Let’s start off what
does it means to be “Like A Winding Sheet”? I had no idea what this while I was
reading the story. “Winding sheet” gives a symbolic effect on how black people
are privileged to sleep on a white sheet. In this case, I think that Johnson is
privileged to be able to live in a white society. However, he runs into
countless times where he is discriminated against or treated differently by a
white person. He tries his best to do right and to have other people look pass
his “color of his skin”. He wants to be treated like a normal person, but three
times in the story, his patience is tested.
The main character
Johnson reminds me an average low class African American that is trying to
motive himself to constantly go to work to a job that he does like, low pay,
and the labor is crazy on his legs. He's been at his job for two years and continues
to make improvements for the employees. He knows how sore his legs get every
morning and that makes it harder for him to start off his day. However, “my
guy has the same problem that I have”. He tends hold all his grudges inside
because he does not know how to handle it and properly release or deal with it.
Johnson’s first encounter
with negativity was when he was late to work. Johnson works during the late evenings
at a plant ran by Mrs. Scott. Mrs. Scott doesn’t like when Johnson is late so
she went off on him. Mrs. Scott says to Johnson, "And the niggers are the
worst. I don't care what's wrong with your legs. You get in here on time. “I'm
sick of you niggers” (1499). Personally, I think that going off on him was not
called for. Johnson is already suffering from leg problems and yet he does not
let that stop him from making that chicken!! Mrs. Scott called Johnson a “nigger”
and ya’ll already know that should have
went!!! Mrs. Scott says to Johnson, Johnson refrains from putting his hands
on his boss and took the short. Back in the day, African Americans struggled to
get a job therefore I understand why Johnson did not put his hands on her. He
would have gotten fired and would not have been able to take care of himself
and his lovely wife!
Johnson’s second
encounter was with the coffee lady at the coffee shop. After the encounter with
his boss on his tardiness, Johnson wanted to ease his mind and buy himself a
coffee. Next thing you know the lady says “there will not be anymore coffee for
a while” (1502). After hearing that he probably have the straightest face of
disbelief. This also reminded me of the movie “Hidden Figures” directed by Theodore
Melfi. In the movie Katherine Johnson wanted to get some coffee the next
morning at work in her office. When she walked over where the coffee mugs were,
the other workers gave her small mug which had a label on it saying “blacks
only”. Katherine worked in a mostly white environment. At the time, blacks were
only allowed to work as “computers” and there were rarely promoted while
working for NASA. Katherine knew that she was going to experience some sort of
racisim in her job culture, but that did not stop her from giving her 100% to
her job. This is similar to Johnson who give his 100% but is pushed to test his
patience at different moments.
Lastly, after a long,
exhausting, and racist B.S. day, Johnson is on his way home to see his beautiful
wife. (Pause), ladies when a man had a long day at work and see that he’s tired
go and comfort your man and make him feel appreciated when he gets home. Now Johnson
arrives at his house and ends up arguing with his wife. Throughout the argument
she eventually says, “You’re nothing but an old hungry nigger trying to act
tough.” (1503). (Pause again), Men do not like when their manhood is being
tested. Men are supposed to be strong and the provider of the family. However,
his manhood was being tested all day, especially by all women that make it even
worse.
After everything that
happened to Johnson he recognize the red lip stick that his boss was wearing
when he was late for work and also now that I think about it, it was kind of
her fault why he was late to work in the first place. Johnson snaps and goes
crazy on his wife and starts to hit her countlessly. I’m not saying Mae
deserves to get beating up, but in the story it did not tell us when Johnson
stopped beating his wife Mae. I feel like that represents how today in society
that everyday woman constantly get abused my males and that African American constantly
deals with everyday racism and it hasn’t stopped yet.
Steven E.
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