Critical Reflection #3 - Organic Intellectuals

             Gramsci discusses two types of intellectuals: organic intellectuals and traditional intellectuals. "Organic intellectuals are particular strata of intellectual that are connected to the dominant social class and acts as both an organizer, of society and its diverse organisms, and as its thinking element, leading the ideas of their class" (Gramsci, 1971). For example Gramsci stated, "Organic intellectuals are often recruited from lower classes and used to maintain the hegemony of the ruling class or they may provide an alternative hegemony" (Gramsci, 12).
Organic Intellectuals are the dominant social class but is also associated with the lower class. "These organic intellectuals would come from within the working class and stay within the working class working towards a counter-hegemony by actively engaging and leading in social relations" (Gramsci, 1971). For example, one can belong to a working class and serve the interest of the ruling elite in exchange of prestige and economic benefits that come with his role as an intellectual. There are two examples that will be discussed that will represent the term organic intellectuals.

            Martin Luther King Jr is an example of an organic intellectual. He was able to start the civil rights movement, and doing so in a subtle way, making his way through the political society. He was also not connected to a fundamental group at the time, though the black community was largely undermined by white society, they were not deemed important enough to have equality. He was able to see where he stood in society and create a formula to overcome the tribulations that race created.

            Barrack Obama is another example of an organic intellectual because he was elected president, from the working class to maintain the political requirements of the dominant class. When he was campaigning to become president he showed that he was capable to organize the working and middle class and influence their ideas and their function in society. Obama influenced their ideas and perception of society and their functions in society his slogan "Yes We Can" promoted the idea of homogeneity. One of his important priorities as president is trying to instate a health care system. This characteristic Obama embodies as an organic intellectuals is him helping the middle class pass a health care bill.

            Martin Luther King Jr and Obama are both organic intellectuals Gramsci discusses. "These organic intellectuals would come from within the working class and stay within the working class working towards a counter-hegemony by actively engaging and leading in social relations" (Gramsci, 1971).