Nation within a Nation

"But the real controlling power of the race that was shaping its life and thought and preparing the race for action, was unnoticed and in face unseen by them" (66).

This implies an over-arching implication of a nation within a nation where you can view the Nation within in two different perspectives. One common way is the view the inner Nation as the African Americans in that they are surrounded by a bigger Nation of White Americans leaving them to have less control over impact to society and rights. The inner circle does not necessarily mean the least controlled, however in this time period African Americans were overpowered by White Americans where they don't have enough bodies to stand up fully to the White Americans. Another way you can see it is reverse in the proposal the African Americans are the outside Nation because of their gradual persistence in becoming powerful and posing as a threat to White Americans. This would then put the White American's in the inner circle because they have this lingering fear that their race will become less powerful in controlling other races.

“Unseen” in a sense that they (White Americans) are trying to ignore the change that is gradually transforming.

"The element most briefly antagonistic to the whites avoided them, through intense hatred; and the whites never dreamed of this powerful inner circle that was gradually but persistently working its way in every direction, solidifying the race for the momentous conflict of securing all the rights due them according to the will of their heavenly Father" (66).

The reference to the powerful inner circle seems to symbolize the negro race rising above their potential in hopes for a better future. Within this passage it appeared that the white race may view the blacks as a threat in that they have this intellect that allows them to partake in post-secondary education just as the whites do. The transformation in allowing colored people into society delegates as a way to inflict power upon their race. Or another method to think of is giving way to some equality within both races. The power that some “whites never dreamed of” seems to be growing in existence with colored people being granted more opportunities for success. Although some African American's go forth to obtain college degrees (as some equality has been granted), once they go out into the real world it is as if their intellect serves as no purpose. Ultimately suggesting that they result to lower labor employment opportunities that do not require the higher education in which they achieved.

          
          The authority that seems to conjugate in every direction is not just the uplift in African Americans but also the percentage of White Americans who do not discriminate or have any racism towards African Americans therefore become part of the power that lies within the inner circle. This direction seems to justify that majority of racist white people fearing the thought of their own kind becoming one with another race. Thus increases the potential of African Americans having justice within society and reduces the chances of Whites alone upholding the majority.




What is Griggs trying to inflict in this novel when it comes to Belton achieving higher education, however being restricted from obtaining structured job emphasizing the degree in which he has earned? Why does he propose that obtaining a college degree will be of significance in Belton's life (with the clear distinction being a student of color) when in reality the color of this skin restricts him from acquiring a job to his intellect capability?


This notion of a Nation within a Nation seems to be brought up in various sections of the text and not just in one overall instance. What are some nations within a nation that Griggs informally discusses throughout the text? Do you think that Bernard and Belton although they are both of African decent have different experiences of nations?