Abstract

The phenomenon of linguistic racism is explored through the application of the psychoanalytic theory of Joel Kovel's White Racism: A Psychohistory and the data of such analytic explorers as Kubie, Pinderhughes, Hamilton, and Grier and Cobbs. The psychodynamics of racism are related to the psychosexual development of the child and particularly to that phase encom passing toilet training with its conflicts, fears, and fan tasies. It is demonstrated that these psychological phenomena are corroborated by the sociolinguistic phenomenon of racial labeling. That is, each of the seventy-odd derogatory names for Blacks—e.g., nigger, boogie, etc.—embodies one or more of the three un conscious fantasies that Kovel believes Whites project: Blacks are bestial, sexual, and fecal. The three large groups are subdivided on the basis of allied characteristics, and each is then linked to the underly ing psychodynamic. The result is a further illumination of the phenomenon of racial labeling and of the power of the unconscious to determine human behavior.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.