1. Stratification within Afro American Community
Alphonso Pinkney in his book titled Black Americans gives a clear picture of black slaves stratification. Belong to a different white master determined the
class of the slaves. Black people worked as servants usually a mullato had higher social status rather than those who worked in a farm or field Pinkney 63.
According to Gunnar Myrdal, the lower class consisted of uneducated black people. They were the habitual criminals, prostitutes, gamblers and
vagabonds. On the other side, the upper class of Negro community built their own community, separated from the lower class. They were business, particularly in
the field of banking or insurance, but also in contracting, real estate, and personal service. Often family background was stressed in upper class. The family was
organized upon the paternalistic principle, legal marriage was an accepted form, and illegitimacy and desertion were not condoned. Children were shielded as far
as possible both from influences of the lower class Negroes and from humiliating experiences of the caste system Myrdal 701-702.
This situation has improved and developed steadily within the black community. The black community, like the white community which surrounds it,
has always maintained a degree of social stratification. This social stratification within black community was used by slave holders to divide the slave force. The
slaveholders avoided or prevented the unity of black community. After emancipation, class distinctions among blacks frequently followed
the patterns established during slavery: those based on wealth, occupation, “respectability,” and skin color.
a. The Morgan Family as the Upper Class Family
The Morgan Family is one of the founding fathers of Ruby. The Morgan family is a family in Ruby that has most of the assets in Ruby. The most
influential figures of the Morgan family are Deacon Morgan or Deek and Steward Morgan. Most of the family members are businessmen since they have a bank as
the central regulation of Ruby economy life. They provide loan for those who have financial problems. They are glad to give the loan.
Deek and Steward were interested in approving the loan, provided he could persuade somebody to sell him the property. So the question was
where Morrison 186.
Gunnar Myrdal says that businessmen belong to the upper class people Myrdal 701. One characteristics of the upper class community is that they try to
protect themselves away from the outside people, especially people from a lower class community. This situation becomes the main problem in this novel since the
Morgan family wants to get rid of the people in the Convent. The Morgan family thinks that the woman community from the Convent will stain the community of
Ruby although it seems that they have another intention that is to burn a “black” history of Morgan family and the Convent.
Facing white people becomes something that they avoid. That is why they isolate themselves from the Whites. Keeping the purity of black blood is
something valuable since that differentiation of skin color becomes the main problem of discrimination they faced. Whatever the Afro American people do, it
does not change their status. They belong to the lower class because they are black. Isolating themselves makes them feel that they are in the upper class
community, at least within their own community. They are proud that none of
their women have ever worked in a white- man‟s kitchen or nursed a white child
Morrison 99.
Since the community of Ruby is built by the Eight Rocks, they also isolate themselves from the outsiders although the outsiders are Negroes. They think that
they have the upper class habits, far away from every sin, base their life according to the word of God. The purity of their life is a fundamental thing they must
afford. The community of the Convent is avoided since the members are lower class Negroes. Almost all of the members of the Convent are from broken families
or have faced problem within their life. Different treatment are given to them since they are treated as the outsiders and unwilling people in Negro community.
This situation is clearly stated when the women from the convent attend Arnette‟s wedding party.
The Convent girls are dancing; throwing their arms over their heads, they do this and that and then the other. They grin and yip but look at no one.
Just their own rocking bodies. The local girls look over their shoulders and snort Morrison 157.
The most irritated family within Ruby is the Morgan family. The Morgan family always thinks that they are the upper class family. Surprisingly they are the
family who broke the rule of Ruby. This case will be discussed in the next discussion. Yet some of Ruby members feel the same fate as the Convent women.
They feel that they are treated as the lower class people. They feel that they are inferior. This situation is clearly pictured in the conversation between Roger Best
and Patricia Best. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
“Why do they change it? There used to be nine families in the play. Then eight for years to years. Now seven… How the holy families get fewer and
fewer… It was skin color, wasn‟t it? What? The way people get chosen and ranked in this town. Aw, no…. the Morgan are very serious about
them-selves. Too serious sometimes Morrison 216. ”
The Morgan family as the upper class dominates Ruby community. Besides they are rich, they also belong to the upper class family. This situation
strengthens their social status within Ruby community. The social classes are built based on the position which the individual occupies in the social organization
Bendix 8. The Morgan s‟ position as the upper class family strengthens their
domination within Ruby community.
b. The Hierarchical System of the Afro American Church
The Church is a hierarchical institution. Ruby is dominated by the Baptist church. Since it is a protestant church, the top leader in the hierarchy is a preacher
or reverend. Their role is significantly important. This is why the Morgan family is careful in facing a reverend. They realize that the role of a reverend in Ruby
community is significant and crucial. the Babtist were the largest congregation in town as well as the most
powerful. So the Morgans sorted Reverend Misner‟s opinions carefully to
judge which were recommendations easily ignored and which were orders they ought to obey Morrison 57.
Ignoring a reverend‟s recommendation is a fatal consideration. The Morgan family tries
to keep themselves “on track” so that their domination is still. Moreover, they try to dominate within the church itself.
The Morgan family also has a big influence on the Church. It seems that they manipulate the hierarchical system of the Church. Belongs to the upper
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