The American white relegates the black to the rank of shoeshine boy; and he concludes from this that the black is good for nothing but shining shoes.

Summary

This quote highlights the ingrained racial prejudice and discrimination faced by black Americans in the United States. It suggests that some white Americans have a tendency to dehumanize and dismiss black individuals by reducing them to menial roles, such as a shoeshine boy. The quote criticizes the flawed reasoning that arises from this prejudice, as it wrongly concludes that the only value black people possess is in performing subservient tasks. Overall, the quote exposes the systemic racism and stereotypes prevalent in American society.

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