Essay on Imperium in Imperio - 1714 Words

Imperium in Imperio is a novel that focuses on the problem of race in America. Sutton Griggs portrays the tale of a radical yet secret movement, told by two contemporaries. This is the first major political novel written by an African-American. The main characters of the novel confront the torment and conflict of their time. Griggs deploys his characters to illustrate the climate of the day. He touches on such issues as miscegenation, Jim Crow, the political exploitation of the Black man, and the lack of protection of freed slaves (Griggs 8). The novel was published in 1899, during the heat of the Post-Bellum period. At this point in time Blacks had only experienced thirty four years of freedom. The Reconstruction era marked†¦show more content†¦In a time when civil rights relied on the color of your skin, the odds were not in Beltons favor. As a result of his skin tone, he was submersed in racism, which would have a serious affect on his life. Although Bernard was also Black, his life was less bound to torment than that of a dark skinned man. His light skin appearance worked to his benefit and was also to his disadvantage. Both Belton and Bernard were well educated, yet pursued two polar opposite political views. Their upbringing will illustrate and explain why they adopted such opposite perspectives. Although Bernard was favored in school, Belton never envied him. Belton became accustomed to being treated with cruelty and injustice. He performed above and beyond his expectations, in order to disprove those who didnt believe in him. He used the hatred of white people to fuel his passion to convince and teach the white people of the New Negro. By applying his talents he constantly impressed and convinced Whites that Negroes could have intellectual prowess. Both Bernard and Belton lived their lives in this manner; Bernard assuming the role of the intellectual mulatto, and Belton as the surprisingly overachieving New Negro. This distinction worked to Bernards advantage, yet it is contrarily problematic for Belton. Belton is a man of intellect and morals, yet he has no room for error. Throughout his life he strived to excel in the system within whiteShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Forest Mcdonad s States Rights And The Union1101 Words   |  5 PagesIn Forest McDonad’s Sta tes Rights and the Union: Imperium in the Imperio, 1776-1876, he simply begins the book by stating the main problem that the United States faced during the first one hundred years of existence: the state and national government authority were not easily separated. Before the time period of which McDonald analyzes, the people of the future country, the United States, lived in England, where the line between state and national government authority was clear. McDonald mentionsRead MoreEssay about Greek Politics5547 Words   |  23 Pagesa matter of considerable contention over time. The consuls, of whom there were two, were the chief civil and military magistrates. They invested with imperium, the power of magistrates to command armies and (within limits) to coerce citizens, and convened Senate and curiate and centuriate assemblies. There were two to eight praetors who had imperium as well. Their main functions were to give military commands and to administer civil law at Rome. The a ediles were the plebeian only and curule, plebeianRead MoreMidterm 3 History Essay8024 Words   |  33 Pagesname meant â€Å"Revered One.† significant because he was the son of a god.  ·   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Which two powers formed Augustus’ basis of authority?   When did he arrange to take them?   What did he rely on prior to taking on these more formal powers? o   Ã‚  Maius Imperium (â€Å"Greater Power†) and Tribunicia Potestas (â€Å"Power of Tribune†) formed Augustus’ basis of authority.  §   Made him sacrosanct  §   Could convene the Senate  §   Could propose legislation to senate o   Ã‚  He arranged to take them during the Second ConstitutionalRead MoreArticle II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies16349 Words   |  66 PagesSUBDIVISION of a nation or a state which is CONSTITUTED BY LAW and has SUBSTANTIALCONTROL of LOCAL AFFAIRS. Unitary System of the Philippines: LOCAL GOVERNMENT can only be an infra-sovereign subdivision of ONE SOVEREIGN NATION. It cannot be an imperium in imperio but only: (1)a measure of autonomy (2)decentralization of the FUNCTIONS of GOVERNMENT Art. X Sec. 2.  The TERRITORIAL and POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS shall enjoy LOCAL AUTONOMY. Local Autonomy-means more than just decentralization: Decentralization