Black Nationalism Ideology - Essay Example

Black Nationalism It is incontestable that ideology is one of the most aspects in society in regardto moving forward political, social and even economic interests. Over the years, ideology has been used by individual persons and group of people to achieve certain ends especially liberations, freedom and bringing what is perceived as the desired change in a given society. Ideology is defined as a set of ideas that makes or constitutes an individual or group of individuals’ expectations, actions, and goals (David 2). Also, ideology can be viewed as a way of looking at things in a comprehensive manner; comparing various views, common sense, philosophical tendencies, and/ or set of ideas that are proposed by class that is dominant in a given society (Michael 6). The main logic behind ideology is to bring about change that is deemed desirable in the society, or through a normative process, facilitate adherence to certain ideals where there is already the existence of conformity. The use of ideology in search for freedom among the blacks is one of the most evident across the world. This is because, for a long time the blacks have been advocating for gaining the national identity like the other races. Their advocacy was informed by the fact that the blacks across the world were under various forms of bondage namely colonialism in Africa and slavery in America. As a result, they were racially discriminated, and politically and economically sidelined in addition to losing their identity, thus, the rise of Black Nationalism. In the United States, Black Nationalism referred to a social and political movement that held set of beliefs that the American Americans should have political, economic, and social institutions that are distinct and separate from those of white society. This discussion will critically analyze the significance of black separatism ideological approach that was beneficial to the Black quest for freedom and self- determination. The ideology of Black separatism was one of the major ideologies under the political slogan ‘Black Power’. The ideology was pushed forward by Black Power adherents who believed in Black autonomy and the need of blacks separating from the whites economically, politically, and socially. The ideology was prominent in the 1960s and 1970s during the Black Power movement that emphasized on recognition and respect of black race identity and advocated for the creation of black social and political institutions in order to promote the collective interests of the blacks and advance their values as well (Robinson 7). Under the broader Black Power political slogan, the ideology sought to express political goals namely a self- sufficient economy, separate social institutions establishment, and defence against racial oppression. Historically, the whites dominated the US society, and therefore, the ideology of Black separatism aimed at separating the institutions for African descent people in order take crucial role on decisions that affect their lives (Ogbar 15). Apart from that, Black separatists wanted to create a separate homeland for the blacks. Their intentions to undertake these changes were informed by believe that the people of the black descent cannot make advancements in the society that is dominated by the majority whites (McCartney 28-9). According to some scholars, it is not simply enough to say that the ideology was seeking the physical separation of races with the desire to see the blacks making independent efforts towards sustaining themselves. They argue that there were the separatists who wanted complete separation while others were separatists with accommodationist approach such as Booker T. Washington. However, they agreed on the fact that the blacks should not only want to be equal with Whites but also attempt to surpass them (Ogbar 42-3). Despite the blacks’ separatists agreeing on the need of their autonomy, they had specific goals that varied from group to group and were historically in flux. For instance, whereas other separatists such as Benjamin Singleton sought autonomy within the US, others such as Marcus Garvey and Martin Delany in the 20th and 19th century respectively, were categorical that the African Americans should be returned to Africa, specifically Liberia. Also, the Nation of Islam wanted several blacks’ independent states in America. There was a common view among those who wanted independent black states in America believed that the black people would receive better services if they were served by businesses and schools exclusively for black people, in a community that is led by local black politician with black police as well (Hall 17). In order to attain their goals, mainstream black separatists called upon the blacks to work. Since the most viable way of attaining separation was to advance within the larger American society, they called on them to achieve this end through business involvement, educational achievement, political action, and personal improvement (Robinson 96).in the 1960s, Martin Luther King, Junior was very prominent in his desire to overthrow segregation of blacks through political action. Also, Malcolm X who was a black separatist from the Nation of Islam played a critical role in pushing forward this ideology (Hall 59). However, it is important to note that, the idea of black separation was not favoured by all blacks. Black Panther Party for Self Defence is one of the organizations that was against the ideology. The members of this organization considered themselves not to be at war with all whites but rather at war against the whites who wielded political power, and therefore there was no need to separate from the entire white community (Jeffrey 101). The chairman of the organization, Bobby Seale, in explaining their position against black separation said that blacks’ oppression was more because of economic exploitation than innate racism against them. Thus, as an organization they believed that theirs was not a race struggle but rather a class struggle (Hall 70). The question therefore is, can black separatism ideology be considered beneficial or detrimental to the blacks’ quest for freedom and self determination? The ideology should be considered beneficial in the following sense; first, the ideology was essential in reawakening racial consciousness of the blacks in the US in the 1960s and 1970s (McCartney 108). This reawakening was important as it made blacks to put more efforts towards their full liberation and equality in the American society. Secondly, it mad them focus on improvement of their community instead of striving towards complete integration in the American community. They also realized that they had a duty to defend themselves against any form of violent assaults (Ogbar 83). In addition, the ideology enabled the blacks to recapture their cultural heritage, particularly their African identity. The black nationalism ideology resulted to most of Americans to gain interests in the study of African culture and history. Besides, in the long- run, the blacks were able to gain racial dignity and become self- reliant. However, its critics argue that it resulted to strong anti- race beliefs on the part of some of the blacks and whites. It is worth noting that the ideology was not the direct influence towards the blacks’ freedom and self- determination. But is inarguable true that the ideology played a very critical role in bringing about blacks freedom and self- determination in the American society. This is because the ideology sparked debates among both the blacks and the whites on issues of democracy, citizenship, and race in the American society (Michael 112). These debates eventually culminated into actions that were aimed at promoting freedom and equality in America regardless of persons’ race or ethnic background. It is clear that ideologies in most cases, if articulated well with intentions well defined, the changes it purports to bring are usually inevitable, either in the short or long run (David 89). In conclusion, from the discussion it is evidently clear that ideologies are essential in political and economic liberation in any given society. They are the means through which freedom is achieved. Various ideologies were crucial in black politics and black freedom movement. As it can be noted, black separatism ideology was beneficial to the blacks’ quest for freedom and self- determination. Even though the ideology may not be linked in its entirety to a particular change, as is the case with black separatism, it can be associated to the change to a certain degree that it influenced it. However, there might be a downside(s) to any given ideology, as it may result to counterproductive or unintended outcomes. As has been noted in the black separatism, the ideology can result to hard-line positions depending on whether individuals are supporting the ideology or not. In an event that an ideology creates more negative effects than the positive outcomes it is considered detrimental. Black separatism can, therefore be considered beneficial because it brought about positive changes in the American society in the long- run. Works Cited David, Hawkes. Ideology. New York: NY, Routledge, 2003.Print. Hall, L. Black Separatism in the United States. University Press of New England, 1978. Print. Jeffrey, Brown. Black Power: Radical Politics and African American Identity. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.Print. McCartney, John. Black Power Ideologies: An Essay in African- American Political Thought. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992. Print. Michael, Freeden. Ideologies and Political Theory: A Conceptual Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Ogbar, Jeffrey. Black Power: Radical Politics and African American Identity. Reconfiguring American Political History. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 2005.Print. Robinson, Dean. Black Nationalism in American Politics and Thought. Cambridge University Press, 2001. Print. Read More