The Black Unconsciousness

For many the slogan "The world is yours" can work great as a motivational outlook on life. For others it can work as a deceiving and disappointing outlook on life. Black America is often told that they can be anything they want in life. However they often find out that the world isn't theirs. Blacks are often unaccepted as equals to most in America and even more so often fail at trying to convince themselves and others that they are equal. Marked by color; one would assume that Blacks are aware of their "Blackness" and what that means to them on an individual basis. But, marked by color and by stereotypical views that conflict with what they have been told since they were children in regards to having a fair shot in the world. Blacks become confused. Creating many different views of what it may mean to be Black and creating a "Who am I" effect that can last the majority of their life. Blacks often go throughout their lives trying to figure out where they actually fit in. The confusion is apparent on the unconscious level within the culture. The Black culture is the values and belief systems within the Black race and the unconsciousness being the lack of unawareness of why they value what they value and believe in what they believe in. Oppression and deception are the prime two suspects of these circumstances.

Being a Black male I know that being Black can mean different things to different black males at the same time. Stemming from the "Who am I" effect three definitions are created. Deceived and oppressed by the dominant culture (whites) these definitions are in relationship to how the black male views himself versus the dominant culture. First there are those that feel they are equal to or maybe greater than whites. This first group often goes through life in constant battle and struggle because they know that they have to work twice as hard to get the same results and treatment as whites. This group is aware that Blacks are not given fair chances at having what whites have. Often members of this group will adhere to lesser roles in society and not complain much about the unjust treatment but will be aware of it. There are others within this group that do complain about the unfair treatment and voice their feelings of it.