Black characters forming new country, a Black ex-lawyer helps
I’m Black writing a story where the Black people in the US break away to form their own country, and the war that results from that. I have a scene where I need to have a Black character be able to understand legalese. I’m thinking of his backstory being that he was a lawyer but that’s a really white thing to have been.
How can I sensitively handle a Black character having been part of upholding a racist system? He’s realized that the law is super white by the time the story starts and he’s working with the Black heroes now (I want him to be reminiscent of Cosmo Setepenra).
Black Americans forming their own country
Is your story inspired by Liberia?
You’ll want to look into Liberia. Liberia is a country in the continent of Africa, founded by free Black Americans and formerly enslaved Black people in the 1800s. There’s a thorough and complex history there. I noticed parallels immediately, though that may not be exactly where you intend your story to go.
“Liberia is a country in West Africa founded by free people of color from the United States. The emigration of African Americans, both freeborn and recently emancipated, was funded and organized by the American Colonization Society (ACS).” - Wikipedia (Note: the Wikipedia article is a starting point for research)
1. Liberia and the Back-to-Africa movement
Having knowledge on this topic should help you build out a story, whether it’s in our reality or an alternative one.
Important note! There was division within Black communities (and white ones) from those who did not approve of Black Americans leaving the US.
Scratching my memory from reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X… Earl Little, his father, was a big supporter of Black folks leaving the U.S. and moving to the African continent. He was assassinated, and the book seemed to point to it having a lot to do with his strong support of this movement.
“Earl Little, father of Malcolm X, was widely believed to have been murdered by white supremacists, specifically the Black Legion, due to his vocal support for Marcus Garvey’s Back-to-Africa movement and Black Nationalist activism.”
(Sources: University of Pittsburgh, michiganology.org)
Note: Another important thing to mention. This nation was not a Utopia and had its own issues and inequalities. For one, its founding created a power dynamic where Americo-Liberians held the power and the Indigenous Liberians were at the bottom of that system.
(Source: The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission)
2. Black wall street and thriving Black communities in the U.S.
And let’s not forget the Black communities throughout history! I’ll focus on the U.S.A. as that’s what I’m most familiar with.
Black communities in the United States have a history of building thriving, culturally-rich neighborhoods and towns. Under the weight of Jim Crow, segregation and rampant oppression, we formed diamonds under pressure.
Some well-known examples are:
The Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma (Hello, Black Wall Street!)
Black people owned businesses, created music and entertainment, and built wealth. They’re such rich hubs of culture.
Think of the Harlem Renaissance! All the artists and authors of these times. The Jazz scenes, clubs, performances, and so on.
Nightlife, 1943 by Archibald John Motley Jr. (Art Institute of Chicago)
Still, racist white mobs destroyed too many of these thriving communities with violence, burnings, killings. Systemic racism and law also affected our communities for the worse. Think redlining, highways…a modern example, gentrification that actively displaces people and adds to cultural erasure.
The history, both the good and the disastrous, is worth looking into for your story as well.
Is this story set in our world, a real time in history? Is it meant to be a more accurate historical novel? Or is this an alternative world or history, and you’ll take more creative liberties?
Since it seems inspired by real history, you will want to be clear with establishing your setting by grounding it in actual history or distinguishing it from it.
Here are some more things to consider:
You mention war, but between whom? Where is the main tension coming from? Are there any allies in these efforts?
What inner-community conflicts may arise? People are not a monolith and may not all agree or want to be part of the community (whether they’re directly antagonistic or not would be interesting to explore)
What cultures and sub-cultures will grow from this new country (if it does form)?
Is this story meant to mirror truth or will it be inspired loosely with real history? How might you handle this respectfully (Hint: see our many posts on alternative worlds, history, etc.)
And you don’t have to limit yourself to only the history I mentioned for your inspiration, of course. I left out many things, so have fun with your research discovering more!
Black people in law, now and historically
How can I sensitively handle a Black character having been part of upholding a racist system? He’s realized that the law is super white by the time the story starts and he’s working with the Black heroes now (I want him to be reminiscent of Cosmo Setepenra).
Besides knowing this is based on America, having a time period and setting would help to address this. But I do urge you to again, dig into some research. Check out the history of Black people and their relationships with law, from both sides of it. In your case, you’ll want to especially read first-hand accounts of those who were in the legal field.
Macon Bolling Allen is known as the first Black lawyer in America (Mid 1800s). Research him and his impact, as well as other Black legal figures.
Learn their struggles working in a white-dominated, racist and prejudiced system.
How did people aim to bring change?
Where and when did they comply?
I personally know, and know of, Black people who work in the legal field who strive hard to be the change in a system founded on racism.
Still, it can be quite disheartening to watch injustices happen and there may be complex feelings of complicity. It can cause feelings of helplessness and depression.
Some become burnt-out and want little/no part in any role where they can witness injustice against Black people who go through the system.
Others may do what they can to help. (and not Black and is fiction, but then you have Marvel’s Daredevil, lawyer by day, vigilante by night :P)
Ways Black people in law may try to help:
Fighting to get marginalized people the deals and lesser sentences often denied to them, who instead face harsher criminal sentences.
Working in Civil Rights or similar departments (what area of law does the character practice?)
Working for underserved communities at low to no-cost, whether as lawyers, consulting, etc.
Starting foundations to help the community
Investigations and law suits that fight for justice (e.g., class action)
Thanks for your question!
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