difficult situations. Drunk Lon Everett slashing at Dick, Dick must not fight back because society doesn't deem a black man socking a white man as appropriate. Instead, Dick "[does] not move" (pg. 27) and allows the "blood [to trickle] from [his] flat black nostrils and from [his] thick liver-colored lips." (Pg. 27) Turning the other cheek, Dick passively suffers Lon Everett's slugging once more. "But suddenly the whites of his eyes [are] shot with red." (Pg. 27) Anger sweeping through Dick because his strength exceeds that of the drunk Lon Everett, Dick must firmly stand and take the punches thrown at him. His skin color again affirms his helplessness and servant-like nature to the white population. The white race shunning Dick's desire for acceptance, Dick turns to his own race. Dick's own race won't accept him either; he doesn't act or live as they do. The majority of the blacks reside in Niggertown; Dick rooms in the Sheppardton's basement. Living in the Sheppardton's house, a far cry from Pansy's "little shack" (pg. 34) in Niggertown, Dick further distances himself from his ancestral race. Dick also possesses skills that most black men only dreamt of having. An excellent boxer, Dick "coached [the boys] while [they] sparred." (Pg. 25) Dick also "could certainly shoot." (Pg. 25) But, not only could he aim and shoot a gun precisely, Dick could also read and "he read his Bible every night." (Pg. 26) The majority of black men unable to do nothing but meager tasks, Dick soon finds himself alienated from own race. This furthers his attainment of approval.Dick even searches for God's approval but feels he falls short. "A deeply religious man," (pg. 26) Dick desires affirmation from his Heavenly Father. "On the table [in his bedroom] there was always just one object; an old Bible almost worn out by constant use" (Pg. 25) Daily Bible reading doesn't fulfill Dick, though. Some days, "Dick would come ...
