Abstract This paper discusses the issue of racerelations during the Reconstruction period with reference to the book "A short History of Reconstruction" by Eric Foner. Reconstruction was the time immediately after the Civil war that showed the deep and sharp racial division that existed in the American society and the author is of the view that many of the race-related problems that still persist in the country have their roots in the Reconstruction period.
Abstract The writer discusses how observing people at a local mall regarding racerelations was an enlightening experience. The writer explains that this is because living in his/her own world, he/she is often oblivious to the issue of race in society. The writer says that he/she interacts with people based on their individual character, not on the color of their skin. Therefore the writer explains that he/she has not been aware of issues that exist beyond his/her own existence and beliefs about race.
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the book, "Governing Race: Politics, Process and the Politics of Race", by Nina M. Moore. The paper explains that the book not only tells the reader why racerelations came to a head in the 1960s, but offers a unique viewpoint on the "politics of race", as well.
From the Paper "The author's thesis is quite clear from the very beginning of this book. She asserts, "race presents a challenge too difficult for American governing institutions to meet" (Moore xiv) in the Introduction of the book, and further asserts, "true socioeconomic and political race reform will remain a laudable, but elusive, goal of government policymakers" (Moore xv). Therefore, her book concentrates on both the successes and failures of racial politics in the country, zeroing in on the reforms that have not worked the politics of them, and why they have not worked. The author backs up her thesis with research, analysis, appendixes, a bibliography, and a clear knowledge of the subject and her research. The author notes, "Census Bureau reports as well as National Election Studies, the General Social Survey, Gallup Poll surveys, and other quantitative sources are used to buttress the regional and partisan focus" (Moore xxiv). The book includes six chapters and five appendixes, and covers Civil Rights from the "early years" to current trends in the political process."
Abstract This paper explains that, although the Declaration of Independence states, "All men are created equal," in the writing of the Constitution, slaves, Native Americans, and women were not counted as citizens, although indentured servants, who were usually white, were. The author points out that, at the end of the 19th century, in the case of "Plessy vs. Ferguson", the Supreme Court ruled that a court ruling could not force equality if one race were inferior to the other and refused to reverse segregation rules; this justified all sorts of horrific practices, including segregated schools, which were separate but often not equal. The paper concludes that, at the dawn of the 21st century, the idea that all people are inherently equal and that racism is intolerable finally has become part of our society's values.
Table of Contents
How Did the Constitution Initially Recognize the Relations between Whites and Blacks in the Late 18th Century?
What Were the Changes, through Supreme Court Interpretations, in the First Half of the 19th Century?
What Changes Were Written into the Constitution and How Were They Interpreted in the Last Half of the 19th Century?
What Was the State of RaceRelations at the Turn of the Century?
Anticipate the 21st Century
From the Paper "After the Civil War, The 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution were added. These amendments were vital to the stability of the country, because they made the abolition of slavery the law of the land. The 13th amendment specifically banned slavery. In 1968. the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. That amendment decreed that no state shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.""
Abstract This paper discusses the institution of slavery in the United States and how the residue of slavery continues to affect racerelations in American society. It explains how slavery affected American political, economic and social history from the early 1600s through the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. The paper concludes by describing the condition of racerelations in the United States in 1877.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Affects of Slavery on the Political, Economic, and Social History
From the Paper "From a social standpoint, black people in America have always been viewed as an inferior race of people. Throughout the 1600's blacks were not treated equally and the establishment of a legal paradigm in which black people could be treated as nothing more than property, perpetuated these ideas of inferiority. During reconstruction (1866-1877) American society was a difficult place for blacks to exist; black people did not know how to be free and white people did not know how to live with and around black people who were not slaves (Reconstruction and its Aftermath). There was often a great deal of tension and hostility toward blacks because White slave owners no longer had unrestricted access to free labor which greatly reduced or in some cases completely abolished the profitability of their plantations (Reconstruction and its Aftermath). By 1877, racial tensions were still apparent and black people were sill viewed and inferior. Some blacks moved to the north but mass migration to the north did not occur until much later in American history."
Tags: Reconstruction period, society property inequality labor
Abstract This nine-page undergraduate paper discusses the repercussions of slavery on racerelations in terms of the national obsession with the black-white racial dichotomy, the reality of the African-American political struggle, and the effect of these realities in American government and popular culture. 9 pgs. 9 f/c. 8b.
Tags:RACE STUDIES (RACISM, HATE CRIMES), racerelations repercussions
Abstract Discusses how Chicago has had historical problems among its racial populations. It examines how many minorities have charged police of excessive brutality, and despite the fact that an individual of a minority race is the chief of police, such problems continue. This paper examines the fragile issue of racerelations in Chicago.
