The Escape of the Black Self

Abstract

This article explores the question whether blacks can escape their blackness. This is motivated by assertions that blacks have tried to become white and as a result have ultimately adopted self-destructive behaviour against themselves. The Biblical text of Exodus 2:11–25 will be used as a key argument to propagate the view that blackness cannot be escaped and should not be regarded as something to escape. The article argues that blackness is natural and above all, beautiful and good. The current xenophobic attacks and bleaching of black skin will also be exposed and interrogated as fundamental problems and possible motivation for blacks wanting to escape the black Self.