In the opening chapter of The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double
Consciousness, Paul Gilroy utilized discussions of ethnicity, nationality
and cultural expression to illuminate and explicate one of the overarching
themes of the chapter, which is defining identity with specific regard to the
African diaspora. Gilroy initially mentioned the conundrum encountered when
attempting to somehow meld African heritage with local European influences,
resulting in a mutation of both aspects and a creation of a new identity. In other
words, he suggested problematic elements of the production of a new identity
that is both black and white, a double consciousness. (p.1)
One significant argument in regards to
merging two pure identities or nationalities, that Gilroy countered was that
two nations, specifically English and African nations, were theoretically
mutually exclusive; thus, they could not be combined. Gilroy argued that the
movement of Africans to Western countries, whether by force or by choice,
inevitably created an amalgamation of cultures and resulted in a new idea of cultural
nationalism. He continued by presenting the exclusivity of blacks from
citizenship of Western countries, which developed continued interests of blacks,
such as Martin Delany, of exploring the roots of their identity. Delany’s
exploration of Africa disclosed the prevailing disconnect that some western
blacks, especially intellectual blacks, held in relation to their motherland
(or fatherland). Additionally, Gilroy utilized the discussion of Delany’s
exploration to reveal a significant problem of western black identity, an
identity referred to as double consciousness and simultaneous exclusion from
both cultures. Western blacks were forced to exist in a world somewhere between
two identities, one rooted in their African heritage, the other created through
movement to Western continents. However, complete identification with either was
implausible.
The ultimate conclusion Gilroy suggested
was the acceptance of a countercultural modernity reflective of the collaboration
of nations and cultures, rather than the idea of ethnic absolutism. Gilroy
argued that artistic expression enhanced the opportunity to reconcile the
apparent lack of identity and somewhat liberated western blacks from appealing
to the idea that identity is a conundrum of double consciousness, that is not
rationalize by any form of nationalism. Instead, a counterculture of modernity,
in relation to black identity has been created, partially through artistic
endeavors.
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