Premium Essay

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being An African American

Submitted By
Words 587
Pages 3
Life as an African American and Caucasian male can be challenging, even in today’s society. All throughout my life I have had people criticize, as well as look at me differently, when people find out that I am black. Some of my so-called friends, stopped hanging out with me after I told them I was part African American, which really hurt my feelings. People look at me with a dirty look when I’m out with my mother or my father because I’m either too white for my father to be my father or I’m too black for my mother to be my mother. A lot of this criticism comes from different areas I have lived throughout my whole childhood.
I have lived in multiple neighborhoods where my race prevented me from fitting in as well as having friends. When I was

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Analyzing a Major Issue

...Analyzing a Major Issue Justin Francis Professor Nelson Psy110 2/5/2015 If you consider affirmative action for its intentional purposes than Affirmative Action is very just, its purpose being to equalize the education and economic gap between minorities and whites. Although it is not a perfect method to achieving equality in this country, it is essential to accept it for why it’s been put into place and that it is all part of a process. Of course affirmative action is far from perfect and has a fair deal of problems, like promoting reverse discrimination while backing up negative stereotypes. I researched all of these aspects while pondering the question “is affirmative action still needed in today’s society?” In this paper I will be explaining what affirmative action is.The history behind affirmative action like how it all unfolded, who made it, and the history as to why it is in effect now. I will also list some pros and cons of affirmative action, how the United States could better affirmative action for the future and finally a conclusion, which is my opinion on the topic. But what exactly is affirmative action? Born of the civil rights movement three decades ago, affirmative action calls for minorities and women to be given special consideration in employment and education acceptance decisions. Universities with affirmative action policies generally set goals to increase diversity. Affirmative action decisions are generally not supposed to be based on quotas, nor...

Words: 2008 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

The Pros And Cons Of American Imperialism

...negative emotion and idea. It is looked down upon as an old fashioned, cruel way of life. However, like everything in life, it has its pros and cons. To be able to make a definite decision, we first need to understand fully what imperialism is. Countries that endorse imperialism feel the desire to compete with other countries in order to gain tycoon, boost national pride and expand territories to spread science, laws, and religion. An important benefit of imperialism is the development of modern technologies, like steam-powered ships to aid in the expansion of European empires. Due to imperialism, exploration was in the minds of people. Their motive was to explore unidentified territory in order to perform scientific...

Words: 572 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Debate Paper

...Receive Welfare Benefits? Thanks to our ancestors, America is a country built from a foundation of hard work and perseverance. This pioneering spirit has paved the way for many opportunities, as well as rules to be set along the way. This includes mandating laws and acts starting with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. With these guidelines America humbly started as a nation where every citizen was entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These laws stressed the simplest of privileges which included freedom of religion, freedom of speech, protection against enemies, and restriction against monopolies (America's Freedom Documents, 1996-2011). These were all expressions of the American mindset long ago. Fast forward to current America and we find problems we must confront now that are more complicated. These problems have evolved through history that has now made our present day precedence in relation to laws and rules. We now have the freedom to vote, be active in our government, and have an opinion. Our opinions are shaped by the physical world around us and the controversy we have created as a people. However, The United States as an ideal presents a uniquely contradictory set of principles that is generally not openly discussed. This includes the tendency to accept government officials, network media personalities, other experts, or voices of authority concerning sensitive topics. The new topic of dispute for governmental...

Words: 1856 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Africian Females

...A quote from The Philosophies and Opinions of Marcus Garvey: Africa for the Africans states “The world ought to know that it could not keep 400,000,000 Negroes down forever."Even with all trials and tribulations African American ancestors went through one well-known phrase is “Forty Acres and a Mule”. The thought of repayment for the injustice of slavery has been around for many years. This thought of reparations is a controversy topic in existence in political discussions, school systems, and newspapers. The ideas of reparations for slavery have different perspective from a white and black point of views. According to: Reparations: Pro & Con which states “As table 1.1 shows, whites overwhelmingly oppose reparations payments, and a majority of blacks support them”( Brophy 4). People believe that the reparation for slavery was Forty Acres and a Mule, which was supposed to given to each former slave family. However, it was never given to any of them. Will it ever be given? Was this concept used to pacify the cries for justice? The Reconstruction era of slavery begin when the slaves were being abolition of slavery and the final ends of the Civil War. The blacks were in need of economics independence . The need for money forced the former slaves to work for the white landowners to make a living. William T. Shermanwas a West Point graduate. He soon volunteered his services for the American Civil War when it first arose. While the Civil War was going on, he later became...

