Statement

The setting of “Fences” by August Wilson takes place in Pittsburgh and specifically in the Hill district in 1957. This is the same district August Wilson himself grew up in and set the rest of his Pittsburgh cycle plays. The Hills is a collection of predominantly black neighborhoods and west of the downtown Pittsburgh. In the year 1957, many events affected the world of August Wilson’s “Fences”. Each event that happened within the year molded the attitudes of the inhabitants of Hill District.

An abandonment of dependence and practice of independence has a significant hold on characters like Troy, Cory and other characters within the play. Around this time a conglomerate of British colonies have declared their independence and are recognized as a country named Ghana. The fail attempt of France, Britain and Israel trying to take over Egypt sends a message out to Americans. An independent attitude is within the mist. There is a need for one to make ‘their own way’. This attitude finally trickles down to African Americans communities. Many Blacks were denied service by white owned businesses. Blacks attempted to seek assistance from White America only to be discriminated against. As result, Black owned businesses began to form and is kept within the Black community. Instead of asking for outside help, help was found within the community. Keeping business with the race formed stronger bonds within the community, which proves beneficial in the long run. Wilson touches upon this development with in the play.

During 1957, Dwight Eisenhower is the President of the United States of America. As a supporter of Brown versus the Topeka Board of Education, Eisenhower proposed Civil Rights Acts 1957 and 1960, which were later approved. During Eisenhower’s Presidency, Governor Orville Faubus of Arkansas calls the National Guard to prevent Black student from enrolling to Center High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This incident became known as the Little Rock Crisis. Thousands of Black Americans across the United States cried out at the ill treatment and lack of equality. At this time Black Americans had enough of the segregation and discrimination and challenged social structure. They refused to be silent and brought these grievances to America’s full attention. One figure served as the voice to the African Americans named Martin Luther King, Jr. His passive protest of the injustices upon the Black minorities became know not only nationwide but worldwide as well.

The Cold War continues and more missiles are made which results in more fallout shelters. Self-preservation takes hold of the majority of Americans. Not every moment is guaranteed and survival is the main goal. Combine the need to survive with the Hill district’s renewal urban projects and the collapse of the steel industry with the Cold War scare. The need to survive takes precedent and luxury and finer things in life fade away like a dream. Social status luxury is no longer important but working hard enough to put food on the table and providing a roof over one and his family’s head becomes the main goal.

Dreams aren’t always acquired. The need to escape the constant battle of paying the mortgage and being ‘the man of the house’ is met through many different hobbies. Hobbies such as the local lottery in the Hill called numbers. Many Blacks sought the get rich quick scheme and wasted their time and money. Others sought escape through Jazz music. Jazz wasn’t only a form of expression of the times but a way to keep people moving forward. The churches founded in the Hill community helped those in need and was very influential during hard times.

The Hill had a negro baseball team called the Pittsburgh Crawfords that played in the Negro Leagues. One of the baseball players on the team, Satchel Paige, eventually played for the Major Leagues. Blacks are finally being recognized within professional sports and black pride is reaffirmed.

Fighting for civil rights, striving for survival and defining independence are a few of things found within the world of “Fences”. These things influence the ideals and attitudes of the characters which steers their actions. The inner turmoil comes from their experiences within their past, present and what they believe is to come.