Totality Of White Power in South Africa Assignment Sample

• Subject Name : Arts and Humanities

Black Consciousness

The idea and politics that was started by Steve Biko has resulted in Black Consciousness. The need for this movement was to work against the atrocities that the black people have faced by the hands of white throughout the history in South Africa. The Blacks were discriminated on the basis pf their colour and this stratified them from the whites. With the increase in atrocities the people who were discriminated got the courage against which they were being ignored. They stated the legislation which was against the wrongs done by the white people. As the Africans were unnecessarily harassed by the police, they were treated with lack of respect and the ruthless application of law were only acting as the reminder that confirms that the whites are more superior that the coloured people. Soon this was turned into a political agenda where every political party wanted to be fair but this fairness never satisfied the demand of the native people as they wanted to be fair and powerful all at once.

The Black Consciousness Movement started to explain that how the liberals have enjoyed the confidence for the longest period of time. Biko explains liberals in Africa as the group of non-conformist people. According to him the liberals are the one who argue that they are not responsible for the inhuman activities that are being faced by the blacks, but they are the one who too feels the oppression against the black as accurately as the black. Most of the black people relied on the advice of the liberals. In various situations liberals were used to calm the people who raised voice against the wrong imposed on them, leading the continuance of the ordeal. Steve points out when the liberals knew about the atrocities faced by the people and were convinced about the weakness of them, then why they did not talk to white people and why they do not address the issue to the white world? It was concluded by Steve that the liberals were just guilt stricken and are not concern with the black identification.

However, this ended when the people accepted the uniqueness of the colour this was highlighted by Amie Ceasire. According to him it is important for African men to grasp their uniqueness. These gave the sense to the black that they have to go in this all alone and from there black consciousness started to begin.

Black Consciousness bought the positive call for the population at large. It was a realisation by the blacks that in order to succeed in this whole political circus they all need to stand in unitary and lay a strong foundation. It bought the sense of pride to the people after being historically, socially and politically oppressed for years. Steve has promoted Black Consciousness as something that can be provided to people readily. The concept helped to people to set their mind free from imprisoning notions where they are being demeaned. He has explained the people to cast away the morality argument which prevent them to access the specific white institution.

Other motion that bought awareness to the people is American Negro Movement. This movement bought a sequel to attain independence by the African states in short span of time. This bought the wave to live on the terms of Africans and if that is not agreed by the whites than they need to move out.

These black and white inferiority complexes were created by the colonists. The people were provided education through various missionaries. However, this attitude of rural African folk who were against the education was often understood by the African intellects as they have the realisation to carry the part of their culture. As the African culture is not all about sex and alcohol as it is portrait by the whites.

It is very important to note that today with all the racial discrimination faced by the black people at different sphere of life there is need to escalate and restore the sense of the great to the black people. Now that people have gained political power it is important to get the hold of economic power as well in order to gain advantage to gain moral superiority. Moreover, now we should get the power to eradicate the problem at international level by reassessing the relationships. The same method can be used to remove classism which is seeped in various countries. 

References for Totality Of White Power in South Africa

Biko S., (1972), The Totality Of White Power in South Africa, David Philip, Cape Town.

Dolamo T. R, (2017), The legacy of Black Consciousness: Its continued relevance for democratic South Africa and its significance for theological education, HTS Theological Studies, http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-94222017000300115

Macqueen I. (2019), Black Consciousness in South Africa demands a much wider historical lens, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/black-consciousness-in-south-africa-demands-a-much-wider-historical-lens-125238

 SAHO (2019). The Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa, https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/black-consciousness-movement-south-africa

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