The Intersection of Racism and Poverty
In her memoir Coming of Age in Mississippi, civil rights activist Anne Moody highlights the intersection of racism and poverty in the United States in the mid-20th century, highlighting the ways that systemic racism has caused Black people to be economically dependent on white people. As a young child, Anne watches her parents go to work every day on Mr. Carter’s plantation. After Anne, Mama, Adline, and Junior move from the…
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Loss of Innocence
In Coming of Age in Mississippi, Anne Moody’s loss of innocence corresponds with her understanding of racism in society. Her political awakening and increased understanding of the behavior of the adults in her life illuminates the ways that oppressed peoples cope with their conditions. As a child, Anne does not understand why white families have nicer houses and eat better food than her family. As she grows up, however, she becomes aware of…
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The Importance of Community
In Coming of Age in Mississippi, both Anne Moody’s personal isolation and the fragmentation of the Black community she observes throughout her involvement in the civil rights movement show that community is essential for sparking growth and change. When Mama gets together with Raymond, a light-skinned Black soldier, his family’s negative treatment of Mama and her family, who have darker skin, highlights how colorism leads to discrimination within the Black community. Anne’s…
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Gender and Racism
In Coming of Age in Mississippi, Anne Moody examines how her gender influences the oppression she faces as a Black woman due to the intersection of racism and gender inequality. As soon as Anne begins to grow into a teenager and a young woman, the men in her life start to treat her differently, and begins to receive excessive attention that makes her uncomfortable. The white men, especially, harass her and make her feel…
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Religion and Hypocrisy
Throughout Coming of Age in Mississippi, Anne Moody’s interactions with the church mirror her evolving conception of religion. As Anne grows up and witnesses more acts of racial injustice, she begins to question whether God is just and to what degree religion can alleviate or eliminate suffering. Her struggles with God show that while religion is a comfort to many people, it also can also prevent them from fully understanding the suffering of…
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