Question

What is Fanon attempting to explain through "The Fact of Blackness"? How is this related to "double consciousness" in Dubois' work? What do Fanon and Dubois' work have to do with the goals Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had in mind in the works provided in this course?

Answer 1

Through "The Fact of Blackness", Fanon emphasised on the view that blackness is not self created, rather it is poured upon individuals who are categorised as black people. Fanon used the term social 'uniform' to describe blackness which functions as a means to set apart and alienate the black man. The black man is not even given a chance to form an image or idea of himself as the image is already formed with the social uniform. A black man can never go unnoticed due to his complexion and that makes him more vulnerable.

Double consciousness refers to the internal conflicts experienced by subordinated groups in an oppressive society. Similar to the "The Fact of Blackness", the "double consciousness" was also in reference to the American Africans. It is the psychological challenge of always looking at oneself through the eyes of a racist white society. Both these terms are used to refer to situations of social inequality.

Martin Luther King was a well known civil rights leader. His struggles to end racism in the United States were non-violent and he called for civil and economic rights. Malcom was a Black leader himself, who struggled for the same cause, but felt that only non-violent ways may not be enough.