Abstract This paper looks at the origins, evolution and ideology of militia groups in the United States. The paper explains how militia groups, at one time not associated with any particular religion or right-wing political group, have now come to attract members of certain religions and radical right-wing political parties. It looks at the different elements that make up these radical right-wing groups and the worldview to which they typically subscribe.
From the Paper "The ideological feature of the citizen militias is their sense that alteration is hardly ever for the good and never the outcome of chance. Any divergence from the "golden age" of America's history has been the result of a deliberate, malevolent design. Thus, flowing from this belief comes profligate conspiracy scenarios."
Tags:apocalypticcultswhitesupremacistsblackhebrewjudaism weekend warriors ku klux Kkan groups christian identity believers, neo-nazi
Abstract In his book "Red, White and Black", Gary Nash proposes the thesis that rather than viewing the three nations which make up the history of the American people as distinct and parallel, or merely in conflict, the three racial groups engaged in complex cultural interactions and negotiations, and were thus all equally important. This paper examines Nash's thesis, as well as construction of his text, his methodology of analysis, some of the facts he presents to defend his pluralistic thesis, and finally comes to an overall assessment of Nash's thesis and the importance of his book as a whole.
From the Paper "Nash's approach as an historian is chronological in its structure, rather than ideological. In other words, he traces the beginnings of the history of America, from before 1500, to the early European and native encounters, up to the end of the revolutionary period, cumulating in 1800, with a final chapter on what happened afterwards in the lands he discusses. This relatively straightforward approach allows for one of the most interesting aspects of Nash's book, namely his introduction of little-known, even now, material, regarding the interactions of Europeans, Native Americans, and Black Africans before the term 'America' was even coined. Using chronology, and interweaving the different stories create a multifaceted texture of history created, again stressing the equal importance of all three groups."
Abstract The paper looks at "White Over Black: American Attitudes Toward the Negro, 1550-1812" by Winthrop D. Jordan where he discusses the history of relations between whites and blacks leading to the slave era. The paper looks at how Jordan identifies the institution of slavery and the development of its own rules and customs. The paper describes how Winthrop shows how attitudes changed over time and how slavery in particular altered relations between black and white. The paper notes that Jordan provides a list of resources for those who want to examine these issues in more detail.
From the Paper "Europeans were seeking empire when they first arrived in West Africa, originally just to trade goods with the natives. English traders wrote accounts of their journeys and described the people they saw, people very different from themselves, with skin color the most obvious difference. Different terms were used to apply to natives from different parts of Africa, meaning natives of differing blackness. The idea of color itself became part of the vocabulary. English travelers eventually came to see blacks as not only different but as savage and so as uncivilized. This fact alone became a lure for travelers who wanted to see the savages up close. In time, the English started to project attitudes they did not want to admit in themselves onto the savages they saw as so different, and blackness became a metaphor for some of the darker aspects of human nature."
Abstract This paper summarizes and analyzes Noliwe Rooks' book, "White Money Black Power: The Surprising History of African-American Studies and the Cris of Race in Higher Education". The paper describes the book as a provocative account of the history of the Black Studies Movement, but takes issue with the wat that Rooks failed to take into account the way in which so many African Americans played such an important role within the development of Black Studies programs. The paper argues that Rooks, who is the Sociate Director of African American Studies at Princetown University, both misrepresents and overstates the influence of the Ford Foundation, under the leadership of McGeorge Bundy, on the Black Studies Movement by attempting to undermine and diminish the way in which Black Studies resulted from a movement that was, for the most part, essentially all-black. The paper further argues that Rooks' suggestion that white and other ethnic groups played an important role throughout the rest of the nation is false, thus diminishing this work's value within the disciplinary discourse.
Outline:
Introduction
Book Summary
Critical Analysis of the Text
From the Paper " Rooks places an important emphasis on the fact that the students who sparked the Black Studies movement were a multi-cultural group, thus challenging the historical images that usually depict primarily African American students as being pitted against armed police officers. Conversely, Rooks argues that "Although the familiar narrative chronicling the beginning of Black Studies generally centers on Black student protest and violence, in reality, at San Francisco State, Black, white, Native American, Asian, and Latino students rose up together, joined forces, and made or supported unequivocal demands" (Rooks, 2007, p.4), subsequently arguing that some "Eighty percent of the 18,000 students supported the strike by refusing to attend classes" (Ibid.). According to Rooks, therefore, this multi-cultural group of students initiated the creation of a Black Studies Department and an Ethnic Studies Department in order to meet the needs of Black students. "
Abstract This paper begins by describing the strong influence whitesupremacist groups used to have in the United States, while questioning whether this influence still exists. In the years following the defeat of the Confederacy by the Union, resistance to Reconstruction and changes in the status of former African slaves was to emerge throughout the American South. Supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and Knights of the White Camellia were formed in part by southern leaders in the 1860s to destroy the voting power of newly freed slaves and to do damage to carpetbag misrule. According to the paper, such organizations are restructuring themselves into survivalist groups that are calling for increased cultural separatism. The author further contends that such groups do exist and do exert an influence over American political and social systems, but their actual presence and influence in American life is most probably less than one might suspect.
