...Although throughout the Narrative, Frederick Douglass has a tendency to skip around often and does not always follow a completely chronological ordering, the work begins with his childhood. Frederick Douglass gives a summary of how he, like many other slave children, has no idea when his birthday is but as far he can guess it must have been around 1818. He was separated from his mother right after he was born (which he imagines was because they did not want the bonds of family to develop naturally between families) but recalls how sometimes she would walk at night from a neighboring plantation to sleep with him. As this important part of this summary of “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” makes clear, he tells the reader that she died but because of his lack of connection with her the news did not have much of an impact on him. All Frederick Douglass knows about his father is that he is a white man based on his light skin tone and rumors he’s heard to confirm it. Frederick Douglass then gives the reader a brutal short summary of that the rape of female slaves by their white masters actually benefits slavery because by law the products of the rape become slaves themselves. When you’re reading this analysis and summary of “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” and throughout the text itself, you should notice the way Douglass makes reference not just to the cruelty of slavery as an institution, but also how he shows the way it has become institutionalized through...
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...“The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” How does this Sherman Alexie essay compare to the Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X essays we read earlier in the semester? What implications does Alexie invoke with his use of the Superman imagery? In comparing the three essays, “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” by Sherman Alexie, to “Learning to Read and Write” by Frederick Douglass and “Learning to Read” by Malcolm X, one immediately recognizes that all three authors place high importance on the value of reading and writing. When one has the ability to read and write, one has the ability to achieve many goals. One also has the ability to make a difference in the lives of others and society. In “Learning to Read” by Frederick...
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...forty-nine dictatorships in the world, a dictator uses many types of oppression to keep control of his citizens. In these forty-nine countries, the different faces of oppression are more easily seen, but that does not mean in countries considered “free” nobody is oppressed. Whether it’s 1800s America or modern day American the many faces of oppression can still be found. Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, and author lived through many of this oppression his entire life. Barbara Ehrenreich, a successful journalist, discovered many of these oppressions while doing an experiment for an article. Being seen as a country in the “free-world” does not make our society immune to the powers of oppression. Douglass recognized how powerlessness he felt while being a slave from at very young age. He feelt it was unfair that the white kids knew their birthdays while he wasn’t even allowed to ask about his (Frederick Douglass 1). He could not ask his master because his master deemed the questions as a sign of a restless spirit. This was not the last time Douglass would have his right to knowledge denied. When Douglass was sent to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she began to teach him but when Mr. Auld found out about the...
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...During the first two centuries of American history, slaveholding spread throughout the American landscape and resulted in the maltreatment of slaves and abusive practices that came to characterize American slavery prior to the Civil War. By evidencing his own emotional hardships and trials and accentuating the illogical procedures employed by the slaveholders, Douglass persuades the readers of the inconceivable cruelty present in the ideology of slavery and urges the American people to take action against this atrocious institution. Overall, Frederick Douglass employs many rhetorical devices in order to convince the audience that the practice of slavery should be abolished in order for America to reach its pinnacle of success. Through the...
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...Frederick Douglass, a slave whom evolved to editor, public speaker and a leader in the abolitionist movement, expresses his own struggles of learning as a slave in the early 1800s in his piece “Learning to Read and Write”. As a slave, Douglass studies how to read and write with the help of those around him. He eventually succeeds in achieving his ambitions, yet, remains with the desire to become a free man. As he gains more knowledge, Douglass has to change the methods he acquires his education to elude the punishment from the slave owners; he resorts to enticing children to assist him in learning during his free time. Douglass uses complex vocabulary, strong diction and unique metaphors to provide his audience with a clear and undisputed perspective of his opinion on slavery. His determination, through his writing, encourages the audience to support the abolitionist movement to cease the horrid practice of slavery. Uniquely, Douglass uses metaphors to help convey a heightened sense of emotion and imagery to his piece. He has effectively expressed his inspiring devotion to acquire knowledge, and his undying determination to become a free man; however, his achievements became a dark pit of despair upon his realization of his grim reality....
