Theme and message

The main theme of “Our America” by LeAlan Jones is racial division. The theme is explored using the case of the American society and the ghettoization of the African-American population.

The author discusses a divided American society in which white Americans enjoy privileges while African-Americans are challenged by poverty and criminality in ghetto-like communities: “An American is supposed to have life, liberty, prosperity, and happiness. But an African-American is due pain, poverty, stress, and anxiety.” (p. 134, ll. 7-9)

The author further illustrates what the ghettolife implies for children and their future: “As children, they have to make day-to-day decisions about whether to go to school or whether to go on the corner and sell drugs.” ((p. 134, ll. 13-15)

Reflect on why this theme is important and whether it is still relevant today, 20 years after the text was published.

If we are not aware of the racial discrimination taking place in our society and of the vulnerability of a certa...