Treatment of Race and Class in Harlem Shuffle of Colson Whitehead

Abstract

This study aims at an analysis of the novel Harlem Shuffle of Colson Whitehead so as to bring out his treatment of race and class. When it comes to race, Whitehead is familiar with the mindset of Americans and their conscience.  The novel is a kind of crime fiction and it revolves around the protagonist namely Ray Carney, the salesman of furniture who travels on the wrong side of the life track.  He dresses professionally and wants to lead a safe and secure life for his family.  He desires to prove his worth to his in-laws who always look down at him. In the radio repair shop, he is neglected because of his race and they opt for other White customers. Later, they question him about his overstaying at the shop. When he has tried to explain about the complaint, the workers do not pay attention and he leaves the place. The White supremacists always want to bring the Blacks under their control. Ray Carney is not treated as an equal human being. He is pressurized by his cousin Freddie to commit a crime which reveals his shady lifestyle to others. It begins the inner struggle of him. Though he does not want to be a thief, the White society makes him such one.  His father is shot by the White supremacists as he has stolen a cough syrup from pharmacy. Colson Whitehead delineates the riots and violence caused by the brutal killing of a Black Boy by a White Police officer. The biased White Reporters project badly the violent acts of the Black youth.  They fail to address the main issue of racism which is prevalent in the American society.  Instead, they would like to portray the Blacks as violent mongers. In Harlem Shuffle, Colson Whitehead has artistically recreated New York of the early 1960’s.  Colson Whitehead has brought out effectively the racism of the Whites and the state of subjugation of the Blacks.