From the Paper "It was, however, the formal resistance to the policies of Reconstruction in the form of the Klan that most troubled race relations in the South during an long after Reconstruction. Martin and Roberts (1989, pp. 501 -502) quote a historian of the Klan who asserted that it "whipped, shot, hanged, robbed, raped and otherwise outraged Negroes and Republicans across the South in the name of preserving white civilization." A major goal of the Klan was to intimidate Republican voters and electoral candidates (including those Blacks who were affiliated with the Party) and to restore Democrats to office."
Abstract Growth of Ku Klux Klan (KKK) . Discusses history of the KKK & other groups formed by Southern leaders to destroy the voting power of newly freed slaves. Terrorist activities of the Klan (cross burnings, lynchings). Resistance to policies of Reconstructiion. Klan's call for "100 percent pure Americanism." Makeup of membership. New whitesupremacist groups.
From the Paper "White Supremacy in America
In the years following the defeat of the Confederacy by the Union, resistance to Reconstruction and changes in the status of former African slaves was to emerge throughout the American South. Historian William Miller (1977) has pointed out that the "original" Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organizations such as the Knights of the White Camellia were formed in part by Southern leaders in the 1860s to destroy the voting power of newly freed slaves and to do damage to carpetbag misrule. Geoffrey Perrett (1989) has commented that during Reconstruction, when the original Klan was formed, the occupation armies of the Union were hard-pressed to prevent their terrorist activities - activities that virtually nullified the rights granted and guaranteed to former slaves under the Fourteenth Amendment. There was, says..."
Abstract This essay discusses Bell Hooks' book "Black Looks, Race and Representation". In relation to three other related works, the paper examines how Hooks argues that the African-American male is forced by the whitesupremacist society to adopt certain masculine traits embedded in the patriarchal system. Thus, we see how the whitesupremacist capitalist patriarchy socially constructs oppression.
Abstract This paper discusses the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible from the standpoint of the apocalyptic, prophetic and wisdom texts. The author points out the conflicting theories about King David. The paper relates Christian ideas about the Hebrew Bible.
From the Paper "The view of conservative readers of the Hebrew Bible is that the Bible is a holy book. That means the Bible is mainly theological. The view of liberal readers of the Hebrew Bible is that the Bible is part of history and culture. That means the Bible is mainly historical."
This paper discusses Julia Alvarez's article "A White Woman of Color" and Abby L. Ferber's article "What WhiteSupremacists Taught a Jewish Scholar about Identity".
Abstract The paper examines the articles "A White Woman of Color" by Julia Alvarez and "What WhiteSupremacists Taught a Jewish Scholar about Identity" by Abby L. Ferber who discuss their experiences related to race, culture and color. The paper describes the cultural difference and clashes and the discriminatory or racial behaviors that are the result of social practices. The paper looks at Alvarez in relation to her American society and her Dominican community and Ferber with her Jewish origin and the Whitesupremacist views.
From the Paper "The issue of race and color has been an important aspect in the history of the United States and in general of the world. This was and still is one of the toughest hurdles to overcome in terms of the complete emancipation of the society. However, this is yet to be fully attained. Although this equality at the level of the society is indeed a lofty goal, there are various aspects which relate to the history and culture of a certain people that make this task to be practically impossible."
Abstract This paper discusses the Aryan Brotherhood, a whitesupremacist group that believes in the ideology that white people (biologically European/ American in descent) are considered the supreme race, which is similar to Adolf Hitler?s, pro-Aryan, anti-Semitic ideologies during the World War II. They originated in California in 1967, particularly at the San Quentin prison and 'hate' any individual who has black skin or is Jewish in religion. It examines how they reinforce these ideologies over people (willing or unwilling) by means of violence, political, social and economic manipulation and how evidence of such violence occurred from killings and riots made during the early establishment of the group in the 1960s, and the prevalent occurrence of crime happened during the 1990s.
From the Paper "Their primary means of distinguishing their group from the others (apart from their physical appearance, of course) is identification through the Aryan Brotherhood tattoo, since its main origins came from the prison. It was said that any individual who is not a member of this group, and is found the members of AB would immediately subject sporting the said AB tattoo to murder. The Aryan Brotherhood Gang has increased alliance with other white supremacist groups, which includes the Aryan Nations, National Alliance, American Nazi Party, Nazi Low Riders, and Dirty White Boys."
Abstract This paper looks at three major North American cults and how they were founded, led and maintained. Their beliefs, leaders, members, roots and practises are outlined. The three cults are the Branch Davidians, Peoples Temple and the Solar Temple.
