Bigotry, Breast Milk, Bric-a-Brac, a Baby, and a Bit in "Beloved" Toni Morrison's Portrayal of Racism and Hegemony by Heather Duerre Humann is a literary analysis that focuses on viewing Beloved through a Marxist lens. It analyzes the concept of racism both in the book and in present American culture. The opinion of Heather Duerre Humann is quite clear. She believes Beloved portrays the way racism plays out and its effect on the perpetrators and victims. Racial stereotypes and white supremacy are both being discussed as one of the main focuses in Beloved, according to this analysis.

Many of the events these characters go through place them in the same oppressive situation in regards to race. Whether this is on purpose or inevitable, it adds to the problem. For example, Heather mentions the specific incident with Sethe and the schoolteacher. The schoolteacher uses scientific racism to treat Sethe like an animal basically. This creates a hostile environment and encourages racism for the other kids as well. We see all these events in Beloved that portray the horrible thing called racism. Humann is showing how it is still seen in todays culture in a different way. It reflects even up to this day because people feel a certain way towards each other. ‘Time’ did an interview with Toni Morrison in where she stated that “declarations that racism is irrelevant, over or confined to the past are premature fantasies”. I agree with this one hundred percent. Even though racism might not be as direct and apparent as it was in early America, doesn't mean its done with. Racism is still growing and alive in today’s culture. It is up to our society to change these standards.