The great physicist Albert Einstein wrote and published the following essay in Pageant Magazine in 1946. His words are as relevant in current day Ontario, Canada as they were in the United States in 1946 when he wrote them. I am taking the liberty to reproduce the entire paper on account of its historical and educational value.
The Negro Question
by
Albert Einstein
I am writing as one who has lived among you in America only a little more than ten years, and I am writing seriously and warningly. Many readers may ask: "What right has he to speak about things which concern us alone, and which no newcomer should touch ?
I do not think such a standpoint is justified. One who has grown up in an environment takes much for granted. On the other hand, one who has come to this country as a mature person may have a keen eye for everything peculiar and characteristic. I believe he should speak out freely on what he sees and feels, for by so doing he may perhaps prove himself useful.
What soon makes the new arrival devoted to this country is the democratic trait among the people. I am not thinking here so much of the democratic political constitution of this country, however highly it must be praised. I am thinking of the relationship between individual people and of the attitude they maintain toward one another.
In the United States everyone feels assured of his worth as an individual. No none humbles himself another person or class. Even the great difference in wealth, the superior power of a few, cannot undermine this healthy-self-confidence and natural respect for the dignity of ones's fellow man.
There is, however, a somber point in the social outlook of Americans. Their sense of equality and human dignity is mainly limited to men of white skins. Even among these there are prejudices of which I as a Jew am clearly conscious; but they are unimportant in comparison with the attitude of the "Whites" toward their fellow-citizens of darker complexion, particularly toward Negros. The more I feel an American, the more this situation pains me. I can escape the feeling of complicity in it only by speaking out. Many a sincere person will answer: "Our attitude towards Negros is the result of unfavorable experiences which we have had by living side by side with Negros in this country. They are not our equals in intelligence, sense of responsibility, reliability."
I am firmly convinced that whoever believes this suffers from a fatal misconception. Your ancestors dragged these black people from their homes by force; and in the white man's quest for wealth and an easy life they have been ruthlessly suppressed and exploited, degraded into slavery. The modern prejudice against Negroes is the result of the desire to maintain this unworthy condition.
The ancient Greeks also had slaves. They were not Negroes but white men who had been taken captive in war. There could be no talk of racial differences. And yet Artistotle, one of the great Greek philosophers, declared slaves inferior beings who were justly subdued and deprived of their liberty. It is clear that he was enmeshed in a traditional prejudice from which, despite his extraordinary intellect, he could not free himself. A large part of our attitude toward things is conditioned by opinions and emotions which we unconsciously absorb as children from our environment. In other words, it is tradition - besides inherited aptitudes and qualities - which makes us what we are. We but rarely reflect how relatively small as compared with the powerful influence of tradition is the influence of our conscious thought upon our conduct and convictions. It would be foolish to despise tradition. But with our growing self-consciousness and increasing intelligence we must begin to control tradition and assume a critical attitude toward it, if human relations are ever to change for the better. We must try to recognize what in our accepted tradition is damaging to our ate and dignity - and shape our lives accordingly.
I believe that whoever tries to think things through honestly will soon recognize how unworthy and even fatal is the traditional bias against Negroes.
What, however, can the man of good will do to combat this deeply rooted prejudice ? He must have the courage to set an example by word and deed, and must watch his children become influenced by this racial bias.
I do not believe there is a way in which deeply entrenched evil can be quickly healed. But until this goal is reached there is no greater satisfaction for a just and well-meaning person than the knowledge that he has devoted his best energies to the service of the good cause.
I do not think such a standpoint is justified. One who has grown up in an environment takes much for granted. On the other hand, one who has come to this country as a mature person may have a keen eye for everything peculiar and characteristic. I believe he should speak out freely on what he sees and feels, for by so doing he may perhaps prove himself useful.
What soon makes the new arrival devoted to this country is the democratic trait among the people. I am not thinking here so much of the democratic political constitution of this country, however highly it must be praised. I am thinking of the relationship between individual people and of the attitude they maintain toward one another.
In the United States everyone feels assured of his worth as an individual. No none humbles himself another person or class. Even the great difference in wealth, the superior power of a few, cannot undermine this healthy-self-confidence and natural respect for the dignity of ones's fellow man.
