Frantz Fanon A Black Nationalist 1925-1961

Background Born and raised in 1925 on the Caribbean island of Martinique “Middle Class” family Born with a “mixed” family background Sent to the prestigious Lycée Schoelcher for schooling Grew up around colonized African Americans Believed everyone had the right to speak and act freely, despite their race Fought to end colonization around the world and liberate the colonized

Works Four Published Books: Black Skin, White Masks 1952 A Dying Colonialism The Wretched of the Earth 1963 Toward the African Revolution 1969

Black Skin, White Mask (1952) Expressed his feelings about the inadequacy that blacks were feeling at the time living in a predominately white world Talked about the fact that there are many potential scholars in the black community without the means to pursue their dreams Argues that the unjust relationship between colonized and colonizer should not be acctpted as “normal” any longer

The Wretched of the Earth (1963) Said to be the most “famous” of Fanon’s works and the most significant book ever written on the topic of decolonization Speaks about Algerian efforts to break away from colonial rule Illustrated the effects that colonization has on the colonized and the violence necessary in order for them to stay alive “[The colonized are] being threatened from all sides; impossible to forget for an instant the need to keep up one’s defenses” (The Wretched of the Earth, Homi K. Bhabha, vii).

Fanon’s Death Stricken with leukemia and traveled to the Soviet Union for treatment Continued to make speeches and speak out about his passion whenever and wherever he could Last treatments given in the United States Died on December 6, 1961 in Bethesda, Maryland Survived by his wife and two children; a son and daughter

Conclusion Frantz Fanon was, and will remain to be a major part of the Black Nationalism movement. Fanon was not only a noted scholar and wonderful speaker, but also a humanitarian dedicated to the liberation of colonized people around the world. He saw the importance of violence in the fight for freedom; something that most could not. Frantz Fanon will be remembered as an amazing asset to the black’s, and overall human’s, struggle for freedom and individual independence.

“In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself.” -- Fratnz Fanon