...story of the unnamed protagonist, a Black youth who just graduated from high school brought to a meeting of the town’s elite leaders to give his eloquent speech because he is the smartest boy in his school. The youth is proud and eager to give his graduation class speech and prove his ability. The problem is that the audience is composed of White men of the South during the time prior to the struggle for civil rights. Each plays out his part, leaving the horror of racism for all to see. The youth narrator takes on the typical Black role of the time, that of a submissive pleaser. The White men also take on their expected roles. They humiliate the narrator and the other youth who have been invited to the affair. But in so doing, they unwittingly humiliate themselves as well. The youth’s grandfather, lying on his deathbed admits that he feels like a traitor, but prompts his son to give the Whites what they want. Throughout the story, Ellison’s symbols give layers of meaning. The White woman is used just as the Black youth are, to humiliate and denigrate them, and keep them in their places. The woman is symbolic of the thirst the youth has for America and its opportunities. The youth are made to fight a battle royal, a fight between several who struggle until the end. Through all this turmoil, the youth focuses on his speech and how he will present it to the men. While many Black writers viewed this as the accommodation of White power by Ellison, in truth it is a means of presenting...
Words: 1334 - Pages: 6
...sounds like its going to quit any minute now, I need to see a dentist but my company has dropped my insurance coverage. I have invested my time and money into an undergraduate degree that really never change my standard of living, in fact, I am left paying off student loans with money from my old part time job. I walked to the mirror and to my shock; I could not recognize the person in the mirror. I thought this had to be a dream. I stood there for a good ten minutes thinking, how easier life would be for me if I was the woman in the mirror, Paris Hilton. She is an heir to a multimillion dollar establishment. Oh my, I love her blonde hair and skinny body, she is tall, beautiful, not too smart and not college educated but, who cares; she is wealthy. I thought to myself, I could really get used to this. I kept staring in the mirror and imagined the things I would do if I had access to that kind of money. I took a long shower, and proceeded to go to my usual volunteering job at the Jewish Vocational Center. Since my graduation I had been volunteering at the JVC to at least get “my foot in the door” in case they had a position open, they would consider me first....
Words: 1281 - Pages: 6
...On January 8, President Obama announced America’s College Promise, a lofty proposal to make two years of community college free for all students who attend school at least half-time and maintain a 2.5 GPA. If passed in congress, the proposal would save nine million students an average of $3,800 per year, and which equates to a national investment of 60 billion dollars investment over the next ten years. During his announcement at a community college in Knoxville, Tennessee, Obama said he wanted to, “…bring down the cost of community college tuition. I want to bring it down to zero. … Community college should be free for those who are willing to work for it, because in America, quality education cannot be a privilege reserved for a few” (America’s College Promise Speech). In other words, Obama...
Words: 1181 - Pages: 5
...Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X grew up in different environments. King was raised in a comfortable middle-class family where education was stressed. On the other hand, Malcolm X came from and underprivileged home. He was a self-taught man who received little schooling and rose to greatness on his own intelligence and determination. Martin Luther King was born into a family whose name in Atlanta was well established. Despite segregation, Martin Luther King's parents ensured that their child was secure and happy. Malcolm X, for the most part, believed that non-violence and integration was a trick by the whites to keep blacks in their places. He was furious at white racism and encouraged his followers through his speeches to rise up and protest against their white enemies. After Malcolm X broke away from Elijah Mohammed, this change is reflected in his more moderate speeches. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King's childhoods had powerful influences on the men and their speeches. Malcolm X was brought up in an atmosphere of violence. During his childhood, Malcolm X suffered not only from abuse by whites, but also from domestic violence. His father beat his mother and both of them abused their children. His mother was forced to raise eight children during the depression. After his mother had a mental breakdown, the children were all placed in foster homes. Malcolm X's resentment was increased as he suffered through the ravages of integrated schooling. Although an intelligent...
Words: 1181 - Pages: 5
...United States. I think hHe was a good president. and I am going to be writing about his early life, education and about his political career. He was a pPresident that had to deal with September 11,2001, the global war on terror, the war in Iraq, Where is Hurricane Katrina? and the economic downturn of 2008. George W.Bush had to faced many obstacles and other things and overcame them or was brought down by them while in office. during his time in office. George W. Bush early life he was the first child of George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce. He admired his father and...
