BLACK RAGE HISTORICAL STUDY
Thesis Statement: Throughout the history of the United States, as seen through an analysis of African-American literature and rhetoric, black rage has not only existed, but has grown. As the momentum toward equality is clearly evident in the black race's struggle, the question of where (or when) this rage will subside (if ever) remains unanswered. In examining black rage, four distinct periods of American history should be considered: slavery, Reconstruction and Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Era, and contemporary America. 1. Throughout African-American history, a presence of "black rage" is identifiable through both African-American literature and rhetoric. 2. This rage has emanated from a state of racial inequality and has gained 1. When dealing with the concept of racial equality, the question must be asked: Can two races live together in equality? 2. It has yet to be proved that a state of equality can be obtained in the United States for African Americans. 3. Given the momentum that exists within African-American society to gain more freedom, is a reversal in racial p
According to these black scholars of black rage, the momentum to overcome will one day prevail in victory. The penned up black rage will one day be satisfied, satisfied when there are no longer any white chains and shackles to hold it back. The fact is, white society fears, and has always feared, losing power. White America has been resistant and forever reluctant to relinquish her position of social, economical, and political dominance. At the same time, black America is likewise reluctant, reluctant to give up the fight. Demonstrating the upward mobility and momentum of the black race, Carmichael announces, "We are on the move for our liberation. We're tired of trying to prove things to white people. We are tired of trying to explain to white people that we're not going to hurt them" (41). Hurt them? Yes, white America fears being hurt -- physically, economically, and socially. The question remains: Will white America continue its resistance until black rage inevitably boils over? "The question is," exclaimed Carmichael, "will white people overcome their racism and allow [us to organize] in this country? If not, we have no choice but to say very clearly, 'Move on over, or we're going to move on over you' " (41). Concluding this thought, Williams writes, "The fact is that racist white America is not worried about the possibility of Negroes being exterminated. It is more worried about the loss of its privileged position in its racist caste society; its system of white supremacy and world government" ("USA" 325). After all, the United States was built and founded on the double standard Jeffersonian principle that all men are NOT created equal, that the black race (or any other non-white group) must be held down at all costs. of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. (103)
Some common words found in the essay are:
Rights Movement, Cornell West, King Jr, Black Power, America's Negro, Promised Land, Civil Rights, Patrick Henry, Hughes Brown, Black Nationalism, black rage, civil rights, black race, white america, civil rights movement, black people, rights movement, black power, jim crow, , american history, black panther party, channel black rage, civil rights era, race relations america,
Approximate Word count = 15676
Approximate Pages = 63 (250 words per page double spaced)
|