The Legacy of Racism: From Baldwin to Modern Society

The Civil Rights Movement began in the late 1950's with the goal of securing full civil rights and legal equality for African American citizens in the United States. This movement led to the attainment of rights that had long been withheld and motivated other marginalized groups to advocate for their own rights. Although many African Americans participated in protests and demonstrations during this time, figures like James Baldwin utilized writing, such as his work Stranger in the Village, to back the movement.

These collective actions established a foundation for future generations of equal rights for African Americans, despite ongoing challenges that persist today.

James Baldwin discussed the prevalence of racism within a secluded Swiss village in his essay "Stranger in the Village," contrasting it with the racial prejudices found in America.

As an American, it never crossed my mind that there could be individuals who had never encountered a Black person before. There was no recognition of my humanity; I was viewed only as a fascinating novelty.

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Baldwin was surprised by the villagers' inability to see him as a regular person, instead viewing him as someone to admire. However, he was even more taken aback when the local children shouted "Neger! Neger!" at him and treated him like an outsider in society.

"At first, I was too shocked to even react."

Baldwin was uncomfortable when he heard the villagers' comments and felt inferior to them. The use of racial slurs like "nigger" is highly offensive and people tend to remember it for a long time.

When he later returns to the village, he is no longer seen as a strange living wonder but he still senses that racism persists among the villagers.

Some men have accused the black man of stealing wood, talking behind his back. In the eyes of some, there is a familiar malevolence when a Negro man approaches, similar to the suspicion seen in American white men when they are out with their Sunday girl.

Regardless of the intentions behind the actions - whether the children are shouting "Neger!" at Baldwin in a playful manner or the women are looking at him with a peculiar smile - it is deemed as racism and will always be ingrained in people's lives.

While staying in a Swiss village, Baldwin formed his views on the white and black relationship. He emphasized how whites actively worked to suppress black equality and identity, leading to the creation of racial slurs to reinforce their superiority.

"Throughout American history, the humanity and rights of the American Negro have been a topic of heated debate. This debate became so intense that it ultimately contributed to dividing the nation. The derogatory term Nigger! emerged from this contentious argument."

The global spread of the idea that blacks are inferior and should be treated as such has led to even children in remote villages learning derogatory terms like "nigger" and perpetuating white supremacy in America. This perpetuation aims to degrade any group that threatens the white race, resulting in a changing world seen in modern society in the 21st century.

The concept that the black-white experience is still valuable in today's world remains relevant, despite progress such as desegregation, voting rights for blacks, and anti-discrimination laws. Racism continues to be a persistent problem in society, highlighting the importance of acknowledging ongoing discrimination based on skin color.

Discriminatory views can surface during job applications. For example, if a black person with lower qualifications than a white applicant applies for the same position, the white candidate is typically selected because of their stronger credentials. The black applicant may attribute this decision to racism rather than acknowledging that they were not as qualified for the job.

In the movie "Crash," another instance of racism is depicted. A white couple, after being threatened and robbed by black men, change the locks on their doors out of fear for their safety. The wife wants to change the locks again in the morning because she perceives the locksmith, a man with a shaved head and tattoos, as a gangster who may betray them to his associates. However, it is revealed that the locksmith is actually a caring single father just trying to make a living. This scenario reflects Baldwin's argument about the ongoing issue of racism, where different races fail to see each other as equals.

Extreme racism is exemplified in various factions that have emerged over time, with Nazism being one of the most notorious examples. Nazism believed in the superiority of white and Aryan races, viewing them as the elite "master race" destined to dominate and enslave inferior races like the Slavs. To achieve this goal, Germans had to reject foreign political and cultural influences and eliminate "inferior blood." The rise of Nazism in Germany resulted in the systematic genocide of millions of Jews and other "non-Aryans" during the Holocaust, marking one of history's worst crimes against humanity. Another example of such extremism is seen in the Ku Klux Klan.

The Ku Klux Klan, formed in response to the rise of diversity, held strong anti-Jewish, anti-Catholic, and anti-immigrant beliefs that led to destructive acts of violence known as "nighttime rides." These included murder, rape, and beatings. While the group's power has decreased over time, thanks in part to the civil rights movement, a lasting solution to their hateful actions has not yet been discovered.

Although intentional racism does occur when one racial group discriminates against another, there are instances where racism is not a factor. Some minority racial groups use the term "racism" as an excuse rather than its true meaning. For example, during Hurricane Katrina, trapped evacuees in New Orleans, mostly black, claimed that relief would have arrived sooner if most victims were white, suggesting racism. However, residents were warned of the hurricane and had evacuation plans but chose to stay. They are using racism as an excuse for their poor judgment.

The movie "Crash" depicts Anthony using racism as a justification for his violent behavior, citing unequal treatment from white people. This theme of using racism to excuse criminal actions is prevalent in society and is also explored by Baldwin in "Stranger in the Village". Baldwin's goal is to expose and eliminate racism, but if society continues to exploit it for personal benefit, this harmful ideology will endure.

James Baldwin's creation of Stranger in the Village aimed to eliminate racism from society, impacting the civil rights movement of the 1950s. Despite his efforts, different forms of racism still exist today. Overcoming prejudice and racism is a difficult task that demands dedication and time. It is essential for individuals to reflect on past errors as they work towards building a more inclusive and just society.