The Lost Essence of Blackness: A Critical Analysis of Lawarence Ware's Opinion Piece

Strategic Insights -

The Black community is struggling to preserve its essence and culture, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly disconnected from their heritage. This problem has been exacerbated by the Great Migration, which led to the establishment of thriving Black communities in urban areas but also resulted in the integration of Black children into predominantly White schools. As a result, many Black children are growing up without a strong understanding of their cultural identity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Great Migration led to the relocation of 6 million Black people from the South to the Northeast, Midwest, and Western regions of the United States between 1910 and 1970.
  • Many Black children are growing up in predominantly White schools, which can lead to a disconnect from their cultural heritage.
  • Research by Dani McClain suggests that Black mothers are teaching their children to resist the dominant culture and question authority, rather than adopting its values.
  • Professor Ware's opinion piece fails to acknowledge the complexities of Black identity and the experiences of Black children who take pride in rejecting the dominant culture.
  • The Pew Research Center reports that 7% of Black voters over 50 identify as or lean conservative, compared to 17% of Black voters under 50 who identify as conservative.
  • The Black intelligentsia of generations past emphasized instilling Black pride in children, whereas the current generation is more focused on pessimistic "Blackness" and victimhood.

Statistics:

  • 6 million Black people relocated from the South to the Northeast, Midwest, and Western regions of the United States between 1910 and 1970 (Source: The Great Migration).
  • 7% of Black voters over 50 identify as or lean conservative, compared to 17% of Black voters under 50 who identify as conservative (Source: Pew Research Center).
  • 17% of Black voters under 50 identify with the Republican party (Source: Pew Research Center).

Sources:

  • (Ware, 2023)
  • McClain, D. (2019). What's lost when Black children are socialized in a White world. The Atlantic.
  • Pew Research Center.