Black Boy

A lot of people say bad things about Richards mother in previous chapters, but I thought she did a good job of raising him given the family's circumstances.  People say that she senselessly beats Richard, does not teach him right and wrong, and isn't there for him.  I can see why people would think this, and sometimes she doesn't always do the best thing for Richard.  She is a single mother for most of Richards life so far, and she doesn't get a whole lot of support from Richards father, or outside of the family.  She works with what she has, and she tries her best to be a mother and a father.  Traditionally fathers are the disciplinaries in the family, but she has to take this role, while being a mom, and supporting the family.  Richard also has to grow up quicker than most kids.  He doesn't go to school, and that is another place where children grow up.  Richard is being raised completely by his mom, without help from others.