Survival and Injustice in Richard Wright's "Down By the Riverside"

   

    Richard Wright's "Down By the Riverside" speaks to the civil rights movement as Mann, who has little overall power, must show resistance within an towards injustice and dehumanization of African Americans in order to take care of his family. Notably, Mann found himself forced into situations that emphasize this state of inequality within society. Without any other mode of transportation offered to his family, Mann felt that he was forced to use the boat Bob stole from Mr. Heartfield in order to help his sick wife. After Mann asked for help regarding his sick wife, Mr. Heartfield was only concerned for his boat, and took a violent approach when interacting with Mann. As shown in the text on page 68, "'Bring that boat back here!' There were two pistol shots. Grannie screamed." Instead of further assessing the situation, Mr. Heartfield immediately disregarded the humanity of Mann and his family in the boat. The act of shooting Mr. Heartfield was the result of Mann protecting his family in a life-or-death situation. Similarly, Mann's choice to use the stolen boat was also made under the pressure of a life-or-death situation as his wife was pregnant.     

    Further dehumanization can be seen when Mann was devastated following his wife's death, soldiers only were concerned with putting him to work. After Mann mentions the death of his wife to the soldier, as seen on page 80, they respond with, "'You ought to be glad you're not dead in a flood like this.'" This response is shortly followed by "'Awright, boy! Here's your boat! Lets go!'" Mann's feelings were discarded and not seen as a pressing issue that warrants genuine concern and care. Instead, soldiers were more concerned with helping others in the flood, prioritizing white people. Mann was also forcefully separated from his family in the process, further pushing him to contemplate his next steps in response to this injustice.

    These incidents prompted Mann's final act of resistance. He attempted an escape following the Heartfield family telling the soldiers that Mann had killed Mr. Heartfield. He knew that he would likely be killed by the soldiers. Alongside the fear of death itself, Mann also knew that death meant he could not see the rest of his family again. As stated on page 102, "He ran among the trees, over the wet ground, listening as he ran for the crack of rifles." Mann once again finds himself forced to make a decision that is ultimately detrimental. He would rather try to escape than simply wait and succumb to the injustices that he has faced. 

    While there exists pressure to submit to an unjust society, Mann ultimately makes decisions to try and combat further harm to himself and his family that stems from routine injustice and dehumanization of African Americans, even though he has little power. These decisions had outcomes that were not ideal, but given the lack of support and care from others, choices were limited. The need for resistance was amplified as self preservation was not his only consideration. Societal injustice forces people into a box, one might try to accept the current conditions, and one may act in protest, hoping to benefit others who are also affected.