This paper discusses the history of the American Indian boarding schools and their influence in developing "pan-Indianism", which connected individuals from different tribes.
Abstract This paper explains that the "Friends of the American Indians" believed that education was the only answer to the "Indian problem" to assimilate Native Americans into Euro-American society. The author points out that, whereas, the mission schools were traditionally located on the reservations, the "retraining" process meant that the government-influenced boarding schools were located off of the reservations, usually many miles away from families, so that many children were not able to see their families for years at a time. The paper relates that, although the tribal traditionalists strongly were opposed to families sending their children to distant schools to learn the "white man's" ways, grinding poverty and the overwhelming hopelessness of reservation life caused many Indian parents to consider the possibility of sending their children to find a more prosperous life.
From the Paper "Many times the child was not told ahead of time that they would be leaving home to attend the boarding school. This resulted in a child resisting or fleeing home and hiding in the woods or with sympathetic relatives. The child might also runaway upon reaching the boarding school. One student's account is recorded at the Clark Historical Library (1999). He remembered that on the day that he left, his mother pack his lunch, simply handed it to him, and sent him off to a day school he was attending. When he arrived at the school, he was then told that he was to leave immediately. He and several other children were told to get into a truck prepared with a wire cage. The cage was to keep them from fleeing, and they were then driven to the nearest railroad station."
Abstract This paper debates whether interracial relationships and, ultimately, marriages, erode cultural traditions and whether they cause a breakdown in racial solidarity. It looks at how interracial dating and marrying continues to increase as more and more individuals of once homogeneous communities are turning to an integrated way of life and accepting the idea that it is inside what counts. It also explores the reasons why family and friends tend to oppose interracial dating and discusses whether an interracial home life is harmful to a child.
From the Paper "Keeping black men and white women apart was the main purpose of Jim Crow. Gunnar Myrdal's landmark 1944 study found that Southern whites generally grasped that keeping blacks down also retarded their own economic progress, but whites felt that was the price they had to pay to make black men less attractive to white women. To the extent that white racism persists, it should limit the proportion of black-man/white-woman couples. Since these inequalities in interracial marriage are so
contrary to conventional expectations, what causes them? The mass media has preferred to ignore husband - wife disproportions entirely."
Abstract This paper examines how, since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, employment claims of discrimination on the basis of national origin have risen substantially. It looks at how, with the increase in discrimination based on national origin, it seems appropriate to talk about what national-origin discrimination is and what workplace protections exist under Title VII to combat this type of discrimination. It focuses on these topics, looks at the development of Title VII, and identifies the impact it has had in the workplace. Additionally, it looks at who is and is not protected under Title VII and reviews policies and procedures that employers can implement to limit their exposure to such claims.
From the Paper "National origin discrimination has been broadly defined as "including, but not limited to, the denial of equal employment opportunity because of [an applicant or employee"s] or his or her ancestor's place of origin; or because an applicant has the physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of a national origin group? (EEOC). It is illegal for employers to segregate, limit, and or classify an employee based on the individual's national origin, which may rob them of benefits, opportunities, or privileges in their employment (Bennett 401). Oddly enough, according to the EEOC, it is suggested that national origin discrimination is often based solely on physical characteristics, such as facial features, which is not an appropriate basis for determining national origin. The EEOC also protects against discrimination on the basis of association or marriage with individuals of a particular national origin group; attendance, membership or participation in schools, churches, temples, synagogues or mosques; or any people with a surname affiliated with an ethnicity."
Abstract This paper claims that there are many factors that define diversity and its role in determining individual behavior. The paper contends that in today's society and workplace, diversity plays an important role in strengthening an organization and that employers can benefit by becoming and being diverse. The paper examines organizations that hire individuals from various age groups, explaining that they can profit from a pool of knowledge that more that one age group may possess. The paper assesses that if employers can see beyond the age, gender, religion and other various diversity behaviors of its employees and hire and promote its employees based on merit, skills, abilities and performance alone, some of the issues employers now face can be diminished to a certain degree.
