“Know their place” racism is extremely dangerous because it’s just as toxic as blatant racism, but it is masked by a false sense of appreciation and respect for the abused race.
For example, of the three characters in the white supremacist group, McBane is the most blatantly racist. He has no desire to mince words and wishes all African Americans dead. This, of course, is dangerous in the physical sense. He won’t hesitate to harm or kill a black person, and he has little fear of the laws that would prevent him from doing so.
Carteret is in the middle. He is of a higher social standing than McBane; therefore, he must adhere to social laws in order to keep face. But he is just as vicious underneath all of that pretense. He accepts African Americans when they maintain “their place,” but he is still often rude to and short tempered with his black servants.
Belmont is one of the worst kinds of racist. He is a white supremacist but he still values African Americans. However, he only values what they can do for him as servants and laborers. He is “kind” to his servants, but this only keeps them in “their place” happily. He gives them no reason to aspire for or want more. His false sense of appreciation and respect make him a “good master,” so his servants have no reason to fight for more rights. Thus, the status quo is maintained with no physical violence or societal disruption.
My Thoughts on African American Literature 