Introduction
The myth of the racial inferiority has its roots leading to the 18th century when many political and intellectual leaders interpreted the theory of the evolution in such a way that Africans due to their physical differences have been denoted as being on a lower rank than the white people. Although none of the world most wide spread religions ever referred to a discrimination based on the physical appearance, as we are all children of God, the inequality of people stayed long the pushing process for slavery. This essay is giving examples of several successful African-American individualities that made a contribution to the destruction of such myth. (Britannica 2008 Building the Myth)
Analysis
One of the prominent personalities could be considered Frederick Douglas who was grew as slave, but as he mentioned in his autobiography his endeavor to education made the difference toward what he accomplished. As he wrote in his autobiography, his learning of reading has been through various attempts in learning word by word from the friends during childhood. These attempts later resulted in him being one the illustrative examples that left a trace in American and particularly African-American history. (Douglass 1999 Narrative of the Life)
Another example that could be compared to Douglas in terms of rising from being a slave and the popularity that was brought by writing a book is Harriet Jacobs who depicted her experience and struggle in the book that was later revealed by her publisher to be Autobiographical “Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl”. Similarly her example in writing the book and the style of the narration that she used is demonstrating her writing abilities which gave her readers a chance to follow her life journey. (Jacobs 1861 Incidents in the Life)
The talk about fight for equity in rights has to mention Richard L. Davis a black organizer from Ohio who is one of the founders of the United Mine Workers. “Davis was elected to the national executive board of the United Mine Workers in 1896 and again in 1897. He often used verses from the Bible and examples of things that his fellow workers knew well from church to explain the importance of standing together to try to win greater rights, and to look for justice in this world as well as in heaven.” (Bair 2000, 296) This example shows the involvement of African-Americans in the organizational work in struggling toward equal opportunities in the society.
The last but not least example is the story of James Forten. After attending Anthony Benezet’s school where he was taught to read and write, he signed as a powderboy on Stephen Decatour’s privateer “The Royal Louis”.
He became a very successful sailmaker, as he was the youngest free black Philadelphian aboard with Decatur and many heroic acts made Forten one of Philadelphia’s most notable citizens. “, joining nearly 80 of the city’s blacks in petition to Congress against the slave trade. From then on, his place secure in Philadelphia, he became an outspoken leader of the black community.” (Nash 1990 Race and Revolution, 64)
Conclusion
After reviewing the examples given which were rather a drop in the sea of talents and extraordinary personalities, the intention was not to show the particular examples, but to establish the idea that these people accomplished a lot even during obstacles that were preventing them to take advantages of the possibilities to the full extent. These examples prove that the inferiority myth is nothing more than backward idea that was implemented to justify certain actions. In the modern society the equity is reached, however the efforts made to attain it should not be forgotten.
Bibliography
Britannica. 2008. Building the myth of the black inferiority. Web.
Douglass, Frederick. 1999. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. NC: Chapel Hill.
Jacobs, H.A., Francis, L.M. 1861. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. : University of Michigan.
Bair, Barbara. “Chapter 6 1880–1900.” In To Make Our World Anew: A History of African Americans, edited by Kelley, Robin D. G. and Lewis, 281-344. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Web.
Nash, Gary B. 1990. Race and Revolution. : Rowman & Littlefield.