From the Paper "Diversity is good for organizations and its employees. There are many forms of diversity and demographic characteristics. Ethnicity, gender, age, religion, personality traits, and differences in values and attitude are only a few of these characteristics. Diversity can be defined as the state of being distinct or different. Demographic characteristics are the differences in, but not limited to, age, ethnicity, or gender. Hudson Inclusion Solutions, a professional staffing firm conducted a survey of 1,800 employees and found the following statistics concerning diversity within workplaces. Of the 64 % of individuals who worked at company that promoted diversity, 18 % stated they know someone who had been discriminated against because of rage. 1 in 5 stated they knew someone who had been mistreated because of his or her gender."
This paper discusses the history of Chinese and Japanese emigrants in the formation of the American identity as related in Ronald Takaki's "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America".
Abstract This paper relates that the success of both Chinese and Japanese emigrants symbolizes their efforts in constructing an industrialized and agricultural America. The author points out that, because of hardship and discrimination, both groups formed their own communities and labor unions in order to strive for labor rights for their contributions, which gradually developed strong alliances with their own cultural values and thus helped to create a multicultural America that resists notions of assimilation. The paper concludes that, if the history of these ethnic groups were eliminated, there would be blank pages in the history of America because this people built the wealth of America.
From the Paper "In the 1800s, America was sought as a "New World" of opportunities and a better life for emigrants who were "pushed" out of their country by economic depression and "pulled" by hopes and dreams of fortune. Many Chinese migrants came to America to seek sanctuary from intense revolts and harsh economic conditions in China caused by the British Opium War (Takaki 192). The Japanese emigrated to America for similar reasons as the Chinese. 1868 was the year of the Japanese Meiji Reform and the government financed national defense by heavy taxing in order to establish a strong centralized society."
Abstract Very few films attempt to tackle tough issues that we as human beings face. This paper shows that the movie, "Crash" is a thought-provoking look at racial stereotypes in America. Written and directed by Paul Haggis, "Crash" is set in Los Angeles, a city in which strangers never come into contact unless they crash into one another - literally. The paper shows that the makers of the film had the guts to face racism in a way that is tasteful and yet entertaining. Racism and its depiction through film are discussed first. A plot overview is outlined, followed by the conclusion which ties the two together.
From the Paper "This night, Jack crosses the line when he sexually assaults a woman whose car he pulled over, in full view of Thomas and her terrified husband. Terrence Howard plays black TV director Cameron Thayer, whose wife, Christine (Thandie Newton), endures this humiliation. The incident, combined with his treatment at work, pushes Cameron over the edge. The movie then climaxes with a turn of events that makes Los Angeles look like Redding itself with a bunch of coincidences that would never happen in a big city. All of these people's lives come to one big intersection for the grand finale, which leaves the viewer with subject material for plenty of discussions about racism and how it affects American life."
Tags: Ryan, Phillippe, Matt, Dillon, Thandie, Newton
Abstract This paper explains the rapid growth of obesity statistics among U.S. minority children and adolescents. The author points out the serious consequences including related diseases. The paper relates ethnic attitudes and suggests interventions.
From the Paper "In the ...st century, obesity has become an epidemic and obesity in non-white non-European ancestry in the United States is a major problem. It is estimated that more than ...million Americans are obese with three million morbidly obese and childhood obesity is on the rise especially among minorities. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reveals that ethnic minority children in the United States are at particular risk for development of cardiovascular disease due to their disproportionate levels of obesity. Obesity is the most frequent ..."
How Native Americans can teach the maintenance of community in a splintered society about not excluding other groups and how they can teach about true diversity and what it means to have a group sense of pride.
1,130 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Native Americans can teach all of us. They can teach about the maintenance of community in a splintered society and about not excluding other groups. At the same time, they can teach about true diversity and what it means to have a group sense of pride. They can teach about the flexibility it takes to survive this brave new world. A lot of horrible things have happened to Native Americans. If similar things had happened to other groups, those groups may not have been able to persevere. Other groups probably wouldn"t be willing to teach. But the Indians are. Is society ready to listen""
Abstract This paper covers the issues of covert and overt racism, in particular with African- American vs. Caucasian studies in the United States. Several real life examples are offered and analyzed in terms of the advantages and disadvantages each side faces in normal society. Institutional racism is also discussed in relation to class and social status.
This essay seeks to shed light on the difficulties of women in a different country by focusing on the specialized obstacles and hurdles faced by the women of India.
