Dedication

Meanwhile, when I dream of my country it's a nightmare. When I think of my country it's a fearful moment. When I talk of my country it's disgusting. A country destroyed by its own cannibals, where lawlessness shines; where children are disregarded and die daily from hunger; where women are being raped, beaten, and forced to expose themselves for prostitution. A country where armed Negroes, thugs, thieves, and murderers call themselves and are called by the corrupted government "Freedom Fighters." Perhaps they mean Freedom Killers!

Is it really a shame to be a Negro? This novel expresses how some of us feel about our race and the society.

Carter thinks it's a shame to be a Negro because of his struggle in the society. Should he blame himself for being black, or should he blame the white society? Unlike any other black men, he refuses to fault his failure on the white nation, but instead, holds himself responsible for his dilemmas.

He believes that he is his own antagonist if he can't accomplish his objective.