Richard Wright is arguably one of the most influential African-America authors that has ever lived. Often daring to speak on the sensitive subject of racism, Wright displays a true passion for exposing and eliminating this evil that has defiled our country. In Wright’s autobiography Black Boy, first published in 1945, illustrates the struggles he experienced as an African-American in the south during the 1920’s.

Raised in a broken household plagued with strict religious women and violent men, Wright turned to reading as a diversion from his discouraging environment and rejected the church in favor of atheism.

Wright’s colorful background propelled him into different situations that forced him to use his wits to avoid and escape danger.

An African-American myself, I can identify with Wright’s struggle. I enjoyed Black Boy because we both believe in unity, tolerance and equality; however, we also have a strong pull towards politics. Wright ends the book with a sense of freedom in the air.