Final answer:
The question "How does it feel to be a problem?" is used in various cultural contexts to address the societal and personal impacts of racism on African Americans. It encourages dialogue and reflection on deep-seated societal issues around identity. Originating from W.E.B. Du Bois, the phrase resonates in music, sports, and personal narratives to confront systemic problems and biases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recurring question posed in various songs and in a personal account by James Brown, Kool Moe Dee, Beck, and the Heavy, and exclaimed by quarterback Kirk Cousins, is "How does it feel to be a problem?" This question echoes poignantly through various aspects of cultural expression, from music to sports, encapsulating a resonant theme in discussions surrounding identity and race, particularly in the context of African American experiences in the United States. It's a rhetorical tool that drives at the heart of societal issues and personal introspection regarding the treatment and perception of black individuals in America. The question itself represents a challenge to the listener or speaker to confront and acknowledge systemic issues and personal biases.
The question also reveals the complexities of identity as expressed in the excerpt provided, wherein Keith L. Anderson explores his internal grappling with the perception of black men in America, alongside the impact of racism. "How does it feel to be a problem?" is not a query looking for a direct answer but rather a powerful statement that encourages reflection and dialogue about deeply entrenched societal problems.
Sources suggest that the phrase, "How does it feel to be a problem?" first originated from W.E.B. Du Bois's seminal work "The Souls of Black Folk," underlining the pervasive struggle of African Americans to define themselves beyond societal stereotypes and prejudices.