Point Zero Nation Formation for Black Americans

Abstract

There is only one sizeable internationally recognized displaced group that is not already linked to land to which it has a claim: e.g., the Romani people of Europe (Gypsies). History reveals that an important goal for displaced groups is to identify a homeland and to establish a nation state. While nation formation is a very distant or nonexistent thought for Black Americans today, a series of events could unfold that precipitate nation formation efforts similar to those mounted by the Jews in founding Israel. An analytical starting point for entertaining Black American nation formation is to ask, (1) “What circumstances would motivate Black Americans to form a separate nation?” (2) “How has statehood been achieved, and how relevant would the Jewish experience be for Black Americans? (3) What special methods, tools, and resources are required to initiate an economy from point zero? (4) What should be the nature of the new Black American nation’s economy? (5) What would be the primary moves of the strategic games that Black Americans would encounter as they seek to establish their new nation? And (6) What are the benefits of Black American nation formation? This essay answers the six foregoing and ancillary questions, and it may serve as a reference point for Black Americans and other groups that find it necessary to undertake point zero nation formation at some point in the future.