What does the poem "On the Subway" by Sharon Olds mean from a historical point of view?

The poem "On the Subway" provides a historical
point-of-view is regards to how Whites have, and still continue to, regard
African-Americans. The poem beings with the speaker stating her fear that the youth
across from her may attempt to rob her given he "has the casual look of a mugger."  She,
dressed in her furs feels obviously threatened.

The poem
shifts toward the middle where the speaker recognizes that the young man may be
regarding her with the same concern with which she regards him. She admits that he may
be looking at her in such a way that would lead him to believe that she "is taking the
food from his mouth."

In the end, the speaker recognizes
that the color of her skin makes his life very easy; this mirrors that fact that the
color of the boys skin makes his life very
hard.

Historically, the most prominent happening which
began the equality movement was that which happened on December 1, 1955 in Montgomery,
Alabama. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. This event lead to
the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Therefore, it could be seen as
mirroring the Park's incident by placing the poem in a similar setting. While it does
not take place on a bus, it does take place on a subway. This shows the current mode of
transportation used by the masses today (in larger cities). This being said, this
transfer to the subway also symbolizes that the prejudices of today's people still
exist.

The only difference between the poem and both the
past and today is that the speaker is able to put herself in the shoes of the young
man.