Words: 1187 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Lancer Gallery

...the 1900s. Their headquarters are based in 4 major US cities but they consider Phoenix, Arizona home. They are a large company that have a well-respected reputation for sourcing and selling African and South American artefacts and replicas, along with Native American pottery and jewellery. Problem Definition Lancers current problem as a company is deciding whether they want to reposition themselves. Being a part of such a specialised and particular market makes repositioning a higher risk for them. A department store has approached Lancer with an offer that would increase annual revenues by $4m but would require the organisation to mass produce replicas. Being that Lancer are known for offering top quality products they have to decide whether or not they want to make the shift and become a company that also mass produces replicas, much like their competitors. In turn, Lancer would run the risk of losing their image as being exclusive. They are known for their limited distribution and this is part of what set them apart from competing companies in the market. Statement of Alternatives A. Accept the contract from the mass department store B. Decline the contract from the mass department store Analysis of Alternatives A. Accept the contract from the mass department store; Pros – The first and most obvious advantage that pertains to accepting the contract is that it would increase annual revenues by $4m. The contract would also help Lancer Gallery compete with rival...

Words: 776 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Death Penalty

...Name 12/10/12 English Research Paper Section 1 “Should The Death Penalty Be Legalized?” I. Although the death penalty is in decline, the “Golden Age’ of capital punishment in the United States peaked in the year 1999, where there were a total of ninety eight executions (“The Tide Shifts Against the Death Penalty” 1). This was the highest number seen since 1976. Advocates of the death penalty feel that the fear of death will make criminals think twice before committing a crime. However, opponents of the death penalty feel that innocent people are too often sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit. As to any argument, there are pros and cons of the death penalty. Is the death penalty just a punishment? Do certain crimes cry out for the death penalty? Does it violate the United States Constitution? Does it deter crimes? As of January 1, 2008, the number of people on death row in the United States since it originated is 3,263 (“The Death Penalty in the U.S. 1976-2008” 1). II. The most common means of executing prisoners on death row is by lethal injection. Some claim that this violates the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment (“The Tide Shifts Against the Death Penalty” 1). There are other methods of execution in the United States, such as firing squad and electrocution. There are thirty seven states in the U.S that use the death penalty (“Death Penalty Information...

Words: 1575 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Glory Road

...in a little panic because I had no idea what I wanted to do. Doing a reaction paper to a movie that deals with diversity/race is not something I do everyday, but I decided to buckle down and get it done. There are tons of movies that deal with diversity, but a lot of those movies aren’t movies I’m interested in, this made my decision a lot harder. While looking through my movie collection I came across a few movies that fit the assignment description, Guess Whose Coming to Dinner, Glory Road, Guess Who, Remember the Titans, The Great Debaters, etc. After finding all these movies I decided I wanted to do something that deals with something I can closely relate to, after some great thought I went with the Disney movie, Glory Road. Glory Road is a movie that is based on a true story that happened at the University of Texas El Paso in 1966. It addresses the events that the players and coaches faced during this time period due to racism. Once a girl’s high school basketball coach, Don Haskins was recruited by UTEP to be the head coach of the men’s basketball program. At the time of taking the job, Coach Haskins had no idea what he got himself in to. He walked himself into a program with a non-existent recruiting budget. With no money to recruit Coach Haskins was not able to attract the more popular and well-known white player to UTEP. Not willing to give up on his winning tendencies he decides to change it up by recruiting African American players from New York. In America during...

