Lewis Gordon, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Connecticut and author of *Fear of Black Consciousness*, sheds light on the intriguing complexities of Black identity. He discusses whether black skin is a prerequisite for being Black and critiques the notion of white privilege in understanding racism. The conversation explores historical contexts of anti-Black racism, the existential concept of bad faith, and the empowering potential of Black consciousness. Gordon also navigates the controversial case of Rachel Dolezal, linking these themes to liberation and love.
Lewis Gordon's upbringing illustrates how societal context profoundly impacts the development of racial consciousness and identity awareness.
The distinction between lowercase 'b' black consciousness and uppercase 'B' Black Consciousness highlights the importance of political engagement in combating racial oppression.
Gordon's concept of 'potentiated double consciousness' underscores the need for individuals to recognize and resist systemic oppression through enriched self-awareness.
Deep dives
Lewis Gordon's Personal Journey to Black Consciousness
Lewis Gordon recounts his upbringing in Jamaica and how it shaped his understanding of Black consciousness. Growing up in a diverse environment, he initially did not associate power with race, as his authority figures were predominantly Black or brown. However, his perspective shifted dramatically when he moved to the Bronx, where he experienced an awakening to racial identity through an incident with a classmate. This experience, juxtaposed with his childhood memories in Jamaica, illustrates the transformative impact of societal context on the development of racial consciousness.
Understanding Black Consciousness
Gordon distinguishes between lowercase 'b' black consciousness and uppercase 'B' Black Consciousness. The former refers to the acknowledgment of one's racialized identity in a society dominated by white supremacy, while the latter encompasses a political and liberatory consciousness that critiques and seeks to dismantle these societal structures. This difference emphasizes that awareness of racial identity is a precursor to a deeper, more political engagement with the issues of oppression. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the foundational experiences that lead to a more nuanced and transformative consciousness.
The Influence of Frantz Fanon
Gordon’s narrative draws parallels with Frantz Fanon’s experiences and theories regarding racial identity. The shared experiences of being racialized by white peers reveal a profound psychological impact, leading to a sense of alienation and objectification. Fanon's concept of being 'hailed' into a racial identity resonates with Gordon’s story, demonstrating how exposure to systemic racism alters one’s self-perception. Both thinkers emphasize the emotional and existential dimensions of racialization that shape the lived experiences of Black individuals.
Multilayered Consciousness and Bad Faith
The conversation delves into the complexities of consciousness in the context of race and identity, particularly the notion of double consciousness articulated by W.E.B. Du Bois. Gordon introduces the idea of 'potentiated double consciousness' as a form of awareness that enables individuals to navigate and resist systemic oppression. This enriched understanding of consciousness offers a path toward liberation, highlighting that recognition of both internal and external perceptions is essential. The dialogue also emphasizes the dangers of bad faith and the need for individuals to confront the societal narratives imposed upon them.
Cultural Creolization and Identity Formation
The discussion touches upon the concept of creolization, particularly in the context of the Black experience shaped by historical traumas like slavery. Gordon and others suggest that identities are fluid and constructed through cultural exchanges, transcending rigid racial categories. He cites the Caribbean experience as a microcosm for understanding global identity dynamics, where different cultural influences merge to form new ways of being. This idea challenges conventional notions of racial identity, emphasizing that cultural contact can create rich, multifaceted identities that reflect lived experiences.
Do you need black skin to be Black? How might concepts such as white privilege be limiting our understanding of how racism works? In Episode 117 of Overthink, Ellie and David chat with philosopher Lewis Gordon about his book, Fear of Black Consciousness. They talk through the history of anti-Black racism, the existential concept of bad faith, why Rachel Dolezal might have Black consciousness, and Frantz Fanon’s experience of being called a racial slur by a white child on a train. From the American Blues to the Caribbean movement of Negritude, this episode is full of insight into Black liberation and White centeredness. In the bonus, Ellie and David go into greater detail about how Black liberation is connected to love.
Works Discussed: Steve Bantu Biko, I Write What I Like W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks Edouard Glissant, Introduction à une Poétique du Divers Jane Anna Gordon, “Legitimacy from Modernity’s Underside: Potentiated Double Consciousness” Lewis Gordon, Bad Faith and Antiblack racism Lewis Gordon, Fear of Black Consciousness Rebecca Tuvel, “In Defense of Transracialism”
