...Heather Lowry English 1101 7 November 2013 A Fight for Rights Standing up and fighting for rights within the community is worthless if there are not supporters who believe in the fight as well. Within Tommie Shelby’s “Social Identity and Group Solidarity” he discusses how African Americans must come together and stand up against racial and social injustice. Shelby implies that black solidarity needs to be emphasized more towards the community on how we should be treated equally because we are human and should not be judged based off our race and culture. Race should not limit anyone’s role within the community or deprive them from who they are. K. Anthony Appiah’s “Race, Culture, Identity: Misunderstood Connections” is a perfect example as to why race should not define people as a whole. Appiah believes that we should not be catergozired in these racial groups because it takes away from our nation sticking together as a one. Both authors make it clear that race should not deprive anyone of human rights because every human deserves to have equal rights. Shelby discusses that in order to eliminate the black stereotypical image; African Americans must unite and call upon each other to fight towards racial injustice. Shelby states “Blacks are a people whose members need to work together to bring about their collective self- realization as a people” (585). This statement shows that Shelby strongly believes that African Americans should utilize black solidarity to the best of...
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...King’s tone is critical and hopeful in order to justify the protestor’s actions and fight for an end to segregation. King utilizes allusions to persuade his audience in a hopeful tone. King believes freedom will be won. He believes African Americans deserve freedom because they have a right to freedom: “We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands” (1). He brings awareness to how African Americans continued to thrive despite times of hardship and opposition. King also believes African Americans deserve freedom because of how much they have done for the country. He states African Americans have been a part of the country since the very beginning: “Before the...
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...Courage in a Culture of a Shame”. Brene Brown uses strategically planted rhetorical devices to influence the reader’s reaction to women reclaiming their ability to be courageous. Social injustice was even harder to try to put to an end for a women like Harriet Tubman, but the world has slightly improved on social injustice. Social injustice is unfair, everyone deserves to be treated with privacy and respect. The three most common ones are Discrimination, Homophobia, and Ageism. There are plenty examples of social injustice in the world today, although, there has been some trials to stop it in the past. Tubman did her best to fight against racial discrimination. Harriet Tubman was the beginning leverage for the success of the African Culture. For over 200 years, African Americans have had to fight with their pride. Many people have died, but the chain on the African culture hasn’t. Blacks still have to fight daily to stop racial discrimination upon them. Why is this? Why is the African American culture still at oppression? Studies show that police are more likely to pull over and frisk blacks than whites. For African Americans, every day is a day of social injustice. Recently, many blacks have been shot and killed by policemen based on the color of their skin....
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...The novel “Kindred” by Octavia E. Butler covers the topic of the strengths of the black women and the suffering of African Americans. In the narration, the author enlightens several vital social aspects as racism, gender discrimination, and slavery. The aim of the following paper is to analyze the ways Butler expresses the topic of slavery regarding concepts of past and present, the distinguishing of slavery and freedom, and the principle of social unawareness which are utilized to enhance the impact of the book on the target reader. The book involves real historical background and fantastic elements which make it exceptional among the same genre novels. The protagonist is Dana, a black young woman, who experiences time traveling. The...
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...Over the course years after the American Revolution, Americans typically viewed the revolution as American colonies standing up to the “big bad bully” that is Great Britain and rebel for their freedom and rights and that “these years are the most important in American history, indeed in the history of the world”. That American colonist wanted to be viewed by Great Britain as an independent country. John Merrell thinks that the revolutionary period deserves to be looked at closer. Merrell insist that “the founding fathers would be surprised by our certainty, for they themselves were confused” confused about what they had started in the revolution. In the article merrell talks about how hard it was for john Adams and his friend, Jefferson, to make sense of their Revolution and that they “knew what generations since have largely forgotten” which is that the independence of America was unheard of and such a unbelievable event. Merrell suggest that we have to look past the American heroes to find the real reasoning behind it all. We can find the true impact of the revolution by looking deep into the social aspects in pre-Revolutionary and post revolution. With all the news about a rebellion against Great Britain more social groups started to come into play one of them being white women. In the 1700’s women were not considered a person but as a possession males had, but the boycotting of British goods gave women a bigger role. Merrell suggest that woman played a major role in the...
