Final answer:
The speaker in the poem 'An Obstacle' realizes the depth of prejudice faced by the African American community, which goes beyond justifiable reasons and involves personal disrespect and mockery. This revelation leads to a feeling of despair and helplessness.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the poem 'An Obstacle,' the sudden inspiration reveals to the speaker the extent of prejudice faced by the African American community. The speaker acknowledges that there are prejudices based on civilization, culture, righteousness, and progress that they humble themselves to.
However, there is also a nameless prejudice that goes beyond these justifications and encompasses personal disrespect, mockery, ridicule, humiliation, distortion of fact, and a desire to instill disdain for everything black. This revelation brings about a sense of despair and powerlessness for the speaker.