The African-American social and political thoughts were not distinct from other races, although, Europeans thought that they were lesser beings than them. Many historians tend to believe that black people were separated from the white, and they used to live separately (Cook, 2013). However, this has is not the case for the reason that they lived together, but were differently from “superior” whites. This article argues that African-Americans were segregated, but the act made them integrate and develop social and political thoughts that focused on liberating them.
Being enslaved in an unprecedented way and the stereotypes they were associated with helped to develop a sense of national identity. The black color, as well as the areas in which they were segregated, helped them to unite and defend their race. In fact, they integrated to establish the best social arrangement for achieving long-lasting freedom and justice in a society that had many races. This is what Cook (2013) called racial mixing.
Integrationism thought helped African-American to merge with other liberal whites, for example, organized labor libertarians to fight for their civil rights that were guaranteed to all people (Gore, 2012). Living among other races helped the black people to learn what other people were undergoing and identify with them.
On the other hand, Black Nationalism the period under study resulted from the prevalent discrimination that African American experienced during that time. In fact, most of the nationalism thoughts are associated with integration that assisted to learn political ideologies and understand their rights. To advocate their civil and political rights, they formed an association, which were critical to the achievement of independence (Gore, 2012).
In conclusion, African-American thoughts of integration and Black Nationalism helped them to form political associations that advocated their rights and freedom. Living among Europeans helped them to understand the importance of racial solidarity as well as an increase in black power. Notably, some of the black advocates have recommended for complete disengagement from the white for them to have complete liberation.
- Cook, R. (2013). Sweet land of liberty?: The African-American struggle for civil rights in the twentieth century. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.
- Gore, D. F. (2012). Radicalism at the Crossroads: African American women activists in the Cold War. New York, NY: NYU Press.
