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Himes Essay
During World War II, the United States went through social changes across
the nation in regards to the racial issues faced by many ethnicities of the time.
These changes provided racial groups with some hope along with a sense of danger
while residing in different areas of the United States. These feelings spurred from
the either prominent or underlying tension of racism in different sections of the
country. Bob Jones experiences these feelings first hand and represents what
many colored Americans went through during World War II era. While living in the
United States during World War II, Bob Jones, an African American male, faced
many struggles throughout his everyday life. More specifically, in his job and his
home life.
As many colored people were, Bob Jones was on the hunt for a job. Without
making any money, he would not be able to live in the country and survive the war.
As a man without a job, he could not support the family he is trying to start. During
the time period, as it was before the war and still somewhat today, it was the man’s
job to support the family. Not being able to fulfill your role as the man in the
household can be a scary thought to many men. In addition to not being able to
provide a solid foundation, Bob and his soon–to–be wife cannot start a life together.
One solution Bob used to combat this problem, as well as many others, was to move
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out to Los Angeles. As a resident of Cleveland, Ohio it was difficult to find a place of
employment as a person of color. Whether spoken or not, many employers turned
away non-whites even though segregation was illegal. For example, Bob was one
of the more gutsy men of the time. He would march straight up to employers and
ask for a job. The men were dumbfounded. What kind of man was courageous
enough to approach these men and ask for a job? Though they would not say it
directly, all the men turned down Bob Jones because he was black. Every time Bob
asked, the employer would come up with an excuse, providing evidence for to the
underlying sense of racism at the time.
