Inner Love, Outer Hatred: The Beginning and End of a Nation as Predicted by Black Empire

In reading George Schuyler’s Black Empire, we witness the rise of a great black nation as Doctor Belsidus leads legions of loyal, intelligent men and women to superiority.  He expertly designs and executes his strategies through careful manipulations through the fear, loyalty, ambition, hate, and in some cases love of those that follow him. Cold and calculating, Belsidus seems to able to feel only one emotion: blinding hatred for the white race.

Although Black Internationale and Black Empire are ultimately satirical, they have much to say about the hatred that can both fuel and destroy a nation.  Belsidus uses the anger of citizens who should be considered experts in their fields but have been pushed aside because of their race. (“‘…Sam’s graduated from some of the scientific schools in the country. The white people won’t give him a break. But he’ll show them a thing or two when we get our plant going, eh, Sam?’” pg. 17) He offers them a chance at redemption, at triumph, and so they follow him without doubt. Pat displays this quite clearly when she says, “‘Congratulate Dr. Belsidus…He is the most brilliant man in the world today.’” (pg. 44)

It’s clear from the beginning that as much as Belsidus is working for his people, his prime motivator is his own ambition. (“‘I need loyal race-conscious youngsters to help me…I, Dr. Henry Belsidus, will destroy it [the white world supremacy] with the aid of my assistants in all parts of the world.’” pg. 10) Still, he doesn’t forget those he claims to help as he educates them in his way, to think only for the welfare of the black race and damn the whites all together. Through the use of the Temples of Love, Belsidus orchestrates a grand performance that shows those who depend on his strength that they only way they can succeed is to love each other. (“‘You will realize that black people can only become great, black people can only become prosperous, black people can only become powerful by loving one another. It must be wholehearted, unashamed, literal love…” pg. 65) Through these teaches he has the masses rise together to be his army.

But Belsidus is not unmindful of the effects of hate being the purest substance in a nation.  As much as he prescribes himself and his followers to outward hate in the beginning, when the battle is won and his nation safe, he retracts his former statements (without admitting that that’s what he’s doing). While addressing his citizens and delegates from far and wide, Belsidus tells them, “‘You must not make the mistake of the white man and try to enslave others, for that is the beginning of every people’s fall. You must banish race hatred from your hearts…’” (pg. 257) Though there is much to doubt in Belsidus’ sincerity, his intentions are clear. He will continue to keep the Black Empire safe by proving its citizens better in all things, even if that must include an absence of hate.

1.       Is Belsidus’ attempts to have people embrace the idea of love and forsake that of hate accomplishable through the use of the Temples of Love?

2.       Can Belsidus teach about the power of love when he forsakes it himself?