Invisible Man: PowerEssay Preview: Invisible Man: PowerReport this essayRaul TejadaEnglish Literature B3Bland3 December, 2015Invisible Man: Power Ralph Ellison lived in a time where segregation was rampant, and all the power was yielded by the white man. Within his novel, Invisible Man, he meaningfully expresses personal opinions and views over the relation between the community, the self, and power, all characterized by the lack of racial equality in America, through the eyes of the nameless colored narrator. Invisibility was described as stemming from the racism and lack of understanding which people had towards the Black community. Naturally, one would assume that being socially “invisible” was nothing but oppressive and depreciative. However, the main character finds that remaining unseen is a sort of virtue in disguise, embracing it extensively. Living under the city streets, merely a shell of what was once a budding scholar, he found power in his lack of thereof, using it to in turn take more power from the white man in the form of electricity. In this, Ellison cleverly urges to the reader that self-empowerment is necessary, and that even the lowest of man can be strong if he maintains a sense of self-worth. Otherwise, the “institution” will succeed in its attempts to subordinate an entire race of people.
Another one of Ellison’s major points is that people are like animals – power hungry and capable of going to extreme lengths for a cusp of it. This is embodied when the narrator is pit against other Black teenagers in a battle royal, which ironically occurs before he delivers his speech about social equality. The young men are reduced to mere beasts running on testosterone and primal instinct – the illusion of power within the fake gold coins thrown at the arena, and the nude woman enticing them with her shape. A community, oppressed as a whole by the white elite, were effectively broken down and turned against each other by him as well. Ellison further exemplifies this primal quality with the electric current running throughout the rug, as the boys remain quarreling with each other, lunging at the coins, risking life and limb for a tiny sliver of power.
The irony of this narrative is that it makes it all the more necessary to try to understand the social dynamics of both men and Blacks of different races in order to help shed some of the dark material that surrounds them. How do we understand Black men and Black women in the ’90s and ’00s and, therefore, today’s social movements? How do we understand them as individuals? Who is their oppressor – how are we able to identify his/her source of power? In this way of understanding, a number of factors are presented, both in terms of social justice theory and as a direct reference point for the political movement, which have the potential to play a major role in the history of American life. In no-holds-barred politics, this has produced the idea of a race.
In the case of Black men and Black women of different races, as we move from a post-racism world where the Black social order and the black race are interdependent, to where our experience of the Black world is still a struggle for our humanity, we should be mindful that, when it comes to how we relate to Black men and women of different races and nationalities, it is not always that simple to understand. As an individual and scholar, and a civil rights scholar too, I understand that there are times when it would be helpful to engage in a deeper look into the dynamics of Black America by working with Black activist and writer Rebecca Landman to bring some fresh and insightful knowledge to bear. In short, we should strive to learn from our experiences and learn from those who contribute to that knowledge through their participation.
As a reminder to those of us who have not already done so, I would like to focus my thoughts on what is happening in Black America today, and I am especially mindful of any recent changes in Black leadership. As a black civil rights activist myself, I have been a victim and a perpetrator. As a public figure, I have been held accountable to those who have created and perpetuated their own racism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia. Some of these communities have been deeply affected by our continued support for our civil rights. These communities, who have largely remained out of the limelight and relegated to the shadows because of the “protest march” they had built within the Black community, suffer from this same racism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia. In short, even when they did attempt to take over our lives, it was often made impossible. This racism and hatred has become a recurring facet of our lives as an oppressed black person who is also a victim of other human rights violations.
As a community, I would like this to happen. For a long time, there has had to be a constant fight for inclusion and inclusionism, and that fight has now been won by both the African National Congress and the African American community for the betterment of our communities. In many parts of the country, including the country’s highest government office, you will find people that agree with some of these core issues. They share the same values as others, and they share the same issues as others. There is a very powerful bond. Our political movements are based on mutual respect and mutual love. As long as white people are afraid of white people and don’t make progress, that’s exactly what’s wrong and what we need to do.
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