Learning How to Live in the South

Wright had a problem with only holding a job for a short amount of time because he was let because of the way he acted. He talks to Griggs, a former classmate, about his problem and Griggs tells him the "learn how to live in the South". By saying this he means that Wright needs to learn how to act around white people. He tells him, "When you're in front of white people, think before you act, think before you speak. Your way of doing things is all right among our people, but not for white people. They won't stand for it." While they're talking, Griggs also pulls Wright out of the path of some white people walking. Wright is surprised and somewhat annoyed by what Griggs has done, but Griggs tells him he needs to learn to get out of their way because "white people want you out of their way". Also, Griggs tells Wright that because of his behavior around whites, getting and keeping a job is difficult for him. Although Wright knows what Griggs is telling him is true, and Wright says, "it was simply utterly impossible for me to calculate, to scheme, to act, to plot all the time." He hopes he will someday be free of this.