In other words, black people have reached a state of double consciousness where they look at themselves in the way that white people look at them. It was commonly conceived by white people that African culture is inferior to their own. Du Bois later claims, “the sense of identity thrust upon black Americans living in a world in which white political and economic leaders assumed that to be American was to be white.”
Angelou’s article, states that African Americans have come along ways since the civil rights movement. But still don’t quite get the respect they deserve, and probably never will have. Kapuscinski gives examples of cities such as Los Angeles that have become one race, that “ work toward one common aim.” The African Americans in Angelous article overcome the prejudism through American politicians who no longer attack African Americans, and by
In both stories, the black characters are already prejudged by the white people they come across. The people who are targeted by the racism will overcome and continue to live their lives. The stories happen in different parts of the world, but the mindset of discrimination was the same everywhere at that particular time in history. Wright writes about Jim, a merchant sailor. Olaf was a merchant sailor just like Jim when he was younger; the only problem with Olaf was the color of his skin and his intimidating size.
Dubois's philosophy not only shows nihilism in the black race during this era but it also shows the same lack of progression in the black community in 2011. It reminds us of the lack of harmonious solidarity as well as the lack of intellect, high morals and spiritual insight affecting the Black masses today. His piece brings up an array of valid points on why the black community is its own worst enemy when it comes to building a new infrastructure of educational, historical and financial knowledge of self like the Jewish, Asian and Indian cultures. Dubois says “It is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the mass away from the contamination and death of the worst, in their own and other races. Now the training of men is a difficult and intricate task.”(Dubois 1) I personally think that the contamination of most blacks today is from out dated teachings, some churches, politicians and most importantly, the entertainment business.
Wright uses the gritty story of Bigger to warn whites that oppressing and degrading black Americans will perpetuate the violence and hatred. In order to show the plight of black Americans, Native Son begins in Bigger’s squalid one-bedroom apartment that he shares with his mother, sister and brother. It is a bleak, rat-infested
Mona Kim Black Boy Response Paper Living in the South during the 1900’s for African Americans was an incredibly tough time. As stated in the United States Constitution states that “all men are created equal,” however in the Jim Crow era in the South, blacks were continuously persecuted; killed, beaten, raped, taunted and for many times it was not the fault of the blacks. In Richard Wright’s autobiography of Black Boy he describes near death experiences, extreme hunger and other hardships dealing with the Jim Crow south and the white people who resisted the liberation and change in the African American lives. Wright uses writing to free himself from the prejudice he constantly faces, gradually he finds that writing allows him to explore
Although these two are the most prominent, they are not the most important. The most important is the sociological concept primary socialization, but is not displayed until later. First Racism is introduced in the opening scenes through the use of derogatory terms. The main character, Derek Vineyard, begins to refer to African Americans and other minorities as parasites and problems in the United States. In this same scene he also shows views of white supremacy because he states that minorities come to America only to exploit it as opposed to establishing themselves as “model citizens”.
They were very much racists and felt strongly about blacks marrying whites. But what they fail to realize is that love comes in all colors no matter what race. You can turn on your television right now and see all different types of interracial couples. Such as Kanye West and Kim Kardisan, Former Defense Secretary William Cohen has a black wife, as well as the Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas has a white wife. “Even if people wanted interracially, I think they’d keep is kind of quiet” explained a minister on campus at Ole Miss.
Double Consciousness W.E.B. DuBois defines double consciousness as a sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others and describes that being African American comes with a sense of two-ness. Meaning that being of a different race or class can leave a person torn between to different identities. In DuBois’ case one identity was of the man he saw himself as which was an American and the other identity was of how others saw him which was just another Negro. However in today’s society I believe everyone deals with double consciousness one way or another.
It’s no doubt that America was not the most favorable place during this time period for most, if not all African Americans. But without all the events that occurred then, we might not be where we are today. I’m not trying to justify what they did was right. But if we think about it, without the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act, things might have never of changed. African Americans could still be treated like slaves and not treated like human beings.