How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Nearly every one tells me the lynching reports are greatly exaggerated. There are no lynchings in their towns or districts. The Negro is living in freedom and comfort, and the white southerner is his boon friend and ally." (14.5)
At first, we're not sure what to believe: President Roosevelt claims that politicians report back no lynching or problems in the South, while newspapers give gory details about them taking place. It's clear that race is an issue, we're just not sure how big of an issue at this point.
Quote #5
"The white man doesn't hate the colored man," he said. "The white man is just afraid of the colored man." (20.16)
This is one theory about why there are problems between the races, but it leaves us with a bunch of questions. What exactly is the white man afraid of? Does fear explain white people's actions in the text? We can't help but wonder if this is more of an attempt at justification than an actual explanation.
Quote #6
The War between the States had been officially over for forty-three years but had never actually ended in the South. The Confederate battle flag still flew higher than Old Glory, at least at our courthouse. (36.13)
That would be the Civil War being talked about here. Importantly, we can see that ideas about race go way back—so it's not just a matter of telling everyone to get along. Ideology and notions of different races formed over several generations and are hard to change.