In today's society the story Battle Royal by Ralph Ellison continues to have a great significance to my people. Many blacks today are still ashamed of their race and would rather be part of a majority that doesn't want them to be equal anyway. The narrator states, "When I was praised for my conduct I felt a guilt that in someway I was doing something that was really against the wishes of the white folks that if they had understood they would have desired me to act just the opposite" (533). This is truly heartbreaking because I couldn't see myself being anything but a strong, surviving, proud, splendid black woman.
             This situation is extremely relevant to the black experience of America because even today there are still some blacks who will degrade, humiliate, and even put aside their self-respect for the acceptance and appreciation of white America. They will disown their heritage and what they believe in so that white America will think highly of them and hopefully welcome them with open arms. They will chuckle at their racist jokes and snicker at their snide remarks and comments with stereotypical punch lines. Some of the most important men of town where at the battle Royal saying such racist remarks as, "Let me at that big nigger, let me at those black son of a bitches, and I want to get at that ginger colored nigger" (535), where a few racist remarks made by the white folks. They will continue to vote republican even though they are democrats at heart, knowing that this could hurt their people.
             These people are willing to hire whites before they hire their own, even though the black candidate may be more qualified. They are willing to put money into expanding and rebuilding the white communities but neglect and criticize the black communities. People like this don't understand they are creating a struggle for us as a people , not only do we have to prove to white America that we are...