Racism

Racism, and the bevy of tensions that exist across the American south as a result of it, is the primary focus of Decent People. Winslow is certainly interested in the ways in which racism (and racist structures) directly compound on the Black community in West Mills, exploring the consequences of upward mobility for Black people through an exaggerated murder parable. But he is also fascinated by the ways in which tensions surrounding race divide the Black community in West Mills amongst itself, and from its few white allies.

The direct consequences of racism on the Black community in West Mills are felt immediately when Jo observes that the primarily white police department is unlikely to spend time or resources on investigating the murder of three Black citizens. Even worse, the police are quick to associate the crime with drug dealing in spite of the fact that...