In the novel If Beale Street Could Talk, written by a world-famous author named James Baldwin, the story begins with Clementine (Tish) bringing the news of her pregnancy to her husband Alonzo (Fonny). Tish worries about her reaction to the pregnancy and that of both her families, but is happy when he reacts with joy, and his family also reacts with love and happiness. Fonny's father (Frank) is equally grateful, but Fonny's religious mother (Alice) and his two sisters judge the situation and spark a confrontation between the two families. However, a common theme throughout the novel is the connection between racism and fear, suggesting that prejudicial people use scare tactics to suppress African Americans. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Fonny's friend Daniel is no stranger to the constant fear that comes with living in a racist justice system. While telling Fonny and Tish why he went to prison, Daniel says he was too afraid to defend his innocence, explaining how his trial was "rigged" against him. “They said – they still say – that I stole a car,” he says. “Man, I can’t even drive a car, and I tried to get my lawyer – but he was actually their lawyer, he digs, he worked for the city – to prove it, but he didn’t.” They essentially didn't even give Daniel a fair trial and automatically charged him and essentially gave him no choice but to plead guilty. The justice system used Daniels' so-called "Lawyer" as a way to isolate him from anyone who could help him and essentially convinced him to take the blame because, by being guilty of having "a little green" on him, he is guilty of stealing a car. Besides, Daniel says, if I didn't plead guilty, they'd throw the book at me. Well, I was alone, baby, I was nobody, and so I pleaded guilty (Baldwin, 102).” Daniel repeatedly emphasized the fact that he “was alone” throughout the entire process. Not only do prosecutors use intimidation tactics against him, they essentially trick him into saying he is guilty, but they make sure he feels alone and isolated from anyone who might witness and help him. They essentially made him feel guilty by not giving him any help and this led Daniel to plead guilty to a crime he didn't commit, thus proving that fear is often what stops African Americans from speaking out and breaking the chains placed on them taxes. because of racism and fear. Throughout the novel, he describes fear as something that prevents young African Americans like Fonny and his friend Daniel from standing up for their oppression. It is very clear that this type of racism is institutionalized in the power structures also known as authorities, in the case surrounding Fonny and his loved ones it also speaks to how all of these work together to keep them oppressed. Daniel sees where Fonny is coming from when they talk because Daniel has already spent time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. He talks about how now that he has been released from prison things are even worse and how he is even more scared than before, too scared to fight for true "freedom". As Daniel and Fonny talk about what Daniel's life is like after prison, we can see that Daniel is afraid for his life. We can see and just imagine the fear he feels even outside of prison. The fear that he will return. Fonny starts asking Daniel "How long have you been out," to which Daniel replies "About three months... Man, that was bad." Very bad. And now it's bad. Maybe I would feel different if I haddone something. But I didn't do anything... The worst thing is that they can make you very scared. Scared, scared man (Baldwin, 103).” The audience can see that white America oppresses people like Daniel and Fonny by putting them in positions where they have no power. This combined with the fear of not standing up for themselves is one of the main reasons why they remain oppressed and in fear. Baldwin also shows readers how racist people with authority or power pit young black men against each other. Another example where this happens is when Mom and Tish see Mr. Hayward in his office and analyze Fonny's circumstances and talk about why Daniel was "conveniently" arrested after he and Fonny talked and sent to prison where Mr. Hayward or anyone else cannot have access to him. What a coincidence that their only solid alibi is put in prison and that the woman who accused Fonny of rape is missing. Mr. Hayward explains that I know something about Agent Bell, who is a racist and a liar... I also know something about the district attorney in charge of his case, who is worse. Daniel Carty was just arrested by the District Attorney's Office and is being held in Communicado. I wasn't allowed to see him... What they're doing is really against the law, but Daniel has a record, as you know.' In other words, the DA. he arrested Daniel because he's their one key alibi, and the DA and Agent Bell both know he has a record, so no one will suspect anything illegal is going on. And what a coincidence it is that they don't let Mr. Hayward see Daniel and that Mrs. Rogers disappears. They are clearly doing their best to nail Fonny and his family against a rock and a hard place, cornering them and making them fear the prosecutors. We also know that Officer Bell is a liar and a racist and so we can conclude that he and the DA are doing all of this maliciously because they are black. It's no coincidence that these authoritarian white people are doing all of this to try to incriminate Fonny and give him no choice but to plead guilty like they did with Daniel. He's essentially using Daniels' fears against him and trying to get him to change his testimony. Baldwin explains how America's unjust systems of power put black people at a disadvantage and cripple them. It's essentially about using fear to isolate African Americans like Fonny and Daniel, which makes it even harder for them to have a voice and defend themselves. Similar to Daniel's circumstances, Fonny faces similar racism towards him and Tish. In the article The Eye as a Weapon written by Trusier Harris begins to analyze what the meaning of the things said in If Beale Street Could Talk and remembers when Fonny helps Tish and defends her when the Italian Junkie approaches Tish. It sets the scenario in a way that makes you understand and gives you an idea of ​​how racist Officer Bell really is. She says, “When Tish sees Bell approaching, she places her body between Fonny and Bell in the role of protector. “I was sure that cop was going to kill Fonny; but he couldn't kill Fonny if I could keep my body between Fonny and this cop (Harris, 58).” He sees that this officer is not approaching this white Italian drug addict but Fonny because he is a black male. She also says, “Her awareness of what white officers do to black men forces Tish to take control and she knows that with her in the middle the officer can't do anything. He has had enough experiences or seen enough to know the racism of officers and people in power and is smart enough to know what to do to help save Fonny.