Black Consciousness Movement Analysis

Socialisation plays a significant role to both individuals and the societies in which they live and is a crucial part of individual development and identity. Socialisation can be described as the process whereby individuals and groups adjust to the norms of a society and conduct themselves in a manner which is accepted by that particular society. The rise of the Black Consciousness Movement that took place in South Africa was highly inspired and directed by anti-Apartheid leaders such as Bantu Stephen Biko in the mid-1960s. In this essay, I aim to demonstrate my argument that black people were socialised during the Apartheid era by the white government in a manner which had deliberately strived to dehumanise the black people. Furthermore, I

During this period, the natives of South Africa were highly subjugated and were forcefully socialised to believe that they are inferior to white people. “Colonialism of white countries by whites has throughout history resulted in nothing more sinister than mere cultural or geographical fusion at worst, or language bastardisation at best. It is true that the history of weaker nations is shaped by bigger nations, but nowhere in the world today do we see whites exploiting whites on a scale even remotely similar to what is happening in South Africa. Hence, one is forced to conclude that it is not coincidence that black people are exploited.” (Biko, 1978, p.

The Black Consciousness movement seek to construct real black people who do not allow themselves to be defined and categorised through the eyes of white race. The movement was established in quest for black people to develop a sense of human worth and dignity which is essential in order for the black race to see and recognise the value of their own viewpoint and standards. It was also established for the cause of creating black liberation from the negative and forceful socialisation of the black race under the white apartheid government. The philosophy of the BCM comprised of aspects which reject the negative white stereotypes concerning black people. It emphasised that a sense of freedom from psychological and physical oppression can only be attained by black people and become meaningful once they themselves find value within them and are able to exterminate the slave mentality that the white race have imprinted. Steve Biko further describes the aims of the BCM movement through his writing in I write what I like where he wrote the following:“ Further implications of Black Consciousness are to do with correcting false images of ourselves in terms of Culture, Education, Religion, Economics. The importance of this also must not be understated.” (Biko,