Black Identity

'Black Identity' Through the existing binary opposition, the idea of 'black identity' was established. The meaning of 'black' does not exclusively mean the darkness of one's skin, it includes the surrounding negative connotations and preconceived ideas about one's race too. Physical appearance became a symbol for the meaning of inferiority as it was the most outward indication of the race who one belonged to. Therefore, as Franz Fanon mentioned, people were judged “irrespective of their social or educational attainments.”1 Hence, 'black identity' or the meaning of 'blackness' had a tainted meaning in this society due to African American's place in history. Furthermore, as these negative connotations connected to one's skin colour were not challenged, it embedded society's mindset over the years, creating a false reality in people's minds. Numerous critics have come to the conclusion that the idea of race, or 'blackness' is an “discursive event” not an authentic identity. In …show more content…
'Blackness' might be an authentic identity in terms of having certain (hereditary) characteristics that differ from Euro-American authenticity. This can include certain interests or abilities (a simple example is the difference in musical voice) as there are differences between the two groups due to their history and origin. Nevertheless, the problem is that in imperialistic thought, a 'black identity' embraces a wider range of attributes and characteristics to African Americans that are not based on an actual reality and imply a degradation of character in African Americans. Favor does mention this in his article, yet does not focus on the extent of forced characteristics. The novel introduces the question of what it means to gain equal recognition in society. In searching one's voice and identity, differences exist, but is it how the voice is viewed and seen as equal, not seen as similar to what the norm is: the dominant, white