'For us blacks in particular this is a nightmare proposition. When this standard, this criterion for the measurement of individual merit and worth in this society is applied to us, measured against our standing or holdings, we cannot help but come out with a very low opinion of ourselves. From the womb to the tomb this plays in our minds. We are not worth more than the amount of capital we can raise. That is why you see blacks pretending to be doing all right. That is why a black man will buy a new car (status symbol) before he will buy food for his child or clothes for his wife.
And again with blacks this whole thing goes even deeper. No man or group of men have been more denuded of their self-respect, none in history have been more terrorized, suppressed, repressed, and denied male expression in relating to Robert. As I said before, he is going through a breakout. He is trying to get back. He wants to express himself after years of being a vegtable. As with most of the men of our community, he is just starting to feel his strength now. But soon this will build into a rage, "and when I rage, I rage unbounding." Don't interfere with that thing.....'
