Introduction
The history of black people in the United States is rooted in unmatched violence right from their shipping, slavery, and racial policy. Even after the Civil Rights Movement (CRM), people of African descent continue to witness several forms of injustice. The most recent issue is the problem of police brutality and the murder of black people. It is through such painful experiences that people have developed the strength to demand their basic human rights and equality. In addition, the experience of animosity has driven others to work hard and acquire the resources that make their survival easier. Thus, the power of the African Americans came as a response to oppression and has now led to their self-determinism and equality.
Black Equality
The abolition of the slave trade followed by the emancipation proclamation gave the African Americans a chance to have equal rights to whites, at least in the constitution. However, the reality of such changes did not reflect on the day-to-day lives of black people. They still had to endure racial oppression and exclusivity. The rationale is that racial oppression is a norm in the United States because the country is founded on white democracy (Hesse et al. 463). The Civil rights movement was effective in bringing a few changes. However, racial discrimination remained apparent in matters of incarceration, employment and academic opportunities, and gentrification, among others. The continued violence made the people arise and start fighting for equality.
The African Americans have, over the years, managed to combat racial capitalism through demonstrations that make the public and lawmakers aware of their plight. For example, in 2014, the murder of Michael Brown sparked social media and physical protest (Hesse et al. 506). Yet, social movements of such kind are not isolated but a continuation of the past. For instance, the 1992 Los Angeles rebellion, the 2001 Cincinnati riots, and the uprisings in Oakland and Lisbon were all geared towards achieving equality (Hesse et al. 506). Notably, political leaders are always trying to ensure peace. Thus, they would rather help the protestors by changing the laws that are unfair will be sophisticated.
Violence against black people provided an opportunity to protest against inequality. Remarkably, the privileges of Caucasians are embedded in every aspect of political, economic, and social life (Hesse et al. 463). Whenever there has been a chance, the African Americans have tried to expose the segregation through demonstrations, literature, and art. Black Lives Matter (BLM) is one of the most significant social movements in the contemporary world that tries to address inequity in arrest and incarceration.
The BML has created awareness throughout the country, yet it bears its roots in violence. Specifically, BLM was catalyzed by rage after the police killed several people of African American descent, including Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, John Crawford, and Tamir Rice (Hesse et al. 458). The focus was on disrupting daily errands, public space, and the indifference of the whites as they witnessed the suffering of the blacks. Noteworthy, some Caucasians labeled the movement irrational, inappropriate and dangerous (Hesse et al. 457). However, despite the failure to give support to the BLM, the people are now outgrowing the fear of being with the whites. The most important thing is to promote an existence of a country where all people are respected.
Black Self-Determination
Self-determinism is concerned with a redefinition of the black community in a way that depicts their independence and autonomy. Notably, directions on pertinent issues affecting African Americans have been controlled by others while they take a passive role. However, the continuous violence made them desire self-governance and freedom in political, economic, and social aspects. Self-determinism of black people continues to be witnessed across the courts of law. For example, when making a plea, Eric Garner said that the main reason they revolt is that they cannot breathe (Hesse et al. 538). The implication is that their boycotts should not be interpreted as an act of defiance but a plea to live freely. Thus, the violence against non-whites has made them take desperate measures without minding that they risk incarceration and negative profiling. Redefining their identity as equal members of society makes their lives tolerable.
Historical violence made the African Americans start critiquing the political landscape, which failed to recognize their needs. For instance, when Head was arraigned in court for his outburst, he apologized to people who thought that what he said in anguish was a true desire of his wished for the community (Hesse et al. 539). He went ahead to defend himself, stating that he should, nevertheless, not take the blame for everything. The governor declared a state of emergency and put people on alert for a possible war even before the decision of the Grand Jury. The implication is that Governor Nixon was relying on his stereotypical and biased beliefs and showed contempt for the court (Hesse et al. 539). Head decided to point out that there was bias because the jury and the court were overlooking the governor’s behavior. By expressing himself, Head represents many African Americans who have decided to use the law as a strategic tool for achieving self-determinism.
In addition, self-determination is reflected in the black rage that seeks to liberate African Americans and uphold racial justice. Historically, there are “feeling rules” which govern emotional expressions such as anger such that blacks are expected to always remain polite while speaking (Hesse et al. 457). However, as the black people express their anger during demonstrations, they go against the norm and show that they also have a right to show their emotions as it is instead of having to pretend that they are contented despite injustices. The primary criticism of such emotion within the public sphere is that it can easily result in violence and destruction (Hesse et al. 476). Thus, the black rage is relevant in disrupting the day-to-day activities across white-dominated spaces. The protest should ensure that they do not allow the anger to lead to violence toward other people, ad doing so will sabotage self-determinism.
Historically, it has remained difficult for the white citizens to cope with loss which is a necessary part of democracy. In turn, the election of President Barack Obama caused some sections of Caucasians to experience an existential crisis that upended white privilege and dominance (Hesse et al. 490). Having a black president in a country that has always been led by the white is a great example of self-determinism. Moreover, even the first black female vice president, Kamala Haris, continues to depict the efforts that people of color have made in the country’s leadership. The advantage of such wins is that it helps in giving reformations that help the African Americans to feel a sense of reparation for all the violence they have endured.
The biggest problem in contemporary politics is a white grievance. The Caucasians find it hard to accept that their declining economic status is not a trade-off in which non-whites benefit at their expense (Hesse et al. 498). The notion that the whites are always supposed to be at the bar of the social ladder makes them feel like the ongoing racial protest is victimizing them. However, evidence suggests that African Americans have mostly advanced in their economic endeavors when they converge their interests with the whites.
The problem is that the rising number of whites in the upper-middle class is distracting the self-determinism of the whites. Essentially, within the current economic context in which the top 1% are becoming wealthier as opportunities decline for the remaining 99%, it is hard for the white majority to perceive black gains as not emanating from special rights (Hesse et al. 498). The problem is that such beliefs detract the Caucasians from prospects. Thus, the convergence of interest at a time of white grievance enhanced by the symbolic losses and objective materials is unlikely. The implication is that the blacks will have to continue with their self-determinism despite potential adverse effects on the whites.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the violence against African Americans had some positive effects as it made them pursue equality and self-determinism. Many black people are enjoying the fruits of social reforms such as the abolition of slavery, the emancipation proclamation, and CRM. However, they still have to deal with violence in terms of police brutality, fewer opportunities for career advancement, and other racial means. Through protest and creating awareness, the Blacks can now enjoy relatively equal rights. They have also developed self-determination through fighting in the court, protests, literature and arts, hard work, and political elections in key offices.
Work Cited
Hesse, Barnor, et al. After #ferguson, After #baltimore: The Challenge of Black Death and Black Life for Black Political Thought. 2017.