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...and tradition play big parts in their lives. In this essay, I will discuss four of the stories that I feel show how these elements play a part in their day to day lives. I have chosen four pieces, “Curving Woman,” by Alejandro Morales, “Seven Long Times,” by Piri Thomas, “Tales Told under the Mango Tree, “ by Judith Ortiz Cofer and last but not least, “The Kite,” by Ed Vega. Religion, Faith, Tradition, and Magic As I stated the Hispanic and Latino cultures rely on religion, faith, traditions and magic. I saw this in the writing, “The Curing Woman” by Alejandro Morales. This story is about Mr.Benidorm, the man of the house, impregnated a servant, and had a daughter. Once the servant's time had been served, she requested to take her daughter, Marcelina, with her. Mrs.Benidorm refused the Marcelina to go with her mother. “She had grown to love Marcelina and besides, the child was a reminder to her husband of his sins of infidelity.” (Morales, 1986). This nine-year-old girl spent the next four years with Mr. and Mrs. Benidorm and never seeing her mother during this time. Then at thirteen years old Marcelina saw her mother again. Marcelina’s mother taught her daughter who to heals the sick. Once and adult Marcelina used what she had learned from her mother and would heal people. We learn from this story how the faith in healing helps this culture. How it helped Marcelina’s mother for those many years, she was without her daughter. Within the story "Seven Long Times"...
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...Battle of Antietam Single bloodiest day of the entire war Casualties: 12,000 Union, 13,000 Confederates McClellan had been ordered by Lincoln to destroy the rebel army did not pursue the Confederate troops Marked a major change in Northern war aims Emancipation Proclamation Shift in public opinion Blow against slavery would make Britain and France less likely to aid the South Weaken the confederacy Emancipate- "Free" all enslaved African Americans in the South On January 1st 1863 Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation Applied only to areas that the Confederacy controlled, it did not actually free anyone. Hoped it would encourage slaves to run away and many would Had the desired effect in Europe. Britain and France decided to withhold recognition of the Confederacy. Southern Victories In the winter of 1862- 1863 the south is winning The ride of war turns Lee decided to invade the North. In June of 1863 he begins moving north with 75000 troops. The two armies meet by accident on July 1st near the town of Gettysburg. Battle of Gettysburg Three days of fighting The Union held the high ground On the third day of battle, Lee decided to launch an attack the he hoped would destroy the Union army. Battle with largest number of casualties of the war. About 50,000 Often described as a turning point. It ended Lee's invasion of the North Pickett's Charge Around 14,000 Confederates advanced across and open field about a half-mile long. Barely half of the...
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...gives an overview of the topic and your thesis statement. The final Roman numeral should be your “Conclusion”. In the conclusion, you summarize what you have told your reader. Following are 3 sample outlines, from actual student papers. YOUR outline can be MORE detailed, or might be LESS detailed. Remember that a good outline makes writing easier and more efficient. Sample Outline #1 Title: Frederick Douglass Thesis: Frederick Douglass played a crucial role in securing the abolition of slavery and equality of African-American rights through his actions, ideas, and efforts as a lecturer, author/publisher, and politician. I. Introduction A. Thesis B. Roles/Arguments II. Douglass as Lecturer A. History as slave and acquisition of education 1) He “experienced slavery” 2) Literacy allowed expression B. Early lectures, including initial speech before Garrison 1) Success of initial speech 2) Goals for future speeches C. Effect of lectures on society 1) Open eyes 2) Encourage activism III. Douglass as Author/Publisher A. Narrative’s success and effect 1) Springboard...
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...A lot of great nations have rich history of their own, whether it is bad or it is good. The United States of America has great history and tradition, from the Revolutionary War to the occupation of Afghanistan. When people who write about history discuss that of the United States, they often consider how eminent this country is and the great deeds other people of that country have done. Historians who write about the history of America often write about how it has had a share of great heroes from Christopher Columbus, Woodrow Wilson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, etc.. Nevertheless, historians often seem to not remember to mention the real heroes of America like, for example, John Brown and the Native Americans. Much of the history that historians write about don't always show precision. Since many historians only write about one side of history, it only makes it worse by not revealing the factuality of history and creates an erroneous image of what really took place. Many of our nation's great leaders have been distinguished as individuals who have the best interest of the country and every action they take on behalf of the country befittingly. For instance, in the book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James Loewen, he writes, "Under [president] Wilson, the United States intervened in Latin America more often than at any other time in our history." (Loewen, 16). What reason did the United States have to start an intervention in countries that...
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...occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was accompanied, or followed, by civil unrest and armed rebellion. The process was long and tenuous in many countries, and many of these movements did not fully achieve their goals although, the efforts of these movements did lead to improvements in the legal rights of previously oppressed groups of people. Table of Contents Malcolm X…………………………..pg. 3 - 5 Martin Luther King Jr. ……………pg. 6-7 Rosa Parks ………………………….pg. 8- 10 Stokely Carmichael…………………pg. 11-14 Marcus Garvey………………………pg. 15-17 Frederick Douglass…………………..pg. 18-20 John Brown…………………………pg. 21- 23 Medgar Evers ………………………pg. 24- 25 Nat Turner…………………………..pg. 26- 27 Homer Plessy……………………..pg. 28-30 Malcolm X [pic] Malcolm X May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965), born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz,was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. Detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm X's father died—killed by...
