Segregation between Brothers (Sonny's Blues)

In the short, ‘Sonny’s Blues,’ the discussion of the 1950’s jazz music scene illustrates this division in the black community, represented by the two estranged brothers themselves. "Sonny's Blues" takes place during the mid-20th century, probably during the early 1950s. The action of the story occurs prior to the gains made by the Civil Rights Movement, during the dark days of segregation and supposedly "separate but equal" accommodations in public institutions (MS Encarta 99). The differences in ideals and goals between Sonny and his brother, which surface as a result of their views on jazz, highlight the differences within the ‘black” population. The philosophies and way of living of Sonny and his brother are completely polar. Whilst one is a teacher who has achieved a respectable middle class standing, the other is a drug-addict and musician. They represent two different factions of the ‘black’ community- one that has managed to surface through all the suffering and ...