Introduction
Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery is a compilation of three essays by psychologist Dr. Na’im Akbar, earlier it was called ‘Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery’. Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery includes specific sections that address to the process to eliminating mental slavery or the ghosts of plantation. Through these essays Dr. Akbar has attempted to develop two ideas; firstly, the psychological impact of slavery. Secondly, the influence that Caucasian images for worship has on the African-American psychology. Dr. Akbar presented a behavioural determinant that according to him doesn’t have great legitimacy in the Western psychology. Many people have thought and written about the psychological effects of slavery as it is common trouble from the past civilization. While growing up throughout our education in elementary, middle and high school we are taught the basic information about slavery, we should also be taught about the psychological understanding. While reading this book, I began to understand what actually happened during the days of slavery.
Chapter 1
In the first chapter, The Psychological Legacy of Slavery includes sections on work, property, personal inferiority, the clown, community division, colour discrimination and the family. In this chapter called Psychological Legacy of Slavery, Dr Na’im Akbar said that for more than 300 years slaves experienced unnaturalness and brutality that constituted of severe social and psychological shock in mind of every African-American. While historians have discussed and wrote about the realities of slavery as description of past incidents, sociologists and psychologists have failed in attending to problems in social and mental lives having its roots in slavery. I agree with Dr. Na’im Akbar’s most opinions and claims in this chapter, apart from attitude of blacks towards work. He has mentioned that many blacks response to work is result of slavery experiences which have associated negativity in work ethic of blacks. He has stated that negative attitude continues to function as an unconscious influence on many blacks who respond in ways that are contrary to the conscious intention. I cannot agree with this as my personal experience with many black people who did not experience slavery ad come from today’s society are not influenced either consciously or unconsciously to the negatives attitude developed through slavery. It is easy to agree to Dr. Na’im Akbar when he mentions that for more than 300 years slaves have experienced unnaturalness and brutality that constituted of severe social and psychological shock in mind of every African-American and their legacy towards working. This shock has been so vicious to the life processes of Blacks that even though slavery was experienced about 5-6 or more generations ago, the current African-American generations still posses the scars in their mental and social life (Akbar 3-25).
Chapter 2
The second essay is on the topic of ‘Liberation from Mental Slavery’ and the sections of this essay are Strategies to break the chains of slavery, Celebration of self, Knowledge of self, Courage, Faith, Umoja (Unity) and Getting to work to make it happen. Dr Na’im Akbar stated that, "In order to change the African American consciousness we must change the information that is in the African mind” (Akbar 34). I agree on this claim as African-Americans are taught only about the American reality, they should also be made aware of their roots and ancestors who were brought from Africa to America. About Umoja (Unity) he mentioned, “The most potent weapon that we have in developing any kind of independent freedom is through unity” (Akbar 42). Unity helps in breaking of the mental chains as it needs us to unite despite the divisions given to African-Americans under the consciousness of being slaves. It is easy to agree on this, as unity helps in combining people into a single colossal unit that can help in unchaining the mental and social blocks in the mindset of African-American. Also, Dr. Akbar also made another claim when he talked about faith; he mentioned that faith serves as a shield from fear. Faith isn’t belief that god can, it is to know that god will. Also, Dr Akbar mentioned that slaves kept their faith that one day will come when everything will be fine, they will be free and there is power in having faith. Harriet Tubman’s belief in faith took her back and forth on many trips in the Underground Railroad. The only main obstacle which existed for the slaves was to be freed from the act of slavery (Akbar 27-47).
Chapter 3
The third and final essay of this book was on Racial Religious Imagery and Psychological Confusion. Sections of this essay are, Religious Imagery, the Solution and Impact on the Psychology of the Portrayed Race. Dr. Akbar stated, “Modern students and scholars of the mind have not adequately dealt with the influence of religious symbols and imagery on the thinking of people” (Akbar 52). In agree on this claim as scholars have given little thought on the influence that religious symbols have in developing the ideology of African-Americans in today’s society. They have considered it as secondary issue in comparison to the evils of slavery. Also, Dr Na’im Akbar has mentioned in this chapter that, “The image of the Creator sets the tone for the potential of creativity in the human sphere” (Akbar 63). It can be agreed to as people create image of God and they do not have any clue about God’s appearance. Additionally, Dr. Akbar has said “Perhaps the most disturbing fact is that this Caucasian image of Divinity has become an unconsciously controlling factor in the psychology of African-Americans” (Akbar 60). This is also true as stories about God and Jesus Christ have claimed that they were whites, having blond hair and blue eyes. This has psychological impact on the African-American community who have to believe on the basis of idols that God was white. In addition, I also agree when Dr. Akbar claim about children learning about God’s appearance and their belief that God is white. As once they learn such things they will believe it for their entire life. It is important that they get to learn that God’s appearance is not what they are being shown or taught by the society. They should also be made aware of the false images they have been portrayed to them are negative, as it is written in the Ten Commandments that “thou shalt make unto thee any graven image” (Akbar 61).
Conclusion
For 300 years slavery was conducted in America with the Africans, which is by far the saddest commentary of inhumanity. The tales from the period of slavery are so morbid and brutal that vehement hostilities are brought to mind whenever they are thought about. The only way to liberate people from slavery is ensuring the psychological shackles to which some people are still bound to be reformed or is possible removed to help everyone move on.
One such way is recognizing the Creator’s from should not be limited to Caucasian in the minds of children who end up believing it throughout their lives. The biggest challenge is removing the racial imagery of God from minds of people in our society.
Works Cited
Akbar, Naʼim. Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery. Tallahassee, FL: Mind Productions & Associates, 1996. Print.
