Blog #4 Text Connection

            Throughout American history, conflicts between whites and minority groups have been present since the arrival of Europeans on America. The tension and beliefs about minorities during these times is similar to the views of East Egg inhabitants to West Egg inhabitants, particularly Tom Buchanan towards Jay Gatsby. When it came to the Indian tribes in the west, Americans looked at them as inferior and savage, even if they followed the ways of the whites. The government would attempt to grant them more equality and independence, however, when land was needed, these efforts were tossed aside and were replaced with various acts that displaced, intruded on, and even killed the Indians. In the case of The Great Gatsby, Tom and the rest of the East looked at the West as inferior since they felt the need to flaunt their newly formed wealth. In addition, they saw them as uncivilized, particularly at Gatsby’s parties in which many people were drunk passed the state of rational thought. All of these were excuses for the east to call themselves superior. Similar situations happened with blacks. Slaves worked harder than their white masters on the farm, yet were looked at as though they were powerless and incapable of taking care of themselves. “New money” worked to earn their money and were not born into money like “old money” and white slave masters were, yet they were looked down upon for having to have done the hard work to earn their living. The people who put in the effort  and work to get their profits were considered inferior  those who had their money given to them. In both situations, one side’s haughty views caused them to gain a sense of superiority due to their financial position and birth.