Black America 1970

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The blacks' new aggressive assertion of their separate identity helps to strengthen white segregationists, who are only too happy to keep them separate. Some whites see this new mood as racism in reverse. But to the extent that it celebrates black culture and nourishes black pride, it is a positive, important, undoubtedly permanent phenomenon. To the extent that black separatism represents a retreat in hate from U.S. society, it may be only a temporary phase; the hope is that, once blacks have gained necessary strength and confidence, they will turn back outward toward white America and deal with it on more nearly equal terms.

Blacks desire the good things in life, which so many other Americans have already gained; these things are now taken for granted by the white middle class and have even become somewhat boring. In this sense, black militants are very different from young white radicals. They do not spurn material progress but want a greater share of it—along with freedom and equality. They are indeed faithful dreamers of the American dream— but scandalously hampered in turning that dream into reality for themselves.

How America deals with blacks and their aspirations will define for decades and perhaps centuries what kind of country America really is. How America deals with them, and therefore with itself, will show it to be either the country seen by its bitter critics— selfish and oppressive. Or else the country seen by its defenders— greatly troubled but still in the grip of its original moral purpose and promise. It may be the black man's role not only to fight for his rightful share of his heritage, but to recall white Americans to their own sense of conscience and destiny.