Deep Dive
What is the difference between lowercase b and uppercase B Black consciousness as described by Lewis Gordon?
Lowercase b Black consciousness is the initial awareness of one's condition as a racialized Black person under white supremacy or anti-Black racism. Uppercase B Black consciousness is a more explicit political consciousness that addresses the contradictions and mechanics of anti-Black societies, aiming for liberation and transformation.
How does Lewis Gordon's upbringing in Jamaica influence his understanding of Black consciousness?
Gordon's upbringing in Jamaica, which had just gained independence from the British Empire, exposed him to authority figures who were Black or brown, and he did not associate power with whiteness. His lowercase b Black consciousness developed only after moving to the U.S. and experiencing racial slurs and white supremacy.
What does Gordon mean by 'bad faith' in the context of racial identity?
Bad faith refers to a form of lying to oneself, particularly when individuals deny their past or lived experiences. In the context of racial identity, it can describe people who are in denial about their true self-identification or the cultural and social factors that shape their consciousness.
Why does Gordon criticize the concept of white privilege?
Gordon argues that the concept of white privilege can be counterproductive because it personalizes systemic issues and reinforces the idea of limited resources. He prefers to discuss 'license'—the exemption from accountability that some people have, which should be eliminated for a more just society.
How does Lewis Gordon view the case of Rachel Dolezal?
Gordon suggests that Dolezal can be considered as having uppercase B Black consciousness if her lived experiences and relationships align with a Black identity. He emphasizes the need to distinguish between critical good faith and bad faith in self-identification, opening the possibility that racial categories are evolving.
What is the significance of the blues in Gordon's critique of contemporary Black music?
The blues, according to Gordon, represents maturity and the project of becoming adults, where individuals take responsibility for their existence and often express this with irony. He criticizes the loss of this seriousness and depth in some contemporary genres like rap and hip-hop, which can be more focused on minstrelsy and entertainment.
What is the concept of 'potentiated double consciousness' and how does it differ from double consciousness?
Double consciousness refers to the negative images imposed on Black people by others, while potentiated double consciousness involves individuals claiming their agency and developing their own ways of seeing and understanding themselves, leading to a life-affirming and liberatory form of consciousness.
How does Gordon's view of race differ from the conventional understanding of it being exclusively African or African-descended?
Gordon's view of race is more inclusive, recognizing Black identities in various parts of the world, including Australasia, Southwest Asia, East Asia, and Eastern Europe. He argues that the modern concept of race has been shaped by historical and social contexts, and it can be constructed in diverse ways.
Why does Gordon argue against Black authenticity narratives?
Gordon argues that Black authenticity narratives often perpetuate stereotypes and can be used to control and limit Black expression. He believes that these narratives do not capture the complexity and nuance of Black identities and experiences, which can be diverse and evolving.
What is the role of creolization in Gordon's understanding of racial identity?
Creolization, as a concept from Caribbean thinkers like Édouard Glissant, emphasizes the transformation and blending of identities through contact. Gordon sees this as a counter to fixed racial categories, highlighting the possibility of porous and flexible racial identities that can evolve over time.
- Lewis Gordon's development of Black consciousness in the Bronx after moving from Jamaica
- Distinction between lowercase and uppercase Black consciousness
- Comparison with Frantz Fanon's experience of racial objectification
Shownotes Transcript