“Unlike conservative behaviorists, the politics of conversion situates these actions with humane circumstances (but does not thereby exonerate them.) (West, 1993)
What does it mean to be of “a different kind”? To be situated in a structure of uniformity as an aberration? The outsider forced into the confines of a system whose sole purpose is to denigrate the form and function of that which is not like itself.
“It is worth noting that most of the new Black conservatives are first generation middle class persons, who offer themselves as examples of how well the system works for those willing to sacrifice and work hard. Yet, in familiar American fashion, genuine white peer acceptance still preoccupies often escapes-them. In this regard, they are still affected by white racism.” West, 1993)
Conservative, liberal, disengaged, etc… are all of identifiers of different kinds. They offer generalized reasonings for how and why people adhere to these identifiers; these methods of self compartmentalization or categorization, demonstrates how the Black American expresses ideas of a specific kind. These ideas show the ability of the Black Americans' capacity to be of “a different kind”.
The mechanistic understanding of existence through categories limit the ability of the Being to reach outside of whatever faction they align themselves with.
To be of a different kind, for this discussion, is the realization of the selfs' ability to identify and align with a way of thinking, feeling, and being. It is self-expression, self-valuation, and self-determinism. The Black American is more than just a supporter of ideologies that do not fit the positive narrative we are constructing for ourselves. We have the capacity to see through the propagandistic lies of self-denigrating theories and ideologies.
We are more than just carbon copies who parrot the lies we have been told. There are a plethora of different types, which means that we all won’t think alike but the goal of reaching a worthy and progressive ideal requires that we see beyond the limiting ideas and beliefs of a specific kind to be comfortable seeing the self as a different kind.
-Yogabrofessor
West, C. (1993). Race matters. Beacon Press.
Add comment
Comments