BLACK RAGE HISTORICAL STUDY

Thesis Statement: Throughout the history of the United States, as seen through an

analysis of African-American literature and rhetoric, black rage has not only existed, but has grown. As the momentum toward equality is clearly evident in the black race’s struggle, the question of where (or when) this rage will subside (if ever) remains unanswered. In examining black rage, four distinct periods of American history should be considered: slavery, Reconstruction and Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Era, and contemporary America.

1. Throughout African-American history, a presence of “black rage” is identifiable through both African-American literature and rhetoric.

2. This rage has emanated from a state of racial inequality and has gained

1. When dealing with the concept of racial equality, the question must be asked: Can two races live together in equality?

2. It has yet to be proved that a state of equality can be obtained in the United States for African Americans.

3. Given the momentum that exists within African-American society to gain more freedom, is a reversal in racial p

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No, equality and total freedom were not ensured nor afforded the black race. In another fifty years, when equality has not been realized in 2020, how will America then deal with her “Negro problem”? And what will become of the rage? Young prophesies, “But I have confidence that black people will muster the courage and the strength to make one last effort, based on our common sufferings, to stand united against the system that oppresses us” (410). At the same time, you can surely not continue to hold onto it, for it will soon overpower you in order to be set free, rending you in pieces (Jefferson 85).

But are they? Ellis Cose writes in his 1993 book, The Rage of a Privileged Class, “Why, a full generation after the most celebrated civil rights battles were fought and won, are Americans still struggling with basic issues of racial fairness” (1)? Black men and women in today’s United States clearly understand and agree that a state of equality has not yet been achieved. Though we have had riots, the bloodshed we would have known without the discipline of nonviolence would have been frightening” (Washington 108). In one speech, he proclaims, “Until the problem of the black people in this country is solved, the white people have a problem that’s going to cause an end to this society, system, and race as you know it” (“Harlem” 71). Black leader after black leader has proclaimed that they will not stop until equality is achieved, that the black race will not settle for anything less than realizing their just human rights.

While many have advocated revolution, some doubt whether a revolution, because

of its impracticability, will ever become a reality. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.

Approximate Word count = 15676
Approximate Pages = 63 (250 words per page double spaced)

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