Proud Shoes Confronts Struggle, Essay Example

Race and education have been two key issues of struggle that have cemented discussion and careful analysis in the United States over the course of history.  Proud Shoes is a story written about a multiracial family that is presented with different socioeconomic backgrounds.  These backgrounds provided Robert and Cornelia Fitzgerald with two alternative views. Cornelia was presented with a financially good life living with Miss Mary Smith even though there were times where Miss Mary often despised her.  Because of this lifestyle, Cornelia lived basically a free life while she was never provided with an opportunity to experience true value for education.  Due to her poor treatment from Miss Mary Smith and her lack of education, Cornelia often felt as if she was missing out on very critical components to as an heir to a wealthy family.

However, Robert lived a life where nothing was valued more than education.  Education was the tool that Robert and his family believed would be used to set him truly free in a society that despised blacks and fought to keep African Americans lower on the social totem pole.  This is a fairly accurate representation of the United States during the post great depression years as the Ku Klux Klan and other destructive racism factions developed to take their social hatred out on their social targets.  Even though Robert was able to achieve his freedom, the character was never truly satisfied because he wanted nothing more than to receive a quality education and develop his mind.  The author presented this idea as a way of comparing freedom to education for the African American community.  It was not enough for freedom to be granted; instead, the ability to think and react critically to the world around them was the ultimate goal for both Robert and Cornelia Fitzgerald.  While some slaves would value having a master that treated them with less ferocity, freed slaves had an even greater value or education.  Proud Shoes showcases these stark contrasting social issues with passion and vigor from the author’s own personal experiences.