Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery - Book Report/Review Example

Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery by Naim Akbar INTRODUCTION The book i.e. “Breaking the Chins of Psychological Slavery” by Naim Akbar mainly deals with the aspect of slavery, which is one of the major issues in the contemporary society. However, the issues had its roots in about 100-300 years back. The book focuses more on depicting the brutality and unnaturalness of the psychological slavery amid the African-Americans. This aspect of brutality has impacted the mental status of the people in a negative manner. In this regard, this particular essay will intend to provide a brief understanding with regard to the perception of the author. Contextually, approach will be taken to personal perception against or in alignment with the view of the author. VIEWS OF AUTHOR IN CHAPTER 1 AND ARGUMENT FOR/AGAINST THE SAME In the first chapter of the book, the author mainly described about the factors associated with psychosocial slavery amid the people. These factors mainly include aspects such as work, property, leadership, the clown and colour discrimination among others. Moreover, the author described that work, acts as a punishment in slavery as it ensures utmost inferiority for the people. However, arguing against the viewpoints of the author in the book it can be said that work cannot be seen as an undignified task especially in the present scenario where people mostly get the opportunities based on their skills and competencies, which they acquire from dignified learning (Akbar and Rasheed 10- 26). Again for property, the author depicted that with slavery, an individual lose their confidence and freedom to the master. In this context, agreement can be shown with the viewpoint of the author as in slavery one needs to work for the master based on his/her command. For the aspect of leadership, the author spoke about some leaders who are working for the masters instead of the community. This aspect can be agreed, as people intend to create a positive image for themselves in front of the master during slavery for personal benefit and perks. For a clown, the author depicted slavery to exist for the entertainment of the master. In this regard, argument can be made against the author’s viewpoint as slaves sell their services to the master and not their self. For personal inferiority, the author depicted that masters always show themselves to be superior from the slaves. Agreement can be made with this view of the author, as there are many people within the society who treat others in a negative manner on the basis of their colour, race or social status (Akbar and Rasheed 10- 26). For community division, the author stated that masters often create social division amid the slaves on the basis of their status. This can be agreed, as in the present day social division is quite an evident aspect to say the least. Again for family the author stated that masters do not allowed any family life for the slaves to pursue. However, in the present day scenario, each and every people within the society have the right to have their own social and family life irrespective of gender or race or nationality. For colour discrimination, the author highlighted skin colour of the people as a reason of discrimination by the masters. This can be agreed to as racial discrimination still exists in the present day scenario (Akbar and Rasheed 10- 26). VIEWS OF AUTHOR IN CHAPTER 2 AND ARGUMENT FOR/AGAINST THE SAME In the second chapter of the book, discussion has been mainly made with regard to strategies to break slavery, self celebration, self knowledge and faith among others. Collectively, with the help of the factors mentioned the author mainly intended to convey people about how to break the psychological chains of slavery among the Afro-American slaves. In this regard, the author affirmed that one needs to comprehend the great things they have done in life and depict the importance of their living. One must not be afraid of enjoying the rights provided to them. Again, people need to be extremely courageous in order to eradicate the psychological implications of slavery. In this regard, the viewpoints of the author could be supported as slavery has left a deep psychological impact on the minds of the people, which affect the life of an individual to a considerable extent. In order to deal with this scenario, one needs to be more confident about his/her abilities so that negative thinking can be overcome for a better prosperous life (Akbar and Rasheed 27-48). VIEWS OF AUTHOR IN CHAPTER 3 AND ARGUMENT FOR/AGAINST THE SAME In the third chapter of the paper, the author mainly intends to discuss about the aspect of racial religious imagery and psychological confusion with regard to religion. The author depicted that the problem of racial religion starts mainly due to the ego of the people, when they think themselves to be the superior. This aspect is quite prevalent in the case of the masters who treat the slaves as inferior, which further hinders them to develop as a person. This aspect has a major effect on the afro American race. It acts towards creating inferiority among the people of the Afro-American race, which further hinders their self confidence and living in a negative manner. Subsequently, it can be witnessed that a clear difference prevailed within the society between the rich and poor along with the blacks and whites since eras. For this the solution provided by the author includes developing awareness amid the people towards not getting negatively influenced from any false perceptions and eliminate the same from the society through ensuring proper efforts in various domains of the society. This perception of the author can be supported as people in the present day scenario have severe issues regarding egoistic conflicts, which further influence their perception and thinking towards other. This perception will also reflect on the actions and activities of the people towards inferior in terms of social status (Akbar and Rasheed 48-78). CONCLUSION From the overall analysis of the paper it can be concluded that slavery has been a major issue of the world for more than a decade. People within the society are discriminated on the basis of theory caste, gender, nationality and social status, which are mainly seen among the people in the inferior race. However, in course of the study it has been learnt that this situation is prevalent especially among the people of the Afro-American race. Work Cited Akbar, Na’im. and Rasheed, T. Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery. US: Mind Productions & Associates, 1996. Print. Read More