Explores constitutional issues in racial profiling and discrimination in the wake of 9/11. Examples of profiling are derived from general minority experiences and specifically Arab/Muslim discrimination after 9/11.
2,200 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 68.95
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of racial profiling. The writer addresses four scenarios and argues for or against their legal and moral foundation based on the 14th amendment of the United States Constitution. In addition to the writer's belief regarding each scenario, we are given key elements of the opposition's argument and the writer's rebuttal to that opposition.
From the paper:
"Following the attacks on America September 11, 2001, there were cries for revenge throughout the nation. Anyone who looked Muslim was endangered as Americans took their anger to the streets. Following the attack there were several instances in which pilots refused to fly planes until Muslim looking passengers were removed and angry residents threatened those who looked like one of "them". The initial rage died down and in its place we were given many new security measures that we have been told are for the good of national security. The measures boil down to legalized racial profiling in some cases. Racial profiling is not a new event. It has been around for many years. Racial profiling goes against everything the constitution of this nation stands for; yet in light of the attacks in New York, Americans are less vocal about it then they have been in the past. Now, instead of denouncing all profiling as unconstitutional and wrong, we find ourselves looking at individual profile scenarios and holding them against the constitution to see if we can slide them through. We have entered a new world since the attacks. It is a world in which we are trying to walk a much thinner line between protecting the safety of those who live here and protecting the constitution."
Tags: racism, profiling, 9/11, constitution, Blacks, Arab, Muslim
Abstract This paper discusses the racial issues of adolescent alienation and abuse in Ann Moody's, 'Coming of Age in Mississippi'. The author discusses gender and role issues, the social setting and racial identity through her own experience revealing the painful, personal experiences of rejection or acceptance.
From the paper:
"Moody's writing is a painful autobiography of the strains in the relations that she felt while growing up. The social setting was such that the blacks and whites had separate identities but while the whites had their self respect the blacks were still in the process of realizing what there role really was. This created a tension in the interactions between the two nations that was exacerbated by the racist issues that were prominent in their lives. Further, being black women she was first suppressed due to her gender and then her race. Thus, she shows that as a woman in a black society her role became even more dubious."
Abstract Fanon's book is an analysis of identity and racism issues about blacks in a culturally white world. This paper discusses this book in terms of its title and how it relates to the author. The paper begins with background information about the author himself and explains how this book is based on first hand personal experiences of racial issues.
From the Paper "In order to understand Frantz Fanon's book, Black Skin, White Masks, it's important to understand a little bit about the author himself. Fanon was born in French Martinique in 1925 and moved to France in 1943. He had always thought of himself as French and it was here in France that he had his first taste of racism. He began to write political essays and plays and it was here that he wrote Black Skin, White Masks."
Tags: france, racism, french, politics, colonial, africa, revolutionary
Abstract The paper begins with a description of the abolitionist movement. The role of white women in the movement is then discussed, including motivations for involvement, such as empathy with others considered second-class citizens, and personal relationships with slaves.
From the Paper "During the 1800's when the anti-slave movement began the main champions for the ending of slavery other than slaves themselves were white women. White women sympathized and even helped slaves; one notable example was the Underground Railroad, where some white women risked their homes and possibly even their lives to help slaves escape to the North. Some white women stood side by side in full public view with slaves proudly demonstrating their support for the anti slavery movement. On the surface it would seem that white women and slaves would have very little if anything at all in common. However, such an assumption would be far from the truth. The abolitionist movement was about human suffering and human rights, the quest for justice, liberty, equality and freedom resounded within the hearts and minds of women who silently longed to be free themselves. While it was whites that enslaved Blacks, it was primarily white men who involved themselves in the business of buying and selling slaves, it was white men who owned the property and the land that the slaves toiled on day and night. At the same time, white women had few if any rights. White women felt as if the same shackles that bound the slaves bound them as well. The words orated by slaves who spoke of the yearning to be free also struck a cord among women. Women begin to take issue with slavery and later as history revealed women began to fight for freedom for themselves. It was the above-mentioned reasons that women were so attracted to the anti slavery movement, and pursued the cause with a vengeance."
