The "Uppity Negro" is a stigma that has plagued the black community, dating back to the times of W.E.B. Dubois, founder of the Niagara Movement and Booker T. Washington founder of Tuskegee University. Two influential figures in American society, the views of both men contributed opposite views to how black people should act, dress, think, eat, live, be educated, and essentially exist in society.
W.E.B. Dubois believed that the "problem of the twentieth century is the color line". With his th that Black people possess a double-consciousness the idea of "two souls... a American, a Negro" he argues that both work against eachother, instead of fusing to create a free-thinking, individual. Dubois believed that it is ignorant to be defined by superficial stereotypes, but instead the contents of his/her own beliefs, personality, values, goals, and intellect.
In comparison to Washington's theory that he adamantly proclaimed in the 1895 Atlanta Compromise speech, Washington claimed that the black's will "content itself with living by the production of our hands", directly implying that there was no need for blacks to be educated in anything other than agriculture, domestic services, and other professions that did not require the "white" collegiate education.
As a result, of these two different ideas forms the foundation of the issues that the black community still faces that have manifested intra-racial criticism and discriminatory opinions. These opinions contribute to the negative connotations that come with the black organization Jack & Jill of America that is believed to promote the idea of "Uppity Negroes" because of the specific requirements to be part of the organization. Instead of promoting the community service, legislative advocacy, unity, confidence, and esteem it establishes for black adolescents it downplays the desire those involved have to progress, grow, lead, and compete in American society. Why can't black people be apart of country clubs, have houses in Martha's Vineyard, speak properly, be in a cotillion, go to private school, or attend Ivy League institutions without the constant remark of acting "white". It isn't enough to say change and acceptance is happening in the black community, in order to change it is imperative that the black community stop accepting complacency and embrace every kind of black person without labeling or forcing them into a static 1 dimensional persona.
Does class truly have a color?
What does it really mean to portray "white" aka "uppity" tendencies?
1 comment:
First of all, I feel that the ideals of Booker T. Washington were somewhat downplayed in this blog. He campaigned for blacks to play to their strengths and use advantages given from maximizing the potential in that to further the African-American race. As far as the QUEStion, I do not think that when you partake in certain activities as country clubs or sip tea, what have you, that you are labeled as acting white. I think that its more so of the everlasting statement that "you are you hang with". If you surround yourself around white people or hang out in settings that are dominated by a particular group of individuals, their tendencies will become yours. An osmosis of sorts.
Post a Comment