Racism is the belief that one race is superior to others. To most people, race is characterized by the shade of color of one's skin, the texture and color of one's hair, the size of the lips, the shape of the eyes, the size of the brow and bridge of one's nose, and other such external features. Racial resentment is a powerful force.
             The story "The Sky Is Gray," by Ernest J. Gaines, is narrated by a small boy named James. At eight years of age, James goes to Bayonne to see a dentist with his mother. At such a young age, James starts to understand his mothers pride that she is constantly encouraging. Since his father left, being that he was called into the army, his mother is left with three children and in great poverty. In the story, her hard words and harsh judgement is pushed against the fact that she has been placed in a position were survival for her family is not always sure. She feels that she must teach her son how to take care of his family and to survive with dignity as a man. Later in the dentist's office, James watches a young, educated African American argue with an elder man, who looks like a preacher. The educated African American has no faith in religion but reacts in an extreme, self confident way that he challenges their religious beliefs. When the young man is hit by the elder man, a man who maintains that no questions at all should be asked about God or traditional belief. The young man wins the admiration of James, "When I grow up I want to be just like him" (Gaines 469). The preacher is at once too submissive and too aggressive. The young man defends his right to disbelieve but is unable to make sense out of his opposing certainty. James's mother, Octavia, is incapable of compromising her pride even when it means a meal for her son. Fortunately, the white lady, who offers a meal, knows exactly how to go around the pride so that natural help is not taken...