Self Discovery

Eldridge Cleaver begins his book by saying that he was made aware of his situation as a black in white America by the racial tension around him. He says he'd always been aware that he was "black," but had not paid attention to the social standing and the true meaning. He begins to write as a means toward self-discovery. He talks extensively about his own need to understand his motivations, desires and goals. At one point, Cleaver finds himself in a padded room - literally - and says he is disappointed at the lack of help available. While there are psychiatrists, they are unwilling to help him down that path of self-discovery. Instead, they focus on the typical problems that manifest themselves in adult psychiatric problems - childhood and parents. While the psychiatrists claim Cleaver was angry with his mother, he knows that he must resolve his...