In "Race Matters" by Cornel West, the author claims that part of our dilemma in addressing race in this country is that we refuse to acknowledge that political and economic structures are inseparable from the behavior.

In the documentary ‘Beyond the Colorline' by Henry Louis Gates, the director supports the similar idea.

1) Is this idea supported or not supported in the novel ‘Black Boy' by Richard Wright and how?

2) How does Richard (the main character in ‘Black Boy') describe the interconnectedness (or lack thereof) of these forces?

3) How does this join to the path he takes via the novel and where he ultimately ends up?

4) Are there any excerpts from ‘Black Boy' which clearly establish these ideas? (I want at least 4).