An older Richard begins to hang out with the boys in the neighborhood and begins to develop his views about life, most particularly about white people, affirmed by his new friends. Likewise, Richard discovers his sense of pride and sense of belonging when he joins the neighborhood gangs. The gangs also provide a usefulness and safe place for the young black boys to sound out their ideas about life as well as for fighting white gangs.
As the family's financial status remains extremely poor and his mother too ill to work, Richard begins to do chores in the neighborhood in hopes of at least being able to eat. The worsening of his mother's illness, however, necessitates that he write to his grandmother for assistance. Eventually, Richard's grandmother moves his family back to her home.....
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