in book 2, chapter 4, The Black people- Yes, the black people also-it was the first time he had ever shaken hands with black people.
The act of shaking hands is one that denotes equality between the two parties. It is a sign of reciprocity rather than obedience. For the first time, Jarvis approaches blacks not as servants or workers, but as equals. Paton makes the change in Jarvis's character explicit through the request to see the Boys' Club in Claremont, the institution that best exemplifies his son's concern for social progress.
http://www.gradesaver.com/cry-the-beloved-country/study-guide/section4/