From the Paper "Chicago's history has been turbulent as far as race relations are concerned. A shocking report by the Chicago Community Trust Human Relations Task Force, which was released roughly ten years ago, revealed what blacks and other ethnic minorities knew already, that discrimination and racial prejudice was rampant in Chicago and that blacks and whites are divided along racial and ethnic lines. In late Dec. 2000, another Task force, "The Human Relations Foundation of Chicago" concluded that ?ethnic minorities are being discriminated against in more subtle ways ?. The report adds that there are gaps in income, education and wealth, between Whites and other ethnic minorities in Chicago. This meant that people are still divided along racial lines, as indicated by the segregated nature of housing in Chicago."
Compares changes in the cultural rule systems regulating racerelations in Chicago, 1890-1920, and in the South, 1954-1968. Examines ghettoization, the Jim Crow laws, the civil rights movement and socioeconomics.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, 1999, $ 55.95
Abstract This essay compares the changes in cultural rule systems regulating racerelations in Chicago and the strategies used by white and black groups to alter those relations between 1890 and 1920 and in the American South between 1954 and 1968. In Chicago during this period, a pattern of de facto segregation of and discrimination against the black population was largely in place by 1890. It intensified during the succeeding thirty years, as whites responded hostilely to the growing migration of blacks from the South, especially during the wartime boom of 1915-1918. In contrast, a de jure system of segregation and discrimination had been in place for more than 75 years in the South at the time the civil rights struggles there erupted after 1953.
From the Paper "CHANGING CULTURAL RULE SYSTEMS AND RACE RELATIONS
This essay compares the changes in cultural rule systems regulating race relations in Chicago and the strategies used by white and black groups to alter those relations between 1890 and 1920 and in the American South between 1954 and 1968. In Chicago during this period, a pattern of de facto segregation of and discrimination against the black population was largely in place by 1890. It intensified during the succeeding thirty years, as whites responded hostilely to the growing migration of blacks from the South, especially during the wartime boom of 1915-1918. In contrast, a de jure system of segregation and discrimination had been in place for more than 75 years in the South at the time the civil rights struggles there erupted after 1953. The strategies employed by blacks in Chicago varied, reflecting ..."
Abstract This paper first addresses the historical factors that contributed to the racial segregation of society in Gwinnett county, Georgia. The author then explains his involvement in various community programs as a means of observing racerelations in his community. The paper ascertains that despite Gwinnett's rocky past, relations and communication among the differing ethnic groups in the region have improved drastically. The paper describes that the progress has been so great that many minority groups in the region hold high positions in local government.
From the Paper "As to the government of Gwinnett County and the city proper, I was very pleased to see that Hispanics/Latinos are beginning to make inroads related to serving in various positions in state and local governments. For instance, the "Hispanics Tips" website declares that Gwinnett is 'the only Georgia county with Latino representation under the Gold Dome' ('Retirement Makes Gwinnett,' Internet), a fact that hopefully will inspire other Hispanics/Latinos in our community to think about becoming a city leader or even a state legislator. As a person who truly cares about the prospects of Hispanics/Latinos in Gwinnett, I was very concerned with the fact that the US Congress several years ago was considering to penalize legal immigrants in America by taking away their opportunities to receive public assistance in the form of food stamps and funds aimed at supporting single-parent households headed by divorced or widowed women with children."
Tags: racism segregation communication reconstruction, racial groups
Abstract This paper outlines four of the racerelations theories that shaped Black Americans' thoughts in the 20th century: Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elijah Muhammad, and the Republic of New Africa manifesto, an offshoot of the Black Power movement. The essay also discusses each theory's relationship to religion.
Abstract The "Civil Rights Movement" transformed the nation with milestones and events that are still relevant in our lives today. This paper looks at events, including the ?Harlem Renaissance,? ?Brown v. Board of Education,? the ?Freedom Ride and Sit-In Campaign,? the ?March on Washington,? and historical figures, such as Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the emergence of the N.A.A.C.P. to show how they transformed the American nation. Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, racerelations between African-Americans and other ethnic groups have steadily improved, climaxing in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and progressively improving since then.
From the Paper "The literature and art of the "Harlem Renaissance" of the 1920's and 1930's contributed to the recognition of African-American as creative contributors to American culture. According to Professor Huggins, author of the book Harlem Renaissance, the artists of the "Harlem Renaissance" announced a new day in which African-Americans would assume their rightful place in American society (Harlem jacket). Huggins also believed that without such great men as Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and W.E.B. DuBois we would have almost no specific notice of the art from the Harlem writers (Huggins10). Diesman reports that an "unprecedented outburst of creativity among African-Americans occurred in all fields of art" (1). The emergence of the artist and philosopher changed the African American community, having developed a surge of political and social awareness among African-Americans (Huggins 56)."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the social and political contexts of race. This paper discusses the impacts of race and racism on society and politics within multiple colonies including in British North America, the early Americas, in French Saint Dominique and Haiti. Specifically the paper analyzes and confirms how race stimulated and maintained a turbulent and disjointed political and social environment during early history and how race was used to define various groups' worth, rights and abilities in early history. The writer discusses that race played a vital role in the shaping of the social and political structure that still exists in many areas of the United States today.
