The Ways of White Folks is a collection of short stories by renowned poet and novelist Langston Hughes. The collection was first published in the year 1934.
Cora Unashamed tells the story of a young black woman called Cora Jenkins who lives in Melton, Iowa with her daughter, ill mother, and deadbeat dad. Her family is the only black family in the neighborhood.
Cora loses her daughter and ends up bonding with the daughter of the rich family she is working for as a maid. The daughter is also fond of Cora and trusts her more than she trusts her parents. She later gets pregnant and asks Cora to help her get an abortion. Her family’s reputation is at stake, and she has no one else to turn to. Cora agrees to help her and ends up suffering mentally and emotionally for helping the young girl.
Slave on the Block narrates the story of an odd and affluent white couple who consider themselves artistic and generous. In their wild pursuit to appear fancy and artistic, the couple takes in an African American man. The wife begins painting the black man as a slave in the block and ends up throwing him in the streets after getting too familiar and bored with him.
Home describes the story of a young black musician who returns home after being abroad for several years. The first welcome he gets upon his arrival is racist insults which he is already accustomed to. Later he encounters a white music teacher, Miss Reese, and the two form a surprisingly good bond based on their love of music.
Passing tells the story of Jack, a light-skinned African American who realizes that he could easily pass off as white. He uses this trait to escape his home and reinvent himself leaving everything he loves.
A Good Job Gone recounts the story of a white employer who was very friendly and had no problem employing black people. However, after his wife’s death, the man started sleeping with black women and eventually became insane.
In Rejuvenation through Joy, a black preacher who could easily pass off as white begins a cult that worships the supposed pureness of African individuals. The preacher is however exposed after initiating a lot of naïve white people.
The Blues I’m Playing tells the story of a wealthy white woman who brags of being racially unbiased. To prove this the white woman endorses a young black musician and helps her build her career. However, when the black girl announces that she will be getting married soon, the white woman cuts off her endorsement for fear of losing her ‘project’.
Read-Headed Baby tells the story of a racist white sailor who favors sleeping with black women more than white women. After spending weeks at sea, the sailor visits a black prostitute he is used to seeing. Before they have sex a light-skinned baby with red hair enters the room and the sailor runs off confused and questioning the identity and likeness of the child.
Poor Little Black Fellow tells the story of an affluent white family who takes in a black child after his mother dies. His mother worked for the white family as a maid. In one of their family trips to Europe, the young boy discovers that people in the country are not racists. His adoptive parents suddenly become controlling and strict. When the family returns home, the boy decides to stay in Paris.
