Self-Racism

Analytical Essay # 112645

African-American Studies
Ethnic Studies > North American
Music Studies > Contemporary

Self-Racism

Investigates the causes of the growing trend of self-racism.

945 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper suggests that, rather than moving away from racism, society is moving backwards towards accepting racism to the extent that people even express racist attitudes towards people of their own ethnicity. Self-racism in African-American music and the use of the "n-word" are presented as examples of this trend . The author contends that this behavior is a way for African Americans to acknowledge each other as fellow African-Americans in a sense of togetherness. The paper concludes, therefore, that the major causes of self-racism are identity issues, due to the lack of acceptance of the different characteristics of others and, most importantly, of the individual, himself.

From the Paper:

"The usage of the "n-word" is gradually spreading throughout all young people, whether these individuals are African-American or not. The increased usage of this word is gradually "[deconstructing] the artificial social barriers put up by previous generations" and is taking away from the historical origin of the word (Abe). African-Americans often accept the usage of the altered form, "nigga" as a way of acknowledging each other as fellow African Americans in a sense of togetherness."

Sample of Sources Used:

Abe, Daudi. "Racial slurs in the public square." The Seattle Times 19 Feb 2008 29 Feb 2008 <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004185030_daudi19.html>.
Monroe, Bryan. "From the message to the conversation: why Black America's self-examination needs to go beyond hip-hop and get real.(culture of DISrespect: An ongoing discussion about African-Americans and the culture of disrespect)(Editorial)." Ebony 62.9 (July 2007): 63(1). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. University of California, Riverside Lib. 7 Mar. 2008
Wester, Stephen R., David L. Vogel, Meifen Wei, and Rodney McLain. "African American men, gender role conflict, and psychological distress: the role of racial identity." Journal of Counseling and Development 84.4 (Fall 2006): 419(11). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. University of California, Riverside Lib. 7 Mar. 2008