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...independence unstable economy, freedom, no more taxes, and new government. Overall, the costs of the American Revolution were worth the rewards because, although there were many downsides the colonies figured out a way to make everything function the way they needed it too. For example, one reward was a new government, because of the American Revolution we now have a stable government within our country. As the article states, “James Madison and other founding fathers got together in Philadelphia and wrote the United States Constitution the document that is the basis of Americans government. ” This shows that there were many important people taking charge of the government so they could work out a way to have a stable government. Overall, this is a vital reward that was one of the foremost reasons for which patriots fought for....
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...endured, people of the African descent have shaped the course of American’s history for over 500years. From the justice of the Jim Crow Era to the struggles of the civil rights movement, each moment of the African American history has shaped the face of modern America. African Americans present a classic example of what happens when a minority group becomes defined as weaker and less intelligent and overall, less valued. Overtime, those prejudices have become long-lasting behavior patterns that have been carried down from one generation to the next. In the mid 1500’s Black Africans were brought to America as slaves by Europeans mariners. This force of migration was unique in American history. Slaves were captured and sold at auctions and at American slave markets to owners who wanted them primarily as plantation workers. Slave owners would break up families by selling off family members. They were also harshly punished. In the eyes of the slave owner, they were no more than livestock. Despite these rough times, slaves managed to develop a strong cultural identity. The introduction to Christianity helped them develop their own form of worship. The music of worship expressed both slave endurance and religious belief. In time, African culture contributed to much of America’s music, theater, and dance. By 1700 there were about 25,000 slaves in the American colonies. The slaves that weren’t sold or freed ran away, some using the Underground Railroad to freedom. The 13th amendment...
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...Following the end of the American Civil War (1861 to 1865), the Reconstruction era (1865 to 1877) took place to repair the North and South, politically, socially, and economically. It was also to rejoin the South to the Union, which had previously succeeded during the Civil War. There is no clear answer to if the Reconstruction Era was successful or if it was a failure. During the era, there was a range of events that were successful and failures which adds to the question of if the era was actually successful. Because of the many different views on Reconstruction created tensions and intolerance for the era as a whole which led to not much rebuilding. During the Era, Harper's Weekly (Doc set 7), a popular and significant newspaper published a couple of of cartoons written by Thomas Nast that show multiple views on Reconstruction, but the cartoons really dial in on the views people had on free African Americans. The first cartoon shows lady liberty next to and touching an African American man that is missing a leg which is implying that he had fought in the Civil war. This is touching on the fact that since many African american soldiers fought for the union and to keep it together, African americans deserve to have the same liberties and opportunities as anyone else. Another cartoon shows...
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...Civil disobedience has been used throughout history, sometimes with the outcome of desired change, and others with no outcome. This protest makes an impact. It makes people think about why, and causes them to understand magnitude of ones peaceful actions. This form of protest is positive for our society. It is not harming anyone physically, and shows that people want change. Civil Disobedience directly aligns with freedom of speech and our American freedoms to have unique thoughts and opinions. In the constitution it is stated that Americans have the right to protest something that goes against their personal values, or they feel goes against the constitution. In addition, it is a major enlightenment ideal. During the formation of our country, and our Constitution, there was a time of enlightenment. France and Haiti were also going through revolutions. Many thinkers such as Adam Smith, John Locke, and even Thomas Jefferson were encouraging revolution, and governments for the people. All were backed by the ideals of protest when necessary....
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...words stress the importance of King's dream and signifies the want for a better tomorrow, as it is a dream. However the words "Let freedom ring..." followed by settings on American soil convey that the ideals of freedom will be achievable by every American without the restriction of race and or location. By using anaphoras King is able to emphasize his message. Metaphors are extensively used throughout this speech. A memorable example is "...we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check..." the check being the justice that colored folks deserve. Yet this is not the reason why this metaphor is notable. During this time the transition of money happened through the use of checks. Money is a necessity in society and so is social...
