This film explores the pernicious effects of racism from the point of view of a black urban family in modern times. It shows their efforts to better their situation. Walter Lee slaps his sister's boyfriend once. The mother slaps the daughter once. Walter Lee gets drunk on a few occasions.
Smoking is shown.
The Great Migration was the movement of millions of Southern blacks to the large cities of the North looking for relief from racism and seeking better jobs and schools. It began during the First World War when jobs opened up in war production industries. It continued through to the 1960's. Almost all blacks who moved North, moved to the cities. The voting power of blacks in the northern cities helped to change the political landscape of the nation.