This paper reviews the oral history presented in Theodore Rosengarten's :All God's Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw" about the struggles of black sharecropper in South before WWII.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, 1995, $ 47.95
From the Paper "Theodore Rosengarten's :All God's Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw" depicts the labor struggle of a black sharecropper in the years before World War II. It stands as the oral history of blacks in a southern rural economy, as recounted by Nate Shaw. Nate narrates his personal history involving the landlord-tenant system (sharecropping), the struggle for economic survival in the white man's world, and his enduring faith in the sanctity of hard work over adversity. Unfortunately, Nate's life was an uphill battle to change that which changed anyway, as New Deal policies made life easier for laborers everywhere, on the farm or in the city.
The landlord-tenant system of sharecropping favored the white man; in reality, it was slavery in another guise. The relationship between owner and sharecropper was one of exploitation, the white owner in most cases exploiting the black tenant. Theoretically, blacks should have been able to purchase and contract out land, just as whites did, but, as Nate explains, whites wrote the ... "
Abstract This paper examines how, despite laws in place against discrimination, inequality still exists in the workplace through race and gender. It begins by looking at the historical background of the laws which are in place to protect workers. It then looks at specific examples of race and gender discrimination and at the legal machinery available to fight such occurrences. It presents arguments for anti-discrimination laws and compares the differences between gender and racial discrimination.
From the Paper "In many states, racial discrimination was the law of the land, and it was accepted or endured as a fact of social life even in regions that rejected official segregation and other discriminatory laws. As for what is now called gender discrimination, it was so taken for granted that for most people the concept hardly existed. The very presence of a woman in the workplace was regarded as, in a way, temporary, "until she got married," or it was due to some special contingency. Most working women were found in occupations regarded as female, such as secretarial work. Sexual jokes, innuendoes, or pressures were limited only by the goodwill of male coworkers."
Abstract This paper will discuss "Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois and uncover the major ideas put forward by Dubois - finding the black soul. He uses many ideas to categorize his meanings, while giving a clear representation of black life in America. Examples from the book will explain what he meant in writing the book and how this was achieved. By analyzing three themes in this book, we can see how Dubois covered many aspects of black thinking and helped to change the way of life for blacks in America.
Abstract This paper discusses McLaurin's book, which is a story of violence and retribution in a slaveholding society in antebellum Missouri. It is a story of a young slave who was sexually exploited by her master and ultimately executed for his murder. The social meaning behind the story is analyzed.
From the Paper "McLaurin demonstrates the degree to which females where sexually exploited in the first days of Celia's story. Celia was only fourteen years old when she was acquired by Newsom, an aging widower and a prosperous and respected citizen of Callaway County, Missouri. After purchasing Celia in a neighboring county, Newsom raped her on the journey back to his farm. He then established her in a small cabin near his house and visited her regularly, repeatedly raping her. Over the next five years, Celia bore Newsom two children, both becoming Newsom's property. By 1855, she became involved with a slave named George and resolved (at his insistence) to end the relationship with her master. She did that on June 23, 1855 (McLaurin 33). But Newsom was the master. A slave didn't tell the master what to do. Newsom came back to Celia's cabin that night. Ready for Newsom this time, Celia struck him with a heavy stick when he refused to leave her alone. She hit him again when Newsom came back at her. She had tried to hurt him, to keep him away. She ended with a result she had not intended. Newsom was dead."
Abstract This paper discusses how America's working environment might be if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had not been enacted. Title VII is one section of the Act that prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. This paper highlights the evolution of Title VII, its impact in the workplace, discusses who is covered and who is not, and examines what types of policies a company should implement to avoid violations of Title VII.
From the Paper "This act protects all employees, regardless of classification or managerial level, in both the private and government sectors. In 1991, the act extended to all U.S. citizens employed by American employers outside the United States, except where it violated the law of the hosting country (Bennett-Alexander et al., 2003). In addition, it also protects foreign nationals employed within the United States and its protectorates. Unfortunately this act does not cover everyone. Employers with less than 15 employees are not require to follow the guidelines set by Title VII."
Abstract This paper discusses the father-son relationships in August Wilson's play "Fences." It expands on the purpose of the father building a fence. It explains the impact of racism on African-Americans. The author desires the conflict between a father and son based on differing motivations. In conclusion the paper discusses the future versus the past.
From the Paper "August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning play, "Fences" deals with the aftermath of slavery in the United States and how one man, Troy Maxon is unable to escape the fence erected by white America around African Americans. Unable to rise above his ..."
