Color purple

African Americans and women were treated far differently in the 1920's apposed to the 21st century. African Americans were discriminated against, and were thought of as lesser people. Women were often abused by their husbands, and lived very scared lives. The Color Purple portrayed these values throughout the novel. 

African Americans were normally segregated against even decades after Martin Luther King's successes in the civil rights movement. White people had black servants, and were still thought to have less capabilities than white people. The African American men had worse jobs, and couldn't make enough money to support a family. They often had poor living conditions as well. The 21st century is very equal in regard to race. Black people are not given a lesser chance to succeed like in the 1920's. All of the characters in The Color Purple live in gross conditions, struggle financially, and are discriminated against. Sofia and her big incident in the center of town was an example of this discrimination. African Americans were not treated equally in that time period.

Women in the 1920's were treated very badly in their houses. They were often abused, and married very abusive husbands. This was normal for a woman in that time era, and they were basically just housewives. Not many women had jobs, and did not speak up for themselves. Nettie said, "Harpo ast his daddy why he beat me. Mr.______ say, Cause she my wife. Plus, she stubborn." (Walker 22). Men showed their dominance by beating women, and often raping them as well. They did not really care about their wives' well being. Celie announced, "He start to choke me, saying You better shut up and git used to it." (Walker 1). Women were treated poorly by their husbands, and ultimately lived in fear. 

Both of these groups of people had a rough existence in the 1920's. African Americans were used as servants, and still were looking for racial equality. Women were in a constant state of fear, trying to stay away from their abusive husbands. As time progressed, these attitudes towards black people and women changed greatly. Therefore, the book accurately depicted the racism, and sexism in the 1920's.