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The Struggle Black Progression

A research paper on Black Progression by LMU student Chanel Mitchell

Since the beginning of slavery through their emancipation, the American Negro has not been able to escape oppression and inferiority. Known as the permanent underclass, blacks have continued to suffer in poverty and constantly face hatred, racism and discrimination. A number of social issues such as single parenthood, crime, racial profiling, drugs, poverty and mis-education continue to plague black communities across America. The American Negro, now referred to as African Americans, long for physical freedom, opportunities for education and employment and craves human and civil rights. Due to continuous intimidation by whites, black live with a double-consciousness that keeps them from overcoming struggles and develop as a race. The purpose of this study is to acknowledge W.E.B Du Bois’ theory of double-consciousness in the black community and find solutions to overcome this problem to uplift and advance the black race.

Most of the issues of the black community stem from the domination and oppression of whites. In the past these issues include slavery, sharecropping, and Jim Crow laws keeping blacks confined unable to advance as a race. Blacks were taught that they were inferior to the white race; therefore, they were denied the right to read and write, the right to vote or be involved in politics and even not given a choice of religion. Whites were afraid that if Blacks had this privilege, they would switch roles and become inferior to them.

Another example of how whites kept blacks inferior to them after slavery was by sharecropping. Sharecropping is a contract between white plantation owners hired former black slaves to continue to work the land in exchange for housing. Although this may be seen as benefit for both employer and employee, blacks were commonly cheated by whites, and ended up owning them instead. This was a way to keep blacks from achieving success of developing as a race.

Double-consciousness is the result of this idea of inferiority coined by activist W.E.B DuBois. In his collection of essays, The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B Du Bois explains what it is like being a black person in America, post slavery times to the Twentieth century. African ns are looked at by the color of their skin rather than human beings. Social freedom, political power, human brotherhood and equal opportunity are all that the American Negro long for but are held back by hatred, prejudice, and discrimination. He believes blacks even hold themselves back because of double-consciousness.

Du Bois’ theory is that, “It is a particular sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring ones’ soul by the tape of the world that looks on in amused contempt and pity(5).” This means having the knowledge of how people view you versus the way for feel about yourself. Referring to the American Negro, he describes a “twoness…two souls, two thoughts and two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body (5).”  The color-line that Du Bois speaks about is the separation of the two.  Anyone having black ancestry is criticized and always view themselves differently than how the world views them. The American Negro, is not treated the same as White Americans and are instead considered inferior. Faced with pity and abhorrence, they struggle daily with being accepted in a place they call home, all because of the color of their skin.

Ernest Allen Jr. analyzes Du Bois theory further in his article, “DU BOISIAN DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS: THE UNSUSTAINABLE ARGUMENT”. He says, “In “Strivings,” for example, Du Bois spoke of the ideal of fostering and developing the traits and talents of the Negro, not in opposition to, but in conformity with, the greater ideals of the American Republic, in order that someday, on American soil, two world races may give to each other those characteristics which both so sadly lack (12).”  

Bruce D. Dickson Jr. analyzes Du Bois’ idea of double-consciousness in is journal, “W.E.B Du Bois and the idea of double-consciousness.” He believes that “This theory identifies three primary issues: 1) the real power of white stereotypes in black life and thought; 2) double consciousness created by the practical racism that excluded every black American from being an American; 3) the inner conflict of what was considered African and what were considered American.”

To be an American means to have citizenship or lineage in American exercising rights of physical freedom, freedom of speech and choice, and rights stated in the constitution. They are entitled to opportunity and are encouraged to obtain the American Dream. The American dream is to be able to go to college and receive a degree, get a well paying career, buy a nice house with a white picket fence and an expensive car in the driveway. It is about having ambition to beat obstacles and reaching success. To be a Negro, or black, is one from slavery who doesn’t deserve success. Because blacks aren’t considered American, they are held back from this pursuit of happiness. The American Negro is a mixture of history and present times. They strive for the American dream but are held back by the color of their skin.

The plague of white oppression still continues today in the 21st century in forms of racial profiling, discrimination and multiple issues inside of urban communities.       A new type of oppression began upon the emergence of urban communities in the 1960’s after the “White flight”. “White flight” is when whites fled urban neighborhoods, becoming racially segregated from the African American race. With them, they took their businesses such as grocery stores and banks, leaving the Blacks in housing projects, unemployed, and impoverished. Left with social, legal, and economic pressure, Blacks now live in impoverished ghettos with limited resources. Since the 1960s, the major social, political, and economic issue that remain persistence in Black communities is poverty. In inner cities across America, you will find rundown housing projects, abandoned buildings, inhospitable city landscapes and homeless men and women lying on street corners and raggedy schools.

