NCHS AP English Language

Bob Dylan/Vic Tompkins

A Pawn is a piece that is used in the game of chess. It is the piece that is the least important, can move the smallest amount of spaces, and is primarily used to defend the higher pieces on the board such as the king, queen, or bishop. One can make an analogy between a pawn in chess to a pawn in society by using the case of Byron de la Beckwith. Beckwith can be considered to be a pawn because he was used by others to do their bidding. Beckwith was a poor white man and fit the typical persona of one. He was prejudiced against African Americans.You can say that his prejudice was due to his upbringing as a white in south and that he had been taught from childhood that whites are better than blacks, period. To help reinforce this idea of prejudice toward African Americans Beckwith was an active member of the Klu Klux Klan. He believed that things have come to a head and responsible citizens have to choose a side and fight. BEckwith can be seen as a pawn because he was most likely told from someone in a higher position, on the hierarchal ladder of white racists. Beckwith is told what to do and becasue of his upbringing and social beliefs does what he is told no questions asked. Beckwith shot and murderd an NAACP organizer by the name of Medgar Evans. One can look at it as Beckwith is the weapon not the murderer, a pawn not the player. Therefore if Beckwith is a pawn than white supremacy murderd MEdgar Evans.

posted by Anonymous @ 8:05 AM