Introduction
Numerous black people nowadays do not care about hereditary characteristics, and most do not have eccentric views about race. The article’s authors argue that in the context of social communication and practical decision-making, most African Americans are not only reasonably competent (McPherson & Shelby, 2004). They are comfortable using relatively vague and theoretically naïve criteria to determine membership in a racial group. At the same time, they do not entirely understand the concept of race and are very vague in their use of various terms and theoretical constructs.
Discussion
As such, the authors have assumed that black ethnic solidarity is not based on racial classification (McPherson & Shelby, 2004). If these observations are valid, it is incorrect to say that most African Americans are committed to any particular theoretical understanding of race. Based on these findings, McPherson and Shelby make a recommendation to help African Americans with ethnicity (McPherson & Shelby, 2004). It is not to address the issue of their social identity but to fight assertively for democracy and overcome racial discrimination. However, if the drowning does not succeed, there is no other alternative than to return to the perspective of nation-building.
It is significant to point out that African American identity was primarily shaped by radical Afrocentrism, which serves as the conceptual basis for black racism. Afrocentrism existed to prove that black culture could take its place among the superior human civilizations. The role of a positive image of Africa was to overcome the duality of consciousness – the legacy of slavery and segregation. People usually wanted to acquire the psychological comfort necessary for black Americans to exist in a predominantly white society. Moreover, their goal has not changed, and overcoming discrimination must always be on the agenda.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be noted that radical Afrocentrism is no longer relevant, and black people do not care about heredity as much as they used to. Nevertheless, they still wish to have a level playing field with other citizens, and it is this, not social identity, that should be taken into account by the government in the first place.
Reference
McPherson, L. K., & Shelby, T. (2004). Blackness and blood: Interpreting african american identity. Philosophy & public affairs, 32(2), 171-192.