Self-Segregation & the Cult of Victimology

We have examined the two categories of views that emerged during the Civil Rights movement. On one hand, there were the order theorists, the most well-known of whom is Martin Luther King Jr. We know that order theorists believe in a common value system among Americans. The injustice of racial discrimination is not embedded in American institutions, but rather the root of all-evil can be found in the practice of segregation. For order theorists, the solution to racial inequality is relatively simple: discontinue racial segregation. Conflict theorists, on the other hand, feel that there is a deep-seated corruption within the institutions. These theorists, such as Malcolm X, feel there is a need to completely re-structure the nature of America’s institutions. Both of these views indicate external factors of responsibility for racial inequality in America. Clearly segregation was not the only issue, for racial tension remains in the Post-Civil Rights era. Lawrence Bobo and Camille Charles discuss the persistently alarming rates of housing segregation, job discrimination, and political discrimination the article “Race in the American Mind”. So does this mean that the conflict theorists are correct? It’s hard to tell. Not only do tensions exist externally, but also there is still a great deal of internal hostility. Considering racial attitudes in America, Bobo and Charles shed light on the negative views on the other race held by both African Americans and white Americans.

John McWhorter introduced an interesting idea in his article “Losing the Race.” He discusses what he calls the cult of victimology, which he claims is the fostering and nurturing of an unfocused brand of resentment and sense of alienation from the mainstream. Under the cult of victomology, African Americans “treat victimhood not as a problem to be solved but as an identity to be nurtured.” I think this internal perpetuation can be seen in many individual instances of self-defense. For instance, people can explain a bad grade by claiming a teacher dislikes them. Or someone suffering from depression will pity himself or herself because they think everyone’s against them. But is it possible for an entire race to play the victim? Do you think this is a self-defense mechanism? Or is it possible that many African Americans don’t always feel the desire to integrate with other races?

I definitely saw instances of resistance and resentment in my middle school and high school. But this came from all directions—it was as if there were racial cliques. What are some of your experiences with self-segregation?