Clear as Black and White

"I wanted to keep this clean," Derek said. "But white trash won't let me."

(Jones, 82)

When Sharon faces the threat of possible rape and sexual harassment from three students, the author provides one of the first direct citations of color and race within the elements of the "Bad Neighbors". Throughout the story, there is an ambiguity of race, leaving it to the readers to assume and imply each character's race. From first glance, I found the Benningtons to be a parasite on the neighborhood, I found them to be an oddball amongst the suburban backset. We assume they come from hard times, and do not have strong financial means, and the lack of interaction with fellow neighbors allows a sense of mystery, as they evade public eye. The reader only sees disapproval and disgust amongst the neighbors, who eventually push the Benningtons out. Ironically, Derek saves Sharon's very life at the end, leaving him possibly with mortal wounds. In regards to the confrontation of the students and Sharon, the reader can only assume the students verbally harassing her had darker motives, but Derek arrives right in the nick of time, like a night in shining armor. He saves the damsel in distress, clearly contrasting the social class duality found throughout the short story. This trashy, vulgar individual comes to be one of the few gentlemen seen throughout the story. He is true to his nature, cold and stoic, and has a certain moral code not seen amongst other characters. Now, I assume the Benningtons are of African American descent and come as individuals in the working middle to lower class. This family is seen as a plague upon the community, as troublesome individuals who upset the neighborhood balance. The author clearly contrasts this upheaval of the family with the life-saving acts of Derek to purely portray the racism and constraint society holds in regards to meeting the status quo. The author comments on the overall superficiality and racism the country still faces, even within racial groups. George P. Jones purposely utilizes ambiguity of race as a social commentary on the racism and oppressive nature society is still stained with, over a hundred years after slavery was abolished, and equality of rights achieved. 

Discussion Question: 

What race do you think the Benningtons were as well as surrounding neighbors? If George P. Jones blatantly noted the race and color of character, how would the overall impact of the story change? Would the story be less effect or more so?