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Old December 3rd, 2013 #27
Alex Linder
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[ch. 3 cont'd, picking up on page 111]

This can be shown in another way. In order that there may be a highly developed group consciousness, it is necessary that there be more than one group. This is as true as it is that in order that we have a keen sense of green, it is necessary that we have seen other colors. If green were the color of all objects, we should have no color sensations or judgments. Color would attract no more attention than atmospheric pressure. It is because we have seen other colors that we have a keen appreciation of green. Full appreciation of our group, a well-devleoped group consciosness, is possible because there are other similar groups. Historically speaking, we know that the existence of other groups has had a great deal to do with the development of strong group consciousness. Psychologically speaking, we know that teh existence of other groups is a necessary condition for the development of strong group consciousness. If there were only one college, there would be little college spirit. If there were only one nation, there would be little nationalism. If there were only one group, there would be little group consciousness. Just as the individual gets a sense of self by contact with others, so a group develops a consciousness of itself by contact with others.

If, then, we are concerned with the production of the maximum good, or perfection, or happiness, and if perfection is rightly defined as the satisfying and creative functioning of a well-integrated personality, the great value of highly developed group feelings must be recognized; for they serve to supply men with the assertion, courage, ambition, and confidence which are essential for the highest type of personality.

It is probable that there is a greater readiness to recognize the value of strong group consciousness for creative enterprises and for domination than there is to recognize its value as a source of sympathy. Indeed, one of the beautiful aspects of the Utopia promised by the internationalists when their ideals are realized is the growth and general spread of sympathy between all men. Nationalism, strong race feeling and loyalty, and group consciousness are regarded as bars to growth and spread of the sympathetic impulses of man. Yet it is not difficult to show that groups taht have a highly developed group consciousness have also more fully developed sympathetic impulses than the groups which are lacking in group feeling. Nor is it hard to understand why this should be so. If much of the psychic energy of the individuals of a self-conscious group comes from the group, it is natural to suppose that this common source of much of their energy should cause them to feel drawn toward each other in bonds of sympathy and understanding. An excellent illustration of this is afforded in a mob. It is when the psychic force that controls the crowd is common that the ego breaks down, and all feel themselves united in the closest bonds of sympathy and mutual interest.

[more wednesday - think about what this guy is saying. Think about what we lose when we move from a white environment to a mixed one. We concentrate on the violence, but he's pointing out the positive stuff, as opposed to the avoidance of negative stuff. the white MAN can only flourish in a WHITE context, is how i like to put it]

Last edited by Alex Linder; December 3rd, 2013 at 04:59 PM.