Essay Sample on Overcoming Fear: African-Americans & the Fight for Equality

Introduction

In the short story, James Baldwins "Sonny's Blues" and Martin Luther King "Letter from Birmingham Jail center" on Fear endured by The African-American as they demand their rights. The blacks need to be creative and bright to solve this fear factor. Since the blacks face, namely, the city's segregation, unsolved bombings of churches and homes, and mistreatment in courts, the African-Americans are fearful of advocating for their rights.

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The two writers cover fear of the concept of neglect and discrimination in society. James Baldwin, in the short story "Sonny Blues," educates the readers on how the narrator was ignorant in the past (Baldwin, 2009. They get to understand that it is only after the narrator's brother loses a child when he realizes how easy it can be to lose a brother. King, in this book, expounds profoundly on the freedom of the black man. Further, King emphasizes the need for the protest to curb discrimination blacks based on current political and social issues affecting a black person.

The two writers also expound on fear based on mistreatment. In the story "Sonny Blues," the narrator neglects Sonny making him make tough decisions on his own. For that reason, Sorry is arrested by the police for selling and using the drug. King also uses the idea of treatment, especially exercised on the African American ( Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.], 1909). Kings argue that African American have suffered mainly from police brutality and the courts making a ruling against their wish and favor the other race,

The two authors unravel the extent to which suffering can make a person make a tough decision. For instance, when Grace, the narrator's daughter of "Sonny Blues," dies, the narrator's suffering does not only affects him but also extends to Sonny. King also expresses his deep concern about the black men suffering by urging that they should be treated equally since they are all American. King points on the areas where the tough decision should be made by laying his arguments on the police brutality to the blacks, city segregation, unsolved bombings of the black churches and homes, and mistreatment in courts.

Even though the two authors address different scenarios, they cover the aspect of different opinions of the protagonists. When the narrator is brief about the news about Sonny's arrest, he brushes it aside without seeing the reason he should reach Sonny. Baldwin supports this statement as "I couldn't find any room for it anywhere inside me," (Baldwin, 2009). The narrator resents Sonny since he understands his intention of suffering. When the narrator discovers that music was helping him, the narrator does not convince Sonny to comply with rules and trudge the paths of success but instead applies his strategies of overcoming suffering. From this perspective, readers can understand that the narrator fears to accept sonny on the decisions he made.

Importance of the Theme

The theme of fear and the use of music and other artifacts has to help me to treat everyone equally. For instance, the use of "blues" signifies the darkness that surrounds people who do not listen and fails to be unheard by others. The importance of the theme is to allow me to become more gentle and sensitive. If I become sensitive to whatever I do, it shall help not to judge a person based on their color but their content and character. The artifacts shall help to read the sign to determine the Kind of direction to pursue.

Benefits

Just like Sonny, Humanities allows the reader to be creative. By studying humanities, a person can recall having the past events of a scenario to allow them to make a critical decision. For instance, Sonny recalls about his history when he was a tender age. Sonny's brother narrates that when Sonny was in High school, he was bright, and Kind resemble his father in everything. The statement supports the concept, "It doesn't do any good to fight with Sonny. Sonny moves back, inside himself, where he can't be reached,'" (Baldwin, 2009). Humanities is critical to express your social skills. For instance, King shows his social skills by establishing rational dialogue and cordiality tone. In this context, the white authorities may not consider him as an extremist law-breaker.

Importance of the Humanities to Society

Studying humanities has a significant impact on the life of a learner. By studying humanities, learners are encouraged to think critically, objectively, and creatively. Since study culture and histories are covered in humanities, society can monitor their progress and plan for the future. In other words, humanities help the community to develop critical and informed citizens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fear can only be overcome by having self-confidence. Martin King argues that for a person to acquire complete confidence, they have to be in the right place at the right time. By becoming creative, sensitive, and kind as Sonny, these kinds of discrimination can completely be solved. Discovering of virtues, ethics, and the goals of society are crucial in solving any kind of discrimination.

References

Baldwin, J. (2009). Sonny's Blues. Ernst Klett Sprachen.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. (1909).