Social conflicts are evident in every community. Such tensions arise from a number of factors such as discrimination, inequality, prejudice, and misappropriation of resources. In the reading “The Train from Hate”, John Hope Franklin gives a critical description of the problem of racial segregation in the American society. The narrator acknowledges that hatred and discrimination are deeply rooted in the targeted community. The speaker’s mother points out that any form of opposition might not result in meaningful results (Franklin 168). The important thing, therefore, is to use personal energies to improve one’s situation and stay away from purveyors of abhorrence.
The literature exposes a unique form of tension between the narrator and the community. The reader observes that the society supports racial discrimination whereby different racial groups are disallowed to share certain resources. The story revolves around the speaker’s experience in a train headed for Checotah. The family members are forced to leave the coach acrimoniously. This event results in a discussion between the mother and the narrator.
The reader realizes that racial separation is a critical predicament defining the relationship existing between the narrator and the community. The narrator realizes that it is extremely hard to pursue various objectives in the society. The nature of this tension between the individual and the community exposes the challenges experienced by different minority groups (Wainwright 46). This conflict is observed to disorient the goals, objectives, and expectations of many people in the country.
The piece of literature can be scrutinized carefully to understand the foundation of this disagreement. It is evident that the tension is catalyzed by the existing laws regarding the issue of race relationship in the community (Franklin 169). Minority groups such as African Americans (referred to as colored citizens) are required to occupy specific areas reserved for them. This kind of segregation is implemented or perpetuated by different individuals.
The portrayal of the conductor in the story reveals the manner in which such laws are imposed. Consequently, the society has remained divided whereby different members of the community are unable to achieve their potential (Lerner 67). This description is a clear indication that the inconsistency between the narrator and the community is something entrenched in the nation’s social fabric (Ling and Monteith 47).
One of the most remarkable aspects of this piece of literature is that it offers a powerful resolution to the existing predicament. The narrator’s pilgrimage appears to affirm that segregation in the targeted society has become a norm. The decision to criticize perpetuators of hatred is portrayed as an ineffective strategy for dealing with the existing tension (Joy and McMunigal 3). The narrator explains why people should utilize their energies to improve their situations and stop loathing those who ridicule them. The reader is informed about the relevance of tolerance. This strategy will encourage more victims in the American society to become better citizens and pursue their purposes in life (Franklin 169).
The author of this piece, therefore, puts himself in the shoes of the narrator to reveal the predicaments experienced by various minority groups in the American society. The idea of tolerance can reenergize more individuals to accept the rots experienced in the community and use their efforts to transform the situation (Edelman et al. 28). This approach will ensure every discriminated individual is able to follows his or her objectives.
Works Cited
Edelman, Benjamin et al. “Racial Discrimination in the Sharing Economy: Evidence from a Field Experiment.” Harvard Business School, vol. 1, no. 1, 2015, pp. 1-40.
Franklin, John H. “The Train from Hate.” Reading Literature and Writing Argument, edited by Merickel, Alan, et al., Pearson, 2016, pp. 168-169.
Joy, Peter A., and McMunigal, Kevin C. “Racial Discrimination and Jury Selection.” SSRN, vol. 1, no. 1, 2016, pp. 1-6.
Lerner, Natan. The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Brill, 2014.
Ling, Peter, and Monteith, Sharon. Gender in the Civil Rights Movement. Routledge, 2013.
Wainwright, Jon S. Racial Discrimination and Minority Business Enterprise: Evidence from the 1900 Census. Routledge, 2013.