There is, however, a somber point in the social outlook of Americans. Their sense of equality and human dignity is mainly limited to men of white skins. Even among these there are prejudices of which I as a Jew am clearly conscious; but they are unimportant in comparison with the attitude of the "Whites" toward their fellow-citizens of darker complexion, particularly toward Negros. The more I feel an American, the more this situation pains me. I can escape the feeling of complicity in it only by speaking out. Many a sincere person will answer: "Our attitude towards Negros is the result of unfavorable experiences which we have had by living side by side with Negros in this country. They are not our equals in intelligence, sense of responsibility, reliability."
I am firmly convinced that whoever believes this suffers from a fatal misconception. Your ancestors dragged these black people from their homes by force; and in the white man's quest for wealth and an easy life they have been ruthlessly suppressed and exploited, degraded into slavery. The modern prejudice against Negroes is the result of the desire to maintain this unworthy condition.
The ancient Greeks also had slaves. They were not Negroes but white men who had been taken captive in war. There could be no talk of racial differences. And yet Artistotle, one of the great Greek philosophers, declared slaves inferior beings who were justly subdued and deprived of their liberty. It is clear that he was enmeshed in a traditional prejudice from which, despite his extraordinary intellect, he could not free himself. A large part of our attitude toward things is conditioned by opinions and emotions which we unconsciously absorb as children from our environment. In other words, it is tradition - besides inherited aptitudes and qualities - which makes us what we are. We but rarely reflect how relatively small as compared with the powerful influence of tradition is the influence of our conscious thought upon our conduct and convictions. It would be foolish to despise tradition. But with our growing self-consciousness and increasing intelligence we must begin to control tradition and assume a critical attitude toward it, if human relations are ever to change for the better. We must try to recognize what in our accepted tradition is damaging to our ate and dignity - and shape our lives accordingly.
I believe that whoever tries to think things through honestly will soon recognize how unworthy and even fatal is the traditional bias against Negroes.
What, however, can the man of good will do to combat this deeply rooted prejudice ? He must have the courage to set an example by word and deed, and must watch his children become influenced by this racial bias.
I do not believe there is a way in which deeply entrenched evil can be quickly healed. But until this goal is reached there is no greater satisfaction for a just and well-meaning person than the knowledge that he has devoted his best energies to the service of the good cause.
Einstein was a wise man with insight. Set an example by word indeed and watch your children...
ReplyDeleteThe black people were taken to the US by force and enslaved. The bitterness and anguish of the enslavement is still there. No black man will do the bidding for a white man.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the white people to change. Everything has an end. People of color are awaking and the world must change.
Don't forget that in the garden of Eden the snake in the garden was the white man.
ReplyDeleteSo much filled with evil and greed.
ReplyDeleteThis is all round intelligent, he is indeed because he lives on.
ReplyDeleteYou are very right. Einstein was a real unsurpassed genius
ReplyDeleteNo wonder every progressive African leader after independence has been overtly or covertly eliminated to keep us down there
ReplyDeleteWell said.👌🏽👏🏾.
ReplyDeleteWith determination, this is achievable.
Efo John.While all aspects of Eistens write up & most if the comments depics the reality of black life in America,my concern & worry is that we as Africans has deliberately refused to learn any since lesson from our past.How may African countries are advancing in Technology.Most of our farming is still rudimentary whit out equipment & mechineries.The Political atmosphere is nothing but seat tight leaders, muder intimidation tugry & what have u.
ReplyDeleteSure all enlightened souls will love thisby a genius that be. The pain is that this inhumane outlook had been entrenched through over 400 years of deliberate mental enslavement of the Africa Black race. The irony is that we have been destroyed to the point that an African, even to the point of killing, will use the same tools of our enslavement - religion? Education and trade - to defend same pepertrators and institutions but rather see the symptoms of our mental enslavement to gleefully adduce million years why Africans are to be blamed and condemned. But thank God the silent movement to emancipate ourselves and do "sankofa- back to our dignified roots based on morality and values" is on. Let's all join as a crusade wherever we are. Shalom!!!
ReplyDelete