I want to start this essay analysis of the book “Separated Passes” by author MeltonMcLaurin, that it was a really well written account of a world that, to me, a 21st century, coming from a more open community, is completely foreign and honestly disconnected. The very human connection between the reality of the segregated South and the author provided a better understanding of the persistence of racism in the South. The fact that he lived during this time and gave us the theme of change from tradition throughout the book gives me insight into both the past and the present. Author Melton McLaurin looks back on his past, recalling his childhood memories of Wade, North Carolina, his hometown. During this time, McLaurin worked in the South and worked in his grandfather's store; there, he begins to observe how he interacts between the white community and the black community, and how each people's lifestyles are polar opposites, even though they live in the same town. In the book, McLaurin also describes influential black people in the community of Wade, North Carolina, who influenced his views on racism and segregation. He teaches us more about Southern history because he actually lived it, more than most historians who give facts rather than what people actually thought and felt at that time. McLaurin takes the reader through his thoughts and emotional journey related to his unwilling acceptance of segregation. For me, the overall theme of the book was change versus tradition. As you can see, during his younger years, McLaurin did not understand how much of a role his skin color played in his daily life. He was very noble towards the people despite his ethnicity and was able to create relationships with both blacks and whites. The themes were used in the book and McLau... middle of paper ...... their lives were felt and seen like that. Therefore, as the author grew up in his southern community, which was accustomed to enslaving the "separate pasts" of black people, he helps you see a different way without using the meaning of violence, but using words to promote mindset change. He described the tension between the two communities very well. The way the book was written in the first person really helped readers see that these thoughts and concerns and compassion were really being felt about this situation that was happening at the time in different societies. The fact that McLaurin was a white person changed the views, that yes he was seen as a superior being, but for him he saw things differently, he used words to try to change the views and the traditional methods of his peers. McLaurin tries to remove the concept of fear so that both communities can see each other as equal people and races..