Historical Background

The play takes place somewhere between World War ll and 1959 in the south side of Chicago, Illinois.  The play speaks to issues such as value systems of the black family, concepts of African American beauty and identity, class and generational conflicts, relationships of husbands and wives, and black men and women. During this time residential segregation was common, residential segregation is the physical separation of two or more groups in different neighborhoods. This is why Mr. Lindner doesn't want the Youngers moving into his neighbor because it is an all white community.