Write a two-page paper on  What does it mean to be Black? 

Paragraph 1-3: Drawing from the list of theorists listed below, give three different theoretical perspectives on Blackness. Each paragraph will have a different thinker. Chose one important idea of each thinker. 

Paragraph 4-6: Discuss three different ways in which these ideas relate to how you think about yourself. One idea per paragraph. The fact that you might not define yourself as Black does not make the ideas any less relevant.

LIST OF THINKERS: 

Some of the thinkers you can use are as follows

James Baldwin

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Patricia Hill Collins

Kimberle Crenshaw

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Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi

Tommy J. Curry

W.E.B DuBois

Franz Fanon 

Marcus Garvey

Dick Gregory

Stuart Hall

bell hooks

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Kendrick Lamar

Toni Morrison

Wangechi Mutu

Rex Nettleford on “Smaddism”

Gil Scott-Heron

Wole Soyinka

Beverly Stoute on Black Rage. On BB

Kara Walker

Cornell West

August Wilson

Malcolm X

GUIDELINES

In selecting your thinkers do not stick to the obvious ones. Choose at least one thinker who you have never hear of. Ensure also that at least one of 

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your thinkers is female. Ensure that at least one thinker is an artist. You can only use one artist/musician. 

 

Theoretical perspectives on blackness

Perspectives held by scholars on being black reflect how racial discrimination and prejudice affected the black society through diverse theoretical points of view that influenced the struggle for equality not only in the USA but also in the larger global society. Baldwin's views on being black focused on racial integration theory that, despite being undermined as blacks he criticized the early 1990’s American-racial centered leadership and the enlightened public on the need for change (Washington, 2001). Nevertheless, via his racial integration perspectives Baldwin, anticipated cooperation and inclusion of minority groups in the social, political, and economic affairs of the nation (Baldwin & Martin, 2008). Moreover, he advocated the development of opinions where both blacks and whites perceive each other as brothers and supported each other.

Patricia Collins a renowned intersectionality female theorist influenced the end of oppressive practices targeted towards the black women in American society. The opinions revealed by Collins on blackness reflect on how the women are under-privileged due to their low literacy levels, lack of political representation, and male domination in the society. She advocated for changes in social-political structures to enhance women's participation in the affairs affecting them in American society (Collins, 2019). Similarly, through the intersectionality approach, she managed to influence black awareness and motivate African American women to advocate for equality in education and protection against oppression backed by the male-dominated society. Additionally, racial social integration aspects were advocated by Collins through her various pieces of writings as well as social activist work.

Wole Soyinka a renowned Nigerian poet approaches the theme of being black through race retrieval perspectives that, informed how historical injustices across the black race influenced poverty and poor leadership practices. According to Soyinka, previously experienced social distress, manipulative political influence, psychological turmoil, and attempts to alienate African history have affected the modern social, economic, and political aspects of the African people (Bright, 2013). Moreover, the poems recited by Soyinka reflected how racial historical distress episodes have derailed economic progress across the entire African continent. Similarly, through his ideologies on racial retrieval theory Soyinka, historical background characterized by suffering, poverty, and limited freedom demoralized the ability of African Americans to participate in socio-economic activities that could improve their way of life.

How the theoretical perspectives relate to how I think about myself

The racial integration view depicts by James Baldwin relates to how I think about myself on the fact that since all human beings are affected by racial discrimination and prejudice, we ought to nurture better racial integrative practices that eliminate racial profiling impacts on the minority groups. Moreover, as an African American scholar equal opportunity for both Caucasian and Hispanic learners in terms of resources accessibility and employment opportunities advocated by racial integration policies will enhance better living standards for the current and future African American generations. Similarly, modern efforts made by American society to recognize African-American leaders have been achieved via racial integration and collective decision-making. Racial integration perspectives have further enhanced the elimination of racial segregation social structures.

Patricia’s intersectionality theory has been used as the basis for the creation of diverse measures to mitigate, previously prevalent oppression due to eminent racial discrimination. Intersectionality theory also focuses on improving the socio-economic status of the entire African American society. Through, addressing the necessity for education, employment, and political domination of women across the society intersectionality perspectives influence changes that paved way for better living standards among African American women. Through intersectionality aspects, African-American women assumed political leadership roles that championed better social reforms that eliminated social oppression and improved the well-being of the entire African American society. The ideologies imposed by intersectionality theory paved way for equal participation of women in both economic and political aspects of modern American society.

Soyinka's racial retrieval perspectives expose the necessity of the modern global society to end manipulative interference of the African society and create a better environment that supports their culture and economic development. Moreover, racial retrieval has a direct impact on me specifically since, through understanding our history as African Americans I am motivated to compete effectively with my white counterparts to secure better social and economic standards. Further, the perspectives revealed by the poet influence my desire to positively impact the less privileged Americans through social work to improve their livelihoods. Finally, racial retrieval theory improves my view towards the implications of African history on my life as well as motivates me to advocate for better reforms that would eventually improve African leadership.