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Native Son
Richard Wright’s Native Son wasn’t just a powerful novel—it was a wake-up call. When it came out in 1940, it tore through the silence surrounding racism in America. Through the story of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man navigating poverty and systemic prejudice in Chicago, Wright forced the country to look at some hard, uncomfortable truths.
For many white readers, it was the first time they were confronted so directly with the brutal reality of institutional racism and the fear it breeds. The book didn’t just stir emotions—it sparked fierce debates about race, justice, and violence.
Native Son didn’t fade with time. It became a cornerstone in the foundation of civil rights literature, helping to shape the conversations that would fuel the Civil Rights Movement. It's not just a novel—it’s a mirror held up to a nation.
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