One major issue in the black community is education. Schools in urban communities have high dropout rates, unsafe conditions and a huge lack resources. White schools versus black schools in America are complete opposites from the structure to the book. Schools in black communities are rundown, possess worn down books and athletic equipment, and teachers tend to have an improper teaching style. There is a lack of counselors, academic materials, tutoring programs and courses needed to get into college are not offered. On the other hand, white schools have clean new buildings, new, up to date textbooks and materials, a gym with a swimming pool and great teachers that guide them towards a promising future. It is unfair that even the school systems show racial discrimination. Young students are being oppressed because of their color and this results in continuous failure.  Early on, Black students are again taught that they are inferior and cannot reach the level of success that whites can. Their consciousness of this keeps them from trying.

The black community is indeed in need of a solution for both double-consciousness and the horrible school system. To do this, African Americans must take charge. They can start by creating and supporting Black owned businesses in their community and make an effort to recycle black dollars. If African Americans create businesses, they are creating jobs for people in the community. As black businesses grow they earn more money and more workers will be needed. The outcome of job opportunities would highly contribute to homeownership of African Americans. Blacks will be able to, not rent, but own a house and have stability. Homeownership conveys social status, political standing and justifies full citizenship. This will give blacks an honorable voice. They will have something they can call their own. Black will no longer have to depend on other races for places to rent.  The importance of this is the statistics of the black community. Taxes from the homes go to schools in which their children attend to receive a good education and continue the cycle. Money earned will go back into the community which means   better schools, more parks, libraries, museums etcetera and be available for whatever is needed for students to achieve academic success. They can now use the recycled money earned from black businesses and put it into the uplift of the black race.

With the black economy booming and the black bank growing the health of the community will improve. The recycled black dollars will be put toward building up the black community. No longer will the streets be filled with garbage or will the black community contain unmanaged homes or disadvantaged school, nor will poverty exist. The black community will be a city of commerce. Other races will no longer be superior to blacks. Black people will no longer be isolated from society but have a sustained, self-empowered community. The appearance of the community is very important. It is a reflection of the people. With more businesses, maintained buildings and a cleaner environment the well being of the community will be prominent.

Recycled black dollars is important for the black economy. Blacks have over 500 billion dollars nationally that can be recycled and invested into the welfare of the community. Blacks will not live in poverty, children will get a better education in a safer, cleaner environment and the mannerism of blacks will change. Recycled black dollars is important to the wealth of the community and the success of blacks as a whole.

Another solution to oppression is the black community is to implement programs that give people resources they need to make a living. There should be a community center with an after school programs that gives young black men and women job opportunities, as well as keep them off the streets, making a personal contribution to the black community. Jails will have fewer blacks because the youth will be taught from a young age the importance of life and contributing to it. Education, leadership, family and community will be the main priority. Studies show that programs have made drastic changes for the better. These programs will change the statistics and stereotypes of blacks and the black community.

The Boys and Girls Club of America is an ideal program that caters to youth of urban community. It is a place where youth can go to stay out of the streets and out of trouble. The club teaches them their capabilities and teachers them the importance of higher education and what it means to give back.

In his book, The Mis-Education of the Negro, Cater G. Woodson gives his solution to escape black oppression.

“The Program of Uplift of the Negro in this country must be based upon a scientific study of the Negro from within to develop in him the power to do for himself what his oppressors will never do to elevate him to the level of others.” (Woodson)

Woodson expresses his feelings towards education and development of the Negro race, focusing on how it will be done. He suggests that the Negro has to gain power himself and develop into what he wants to become. He believes that since the “white man” won’t give him power, he has to do it on his own. The conclusion that I believe Woodson is trying to get to is that in order to advance as a race, the Negro but develop himself without the white man’s help. He must think for himself, evaluate what he is being taught in order to fit his circumstances.  Negro empowerment is what is going to change the face of the race. It is importance that blacks go to college and get an education then return their knowledge to their communities. The ultimate result would be empowerment. Like Woodson describes, we would be contributing our part to the modern culture and developing ourselves at the same time.

Works Cited

Allen Jr., Ernest. “DuBosian Double consciousness: The unsustainable argument.” Black  

            Scholar. 33 (2003):25-43, 19

Crozier, Karen D. “The Luminous Darkness of Du Bois’ Double Consciousness: Through the

            Lens of Contemporary Christian Women”. Pastoral Psychology; (Sep2008), Vol. 57

            Issue ½: 77-88, 12

Bruce, Jr., Dickson D. “W.E.B. DuBois and the Idea of Double Consciousness.” American

            Literature 64.2  (1992): 299-309.

DuBois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk.Chicago:A.C McClurg, 1903

Martinas, Sharon. “Shinin’ Lite on White Privilege.” 1998

Woodson, Carter G. The Mis-education of the Negro. The Associated Publishers, 1933

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