At Howard Universit The American Negro Analysis

In today’s society we have become sensitive to topics that even remotely refer to race. There is pressure to be “politically correct” or in some cases individuals talking about race are identified as racists at some point during the conversation. Talking about race has its own social construction in conversations. A large amount of it is dependent upon the instance in which it is being discussed. Often times when I was in high school our teachers would say, “There are just some things you avoid talking about with people because you can never agree. You don’t talk about religion, politics, or race.” This type of view point is somewhat common in American culture. Our avoidance of the topic leads to an uncomfortable atmosphere when it is brought into discussion.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s Commencement Address at Howard …show more content…
Never having experienced or lived during his time period often times makes it easy for many of us to brush off the reality of racism. Once again, the importance of acknowledgement and understanding is also shown in his statements. Baldwin exhibits an understanding of the American culture at that time that was most likely not recognized by most. He analyzed and saw the damaging results of racism, not just within his own life experience, but towards others that were on the other side of it. As he stated, “But what happens to the poor white man's, the poor white woman's, mind? It is this: they have been raised to believe, and by now they helplessly believe, that no matter how terrible some of their lives may be and no matter what disaster overtakes them, there is one consolation like a heavenly revelation--at least they are not black. I suggest that of all the terrible things that could happen to a human being that is one of the worst. I suggest that what has happened to the white Southerner is in some ways much worse than what has happened to the Negroes