Friday, December 12, 2014

Significance of Boycotting in Chapter 8


Boycotting proved to be the most effective way to protest against the government for African Americans. They were not able to do anything outrageous or else they would be thrown straight to jail. African Americans had only one option to safely rebel against the government. Boycotting is “withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest” (google.com). By boycotting, African Americans are able to protest for lower prices for certain fares. Most African Americans during the time period did not have money to spend left and right. From Chapter 2, we learned that Kumalo’s family had to save up for Kumalo to travel to Johannesburg. In search of his son, Kumalo needs to take a bus to Alexandra. However, the man stops him saying, “This boycott is urgent” (42). The strategy behind boycotting is smart. By stopping people from taking the bus due to a high price, the government will be forced to lower prices making it more convenient for people to ride the bus now at a lower price. However, the African Americans that need to get to Alexandra either have to walk eleven miles, a very long journey in the scorching heat, or take a taxi, which costs a fortune. Either or, people still find a way to make it there in the end. Seeing the “boycott is urgent,” it can be implied that the boycott is one of many. With each boycott piling up, the more desperate the government will become and maybe give in.

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