I truly believe that racists are not born, but rather racists' attitudes and behaviors are learned during childhood. I think that Going to Meet the Man is a perfect example of the capability to analyze the growth of an innocent child into a racist. Every child is born with innocence. During the flashback to Jesse's childhood, where he witnesses the mutilation and torture of a black man, Jesse's innocence is apparent and he has a black friend named Otis. I don’t think one ever forgets the things they are taught, but as they grow academically as well as morally they have the opportunity to make their own choices as to in what direction they are going to steer their own life. Clearly Jesse has made his choice, which could be based on a lack of education and an inability to see beyond the views of the south during that time period. Either way, it is a shame. Jesse doesn’t even recognize that these memories of the lynching and the violence are connected to his sexually arousal. As a result, he has become a violent man with a disturbed idea of love, sex and blacks.
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