The Ella Baker System

Why is it that in every step that is taken, it is stepping toward the wrong direction? Ella Baker understood that the system is made almost impossible for Blacks to thrive and it needs to be radically changed. This assertion by Baker is still prevalent today and was back then through slavery, Blacks struggled with this system that is against them at all odds creating more difficulties in a resolution and gaining true freedom. Although there has been progress with the climb to liberty, African Americans still find themselves getting nowhere, the system is still set up in ways that still does not aid in the quest of freedom for the Black community. Henry Garnett illuminates this in that he believed that since we are faced with hard struggles

of slavery, we must resist and take it upon ourselves to gain our own freedom.
Since the beginning of slavery African American’s lives were not in their own favor.

Garnett mentions, “Two hundred and twenty-seven years ago the first of our injured race were brought to the shores of America. They came not with glad spirits to select their homes in the New World” (291). Here shows that from the very early stages of slavery, African Americans were already put in a position where they had no power. They were taken away from their homeland and brought to a place they did not choose. This links to Baker’s assertion in that she suggests that were faced with a system that does nothing in helping with our freedom. Here it clearly shows the system was built on control and had no intent of helping enslaved Africans in their wants or needs. In addition he then states, “But they came with broken hearts, from their beloved native land, and were doomed to unrequited toil and deep degradation” (292). Another powerful statement by Garnett displaying the control and hard times against them since the beginning of slavery. Ultimately, exposing that it is true that Baker’s assertion not only resonates today but back then as well. Understanding that slavery was built with the root cause of nothing working towards enslaved

Africans.
Correspondingly, Garnett also displays the struggles that were present in enslaved Africans. Showing how slaves were treated immorally that slavery was structured in that slaves were to stay slaves. Garnett states, “Slavery had stretched its dark wings of death over the land, the Church stood silently by--the priests prophesied falsely, and the people loved to have it so” (292). He displays here, how dissolute slavery is and how even the Church did not aid in their suffering. True Christians of the Church would not have turned a blind eye to the inhumane treatment of any kind of people. This draws back to what Baker asserts, because both Garnett and Baker parade about how the system does not help in achieving a resolution. And how everything is against them, in this case the Church not help in putting a stop to slavery. Garnett also mentions, “Your intellect has been destroyed as much as possible, and every ray of light they have attempted to shut out from your minds” (292). Again here exhibits the system of slavery customary to manipulating African Americans to an even lower level than human. It too shows how since slavery was established in this kind of matter, slaves have it against them in actually proceeding to freedom. Once more, linking to “It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs…” (Baker).
As mentioned before, Garnett believed that in all that is faced with slavery, resistance is key to emancipation.

Take it into our own hands in achieving our freedom, do not sway in pleading whites to end it for us but to take action. Specifically Garnett says, “Brethren, the time has come when you must act for yourselves” (293). He is basically saying although we are faced with things against us and not in our favor we must rise and act for ourselves. This resonates with Baker’s assertion in that it demonstrates that Garnett knew of the struggles against African Americans and that he wanted change and in order to do so resistance is what should be done. He also says, “TO SUCH DEGRADATION IT IS SINFUL IN THE EXTREME FOR YOU TO MAKE VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION” (293). Garnett asserts that it is a sin to submit to slavery. He suggests that, we have lived through all that is unjust and all that is wicked but to submit to slavery is a sin. Here showing how we have struggled long enough with everything playing against us in every move that we have taken but to submit is to sin. Tying back with Baker, she has mentioned the flaws of the system making it difficult to progress. After all that was presented the years of suffering, resistance still is the way to gain freedom in full

force.
Taking on the task of achieving freedom by resistance is a radical move, but Garnett believed it was now or never. He says, “Think how many tears you have poured out upon the soil which you have cultivated with unrequited toil and enriched with your blood; and then go to your lordly enslavers and tell them plainly, that you are determined to be free” (294). Garnett has a plan in convincing that although we have struggled tremendously with slavery we must stand up and fight for ourselves. Having no control over what happens because you stand no chance with breaking free, just look back at what was done and it gives motivation to resistance and rebellion. Baker’s admonition advocates only half of what Garnett believes. Focusing on how it is always a situation in which it is impossible to win. But, Garnett says be determined to be free, after all those years of toil and degradation resistance is a radical way in gaining true freedom.