Case Study Letter

Dear Richard Wright,

I must say going through your work was one interesting journey for a reader. The vivid articulation of every sentence, carefully chosen words gives the story so much life. I lived the moment with you while reading your book. You give an exact picture of what it is like growing as a young black man in America. Your reading culture is seen in your amazing mastery of the language. I learned a lot from you, and I am looking forward to reading more of your work. However, some things caught my eye and sparked a lot of questions in my mind. These made me write this letter. I would have preferred a one on one, but I hope this quenches my curiosity.

My first question is how you managed to get the world to give attention to your work. I must admit being the prolific writer you are and your relentless pursuit of equality for all races was a stepping stone. However, you lived in an era where there was so much negative press about the black people. The fact that the whites dominated the same period when you started blossoming only makes me wonder how you managed to get through. This was a period when white supremacists were doing all they could in their power to suppress the black voice. I was a crime to be black, and it was dangerous to be black and stand up against white supremacy at the same time. Where did you get so much confidence? Did you for a moment stop to think the consequences of your activism? This was a period where racist would stop at nothing to silence an upcoming black man even if it meant targeting their loved ones.

There is one quote that caught my eye. Several but I will mention a few that continuously ring in my mind. “Men can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as they can from a lack of bread.” This is one of the most famous quotes from you. Everyone I have talked to about you mentions this first. What I wondered is when did you self-realize? Did you for one moment realize how great you were going to be after the self-realization? Was it a gradual process or you woke up one day and felt I need to do this, I’m going to do it? Did you experience self-doubt? Like wake up one day and feel like no, I am not up to the task? Through your work, I have realized I need to do more than what I am currently doing. I was hoping to get inspiration from one of the greatest man ever lived in America. The episodes of self-doubt keep me from making baby steps, and I would like to know how you overcame this. I am going through a lot of your work, and in future, you might just receive more of such letters. I hope it is acceptable.

Yours