Words: 1522 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Nato

...Notes for Exam 5- Geography North America Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Physical Geography * Latitude is very important –broad range * Western climates- Mountains (change the climate of the region) * Example: Sierra Nevada and Rockies * Deserts and dryness- Because the mountains are so tall they absorb the precipitation * Further west- very wet * Louisiana- very close to the equator, nothing to stop the storms -2 of the largest countries in the world include (Population)- 1. Canada- 1/10th of the US- 33 million * Lots of empty land in this area 2. The US- 300 million pop * Highly urbanized (D): Megalopolis- Applies to the US and Canada, very big *PROS OF North America 1. -Farming and Ranching and Agriculture * Used to be dominate * 1790: employed 90% of the work force * 1880: dropped down to 50%- because of industrialization * Today: less than 2% * In the US only 1% of population are farmers * Farm populations fell by 2/3 in the beginning of the 20th century * Farms are consolidating * 20% drop in the number of farms * Agriculture has become more meganized (more industrial) More money to keep it going, more land and more machines * Farms are still critical in the US and Canadian economy * 2000: US Alone, $216 billion dollars in farming alone * Land use, agriculture remains dominant * Varies by region * Dairy farming in the east * Live Stock...

Words: 4158 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Was The 1960s Really Better Essay

...Was the 1960s really better than present day? That is a topic many people argue about. The 1960s is a supposed said a time of peace and love but was it really? Many things were happening in the 1960s many people were oppressed and therefore could not live life how they wanted. I had the opportunity to read an article with the pros and cons arguing whether society was better in the 1960s when peace and love was promoted. Some people may say the 1960s are better because life was simpler however, we have electronic devices to make life easier and faster. I think present day is better than the 1960s. The first reason why I think today is better is because people have the same civil rights as everyone else. Next, we have new technology to help us. Lastly, people aren’t as judgemental as they were back then. To start off, people in the 1960s were very judgemental. If someone looked different from everyone else they would instantly be judged. In the text it states “In today's society, people get tattoos, piercings, and write books or songs without being judged or told not to do it. Back then, people could have...

Words: 611 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Supreme Court Case: The Scottsboro Case

...counsel is given at a critical stage of prosecution in which advice of counsel is necessary to ensure the dependence’s rights to a fair trial. This also always the ability for a plea bargaining to be issued if the prosecutor feels that their is overwhelming evidence and a court case should not be needed. Right to Counsel Background Powell v. Alabama (1932), also known as the Scottsboro case, involved several African American boys ranging from the ages of 13-17, whom were accused of raping two white women. The defendants were convicted and sentenced to death in a quick trial without an attorney. This took...

Words: 2135 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Jury Nullification

...law". However, there are many people that still believe the criminal justice system is racially biased. Racial disparity and discrimination is one the most contentious concerns in our society since several decades. Jury Nullification is an act that “permits juries to acquit even when the facts of the case suggest they convict, and enables citizens to play more active role in determining justice and what/ whom should be punished” (Robert McNamara, 2009). In other words, Jury nullification consents the jury to return a non-guilty verdict when the defendant is certainly guilty. This paper scrutinizes on the pros and cons of race based jury nullification. Additionally, it describes against the race based jury nullification with proper evidences. Realistically, a juror’s job could be easily complete via computer if their job was to judge according merely to facts, but it is not. We depend on jurors of which are genuine individuals for a verdict simply because they have feelings and emotions as well as their own thought process. The idea is to gain a proper outcome according to what the juror believes is ethical. Jury members...

Words: 1602 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Above the Law

...penalty and replace it with mandatory life without parole, and the biggest advocates were Ron Briggs and Mr. Heller who would like to reverse what they have come to view as, “one of the biggest mistakes of their lives” (Danzig, 2012). A law school professor Paula Mitchell stated that by repealing the death penalty in California this would allow us to focus on cost because it is the most “politically neutral” angle (Danzig, 2012). Although there are many different opinions of capital punishment that is believed to be immoral and non-productive at times, these advocates of capital punishment have proven this to be a cost effective, and ethically correct deterrent of future murders. Mr. Briggs stated in a conversation with his father that when capital punishment was established in California 1978 it started with 300 people on death row, and now the state is up to 720 inmates who are waiting on death row (Danzig, 2012). He proceeds to make his case by saying to his republican friend by keeping the death penalty active it would do swift justice by getting the criminals and murderers through the system quickly by applying the death penalty. The American public believes that by supporting capital punishment laws this will produce a strong deterrent effect that saves lives in the present and future. There is a link between the executions that are being done and the decrease in murders from doing so. Professor Mitchell argues how expensive the death penalty is, for example last year in California...

