Racial inequality must be one of the major problems in the world; it seems that the problem cannot be solved. Many people fight for racial equality and believe they have won, even though racism and inequality still exist. Usually, the primary targets of racial discrimination are working-class African Americans; this problem prevents them from improving their lives. In A Raisin in the Sun, author Lorraine Hansberry analyzes the lives of the oppressed young family; she shapes her literature by showing that racism and classism are the reasons why they cannot achieve their goals. It is understood that this play insinuates that racial equality leads to a better future, which is what the young family aspires to. The characters Walter, Mama, and Beneatha all have dreams and aspirations interrupted by acts of racial discrimination and disrespect due to their social class; in response to this, each of them gains power over their oppressors. Walter Lee Younger is probably the most motivated member of the young family; he is determined to provide a better life for his family. He believes that investing in a liquor store will have a good financial impact on the family. This plan is concocted due to his envious attitude towards others, primarily upper-class white Americans. He is jealous of other men his age who "have everything" while he is disadvantaged, so he feels like he too can "have it all", he just needs something to help him build his fortune. He says, "Sometimes when I'm downtown and I pass some cool, quiet looking restaurants where the white boys are sitting and talking about things, sitting there making millions of dollars' worth of deals, sometimes I see that the guys don't look much older. than me” (I, II). He...... middle of paper ......n Beneatha is presented with the problem of assimilation, she stands up and tells George that one should be proud of one's heritage and that being the The kind of person he is means that he conforms to society's perspective on what a person should be. Lorraine Hansberry has made it clear that racism and classism have repeatedly tried to prevent the Younger family from achieving their goals. However, the potentially oppressed characters were eventually granted some form of empowerment. Works Cited Foertsch, Jacqueline. “Against the 'starless midnight of racism and war': African-American intellectuals and the anti-nuclear agenda.” Philological Quarterly 88.4 (2009): 407+. Literary Resource Center. Internet. May 13, 2014. Hansberry, Lorraine. A raisin in the sun. Bedford's compact introduction to drama.6thed. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. Print.