ASSIMILATION AND ACCOMMODATION OF THE BLACKS IN WHITE WORLD (Pages 12-20) by Dr. Priti Banerjee in THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST / ISSN: 2350-1499 (Online); 2350-0751 (Print)

The knowledge and understanding grows with the age in fact it increases and becomes more broad and wide in adults. It becomes pertinent to define the terms Assimilation and Accommodation in general and according to Jean Piaget. Here is an effort to process Haley’s material on the principles of Piaget’s Cognitive theory which is based on Assimilation and Accommodation. Piaget developed his theory on children which is perceptible in formative years and adults also. Alex Haley an African American writer, his slave narrative delineates the assimilation and accommodation of the blacks in order to endure in the white world. The situation may be good, worst or critical both the processes take place to adapt the environment. But Piaget’s theory states that child’s understanding with the world which is the innate quality that every one possesses according to their intelligence or cognitive development. Alex Haley’s two popular writings: Roots and The Autobiography of Malcolm X give the detailed description on the growth of the child. His imperative writings and thoughts will always help the country men to revive and survive ages to come. In Haley’s novels all the protagonists had to undergo many changes in their life being a black. This cognitive development which every Black has to face converges well with the Piaget’s theory of assimilation and accommodation. Keywords: Jean Piaget , assimilation, accommodation , schemas.