Words: 1508 - Pages: 7
...Rachel C. Ancheta BS IT 2C Headgear Speech of Entertain Headgear may be the most important article in the army's uniform. You wear headgear to protect yourself from the rain and hot rays of sunshine, as well as for others to admire your military status. Military designers are tempted again and again to make headgear exclusive, namely, more stylish, trendy, and fashionable. My old patrol cap, the one I am holding in my hand, is my friend's present. It has neither double thick bill nor internal pocket, neither chinstraps nor breathtaking camouflage color by which any desert sniper would figure me out in no time. Well, how comfortable it feels - even with that strong smell of military service! What a feeling! In the army, the patrol cap is one of the three headgear options, together with the beret and the military visor dress hat. When I tried to find secrets of a new ACU patrol cap, it occurred to me that the military value moisture-wicking boots more than headgear. A new patrol cap is described as "an upgraded soft cap with double thick bill, no earflaps and a lower profile." Well, my old patrol cap is soft, too. No wonders, it has known so many laundries. It has no earflaps, either. What about a lower profile or a higher profile? No sweat, if I change it like this and like that . Where's the rub? You may ask me why I argue against a new patrol cap. Because I care for its history and I hate being cheated. My patrol...
Words: 4096 - Pages: 17
...至少要准备100个常用的形容词,一些“百搭”经典的理由、例子。 1.兴趣>音乐: I am a 200% music fan! I’ve got almost every collection of Eric Clapton, a very popular American guitarist and whenever I want to escape from my laborious homework, all that I do is just use my walkman to enjoy Eric’s beautiful lyrics! I will have a blast! And, According to my mom’s memory, I have been enjoying singing in the public ever since I was a kindergarten boy! Then, I started my own rock band and made several records of my songs and used them as gifts to my friends in my high-school graduation ceremony. And now I still love singing songs but only to myself but to my beloved girl as well. I am nuts about music! (119) 2.政治/ 一次XX的经历 I may go into politics, just like Bill Clinton. I used to run for student body president of my university. Because if I want to become a politician one day, I should get some experience under my belt now. On that day, I gave an election speech in front of 1500 people including my best friends and my teachers. It so was fortunate that none of them noticed I was so nervous that my voice couldn’t help trembling. I kept telling myself that I must hold on, and at last I won it by a hair, just 10 votes. My girlfriend Alexandre rushed onto the stage and gave me a quick kiss. That really made my day! (117) 3.礼物,发明>>电脑 I am a frequent user of computer. If I intend to get access to a variety of information around the world, I will usually surf the Internet with my computer, browsing and downloading everything...
Words: 2492 - Pages: 10
...protagonist in the story, the writer manages to bring to the fore the brutal acts of racial segregation and the horrors of a people struggle for self-recognition and identity. The agonizing plight of the young black man, point to the psychological torment that the black race had to endure as he tries to impress the white folks, despite his grandfather’s counsel that their lives was a perpetual war that he has to fight. The story depicts a nameless protagonist trying to define his place among his people and acceptance from the white people. The story if full of symbolism through use of imagery and satire allowing the reader appreciate the magnitude of a class-based society. The cultural differences are played out in the story depicting the superiority of the white people as opposed to the black race. For instance, the young man is invited to give a speech to an all-white audience, but first he is forced into a ‘battle royal’ with his classmates who all happen to be black. The fight is not for accolades for the winner but purely for the amusement and entertainment for the white folks in the audience. Though he is intellectually capable and he is invited to give a well received valedictory speech for his graduation, he is first humiliated in a bloody fight and then electrified to the amusement of the white people. The inferiority complex afflicting the black people is also played out when the protagonist opponent,...
Words: 1463 - Pages: 6
...vision for America. Hillary Clinton is a determined leader who shares our values for America. I support Hillary Clinton as president for 2016. Hillary Clinton's College Compact, a $350 billion program that will the push of federal government to give 175 grants to states. This will guarantee that students would not be force take out...
Words: 1320 - Pages: 6
...The Relationship of Civic Engagement, Democratic Decision-Making, and Public Speaking Tiffaney Piper Honors Public Speaking/COM 2243 Tiffaney Piper Dr. Hal Fulmar Honors Public Speaking 6 December 2011 The Relationship of Civic Engagement, Democratic Decision-Making, and Public Speaking The relationship of civic engagement, democratic decision-making, and public speaking is something that indirectly and directly affects the lives of citizens and law makers alike. These terms go hand in hand with each other in their role in a democratic society. They create a sort of continuous triangle that keeps repeating as the cycle repeats itself. This semester we have grazed the surface, at the least, of each of these topics with our discussions from the textbook, Starship Troopers, and The New York Times. All these different mediums help us to begin to understand the deeply intertwined relationship of these three terms, each tied to the one before it to create the cycle we strive to live by. A final paper deciphering what we have learned and applying it to our roles in citizenship is my goal. I want to use this paper to break down each terms meaning, the relation of this term to citizens, and at the end explain the relationship of these terms as a whole and how their relationship affects citizens. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country (John F. Kennedy).” One of the most remembered lines of a Presidential Inaugural in history...
