Literature of the Black Atlantic

In America great emphasis has always been placed on the individual. Our nation was founded on individualistic, pragmatic principles. As America has evolved from the colonial era more clout has been given to the collective society. With waves of immigration and more diversity among United States citizens individual differences and attributes have become more pronounced. It is becoming blatantly clear that if this country is to better itself, then the role of the "community" will need to become stronger. As a country it is imperative to balance the needs/wants of the individual in respect to the nation at large.
It is increasingly difficult to figure out where to draw the line between individual liberties and the powers of government. In our society there are always going to be people who need more than others. Whose role is it to provide for those who happen to be less fortunate? Ideally, everyone should have what they desire but this is not always the case. Sometimes the individual has to step up and sacrifice a part of their identity for the sake of others. For example, most people loathe paying taxes because it is essentially a portion of their earnings. However, taxes are necessary in order to provide services and benefits to those who really need them. In society, there definitely needs to be a balance between those who give and those who take. It is not always easy to determine these boundaries. Communities consist of individuals working together toward a common goal. Individual rights are important but society could not function without some form of unification. If everyone decided to branch off in opposing directions then nothing would ever be accomplished. A well-known philosopher once stated "no man is an island, entire of itself." I think this is true because no matter how seemingly independent an individual claims to be, there are so many outside factors that influence his/her identity. Each person plays a role in shaping the community. In a sense everyone's actions are connected; this was evident in The Middle Passage with the crew and slaves aboard the ship. Their destinies were intertwined and there was nothing they could do about it. The community depends on individuals and vice versa. Essentially, individuals should maintain their identity yet also unite for the betterment of the community.