...Karl Bell Ingrid Castro Sociology Sexism, Racism and Stereotypes in the media of African Americans, Sex sales everything and any thing in our society. People want to be like the people in the Media, Stereotyping of African American in the media, newspapers, television, movies, magazines and music videos are where people get these images of what African American women and men look like, these are the vehicles used to alter and form their perceptions. The media has a powerful influence in the everyday thoughts and lives of Americans. The way they depicted what African American wears and who they are. I want to be sexy and pretty and want all the people to lust after me The American media, in particular, and Western media, more generally, are charged with glamorizing and perpetuating unrealistic ideals of feminine beauty. This is the state of mind the media wants to develop. But is any of this real? Why are women sex objects in the Media? Why is beautiful defined by hair and body structure and skin tone? Why are couples more loving when they are Caucasian and seen as angelic. But African women don’t look pure or innocent; they look like whores in the Media. Why is it that African American women attributes are made so they look like a sex toy? The Caucasian woman looks like the women a man takes home to mom. In the media several men are lusting for the African American women, but none are communicates marriage to her and yet Caucasian women are seem like...
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...impacted my personal college journey. I was homeless for a year, so I missed a year of school and graduated a year late. I could not afford an ACT or SAT tutor, so I opted for community college. I could not afford community college, so I worked for a year and a half to save for college before going. I could not afford to stay in college after one and a half years in, so I took a year off to save more money. I did not save enough, so I started relying on scholarships to help finance my college career. As such, I am older than most students within my class and this sometimes results in a generation gap in experiences and viewpoints. Sometimes, I am completely floored by their thoughts and beliefs. And this forces me to realize that the...
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...The Motivation of a Young Woman Courtney Smith AIU Online Abstract This paper will first inform you, the reader, about the definition of motivation. It entails where the motivation of a young woman is obtained from. You will learn how family and friends help shape a young African-American young woman’s will and determination, and how to make her become be a better person and reach her goals. History is another key factor in helping a young person come up with their goals. All in all, this paper will cover the influence of family, friends, lifetime dreams, goals, and history in motivating a young woman. The Motivation of a Young Woman Motivation by definition is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular manner or the desire or willingness of someone to do something. My motivation derives from my family, friends, lifetime dreams, goals, and of course my history. I want to show my friends and family that I am capable of accomplishing anything that I put my mind to. I desire to make others, as well as myself, proud of me. Self-pride is of importance to me because if I am not proud of myself then no one else would be. In my future I would like to have my own business and a family. Only naturally I would like to be comfortable in life with a nice home and car, but I know that I need to work my way up and that is where getting a degree comes in. I already know that I have exceptional professionalism, but I would like my future employers to take me...
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...to describe her experiences as an African American woman. How we utilize the gift of language can not only determine our success or failure in life, but it can also affect those exposed to it. As an African American female, attending predominantly white private schools, I quickly realized the life changing effects language could have on me. I was misunderstood and labeled by the African American kids who went to public school and made to feel unworthy by the white kids who attended private school. I should not be characterized as “stuck up’, or “acting white”, nor made to feel as though I do not belong just because I attended a predominately white private school. We all know that language can be used not only to inform, educate, and inspire, but also to discourage, degrade, and judge. African Americans in public schools often thought I was “stuck up” just because I went to a private school. Sometimes, I was actually called “stuck up” other times their body language told me how they felt. I can remember one time my best friend, who went to a public school, and I were at the mall shopping and she ran into one of her friends from school, who was also African American. I introduced myself and told him where I went to school, after he asked. He immediately responded back I must be “stuck up.” Honestly, this statement made me feel uncomfortable and judged. I did not understand how he could come to that conclusion since he did not even know me. I wanted to...
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...The Journal of Ashanti Bankole I have so much to be thankful for and I am so proud. I sit here and think about my heritage and what my people before me went through getting to America. Today, I am a free woman because of what they endured. I have so many liberties but they were not so lucky. Many of my ancestors were brought here against their will. They were brought here as slaves to serve the European white families. Too many Africans were taken from their homes to be sold into slavery. For many years, my people were beaten and treated very cruelly working in the fields and serving others. These slave trades allowed America to prosper and expand but ruined our villages in Africa. During most of the 17th and 18th centuries, slavery was the law in every one of the 13 colonies, North and South alike, and was employed by its most prominent citizens, including many of the founders of the new United States. The importation of slaves was provided for in the U.S. Constitution, and continued to take place on a large scale even after it was made illegal in 1808 (Learning Page, 2005). Even after slavery was illegal, many Americans challenged and resisted the civilization of my people. To think that so many African Americans were just trying to have something of their own, land and a family, and others were just trying to belittle them. My ancestors worked hard to make a living but were still not seen as an equal to the white man. The Underground Railroad was the saving...
