Introduction:

In 1776, the United States declared its independence from Britain and was built, by the founders, as a country representing freedom.  The idea of American Universalism came about, which declares freedom and equality for all, but the basic human rights skipped over a major part of the country: African Americans.  Historian Nikhil Pal Singh highlights the irony in the fundamentals of American beliefs, while also bringing forth the true equality ideals of African Americans in his book Black is a Country: Race and the Unfinished Struggle for Democracy.  The desire for true equality, or “black freedom dreams,” as often “exceeding the sanctioned boundaries and brokered compromises of the established political order.” These dreams have no boundary for equality, as they hope spread it to anywhere possible.  The efforts to make equality global was particularly seen during World War II. It was a time of crisis and death, with white power spreading through much of Europe. Author Moody displays the true global passion that African Americans had during the unfortunate times while writing about Black Nationalism.  When talking about World War II, she writes “concerned about the future of millions of people of color across the globe whose lives would be greatly impacted by the Second World War, black activists across the diaspora amplified their efforts to end global racism, white imperialism, and colonialism,” displaying the efforts to spread true universalism and freedom.   The African Americans were willing to put in extra work to spread equality to other nations, while still fighting on their home front. This American universalism is exemplified during the March on Washington in 1963, when white Americans were more worried about the image of the United States rather than actually helping equality. Author Mary L. Dudziak, writes that “equality was presented as evolutionary, and the inevitable byproduct of American politics and value,” which would make America appear as a country promoting equality to the rest of the world.  America struggled, and still does, with racial equality.

Document 1:
https://bltc-alexanderstreet-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/philologic/BLTC/navigate/6/1/



In this piece from W.E.B. DuBois, we can see a struggle for democracy.  He criticizes the United States system, as it has been oppressing African Americans for all of United States history.  From the beginning black individuals were treated differently, enslaved after becoming a free country, getting partial votes per person, and under represented in the electoral college. In a country based fundamentally on the ideals of freedom and equality, he wonders how could such a democracy develop.  According to Dubois the only attempt to reconstruct the flawed system of the United States was after the Civil War, which made very little impact outside of freeing the slaves.  DuBois sees a paradox unfold as change must be made to underrepresented of African Americans, but to bring about change, they must be represented enough to change the political system.  This impossible change of state is the true problem of the African American, according to DuBois, because without  way to  triumph the failed democracy, African Americans will  never be truly free.

Document 2:
https://bltc-alexanderstreet-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/philologic/BLTC/navigate/6/1/

This image is of young African Americans in the New York Metropolitan Museum learning about black culture.  The photo was taken in 1961, which was a critical time of efforts to change civil rights in America. Much of back nationalism was the fight and struggle for black rights, which was displayed at the museum.  The kids are very young, meaning they are taught about the awful cruelties of America at a young age, but also learning to be prideful of their culture and heritage.  Because American nationalism is so split, it is important for the young boys to take pride in who they are early on in life.   From slavery to marching on Washington, pride of culture and ideals of freedom brought the oppressed African Americans together.  Also, it is worth noting that there was an exhibit in the museum on black heritage in 1961, a time of heavy racism.

Conclusion:

All throughout history, the United States was in need of change in some way.  A false idea of universal freedom founded the country, back with the idea of strong democratic system.  Seen in DuBois's piece, change is needed in the United States to allow improvement in the nation, not only for African Americans, but for everyone.  The need for change creates a fundamental issue for all of the underrepresented and marginalized black Americans, which cannot be solved.  As seen in the image, the African American struggle creates a divide in the United States nationalism.  This created a race specific pride, for both white and black Americans, causing an even further separation in the population. These sources exemplify the fights and impossible challenges that needed to be overcome during the civil rights movement.