Words: 2703 - Pages: 11
...one, what are the majors that are most likely to give you the higher paycheck, degrees with the higher and lower unemployment rate, we see degrees that will give you a better chance to pay back all of the loans at the end of graduation, but also the ones the are on the opposite side of the spectrum. Reading all these reports online can either help you or make it even more difficult to decide for the type of degree you want to go for, some students prefer to go for careers that will give them the most money over following their real passion, only because they feel they have better chances of having more success and financial stability, but there’s one thing that a lot of people can agree on, that getting a college education can increase your chances at success and you’re more likely to achieve excellence and grow at any type of job. But what is success or how do we define it ? Sucesss can have various different meanings according to people, to some it may mean going to the college of their dreams and eventually getting that “perfect” job that they’ve always wanted, driving a fancy car and being able to go on vacation every year, and not having to worry about paying bills because you make enough money to cover those expenses. While for other people, success just means maybe getting married and having your own house, waking up every morning to children screaming, making breakfast for them, taking care of your family and just having a decent job, and there’s absolutely nothing...
Words: 1523 - Pages: 7
...Do we hav freedom ? * You could say that there is more Freedom of speech, because in the US you can say ANYTHING while in many European countries hate speech is forbidden. That's a question of personal opinion, personally I prefer when hate speech is forbidden, I don't think Freedom of speech's role is to protect racist/xenophobic/homophobic pigs. Americans also have the "freedom" to own guns (though it isn't completely forbidden in other Western countries, just less easy), but this "freedom" is considered barbaric in most of the Western world and is even seen as a threat towards the freedom of others. The fact that it leads to high crime rates doesn't help. For some reason, Americans often seem to associate "Freedom" with guns and most Westerners don't understand that. Freedom of Religion is VERY different among "free" countries. Issues linked to Religion are also treated very differently. "Red Rover", the American Bill of Rights is far, really far from being alone. For example, the slightly older French "Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" is generally considered as the reference for Human Rights. As for the religious aspect of the American Bill or Rights, claiming it's a good thing is a matter of personnal opinion. That and its lack of universalism (it's only about American citizens) are probably the reason the "French" Bill of Rights is considered the reference. You (like other answerers) also seem to think that Democracy (and...
Words: 2513 - Pages: 11
...Democracy in America Michelle Caddell POS/110 May 20, 2012 Cawas Mody Democracy in America On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed. This was a significant start to democracy in America. The fore fathers of our country had big plans for America. This essay will include my opinions of Democracy in America, as well as some of the strengths and weaknesses that exist in our government system in America. I will include a description of the roles of the President, and other members of our government structure in America. The role of the government has done some major changing since the beginning of democracy. Some of these changes that have occurred have weakened our government system. The definition of democracy is a government run by the people of the country. My personal definition of democracy is having officials that will do what is best for the citizens of the country. I also feel that this should be done with the utmost respect and morals. I feel that this is the way that our fore fathers would have wanted it. I truly believe that our country started on these values and beliefs. Is that where it has really ended up? Democracy has a different meaning to everyone. One fact that we can all agree on is that democracy is one of the most important things in our life in America. The fact that we all wake in the morning to living in a free country is something that we as Americans thrive on. Some things that we must pay close attention to is the control that...
Words: 1778 - Pages: 8
...CHAPTER II Neologisms Connected with B. Obama's Presidency……………………………...9 4. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….15 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………..17 1 Introduction The current graduation paper is devoted to the detailed study of the neologisms in the American press. The latter is observed via examining the cases of neologisms brought forward by B. Obama. In this paper an attempt was made to throw light upon many words and phrases that are used in modern American political lexicon, as well as to examine some political neologisms that help to cover the 2008 Presidental Election Campaign. The graduation paper consists of an introduction, two chapters, conclusion and bibliography. The introduction manifests the main topic of the research, the major phenomenon related to the investigation and to basic structure of the paper. In throws light upon the development of the political language which promotes the creation of neologisms. Chapter One analyzes the political language in general as well as the four main political styles that the political language is...
Words: 5225 - Pages: 21
...Higher Education: A Wise Investment The world is perpetually changing, and people are changing with it. Every day, there are new demands, necessities, and ways to achieve success in the 21st century. Consequently, to evolve at this rapid pace, people desperately seek opportunities to grow intellectually and feel they have succeeded in life, because everyone has his/her own inner power to make the world better. According to a contemporary model of a liberal society, humans are placed in the center of the planet around them. They are not just observing what is going on, but also participating. They have the right to express their opinion. These ideas might seem to be not very related to an educational process. However, a basis of such concepts like a freedom of speech, a critical thinking and self-respect are formed at school and polished at higher educational institutions (Bronfenbrenner). Everybody has a unique individuality. Studying at a university or college is efficient for liberating consciousness and developing the creativity of young people. Thus, investing into a higher education might lead to efficient results in this sphere. All around the world, universities are considered to form free-thinking members of the democratic society. The latter tend to make themselves and their communities better (Sokol). It is quite difficult to state that attending a university is a sine-qua-non for everyone in society. However, most experts would agree that higher education...
Words: 3424 - Pages: 14