Question #5: What would you do in Blatchford’s position?
I think this question might be the most difficult to answer of the bunch. Perhaps it is not for some people, but I, personally, was struck–still am–by how I might truthfully answer it.
In case anyone read this section at the beginning of spring break and is in need of a refresher, Mr. Blatchford offered Charlie an apprentice position at his practice, but later revoked his offer when all of his employees threatened to quit because Charlie is black. So, going against his principles, Blatchford fires Charlie on his first day. We later learn from a conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Burrell that, had the employees quit, Blatchford’s business would’ve fallen apart, and he would’ve had no way to support his family.
I suppose to answer this question, one must first decide what is more important: one’s moral principles, or one’s family’s welfare?
(We could always speculate and argue that Blatchford could’ve rebuilt his staff in time or found another job to support his family, but let’s think about only the immediate repercussions as Blatchford had to do in that moment.)
So, morals or family. Would I compromise my base principles, what I have decided to firmly place in the categories of right or wrong, to help/protect my family? I guess, for me, it depends on what moral level is being violated. For instance, I think lying is wrong, but I would lie to protect my family. I think stealing is wrong, but I’d steal bread to feed my family. On the other hand, I think murder is wrong, but I don’t know if I could kill someone to save my family. Possibly. I thank God that I’ve never been in such a horrible position.
Would I openly discriminate against a black person, a child, knowing his position at home, if it meant I’d keep my source of income and would protect those I love.
I’d like to think I wouldn’t. I can’t imagine being able to live with myself. And if I really was worried about the welfare of my family and firing him was the only way to ensure they’d be alright, I wouldn’t just send him away as Blatchford did. I’d find a different way to employ him, or I’d find someone who could. I wouldn’t be able to do nothing.
The whole situation is tough, but at least I know that my family would back me up if I stood up for what I believed in, even if it meant loss on their part.
My Thoughts on African American Literature 
I agree with you, this question definitely looked hard to answer and poses a real moral dilemma. I think my family would support me if I stood up for what I believed in also. I’m glad you thought of the point that Mr. Blatchford could have done something else for Charlie to help him. I hadn’t thought of that. I was thinking more in black and white terms. Either he hired Charlie or he didn’t. I suppose it is not just one or the other though, maybe he could have done something else for him, like help him find another job or something at least. Mr. Burrell did more for Charlie than Mr. Blatchford did (even though Mr. Burrell did not claim to be an abolitionist but Mr. Blatchford did).
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Racheal, I totally agree and I love everything you said here. I wasn’t thinking so much about Mr. Blanchford’s point of view, I was looking at it more from Charlie’s point of view because he was so young at the time. However, if it my family could possible effected and/or in danger; if it meant protecting their livelihood, I would have to do the same thing . Because I , too know my family would protect me. But, I would also like to think if I were Mr. Blanchford’s position, I would help Charlie out in some other way, whatever way I could if I knew he and his family members were struggling to make it by. Very well said! 🙂
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