Words: 822 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Assignment

...international market can strengthen a business tremendously—but what if the costs outweigh the benefits for the market itself? China has long been an important player on the global stage, but recent advances in manufacturing, natural resources, and energy production have catapulted the expansive country to the forefront of international trade. Currently the world’s fastest growing major economy, China is set to eclipse the United States as the world’s largest economy by 2016. Among various domestic and international plays, one of China’s most fascinating uses of its newfound economic might is a considerable interest—and investment—in the continent of Africa. As its economy grew throughout the 2000s, China began establishing oil and mining firms across Africa. In return for the cooperation of African governments, China built new roads, bridges, and other varieties of desperately needed infrastructure. The economic powerhouse’s inroads into the African market quickly widened, and so did the scope of its investments. For every new mining and drilling operation, China built new governmental buildings, sports stadiums and housing complexes. China’s most prominent declaration of its intent to strengthen ties with Africa, however, was the construction of the $200 million African Union building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Today, China’s trade with Africa exceeds $190 billion—up from just $10 billion in 2000. Many African leaders see China’s willingness to invest in Africa as...

Words: 1328 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Bussiness Q&a

...World Marketplace: Business without Borders Review Questions 1. What countries represent the largest global business opportunities for the next decade? What factors determine the size of the opportunity? 2. Why do companies tend to thrive in global markets when their country of origin enjoys a comparative advantage in their industry? 3. Explain how to calculate the balance of trade. How does the growing United States trade deficit impact the economy? Why? 4. Explain the meaning of “strong” currency and “weak” currency. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? 5. Why is outsourcing such an attractive way for firms to tap into foreign markets? What are the risks of foreign outsourcing? 6. Outline the potential pros and cons of the 3 key strategies for developing foreign markets: exporting, licensing and franchising, and direct investment. 7. Explain how countertrading works. What are the benefits and drawbacks for both parties that engage in countertrading? 8. What are the key elements of sociocultural barriers to trade? How can companies overcome these barriers? 9. How has NAFTA impacted the U.S.? Overall, do you believe that it was a positive move for the U.S.? Why or why not? 10. What is the overarching goal of the European Union? What role has been played by the introduction of the euro? Application...

Words: 1489 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Hate Crime Analysis

...Hate Crime Analysis Bonule Johnson AJS/514 Professor: Reyes 7/25/16 For this hate crime analysis paper I choose the group of African Americans because of the fact that they are being targeted in social media for police brutality crimes. Hate Crimes resemble messages to individuals from a specific gathering that they are unwelcome in a specific neighborhood, group, school, or work environment. Detest hate crimes are criminal offenses, normally including viciousness, terrorizing or vandalism, in which the casualty is focused on account of race, sexual introduction, religion, ethnicity, sex or political alliance. Detest wrongdoings can happen at home, at school, at spots of love, at work, in the city - for all intents and purposes anyplace. There have been some cases that have been committed during the time that our president Barack Obama won his presidency. “On Election Night 2008, Ralph Nicoletti and Michael Contreras, both 18, and Brian Carranza, 21, of Staten Island, New York decided shortly after learning of Barack Obama's election victory "to find African Americans to assault," according to a federal indictment and other court filings. The men then drove to a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Staten Island, where they came upon a 17 year-old African American who was walking home after watching the election at a friend's house. One of the defendants yelled "Obama!" Then, the men got out of the car and beat the youth with a metal pipe and a collapsible police...

Words: 1178 - Pages: 5