Natural selection is a premise advanced by Charles Darwin to explain the evolution of the human race. Darwin argued that evolution was based on a survival for the fittest strategy, and so some features of early humans evolved to ensure they dominated their ecosystems. This premise is applicable in analyzing the evolution of racism among the American society. Howard Zinn recognizes that whereas early African-Americans in the United States were treated as servants and not slaves, they were never regarded as equals to the Americans. Borrowing from Darwin’s arguments, it is evident that the natives considered the introduction of another race in America a threat to their survival. Some may argue that this was a natural instinct for the natives, but the reality is that the reaction was based on historical premise. Charles Baldwin, Howard Zinn and Malcom X are three authors whose literary works were greatly influenced by this cycle of history they experienced. Their natural instinct not to be under-valued in society was instigated by the historical premise of racism they had to experience.
Charles Baldwin was born and raised in the south. This was a region where racism was dominant, and evident through the rampant practice of slavery. There are several instances in history when an individual or a society has over-reacted to a situation, resulting in suffering and loss of life for others. One such over-reaction was the racism and abuse of slaves in the south. The natives’ reaction to the arrival of Africans in their area was necessitated by any natural threat, but by a historical premise that if they did not dominate the new race, they would be subdued. Zinn states “everything in the experience of the first white settlers acted as a pressure for the enslavement of blacks.” This shows that the enslavement of blacks, an example of racism, was not a natural need, but rather one based on historical practices of growing a society using the cheapest labor available. Baldwin humanizes African-American in one of his works A Letter to my Nephew. This is an attempt by the author to show that African-Americans were humans and should not be subjected to the treatment they were currently experiencing.
Baldwin grew up in Harlem and experienced racist insults and discrimination from an early age. The author was born into a cycle of hate where being black was more of a curse than just a skin color. Baldwin highlights how he had to pay more money at the meat store than the Americans did, although his skin color only entitled him to bad cuts of meat. These experiences during Baldwin’s formative years influenced the personas he took in his literary works. He was always a hurting person, struggling to break free from his past. In his works, Notes of a Native Son, he seems to realize that he is entitled to enjoy the good of his country just as the whites were doing. Baldwin seems to consider the death of his father as a break away from the historical premise of racism that had shadowed their family. This is evident in that whereas, the author considers himself as a deserving native son of America, he believes that his father was better suited to live in Africa (Baldwin 588). Zinn argues, “Slavery existed in the African states, and it was sometimes used by Europeans to justify their own slave trade” (27). This argument may have been what was adopted by Baldwin to make him assume that his father was better suited for Africa. He believed that his father condoned slavery, which had no place in the American society.
In the fight against racism, Malcom X adapted the pen as his weapon of choice similar to Baldwin and Zinn. Malcom X’s works were, however, of a different tone as compared to Baldwin. Malcom chose to see how inspiring young African-Americans to rise against racism would end the vice. On the contrary, Baldwin personified the struggle against racism as a fight that had to be first won inside a man before he brought in other men to the struggle. Malcom X’s literary works were greatly influenced by his overreaction towards racism during his youthful days. The author states, “it has always been my belief that I, too, will die by violence”. This is an indicator of how the historical premise of race had lured him into violent behavior to fight the vice. Malcom X is apologetic that he did bad things under the premise of fighting racism (Clarke 122). Malcom X’s violent reaction to racism is because of the government’s failure to end the discrimination. Zinn states, “governments represent the dominant economic interests, and their constitutions are intended to serve these interests” (98). Racial stereotypes and discriminations have dogged Malcom X’s life since he was a fetus. The author recounts how his expectant mother had to defend her children from the Ku Klax Klan that had attacked their home. Malcom X was born into a world of fear of possible death or persecution. The author seems to have adopted his father’s mentality that a violent death was a surety for all African-American men. Malcom X’s states, “The white police and firemen came and stood around watching as the house burned down to the ground.” This was after some white men burned the author’s home. These acts of ignorance by the authorities seemed to have spurred Malcom X’s desire to cause social change through non-governmental channels. Interestingly, Malcom X enjoyed special treatment because of his lighter skin in comparison to his siblings. He states, “I actually believe that as anti-white as my father was, he was subconsciously so afflicted with the white man's brainwashing of Negroes that he inclined to favor the light ones, and I was his lightest child” (98). This statement is an indicator of how deeply entrenched racism had become in the USA; even those who fought the vice, unknowingly bowed to its influence. Malcom X experienced this world; where racism was evident in every aspect of daily life. As a result, this significantly influenced the author’s thematic ideas in his literary works.
Naturally, the human race has a need to dominate its surroundings; however, this instinct was not the cause for racism in the USA. The natives adopted racist policies based on the historical context they were born. Authors such as Malcom X and Baldwin were integrated in this cycle of racism, and this is evident in their literary works. An analysis of these authors’ works shows that none of them knew of an incidence where nature had shown their race as inferior. The authors’ quest for freedom through their writing is all based on a historical premise they learned during their formative years. Sadly, this premise had been passed down through several generations resulting in progression of racist beliefs.
Works Cited
Baldwin, James. Words of a Native Son. Chicago: HMH, 1964. Print.
Clarke, John. Malcolm X: The Man and His Times. Trenton, N.J.: Africa World Press, 1990. Print.
Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. New York: Perennial Classics, 2003.
