Big Boy Leaves Home

Reading Big Boy Leaves Home brought to mind the sheer horror and inhumane treatment of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. What I cannot grasp is the desire to participate in this treatment. From the glorious singing to the presence of women, I am unable to understand the pure gratification and satisfaction associated with lynching and harassment of African Americans. If you could rewrite this story what would you add? What would you take away? How would it end?