Question

On page 70, Crooks says to Lennie, "I ain't no Southern Negro...I was born right here in California." What

does he mean by this? How was life different for African Americans out west in California?

Answer 1

Crooks's assertion of being born in California distinguishes his experiences from those of Southern African Americans. Western states, like California, offered a different set of racial challenges and opportunities compared to the oppressive Jim Crow South.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Crooks in Of Mice and Men states, "I ain't no Southern Negro...I was born right here in California," he is distinguishing his identity from the experiences of African Americans in the South. Racism and segregation policies known as Jim Crow laws were more severe and institutionalized in the Southern states. Life for African Americans in California, while not free from racial prejudice and discrimination, was generally less oppressive compared to the South. African Americans in the West faced a different set of challenges and were sometimes able to find better opportunities and more rights, such as property ownership, than those in the South.

Although Crooks' statement addresses his place of birth, it also indirectly speaks to the broader social context of racial attitudes and the opportunities available to African Americans across different regions. For instance, Western states didn't have the same history of slavery as Southern states, and while racism still existed, the legal restrictions and cultural norms could be less rigid.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

is this right

In the novel "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, the character Crooks, who is the stable-hand on the ranch, says to Lennie that he is not a Southern Negro and that he was born in California. Crooks makes this statement to distance himself from the experiences of African Americans in the southern United States, who faced more institutionalized racism and segregation compared to African Americans on the West Coast during the 1930s.

During this time period, life for African Americans in California was different from the experiences of those in the South. They were not subjected to the same level of Jim Crow laws that were prevalent in the South, which enforced racial segregation in public places and relegated African Americans to lower social statuses. However, there were still systemic issues and barriers that African Americans in California faced, such as discrimination in employment and housing, and limited opportunities for advancement. Despite these challenges, African Americans in California formed communities and social networks, supporting each other and creating a thriving cultural scene in cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. Throughout their struggles for equality, African Americans in California maintained a sense of optimism and hope, which is portrayed in the novel through the character Crooks.