Outline
Introduction
I. The Branch Davidians
A. History
1. Victor Houteff.
2. Florence Houteff
3. Before Howell
B. David Koresh
1. David Koresh (Vernon Howell)
2. Koresh's Beliefs
C. The Branch Davidian Religion
1. Beliefs
2. Practises
3. The End
II. The People's Temple
A. Jim Jones and his Dream
1. Jim Jones
2. The People's Temple
B. The People's Temple as a Religion
1. Theories and Beliefs
2. Practises
C. Negative Aspects
1. Manipulation
2. Jonestown
III. The Order of the Solar Temple
A. The Founders
1.Joseph DiMambro
2.Luc Jouret
B. Religious Structure and History
C. The Solar Temple as a Religion
1. The 7 Rules
2. Beliefs
3. The Solar Temple's Demise
Conclusion
Appendix A. Additional Pictures
Appendix B Interview with Prof. Rabinovitch
Bibliography
From the Paper "In the beginning, the People's Temple was based on Christian values and beliefs, over time Jones theories were what the People's Temple were based upon. The Bible was used less frequently, while Jones had several theories, which could be dismissed as insane. Jones believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Buddha, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Jones also theorised that fascists were going to take over America. He believed that the People's Temple would be singled out, because vandals and racists harassed the Church while it was based in Indianapolis. (The Devil's Party, 67) In addition, Jones proposed Revolutionary suicide, which means his followers would die in the name of himself."
Abstract Black-white relations have never been fully integrated and many times considerably less than cordial. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court desegregation decision in 1954, and an increasing attempt to include blacks and other minorities in more substantive and positive ways - particularly on TV - there is still a negative connotation by whites when it comes to blacks. This includes the perception by many whites that blacks commit more crimes, are less intelligent than whites, etc. This paper explores the issue, from both the media portrayal and from the black and white perceptions.
Abstract This paper examines the collection of essays known as "Black Witness to the Apostolic Faith" edited by David Shannon and Gayraud S. Wilmore about black and apostolic churches. It looks at how the purpose of the book is to find common ground among black Apostolic Christians and to expand their influence in the Christian and non-Christian world. It discusses how the editors believe that black Christian writers and theologians have not had the attention they deserve in the world of Christianity partly as a result of the racism of the past, which has left much power in white hands and less power in black hands. It evaluates how it seeks to take away the distortions of the Christian message which blacks were given by whites in the days of slavery.
From the Paper "In other words, in the bigger picture it should be all Christians, black and white and others, who come together in their common faith. The "confession' the authors write about is not only confession of sins but confession of faith, and that common confession can bring people together only if all sins are confessed and only if the confessor sees God as bigger than his own fears and prejudices. Wilmore is not saying that blacks should hate whites, but that whites must look at the past and accept what they did, just as blacks have had to look at the past and face what was done to them. To these Christian writers, it is God and Jesus Christ Who have allowed them to survive that past and to come out of their experiences with love and forgiveness in their hearts."
This paper reviews and discusses the historic oppression of black women as well as the existing gap between white and black women as detailed in Bell Hooks' "Ain't I A Woman? Black Women and Feminism."
Abstract This paper explores author Bell Hooks' theoretical perspective on blacks and feminism. Hooks claims that the major cause of oppression to black women came from many sources including white women interested in their own personal gain at the expense of black women and the black men interested in keeping them as second class citizens. This paper discusses the exploitation of women during the slave trade as one of the pioneering ways in the continuing devaluation of black women. The writer contends that Hooks' novel contains relevant research and subsequent evidence that clearly details why a gap still exists between black and white women. The writer of this paper stresses Hooks' desire for all women to bond together and for the struggle for equality to end.
From the Paper "In her research of the exploitation of slaves, Hooks' expertly does not focus on the sexual atrocities committed upon black women. She in fact details the effect brutalizing black women has on the black man, white man, and the white woman. Hooks explores the possibilities of the potential personal gain from dehumanizing black women, some of which include stereotypes/jealousy of the sexuality of a black woman, and "demasculating" the black man (psychological removal of his masculinity) in relation to exploiting 'his' woman. Bell Hooks' research into the hypocrisy of the feminist movement as it relates to white woman is the principal reason why many African American women, myself included, do not want any active participation with the women's movement."
Tags: racism, slavery, women, gender, equality, literature, review, rights
Abstract The following paper examines the statements made in Betty Friedan's "The Problem That Has No Name" from "The Feminine Mystique" and in "A Black Feminist Statement" from 'All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave' which reveal both differences and similarities in the problems faced by each group as well as how race, gender and generational perspectives influence each group's response. The writer concludes that both groups had different experiences in their fights for equality based on their race, social status, economic class, sexual orientation and the time period in which they fought.
From the Paper "Writing in 1963, Betty Friedan revealed the problems faced by white, middle-class housewives who were not content and fulfilled in their roles as wives and mothers. The account by The Combahee River Collective focuses on the experiences of black, socialist, lesbian women 1977. The desires, frustrations and proposed solutions of each group reflect their social status as well as their race and economic class."
Tags: african, american, black, collective, combahee, feminism, feminist, lesbian, river