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...Scholar Essay Who am I to judge ones race, class or gender? , from the way they to look to the sway in their, who am I to judge what they should be called or what they shouldn’t be called. Just because the individual is a lighter color than me or from a different ethnicity, aren’t we all consider to be as an equal? The binary stereotyping and mixed cultural signals of African American and Latino females are identified in Mammies, Matriarch and Other Controlling Images and The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria examines the race, class, gender, and sexuality and how these representations speak to the African American and Latino women .Race, Class, and Gender are constructed categories that causes controlling images such as Mammy, Hot Tamale, Bad Black Woman, and Jezebels to become a natural way of thinking leading women to act and believe that is who they are and eventually they who will become. Patricia Collins article (Chap 4), “Mammies, Matriarchs, and Other Controlling Images” (2000), defines the oppression, objectification, and controlling images of African American women in the society, as well as the social acceptance of African American women. Collins supports her theories and hypothetical thinking with supporting statements from other black feminist that illustrate similar beliefs and theories that she asserts in her article. Collins purpose and objective is to point out the stereotypical condition of African American women in the society and...
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...African American Folklore Dr. Burns 11:00-12:30 How Does My Hair Look? Perhaps one of the most asked beauty questions, besides “Does this make my butt look fat,” women and men are obsessed with hair. This has not changed over time and probably will never change. Hair is a vital part of personality and self-esteem. However, hair styles differ with skin color and culture. As a white woman, I know all about hair styles for my race. However, I am very interested in learning about the very complex world of weaves, braids, and relaxers of the African American race. It seems like there are tons of hair styles for African Americans. I am going to explore everything from natural black hair to relaxing, crimping, coloring, and other various styles. I want to know the fads, what’s “in” and what’s “out”, as well as the norms for African American hair. I will be interviewing Jasmine Smith, Jamelle Shaw, Kalin Gragg, Brianna Hurley, and interviewing/observing some people from “Daddy Cutz” barber shop. I also will be observing in some other black hair salons, but I am waiting for consent from Gods House of Beauty in Jonesboro. Even if Gods House of Beauty declines my request to observe and interview, I am going to call some other hair salons because I need to observe so I can get an authentic feel of what goes on in an African American barber shop/hair salon. I am also going to do a brief history of African American hair and how it has evolved into what it is today. The barber shop/salon...
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...ethnicity” they usually don’t give it much thought because most people already know their ethnicity and don’t have to do much exploring into their national and cultural background. Many people would simply classify themselves as Caucasian, African-American, Mexican- American, etc. Although we all know the meanings to each of these words, when asked what is your ethnicity we should look at the symbolic and cultural meanings of these words. My ethnicity is African-American, meaning an American who has African and especially black African ancestors Ethnicity is a complex term. Ethnicity is what makes a human who they are as a result of how they are influenced....
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...I had the pleasure of reading Between the World and Me in my sophomore year in high school. After Toni Morrison called Ta-Nehisi Coates “The Next James Baldwin”, my mother made sure to get a copy for the whole family to read. At first, I was a bit annoyed simply because being forced to read sometimes puts a negative aspect on the material itself. But, as soon as I started diving into this book, the pages began to fly. The concept alone, a father writing a letter to his son about the world and how to navigate it as a black man, spoke to me personally as I was going through situations with my own father. This book was unlike anything I had read prior. After hearing Coates depict Howard University, the Yard, and all of the knowledge he learned...
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...in Hip Hop Thomas Taylor Cultural Analysis: Queen Latifah Queen Latifah is an African American female MC turned TV and movie actress. Her raps and or songs served different social purposes and her focus has remained unbreakable. Latifah’s values could and can be heard in her music. Latifah was skilled at her craft and was able to reach out and connect with her intended audience. It is a known fact that Queen Latifah’s music is deeply connected to the women’s empowerment movement. Latifah’s music served a plethora of social purposes. The term feminist refers to and individual that advocates for women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. “I am someone with or without this man. I am someone with or without this job, with or without these tight jeans. I am a strong woman. I can survive," (Latifah, ABC News) said while explaining the importance of confidence in the lives of women.” We see that Latifah is what one may refer to as a feminist in her song, “Ladies First”. Points made within this song received a substantial amount of attention from the media because of its political standpoint. The song depicts how women come second in society and while the discussion of the topic is great, women and their place in society is a very controversial topic. Latifah stood her grounds and remained true to people of her gender (specifically African-American women) and she did so by repeating the phrase “ladies first” and then going further...
