The Negro Problem

The “Negro Problem” has an intense effect on the soul of blacks in America, though the direction that effect takes differs dramatically depending on the person, their status, and where they live. First of all, there is a tremendous lack of self-confidence, a lack of surety in the soul of blacks, who are forced to live a double life, forced to match their own inner thoughts and voices to outside perceptions. This creates a “peculiar wrenching of the soul” (737). One of the effects of this double consciousness is a deep bitterness, an anger that transforms faith and religion more into a curse and a sneer at god and spirituality than an actual worshipping process. Fatalism abounds, and the soul cannot meet its full strength because it is cast down by both outside forces and the internal cynicism bred of the tireless oppression blacks face. The other potential result is a kind of sly, simmering resistance, a desire to outmaneuver and outthink the whites, exploiting their weakness and taking what is rightfully theirs by wit and deception. This both hurts the souls of blacks because they can no longer be who they are, can no longer express courage or individuality, but must become sly and manipulative. It also forces them to play a part constantly, to pretend to be accepting and even loving of the segregation and oppression they experience. This further deepens the pain they feel in their souls by denying them the means to complain about or rail against their unfortunate situation.