Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery - Essay Example

?Chhatwal James Chhatwal 16 February Order Instruction The book Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery deals with the profound issue that has bothered the Africans Americans living in USA since ages. This is the issue of identity and recognition. The book is divided in three main chapters .The first chapter is psychological legacy of slavery that deals with the African American’s attitude towards work, property, personal inferiority, family and color discrimination. The Second Chapter deals with the author’s response towards breaking this chain of mental slavery. He insists that acknowledgement of self is the first step towards the process of liberation. In the third chapter, the author deals with the psychological confusion of having Caucasian image of God and the impact of this imagery on the psychology of his race. He guides and advises the present generation to deal with the issues of mental slavery and attain self sustenance. Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery is actually the compilation of essays by psychologist Dr.Nia’am Akbar. It is the revised version of his essays first published in 1976 as Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery. These are much insightful essays which draw reader’s attention towards the impact of slavery on the minds and souls of the African Americans. Chhatwal2 The Black Americans trace their ancestry to the members of Negroid race in Africa. During the colonial period, the Black people were brought to be used as slaves. The Whites consider themselves above all the races therefore they oppressed and tortured them. Slavery finally came to an end in 1865 but the effects of slavery left brutal impression on the minds of people and their generations to come. The effects of slavery continue to exert brutal influence in the untold sufferings of millions of everyday folk even after years of liberation. The slavery came to an end legally long time ago but psychologically it is still alive in the minds of the people and the attitude is still living with present generation. He writes in the Preface of this book, “The chattel slavery of Africans in America for over 300 years serves as one of the saddest commentaries on man’s inhumanity to man” .He further explains that Chattel slavery is brutal but the worst kind of slavery is one that “ captures the mind”, “imprisons the motivation”, ”perception”, “aspiration and identity”. In the Chapter 1, the author discusses the attitude of the race towards work, property, personal inferiority, communal division, family and color discrimination .The author discusses about the slave attitude and says it is destructive. He explains how the slaves are permitted to owe a very small property as compared to their master and how this limitation leads to the vandalism of master property.He explains about the hatred and animosity they suffer in the hands of their owners making them realize their inferiority and slavery status . In the same chapter the author discusses about work-A slave was forced to work under threat of abuse or death. It was not the purpose of his life’s need. Work in natural society is looked at with pride but the impression was different for a slave as for him it was used as a punishment and not as his identity .As work was equated to slavery consequently freedom meant the avoidance of work. Chhatwal3 The present generation is no doubt emancipated from slavery still it is mentally enslaved and seeks success “without any identifiable work”. It has now become the “image of affluence of many street hustlers and pimps.”(Akbar 5) In the Second Chapter, Liberation from Mental slavery, the author discusses various strategies to break the chains of mental slavery. He says the slavery that “feeds on mind” destroys or “invades the soul” (Akbar 27) is the worst kind of capture and efforts need to be taken to break the shackles of mental slavery. The slave creates a social barrier around himself which is the result of his attitude. The author says it is important for the race to liberate itself and this could be done when human mind gains consciousness. Self consciousness is the characteristic that sets apart human beings from animals. Man can progress because he has self knowledge. Ignorance is the limitation that holds him back from progressing .If this ignorance is removed a human being is opened to tremendous capacity. He can create situations and circumstances that can help him in maximizing consciousness, working the opposite way will minimize his consciousness. And slavery is a gradual process of bringing the consciousness of people mind under control. The best way to liberate the mind is self knowledge, self celebration, courage, unity (Umoja) and faith, He says, “…that any future process in those arenas or in any other arena of human activity can occur only when we have been properly liberated in our minds.”(Akbar 42) On Umoja or unity he says, that there is strength in solidarity with others and coming together they can break the chains of mental slavery. He believes that human beings know what they want to do and when they are stirred with realization, there are no barriers. This statement is very true and is realized by the present generation who are working hard to carve a niche for themselves. Chhatwal4 The Last Chapter in the book is most controversial chapter. Dr.Akbar writes, “Modern students and scholars of the mind have not adequately dealt with the influence of religious symbols and imagery on the thinking of people.” (Akbar 52).He says that the image of the Creator sets the tone for the potential of creativity in the minds of people. People are influenced and inspired with the images of God in mind. He explains that one portrayed in the image of God starts believing that he has the resemblance with the God thus he has attained the status of divinity and can behave the way he likes , he feel confident and correct in exploiting the resources of others. Other segment of people psychologically starts behaving inferior as they do not bear any resemblance with the God. He further says that psychological slavery can be broken by submissiveness to Superior God force. “The idea of white supremacy suggests to Caucasian minds that they are superior by nature, one of the things that help human beings modify their conduct naturally…”(Akbar 56).There is a long movement going among the black scholars to set the records straight that Jesus if not black was certainly the person of color. He says blonde haired, blue eyed images of Jesus are in correct. “We wanted black faces whenever African American people were being influenced....(Akbar 59)h however ,says Akbar, in spite of this critical scholarship, many of our most radical thinking African-American scholars and clergymen are reluctant to openly challenge what they have come to believe unconsciously is actually the image of God. If this acceptance comes to the race then it would be easier to come out of mental barriers. Finally, it is possible for African Americans to break the shackles of mental slavery. The attitude and mindset towards certain issues of life needs to be changed. It is important to unite, work together, gain consciousness and recognize the self worth. Chhatwal5 Work Cited Akbar Naim. “Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery”.1996.Amazon Publications. Web.15 Feb.2011. Read More