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...Growing up I did not have much exposure to African American males and to me they looked mean. My whole life, I have been uncomfortable if I am in the presence of an older African American male. In addition, when I was a teenager my family was friends with an African American couple. The wife was sweet as she could be but the husband would get drunk and tell me that he was going to kidnap me and take where no one could find me because I looked like Wonder Woman. I told my mom about this and he never did make any actions to make us think he was serious. Because of that one experience and lack of exposure with other races when I was young, I now look at older African American males with distrust. I know that not every African American male is going to be like that but that experience will stay with me forever. Another stereotype I have trouble with is with Arab Americans. My family had friends that were Arab Americans when I was teenager and young adult and they were the nicest family. After 9/11, I feel uncomfortable around Arab American males. Once again, I know that not all Arab Americans are the same or are terrorists, but I cannot help the small degree of anxiety I feel around Arab American males. If I am correct, the terrorists responsible for 9/11 were not even Arabs. I think some of this could be because THEY feel targeted as well and I have simply not had a tremendous amount of interaction With Arab Americans until the because a focal point because of 9/11. I try my best...
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...Considering the key concept we discussed in the class the answer to Rodney King’s question: “Can’t we all just get along?” is we can’t just get along because there are factors that separate us and those factors play a great role on how we perceive ourselves, others, and our situation, and our interaction with others. Last week I did an initial assessment of a client who is homeless and currently living in the transitional house. The client had a set of twins about a year ago. The twins were premature and needed to remain in the hospital for care. When they were one month old, one of them died. Since the client did not have money to arrange the funeral for her son immediately, the funeral home left the body of her son to rot. The client believes...
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...say? Would you say you are American, foreign, black, and white, etc.? In my opinion, being an American is only half of my identity. I Identify myself as a young, strong African American woman striving to make it in this stereotypical, unfair nation we call a country. Being an American means to come together as one, a “melting pot” and being proud of your country, or patriotism. Although I am an American, I am also a young African American girl who is not only considered a minority, but also trying to keep up with this ever changing, corrupt society. Being an American means coming together and taking pride in your country. Some describe our country as a melting pot; others would beg to differ, considering how different our country is as far as cultures and ethnicities. We may be one as a country physically, but mentally we are not. Mentally, we all see ourselves differently through our cultures and ethnicities. Different cultures come to America every day from across the globe. People, who are very close to their culture or religions, will only associate with those who have the same beliefs as them. For example, if someone practices Christianity, they would separate themselves, or refrain from associating with those who are atheists. This is only because Christians feel that they should only associate with those who are Christians as well, this is speaking from observation and experience. When I attend church, every Sunday, most of the friends I make at church only hang out...
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...more than a black-and-white issue, it is women, Latinos, and Asian-Americans who are also affected but often ignored. I read a book many years ago to understand better the statements above. I am a white 58 year old male from the Saratoga area. I was born here, left, went in the service, lived other places and like seems more usual than unusual, you end up back in your home town. I only bring this point to be because it is where your points and discussions are formed. I have been the benefactor of the education and jobs most would be grateful for. I have lived in Boston where discrimination was rampant. I have lived in New York where every culture exists. I say this to say if we did not have some type of policy the playing field would be less fair than it is today. I do not know the answer because as with most important matters I think both sides are right. As a hiring Sales Manager in Software I have been told many times behind a closed door that I needed to hire a woman, an African American or a Hispanic. I never through a fit or argued because it was my job to make it work. I have come to the conclusion that it is just plain difficult to get it right. My own personal opinion comes from if a white man doesn’t get a job because an African American was needed to be hired to be fair it seems unfair to the white man. However, with age comes some wisdom. I have come to learn that if that African American, Hispanic, Asian or Euro Asian never had the same opportunities growing...
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...fighting for rights that are even greater than civil rights and that is human rights”-Malcolm X (Black Revolution).African Americans for thousands of years have been considered an outcaste. Not only were Brittany and Bobby not allowed to date Tyrone and Diamond but they were also not allowed to associate with them. So you tell me are Caucasian women clutching their purse a little tighter for a reason or are African Americans really the social outcast they portray us to be? The media wants the world to believe that people like David Walker and Michael Brown were inhuman so they deserved to die. But in fact they were just like every one else. August 9, 2014 an unarmed young man name Michael brown was shot to death and left in the road for several hours. By the men who were suppose to serve and protect us. He was not much older then 18 with a college future ahead of him. Did he not deserve the right to a trail? After the shooting they were using extreme force to keep African Americans in there house as if they were animals so they can stay silenced. The media only showed on national television the parts of men women and children scattering for their lives over and over again. What they only showed bits and pieces of was the black actavist bringing a black community together, or the pain of his mother being robbed of her chance to parent her child. Another black powerful man I will speak of is David Walker. He was a powerful civil rights activist during the 1700-1800 time eras. Walker...
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