The Minority vs The Majority

Historically, minority populations have found themselves put down and oppressed by a stronger majority. Literature has documented the struggle of the minority, and focused on the individuals that overcome the oppression and succeed. The movie, The North Country, displays the trouble between new women workers and the established men workers in a Minnesota mine. Champion of the World, depicts the fight of Black heavy weight boxer, Joe Louis, who represents his race in a battle for equality. The story, Fish Cheeks, portrays the encounter of a young child with her culture, and the imposing forces of conformity. Minorities often struggle due to an oppressive majority; however, with courage and pride, one can make a difference for all people harmed by the majority.

The United States has a history of strife between minorities and majorities. African Americans were enslaved, segregated, and harassed for more than a century while living in America. As a result, when Joe Louis fought to defend his championship belt from a white boxer in the 1930s; he captured the attention of the whole world. Segregation dominated Southern society, and African Americans faced constant reminders of their “inferiority”. In the story, Champion of the World, Maya Angelou portrays a large group of African Americans standing around in a local drugstore listening together to the match between Joe Louis and the white contender. The group shares more than a common skin color, they share a common experience. They have faced oppression for years, but now they are united with a sense of hope. Louis fights for the entire African American race, and his pain is the pain of all those listening and watching the match. The narrator of the story displays the relationship wh...

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...nt of pride into the Black people created a period of hope and happiness for that race. Furthermore, Amy came to embrace her heritage when she came to understand that being different was not a bad thing, but rather something to be proud of. Finally, Josey’s determination to obtain justice allowed her to create an environment where the women minority received protection from the abusive male majority. These three character’s represent the power one person has to create beneficial change, and end injustice. Moreover, the three characters understand that pride exists in being different, and this difference should be embraced not persecuted. In a world of such diversity, people fail to appreciate the differences of one another, and rather look for similarities. Minorities should continue to protect and fight for rights that are abused by the self-indulgent majorities.