Tags: Fences, Wilson, Dream, Play, African-American, Racism, Behaviors, Father, Son
From the Paper "With few exceptions, before the dawn of the 19th century slavery had generally been accepted by society. Though a small abolitionist sentiment always existed, an influential and organized movement, recognizable as such, began in the 19th century. This abolitionist sentiment, though, was by no means boundless, as prejudice was ingrained in American culture, from the common people to the gentry. In addition to abolitionist sentiment among whites, the slaves themselves expressed discontentment with their plight. Essentially, though slavery was significant in American history, it was so deep-seated in American culture, that such a seemingly radical idea as abolition was met with significant resistance and the abolitionist's views were often assuaged in actual political functioning. "
Abstract This paper provides an in depth look at the history of jazz, the early development of the music style, through African American musicians trying to create music that was uplifting; the direct opposite of the blues. The author discusses rhythm and instrumentation, numerous jazz artists and popular tunes.
From the Paper "Jazz is associated with the African American people and this is an influence unequaled in the field of music. The true spirit of jazz arises from a revolt from convention, custom, authority, and boredom, even sorrow, from everything that would confine the soul of man. The blacks that invented it called their songs the blues, and they weren't capable of satire or deception. Jazz was their explosive attempt to cast off the blues and be happy, carefree happy, even in the midst of sordidness and sorrow. Jazz is a release of all the suppressed emotions at once. Jazz is a part of the direct process of African American music. In rhythm it goes directly back through ragtime, through the minstrel period, through the spirituals and dances to its African origin."
Abstract This paper provides examples of the differences between standard English and African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It explains the development and history of this language and explores how it has been taught and passed down to the next generation. It also examines the roots and origins of AAVE and asks what the future holds.
From the Paper "There are a couple of theories as to the origin of African American Vernacular Englsh (AAVE). Some linguists believe that the language derives from West African languages. This dialect theory is based on the knowledge that most African Americans who were brought to the United States from Africa had to learn how to speak English by ear. The may have picked up some of the English words incorrectly and incorporated the incorrect words in their language. Another theory is called the creole hypothesis. This theory bases its origin on the thought that slaves developed the language themselves. The slaves, who came from many different countries in Africa formulated AAVE so that they may talk amongst themselves. They developed with is called a pidgin by combining words from their own language with new words from America. They used grammar and speech patterns that were known to them from their own language as well. The language was then indirectly taught, or passed on to their children and children's children. Future generations now know the AAVE language."
Abstract This paper briefly explores the role of the narrator and shows how it is related to the presentation of the cultural conflict existent in society and its aim to raise an awareness of the role of the women in African American society, which has been largely ignored. This book explores the creative legacy of Southern black women.
From the Paper "In her short story "Everyday Use" Walker explores the theme of the quilt as one significant medium through which black women were allowed to express their creativity. "Everyday Use" is narrated by a woman who is "a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands." Through her narrator, Walker emphasizes the significance of the quilt by contrasting two sisters: the seemingly ignorant Maggie who has not gone to school, but knows how to quilt, and the educated, fashionable Wangero who assesses quilts primarily as works of art to enhance her own value. Their mother tells this story and ends her contrast of the two sisters' characters by snatching the quilts away from the selfish Wangero, who does not care about her family, and giving them to Maggie, who loves her people and makes quilts from their worn clothes."
Abstract The paper examines the Cheryl Hopwood case where a young white woman applied to the University of Texas Law School and was denied admission. The paper shows that four years later Hopwood, along with four other plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit against the University of Texas Law School for reverse discrimination. This paper provides specific reasons that support race-based admissions for colleges and universities. The paper points to the educational benefits students receive when they attended a diverse college.
From the Paper "Another educational benefit to college students is that studies have shown that a diverse campus contributes to better academic outcomes. In 1999, Gurin conducted a study of the educational benefits of college students who attended a diverse college campuses. Gurin found that White students, as well as minority students, reported higher levels of "diverse ideas and information" (10). Gurin also found in his study that students from diverse college campuses were more likely to show growth in their "active thinking processes" (10). That is, college students from diverse campuses scored higher test scores in complex thinking and social thinking than those from a more homogenous college campus. These students also had "higher levels of intellectual engagement and motivation" (21). Lastly, these students were more likely to aspire to go to graduate school (23). As seen in Gurin's study, college students from diverse campuses gained educational benefits."