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...isn't just putting your life in danger to help someone it´s what you do and how you do it That really matters. Heroes are everywhere from cats and dogs to humans. It can be anyone or Anything. ¨There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.¨ Alexander Hamilton. Heroism, Heroism is when people act to protect others even when them themselves are in Danger. Heroism is a person giving a dog a second chance at home giving the dog hope. Heroism is The kids that stay in school and get good grades to fulfill their life purpose. ¨Heroism is Doctors that...
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...As Douglass presents such a staunch argument against slavery in the midst of Christianity, it raises the question of how such a large denomination, such as the Southern Baptist Convention, ended up justifying slavery. Dr. Fuller, a prominent Baptist scholar stated, “The fact, dear brother, seems to me to simply be this: it never entered the apostles’ minds that the authority of Christian masters was sinful, and by the strongest implication they confirmed it” (Fuller, 142). Others, Dr. Fuller included, argued slavery was endorsed by the Old Testament, thus meaning it was endorsed after the life of Christ as well. Another argument for slavery was found in the letter of Philemon, where Paul encourages Onesimus to go back to his master. The vast...
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...gave me the intelligent insight on how Africans-Americans were able to succeed through the tough times of learning even when they could die from learning how to read. It was a sacrifice the slaves had to do that the time. When I read more articles and watched more movies, it showed determination, courage, heart, and attitude. When reading, it switched to a period of slavery to a period of the Civil War. After that I came to an author named Jared Diamond that gave his view on the world of slavery. In the article “How Africa Became Black” by Jared Diamond he argues that diversity resulted from the geography of Africa. Africa is home to five major human groups, blacks, whites, African Pygmies, Khoisan, and Asians. Thirty percent of the world’s language is in Africa. But as the years goes on were losing about 2 per week. Soon as the world gets older there wouldn’t be any languages in Africa. As race continues to grow in Africa there will be different types of languages being made and the previous groups (ethnic groups of language) wouldn’t exist anymore. As said in paragraph 8 of “How Africa Became Black” races are stereotyping, from Black to White, to putting the Zulu, Masai, and Ibo into a black category and Africa's Egyptians and Berbers with each other and with Europe's Swedes with the whites. The question that pertains to this is why are people being judgmental of other races and confusing blacks to whites even though we are all the same? In “How Africa Became Black,” there was...
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...property while married, could not transfer or sell property, could not bring any lawsuit, and she could not make a contract. These things were not really rights for women. These rights were mainly for them to be following, because their husbands had a say in every little thing they did. After all of this was happening women started wanting to be able to vote and decided to start a movement. They began the women’s movement in Seneca Falls, New York, in July 1848. When they met there and protested it was all about having a right to join men in the privileges they had. While having the demand of getting the privilege to vote like men, many people were surprised at how many men and women attend the protest in New York. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the one who had organized this meeting and was the potential leader of it. Frederick Douglass also joined Stanton, while Stanton argued for the importance of the women’s equal rights. An example of them showing women were not allowed to vote was, “The Fourteenth Amendment addressed the question of enfranchisement in an indirect, elaborate, and ultimately ineffective way: by pinning a state’s number of seats in the House of Representatives to the proportion of the adult population that was permitted to vote. There were, however, two qualifications to this population basis for determining representation: “Indians not taxed” were excluded, and the amendment specifically defined the potential electorate as “male.” Here, for the first time, was an explicit...
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...English 311.01 (13471): The History of African-American Writing Fall 2015 Tuesday, Thursday 11:00-12:15 JR 244 Professor Nate Millsnathaniel.mills@csun.eduOffice hours: Tuesdays 1:00-3:30 and by appointmentSierra Tower 718 | Course Description / Objectives Through a historical survey of the work of major African-American writers from slavery to the present, this course will examine the defining features of African-American expression. The course is organized around a foundational question: what makes African-American literature African-American? Is it just a set of texts that happen to have been written by authors who identified as black in their respective historical moments? Are there distinct formal and thematic paradigms that unify these texts into a coherent literary tradition? What relation do black texts bear to other black texts, as well as to the Western canon? Are African-American texts necessarily “political,” by definition protesting the social and political marginalization of black people in America? Do African-American texts represent the particular experiences of African Americans, or do they (also?) address universal problems and experiences? The cultural, literary-formal, and political distinctiveness of African-American writing will thus be the guiding theme of this course’s rigorous, fast-moving survey. Additionally, students in 311 will acquire knowledge of the following: * The ways African-American...
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