the identity of the so called negro

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In the quietness of unfair racial discrimination lurked an unquestionable desire to taste the realities of justice, fairness, and freedom. African-Americans were alienated and divided in a way that forced them to lose the essence of they were as a collective body. An identity was ascribed that presented African-Americans an imbecilic and inferior race. They were given an undesirable identity; one encased in oppression. Webster dictionary defines identity as the “condition or character as to who a person is.” Without having a sense of identity, the true nature of the person is lost. The African-American was lost in America. They were forced to assimilate with the masses, assuming their identity and culture while shedding their own. This is a dangerous state of existence; an existence marked with mockery and shame. Nothing can be worse than loathing of self. Questioning why your skin is so dark, why your hair is a different texture, why your nose is so broad and your lips so full. When looking in the mirror the reflection glaring back was one filled with anger and despair. This was the collective mindset of many blacks as the result of continued confrontation with “irrational prejudice and systemic economic exploitation.” In response to this continued subjugation, black advocates declared a quest for “their own liberation by rhetorically constructing an ideology with a new collective identity for themselves.” An identity addressing black “ideological alienation” while focusing on black solidarity and nationalism. The historical analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. presents multiple perspectives concerning his philosophical outlook on black identity. These perspectives ignite a creative dialogue between the past ... ... middle of paper ... ...r. “Niebuhr’s great contribution to contemporary theology is that he has refuted the false optimism characteristic of a great segment of Protestant liberalism.” King found Niebuhr’s critique of pacifism challenging, yet he was fascinated with Niebuhr’s awareness “of the complexity of human motives and the relation between morality and power.” King was intrigued with his teachings of human nature and behavior. This was the foundation of Kings later perspective as he optimistically believing humanity could solve its own social problems; including the social ails of racism. It is unquestionable the ideals of Niebuhr impacted King’s understanding of sin and how it is related to power in a powerless situation. It was these concepts that allowed King to develop an understanding of group behavior, human motivations, and the undeniable link between power and ethics.

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