Outline:
Introduction
Analysis of RaceRelations Early History
Conclusions
From the Paper "In the early United States those of European descent were primarily considered white or Caucasian, and anyone of there contrasting color whether black, brown, red or yellow were widely referred to as members of other races. During the time of colonization black generally came to refer to those of African ancestry and brown was often delegated to Hispanics; red clearly referred to native Americans while yellow referred primarily to those of Asian descent. Race played an important role from a social and political context in early U.S. history, where members of the Caucasian race or primarily of European descent were afforded more luxuries, benefits and acceptance than those of other races. Those not clearly of Caucasian descent even if lighter skinned were often relegated to a certain racial heritage even if mixed."
This paper is an analysis of Cornell West's book, "Race Matters", providing an interesting critique of current black society and the way in which it is trying to become a part of dominant white society.
Abstract This analysis of Cornell West's book, 'Race Matters', examines the current situation of black society primarily in the United States. This book gives the reader an understanding of the damage that contemporary liberalism actually does to the black community and the inherent self destructive nature of black America. It states Cornell West's ideas of improving racerelations which promise some possibility for success. Cornell West's argument centers around a censorship of the market forces which is like a herald for the utter loss of freedom and the enslavement of capitalism to politically correct liberal ideologies. This book encourages black people and their leaders to work among themselves to shrug off the spirit of depression and irresponsibility, so that a future policy of reconciliation and mutual respect may actually exist.
From the Paper "One would be hard put to disagree that the black culture in America currently seems to be largely one of nihilism, despair, and cultural unrest. Black women are more likely to give birth to out of wedlock children, and to try to subsist on public aid. Black people in general are far more likely to commit serious crimes and serve serious time. In fact, a majority of black men have served time in prison for one reason or another. Black neighborhoods are more likely to have high crime rates and be plagued by sweeping urban decay. Graffiti is more common; the houses are less likely to be kept up, the yards less likely to be groomed, and the entire appearance of the neighborhood is sure to be more dirty and unkempt. This lack of respect and concern for public and private property is one of the surest signs that this cultural depression does exist. In the same way that clinical depression and mental illness is often accompanied by laziness and lack of personal upkeep, so cultural depression surely results in a mass refusal to beautify and clean up the neighborhoods. Artistically as well, black culture is represented by lyrics and music that defies conventional morality, religion, and hope. Rap lyrics are far more likely than any other popular music to glorify violence against women and outsiders such as ?faggots,? and even more likely to promote black on black crime and gang warfare. Black "art" tends to promote not only rabid violence, but also drug use, irresponsible sexuality, a lack of family concern, and poor usage of the American language."
Abstract This paper discusses the dynamics of racerelations in contemporary Las Vegas, from the viewpoint of a Caucasian middle-aged male. The author describes the demographic and political makeup of Las Vegas, and the way in which local media has embraced racial and cultural diversity. The author explains, giving specific examples, that from his personal experience, factors such as income and social class appear to racialize human interactions in Vegas more strongly than race alone. Age is also perceived as playing an important part in determining whether the author experiences racial reactions. The paper concludes with the author's belief that within racial minorities, different individuals enter into social interactions with different degrees of preconceived expectations and racialized perspective in Las Vegas.
Outline:
Racial Relations in Society
Unique Cultural Elements of Las Vegas
Personal Experiences and Observations
From the Paper "Conversely, members of racial minorities are likely much more conscious of the degree to which the predominant social culture embraces cultural diversity, both in its formal policies as well as prevailing informal attitudes. This is an issue that affects me more because, to a certain extent, the perceptions among minority cultures about their relationship to society shape their expectations of individual members of the predominant majority in social situations. Likewise, it may very well play a role in the outward attitude of many members of racial minorities expressed to me in personal interactions, although it is sometimes difficult to know the underlying source of substantial variations that likely mean more than many aspects of outward behavior."
Abstract This paper looks at US President Abraham Lincoln's view on race. It contends that Lincoln was not a racist but his views on racerelations were very conservative until late in the Civil War. The paper summarizes and assesses Lincoln's views on slavery and on equality in a post-war society.
From the Paper "This research paper summarizes and assessed the views of Abraham Lincoln as revealed by editor Zilversmit's cited collection of documents on race in America. It would be inaccurate to categorize Lincoln as a racist ..."
