Keywords
race; politics; South Africa; United States; public intellectuals
Abstract
This paper examines the ideas presented by Black public intellectuals from South Africa and the United States regarding their solutions on how to achieve real racial equality after the achievement of equality under the law. It will provide a historical comparative analysis of the two countries by examining the works of George Fredrickson, as well as some contextual background on the existence of racial disparities in the modern day. It will then present various publications by American intellectuals Ibram X. Kendi, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Cornel West, and South African authors Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Songezo Zibi, and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi that discuss their views on inequality, the causes behind it, and how progress can be made towards narrowing the racial gap. It will then provide a comparative analysis of their plans and suggestions for achieving racial equality.
It is important that society educates themselves on not only the issue of racial inequality, but on effective ways they can go about working towards solving a problem that has burdened people from every corner of the world. The ideas presented by these individuals vary in methodology, as some focus on the heart and mind work of an individual or group, whilst others focus on more concrete methods for doing so. Many of their ideas overlap, but some are unique to the specific problems that may plague their country. A comparative analysis of these thinkers allows readers to understand the intricacies of racism and opens one’s mind to the different methodologies that can be taken to overcome it. Many of the ideas presented may seem daunting, but they also must, at minimum, be attempted, as otherwise a cycle of perpetual racism will continue. 
Thesis Completion Year
2024
Thesis Completion Semester
Fall
Thesis Chair
Marien, Daniel
College
College of Sciences
Department
School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs
Thesis Discipline
International and Global Studies
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Morgan, Shelby, "The Quest For Racial Equality After The Revolution: How Black Intellectuals Envision The Struggle For Equality After Jim Crow And Apartheid" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 208.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/208
Included in
African Studies Commons, American Politics Commons, Comparative Politics Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Policy Commons
Rights Statement
