“Racism doesn’t have anything to do with your looks, but rather how people interpret what you look like.” (Robin Kelley – American History Professor, University of California Los Angeles)
People tend not to be able to see past the stereotypes and social constructions of society. The concept of race is not real, but individuals use stereotypes based solely on skin pigment to divide themselves. Racism was born from the discrimination of physical differences. Shirley Jackson’s “After You My Dear Alphonse”, a short story that tells of a first encounter between a mother with her son and his friend, is a great example. Upon learning that her son’s friend is African American, she begins to have negative thoughts about every aspect of his life. She then asks about the boy’s personal life, showing extreme condescensions which have had a negative impact on her self-improvement. Through the author’s discussion of Mrs.Wilson interrogating Boyd, he discusses race conceptualizations. He reveals how presumptive cultural distinctiveness among racial communities create barriers to communication.
Racism does not have to be violent. Its subtle forms of action are also distinctive. It was obvious that Mrs. Wilson’s mannerisms reflected a certain amount of caution when she first met Boyd. She asked him questions about his personal life, as if she had a negative spiraled idea of what his life would be like. Jackson writes that “She [Mrs.Wilson] hesitated.” Johnny replied, “Yes. Boyd’s father ]… works.” Boyd’s Father works in the factory. It’s a tough job, all that lifting and moving in a warehouse. Johnny said, “Boyd’s dad doesn’t need to do that.” He’s a supervisor. Mrs. Wilson felt defeated.” Mrs. Wilson made an initial assumption that Boyd was not working because of the wrong stereotype about black people as “inherently lazy”. She assumed that Boyd’s father was a manual worker after learning that he does work. Her racist comments about his employment and her belief that her family belonged to the lower classes were a result of this. Boyd, however, claims that the father of his son was not a manual worker, but rather a supervisor. As a consequence, Mrs.Wilson finds this information to be intimidating. She asks him more discriminatory questions in an effort to confirm the stereotypes of low-class people for her family. After each round of questions and answers, Mrs. Wilson becomes increasingly bitter in her way of talking to Boyd. By asking Boyd such closed-minded questions, Wilson is showing that her character is cruel.
Charity is not always done with the best intentions. When Mrs. Wilson learns that Boyd’s parents are as wealthy as hers, she is extremely dissatisfied. Unhappy that she is unable to show Boyd support financially, Mrs. Wilson offers him secondhand clothes on the assumption that Boyd does not have the clothing that he needs. Boyd rejects this offer by stating he is already able to purchase all the clothes he desires. The personality of Mrs.Wilson then becomes sour from distaste. Jackson writes that Mrs.Wilson lifted Boyd’s plate of gingerbread as he was about to grab another bite. Boyd, I know many other boys like yourself who would have been grateful to receive clothes from someone. You’ve disappointed me, but that’s it. Let’s stop talking about it now.'” Mrs. Wilson’s new demeanor changed from frustrated to irritation towards Boyd. She tells Boyd he did not offend him but he actually has. Mrs. Wilson was trying to portray herself as a generous upperclass woman for Boyd. She wanted her son to have that kind of character. It was important to her to feel superior in front of him. Mrs. Wilson’s fake charity shows how racists stratify those who are considered to be racially superior.
The insinuation of racism can cause prejudices toward different races, rather than personal experiences. It is clear from Mrs. Wilson’s interactions with the boys that her views are racially segregationist. She is not only obligated by her own self-interest to seem more privileged and socially superior, but also feels the need to act as a role model for Boyd. Even before they had a verbal conversation, her racism was evident in their first encounter. Jackson writes that “as she [Mrs.Wilson] sat Boyd down, she realized he looked like a Negro.” Mrs.Wilson then turned and spoke to Johnny. ‘Johnny’, she asked, ‘what made Boyd do that?’ The story’s events immediately following begin to descend into contempt. Mrs.Wilson has a clear racist belief. The hatred she feels for Boyd increases with every answer. Every question she asks seems to have negative implications. The fact that she harbors such strong racism beliefs shows how implicit racist is.
The author discusses the ethnic discrimination in light of Mrs.Wilson’s interrogative behaviour towards Boyd. She reveals how atypical conceptions about what is normal for different ethnic groups can create obstacles to emotional connection. The author argues that Mrs.Wilson’s racist comments show how a person’s false perception of being superior to someone else is the cause of racial inequality.