The theme of race and racism can be seen in Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" through internal racism, segregation and discrimination.

In "A Raisin in the Sun", racism is shown internally because of how the different classes of colored people viewed one another. There is a clear line of division between the two as it relates to unity. The higher classes are stereotyped and compared to other races specifically whites. The rich colored people were perceived as being snobbish because of their financial wealth. They stay in nice neighborhoods, drive nice cars and have decent job. As opposed to the poor colored people who live in the bad parts of town and have to work for hours on end to provide for their families. Beneatha states "The Murchinsons …show more content…
While the grandmother is trying to provide a better life for her family, some of the members are hesitant to move. Ruth states " Clybourne Park? Mama there aint no colored people living Clybourne Park" . This is due to the oppressed mentality that colored people cannot afford to live anywhere but the ghetto. The white community was attempting to keep the colored people in one area and ultimately their attempt was unsuccessful with The Younger family. Mama stated "Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as the other houses" (1507). The houses seemed to cost more because they were probably higher than the other homes because the people who were selling the homes knew that many colored people could not afford nice homes. This shows how the colored people were discriminated against because the high prices were placed on the homes specifically made for the colored people and not the whites. It was thought that the only place that colored people belonged was in the poor parts of the city like they were stuck at the bottom of the barrel and had no way out. Equal opportunity was not granted to all because of one's financial status and the color of their skin. Although discrimination against colored people was not overcame, it exhibits how people will do any and everything within their power to keep someone from succeeding and being the best person they can