The Exploration of Racism in Darktown by Thomas Mullen

Abstract

The paper explores the theme of racism in Thomas Mullen’s Darktown, focuses on the experiences of the first Black police officers in 1948 Atlanta. The novel presents the harsh realities of racial discrimination, police brutality, segregation, and institutional racism during the post-war period in America. Through the characters of Lucius Boggs and Tommy Smith, Mullen portrays the struggles faced by African Americans within a society controlled by white supremacy and Jim Crow laws. The paper examines how racism operates through social institutions, particularly the police department, and how it affects identity, justice, and human relationships. It also highlights themes of resistance, courage, and the gradual hope for social change. By combining historical realism with crime fiction, Dark Town serves as a powerful critique of racial injustice and reflects the continuing relevance of racism in modern society.