2,656 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 9 sources, 2001, $ 79.95
From the Paper "Culture in India has a peculiar association with the religious traditions of India. The dominant and archaic "faith", Hinduism, acts upon the national culture, which in turn influences the various religions, including Hinduism itself. The Bactrian Greeks, the Moghuls, and the English have all come and gone, but none have been able to fundamentally alter the relationship and influence Hinduism has on Indian culture. The values and beliefs of ancient Hindus have existed in the subcontinent since the beginning of prehistory and have tempered all religions that have been borne in or transported to India. We find almost perfect equality of women in Buddhist philosophy....Why is there such hypocrisy within these religions? Why do they advocate one thing and exercise another? "
A look at the Mayan myths, symbols, and rituals that offer a definition for the nature of the known and unknown world, the origin of humanity, and the purpose of human life on earth.
2,780 words (approx. 11.1 pages), 6 sources, 1999, $ 82.95
From the Paper "The world of myth, symbolism, and ritual is a world of metaphor that explains the human story. It is a story of the relationship between the known aspects of the natural world and the unknown dimensions of that same natural world. The known aspects of the natural world are the ones that humans have immediate contact with. These known aspects encompass the sense-related and material realities of the surrounding environment. Included in this known world is the landscape, the vegetation, the animals, and the human inhabitants of the region. The unknown aspects of the natural world are the ones that lie within the scope of the human senses but do not originate in the immediate and material world. ...."
A look at Mesoamerican art's realistic system of human proportions, which can be used to reveal the cultures that existed side-by-side, as well as those that followed after.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 5 sources, 1998, $ 73.95
From the Paper "Most civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica were located either in the highlands or lowlands, although the Maya inhabited both. The earliest civilization, that of the Olmecs, rose along the rivers of the tropical Gulf Coast. Most Maya development also took place in the lowlands, under tropical conditions ranging from rainforest to scrub jungle in Yucatan, Chiapas, Guatemala, and Belize. The ancient cities of Tula and Teotihuacan, as well as Tenochtitlan, Motecuhzomals city, were located at high altitudes, and the center of highland life was the Valley of Mexico. Modern Mexico City is built on top of the Aztec capital, and so the Valley of Mexico still dominates Mesoamerica as it did in antiquity. "
Abstract This essay looks at the modern Republic of Turkey and human rights abuses of the Kurdish people and suggest measures the Turkish government should take in order to be eligible to join the EU.
From the Paper ?Since the 1920"s, the Turkish response to expressions of Kurdish identity" whether it was PKK terrorism or any nonviolent actions such as publishing Kurdish newspapers ? has often been excessive, resulting in violations of the most basic human rights. Right after the establishment of modern Turkey, in 1924, Ataturk banned all Kurdish schools, publications, associations and any use of the Kurdish language?.?
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between culture and identity. Language, religion and aesthetics are used to show how culture gives a people their identity. The paper is written from an African perspective with the help of books written by African authors.
From the Paper "According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, culture is the customs, beliefs, art, music and all the other products of human thought made by a particular group of people at a particular time. Culture can also be defined as a configuration of learned ideas and solutions to conflicts in human society. Culture can be divided into two namely material culture and non-material culture. "
Abstract This paper examines the culture of the Hopi people with a focus on their history the problems the Hopi now face regarding acculturation into American culture.
From the Paper "The Hopis were first contacted by foreigners when Spanish conquistadors discovered their villages in 1540. In 1629, Spanish missionaries began to settle on Hopi land and tried in vain to convert the Indians to the Catholic faith. In protest, the Hopis joined with neighboring tribes facing the same persecution in the Pueblo Rebellion of 1680, causing the destruction of several Spanish missions throughout the southwest. When the Spanish returned to conquer the Rio Grande pueblos nine years later they did not venture as far west as Hopi territory. The Hopis lived virtually unbothered for more than a century until they became part of the United States at the end of the Mexican War in 1848. As Americans began to settle the southwest, the question of land rights arose. In 1882 President Chester A. Arthur established a 3,863-square-mile reservation for the Hopis (Hieb 1994). Now under U.S. government control, a culture that had remained practically unchanged for centuries began to feel the strong influence of an encroaching and far bigger society called America. "
