Racism

I think question 18 of the Invisible Man socratic seminar is a very important topic to the book, and it actually surprised me that no one chose to talk about it. It talks about the significance of Liberty Paint Company in the novel, referring to how they manufactured white paints that were said to be the whitest and purest paints in all America, even though they were made from 10 drops of black dye. It is significant because it symbolizes how whites think they are superior to black people, thinking that blacks are dirty and unpure. However, the paint being made from black dye proves that blacks are a neccessary part in making the 'pure paint' and also a necessary element in society. Its also significant how before the black dye is added, the paint is a foul, milky brown substance that turns 'brilliantly white' when the black is added. This shows how society would be foul and ugly without the mix of both races. In addition, the worker who shows the narrator how to produce the paint states that the Optic Paint's pure whiteness can cover anything, like how the whiteness covers up the black dye, illustrating how blacks become obscured by white people and do and say whatever the whites want. Also it shows how whites are just covering up the issue of racism instead of dealing with it. This is still shown today with the racism that still exists in the world. White people think they are superior to blacks and walk all over them like its no one's bussiness. Some white people are even violent towards blacks over the smallest of things like property and money. We still hear about in the news how someone killed or harrassed another person just because they were of a different race. Only about a month ago, a young white girl named Jane Champion was beaten up by her own parents, David and Frances Champion, for dating a black boy. The parents showed up at the boyfriends house screaming racial abuse towards him so loud and vial that the police were called.  Before police arrived however, David Champion punched Jane in the face several times while her mother watched before punching Jane herself. The parents claim they beat up their daughter for "bringing shame to the family" which I think is completely ridiculous.  It's stupid how people today can't get over the old racist ways. I can understand how some older people in the world could still hold on to racist hatred because they've grown up with it, even though I feel like they should just accept the fact that the majority of society has matured enough to understand everyone is equal. But seeing people of my generation and even a little bit older being racist is just stupid. We've all been taught growing up that we are all equal and skin color makes no difference to who we are as individuals. People need to get over themselves and stop hating others because of something as little as what color their skin is.