On Being Black and Middle Class by Shelley Steele Essay Example

On Being Black and Middle Class by Shelley Steele Paper Shelby Steeles On Being Black and Middle Class, discusses the concept of victimization. Steele believes that the use of victimization is the greatest encumbrance for African Americans. In Steeles perception, white Americans see blacks as victims to ease their guilty conscience, while African Americans attempt to turn their status as victims into a kind of currency that will purchase nothing of authentic or continual value. Hence, Steele firms that blacks must seize buying into this zero sum game by adopting a culture of excellence and achievement without relying on set asides and entitlements. By victimization, Steele is referring to the fact that humanity transforms their historical experiences of injustice into the centerpiece of cultural and group identity, for example blacks today are freer than at any other point in history, yet the identity is more acquainted with victimization than ever before. Steeles usage of the term affects his argument through his thoughts of why black middle-class Americans are unintentionally expected to celebrate the black underclass as the purest representation of African American identity. Steele presumes that the mistake that grew out of Americas desire to fix the racial problem was that it inadvertently made victimization itself a kind of currency of power. Victimization now brings certain benefits, preferences, and entitlements. We will write a custom essay sample on On Being Black and Middle Class by Shelley Steele specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on On Being Black and Middle Class by Shelley Steele specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on On Being Black and Middle Class by Shelley Steele specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Steele claims that by rewarding victimization, the human population encourages blacks to think of themselves as victims. Other terms that could be used to counter Steeles argument would be every group thats seeking atonement from society Hispanics, Asians, African Americans, even women. The victim mindset causes these groups fall farther and farther behind in American mainstream. The tragedy of victimization clutches much power.