The problem of identity and Racial Pride in the select work of John Alfred Williams’ The Angry Ones

Abstract

                    John Alfred Williams’ first and semi-autobiographical novel is The Angry Ones (1960), also known as “One for the New York” which deals with the powerful story of hidden and unacknowledged racism that faces an educated Blackman in the professional world and painful truth that warp interracial sex. The present paper discusses how Williams portrays the central character Steve Hill’s experiences soon rip the facade of hypocrisy and condescension from a liberal and superficially hip society with its own peculiar political and sexual agendas. It also focuses on the author’s own experiences, which are a searing look at the hidden conflict and compromises underlying the Black and White relations. It also focuses on the economical exploitation of the Blacks. The central character Steve Hill’s job opportunities are limited because of his colour. It also brings on how gay relationships and interracial sexual romances are recurring ideas in the novel. Finally, the paper concludes with the blacks' physical and psychological surrender before social, economical, and political injustice that is obviously focused on through the central character Steve Hill.