 'Why? Why you got white mens driving and the colored lifting?'" (1.1.13). the society at the time was marred by such practices where the lack community worked on manual jobs whilst the whites worked on the semi and automated jobs such as driving. This was a typical setting as at that time and mostly the people especially the segregated community rode along with the practice. However, there was resenting voices which stemmed from the infamous civil rights movement of that time and troy decided to confront his employers about it. Troy questioned why the blacks were only supposed to be loading the garbage trucks whilst the whites drove them. It is apparent from the results of the confrontation with the employer that troy was able to be promoted to be driver. This is a clear indication that he was qualified but he was just a lifter because he was black.
Racism has a ripple effect on the other conflicts featured in the story. Though troy gets a promotion at his workplace, the biting effect of racism conti...