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...African American Literature ENG/301 Kristina Brooks March 12, 2012 The African American Literature and its history was an interesting subject or ethnic literary to learn about. This literature’s readings showed a great deal of different moments or life events that the different authors experienced as well as tragic events, and heart felt pain they endured over their lifetime. Some authors talked about the wonderful life they lived and how blessed they were to be a white man’s slave. I will be discussing the different views and relations in each of the readings along with the racist remarks and overall way they were treated as an African American over different periods of time. The first reading I want to talk about is, “White Folks Treated Us Good,” by Marriah Hines. In this reading Hines talks about how life as a slave for the white folks was great, so great, that when slavery ended and African Americans were given their freedom, she stayed because of the way her master treated her and stayed loyal to him and his family until he passed away. During the time of slavery, Hines, was never treated bad, nor was she ever beaten or raped by her masters. While some people were starved, and treated like cats and dogs, Hines, was fed and clothed and kept them on a higher level (Hines, M p.34). The next reading I will be talking about is, “To my old Master,” by Jourdan Anderson. This story is a great message about how...
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...“THE PERSON I ADMIRE” Nelson Mandela is an African American leader who fought for the rights of his people. Through trials and tribulations he stood his ground and kept on fighting. Nelson was a born leader and utilized his talents at an early age. When he was younger he used to take care of his family and make sure everything went right through all the injustice that society bestowed onto his people. Throughout his life Nelson Mandela watched as his people were mistreated and with this in mind he decided to join the African National Congress in 1942. Nelson got involved with the {ANC} in a big way. He became one of the youth leaders on the National Executive Council. Nelson along with the other members of the {ANC} were making great strides towards justice and equal and liberal rights when Mandela was imprisoned for 6 months on the conviction of contravening the Suppression of the Communist Act. While in confinement Mandela started a practiced in Johannesburg. In the late fifties Mandela’s attention turned to the struggles of his people which involved exploitation of labor, pass laws, and the nascent Bantustent policy, and the segregation of open universities. Policies that wouldn’t let blacks go to the same universities as whites because it was a threat to the system grew and Mandela started to take action. In the process of trying to correct all the wrong doings that was happening to his people Mandela was the victim of various forms of repression, he was banned and...
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...Literature Analysis: The Relation of the Works of African American Authors with Islam Introduction: The African American literature is full of enthralling stories, poems and riveting facts. The authors and poets have used various themes to express their depression, anger, plea and even hope. In this essay, various themes like racial discrimination, survival, honor and homeland will be discussed. Most of these themes that these authors have used in their work have a direct relation with the religion of Islam. All these themes have been discussed in Islam and the religion has provided answers to these problems. Following works will be discussed in the essay. 1. If we must die (poem) by Claude McKay 2. A Litany for Survival (poem) by Audre Lorde 3. I have a Dream (speech) by Martin Luther King Analysis # 1: If we must Die: Honor and honorable death is one such theme that is the main focus of the poem, “If we must die” by Claude Mackay. Claude McKay wants his people that are under threat from the white people and are being killed. He wants them to die nobly. Islam has given a huge distinction to the one who dies honorably i.e. in the way of Allah. This means if a person is doing something good, or is on his way to doing a going deed and dies, he dies a martyr. The Prophet [SAW] said: "Whoever fights to protect his wealth and is killed, he is a martyr. Whoever fights to protect himself, he is a martyr. Whoever fights to protect his family is a martyr." (Sunnah.com)...
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...How have African-Americans worked to end segregation, discrimination, and isolation to attain equality and civil rights? For centuries, African Americans have played and continue to play a significant role in American history. While today, African American no longer face the laws of segregation and discrimination, they continue to fight for equality and civil rights. This continued fight is one of a long past with several triumphs and tragedies all which are an integral part of history. This essay will discuss how African Americans worked to end slavery, segregation, discrimination, freedom, and isolation. It will also discuss what led to the civil right implementation and how it was executed. Equal rights for African Americans have been contentious, and fought for decades. They have fought to impede ethic discrimination, gain equal opportunity and their civil rights since slavery in the 1600s. When slavery started in 1620s, African Americans only made up about 3 to 4 percent of the population in America. Although the number grew slowly at first, by the end of the 17th century, the population of African American slave grew to well over 650,000. (Becker, 2000) In America, slave labor became the key component in agriculture and booming capitalist economy of the 17th & 18th centuries. (County, 1999) In the beginning, Africans were exchanged for food and place as “indentured servants” by the Dutch. This practice was also true for many poor Englishmen who were...
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...bus boycott incident. What happened on December 1st, 1955 was a historical moment that screamed equality for all. One afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama, a middle-aged African American woman named Rosa Parks had wanted to return home from work, so she rode a bus for transportation. Seeing a full bus, a white passenger walked...
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