Cry, The Beloved Country Book 2, Chapter 26

A crowd listens to John Kumalo speak. Those who understand him know that he has no courage or brains to back up his beautiful speeches, but the policemen are afraid of him, because they do not see he will never go far enough to cause trouble. John asks for justice, but he does not push the people to truly demand it, because then they would become disorderly, and he would be sent to prison. "And then what will happen to the carpenter's shop, that brings in eight, ten, twelve pounds a week?" Chapter 26, pg. 185 Stephen hears his brother speak, and is awestruck by his power. James Jarvis hears it also, and says he does not care for this sort of speech: it is unclear whether he means a speech calling for racial justice, or a speech that uses many words without really saying anything.

There may be a strike, and if there is it will be devastating. Imagine if every black South African stopped working, if all the schools and churches closed! But when the strike comes, this does not happen. The natives are not organized, and they are easy to control, and a few are killed and the rest driven back into the mines. South Africa's problems are complicated, and no one wants to think about them. Still, those who think that the trouble has died down after the strike are wrong. "Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools." Chapter 26, pg. 190

Topic Tracking: Race Relations 9