In many of Brooks' works, she identifies the cause of interracial problems within the black community. The cause is white racism and its affects on society. One example of racism in Brooks' works is in "The Ballad of Chocolate Mabbie." This poem is about a black female heroine who is tortured by the white kids because of the color of her dark skin and her black lover named Willie Boone. Throughout "The Ballad of Pearl May Lee", Brooks talks about sweet revenge and betrayal for the love of a black man. Although most of these poems are dealing with unpleasant racism against blacks, she also writes well of blacks. For example, in "Boys, Black", she encourages black kids to develop good health and a good overall appearance. Brooks, unlike some writers is not a racial writer.

Racism in Brooks' works can best be described in the poem "Maude Martha." During Christmas time, Maude takes her child Paulette to go and see Santa Clause. Santa was talking and showing much love towards the little white kids, but he paid no attention what so ever to little old Maude Martha's black child. When this happens, Maude has every intention of stabbing Santa's eyes out with a scissors, but decides violence will not solve anything. Maude now just hopes Paulette can live in the fantasy world thinking everything is ok as long as she can. In Brooks' autobiography she states that, "A dark-complexioned girl just didn't have a chance if there was light skinned competition" .

Gwendolyn Brooks is a very nice and loving person. While reflecting on the tensions of her time period due to racial oppression, Brooks shows much love for all people no matter what social class they stand. In her writings, she expresses her love for her brothers, sisters, relatives, and just any person that needs love. Brooks quotes, "To be in love is to touch things with a lighter hand". Brooks has only written two love poems, "When you've forgotten Sunday" and "Steam Song," but she expresses her love in all of her poems.

She does not curse white people or black people, she just tells it how it is. In her essay in "Black Woman Writers" she quotes, "Black emphasis must not be against white, but for blacks.

Brooks' image of the rejected black person shows a personal quest for affirmation. The brutal affects that racism has against African American men, women, and children cannot go untouched. Beauty parlors are a big ordeal in

Some common words found in the essay are:
Throughout Brooks', Gwendolyn Brooks, Maude Martha's, African American, Love Story, Died Alley, Gwendolyn Brooks', Boys Black, Ms Martin, Ms Sallie, love people, black person, black female, love people matter, brooks' poetry, black woman, black people, people matter, lives blacks, black neighborhoods, expresses love, writes love people,
Approximate Word count = 1124
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)