Abstract This paper discusses the lessons that can be learned on why political mass murder has occurred, how it can be prevented in the future, and an analysis of the history of western civilization since the 17th century.
From the paper:
"Mass murder like mass hysteria is a terrifying phenomenon to which the Western civilization has succumbed to all too easily in the bygone eras. As the term suggests, mass murder is the brutal killing of a massive population for a variety of reasons that can be either religious, moral and social or political, bigoted and racist in nature. Whatever the causes, mass murder remains one of those episodes in the history of Western civilization, which one would gladly like to forget. However not many measure up to the extermination of European Jews that occurred during the Second World War. This was a tragedy of insurmountable proportions and can be attributed to Hitler's propagandist campaign that successfully mobilized the German masses, particularly the youth of the country. This incident better known as the Holocaust can be described as the extermination of European Jews by the Nazis during the years 1939-45."
Abstract Nick Adams is a man displaced in time. There is evidence throughout the Nick Adams stories that illustrate his character. As a young man, Nick seems to lose sight of the love of hunting and fishing instilled in him by his father, focusing on desires of a carnal nature. In the "Three Day Blow", Nick's friend Bill congratulates him for breaking up with Marge, who is not nick's social equal. Nick listens to his heart, not an antiquated, bigoted, macho social consciousness. Nick is always uneasy in confrontational situations. If not for Bug's intervention in "The Battler", Ad Francis would surely have harmed Nick. On the European battlefields, Nick comes to realize his true nature. Nick has come to forgive his father, now dead, his shortcomings, as he is grateful to his father for instilling in him the love of gaming and fishing, which served as Nick's salvation.
From the Paper "Nick Adams is a man displaced in time. His stories (as written by Hemingway) are set in the late dawn of the Industrial Age, a time dominated by rugged individualists that spread across America, changing its face to suit them by consuming vast amounts of natural resources. Nick has all the tools necessary to thrive in this new era; he is a young, white male, an educated doctor's son, and set to make his own mark on the world. It took the fortuitous survival of his adventurism and wanderlust, plus a bout with madness, for Nick to come to terms with himself; to know that he could be happy living in balance with nature."
Tags: Nick, Adams, Ernest, Hemingway, short, stories, European, battlefields, character
Abstract Ethnic-Americanization seems to be a process whereby a member of an ethnic group ceases to be, say, "Cuban" and becomes Cuban-American. The primary identification is American, rather than Cuban, although the cultural influence remains strong. This paper looks at the three stages in the process and how Cuban-Americans and Haitian-Americans utilize this process. The paper questions how "diversity" has become a part of the American civic culture and how Americans have celebrated this diversity. Despite the process of Americanization and the celebration of diversity, bigotry still exists in American society. This paper also explains the conflict between blacks and whites, anti-Semitism and the hostility toward immigrants in the U.S.
From the Paper "It seems as though history, or time itself, has made diversity part of American civic culture. The diverse people simply kept coming to the United States. They are here. They became part of American culture and American culture became defined by that multiplicity of races and ethnicities that comprised it. It is a difference that is significant, although the world is gradually becoming more globally mixed. Still, in many parts of the world, the only real diversity is tribal, rather than racial or ethnic. For example, in Saudi Arabia, the culture is very homogenous. In Japan, there is very little ethnic difference, and that has been suppressed."
Abstract By examining American author Flannery O'Connor's story "Everything That Rises Must Converge" the paper shows that the central theme is a view of the degrees of racism that existed during the desegregation period in American history. The paper also shows how the son, Julian, is more like his mother than he realizes.
From the Paper "In an ironic way the title itself implies various degrees of racism that exist in both characters. Mrs. Chestney's statement in regards to blacks shows this correlation: "They should rise but on their own side of the fence" (O'Connor 207). Mrs. Chestney does not mind black people rising as long as they don't converge with her world. Dorothy Tuck McFarland also finds this relation between the title and the characters: "It is true that O'Connor deliberately plays off the meaning of the title against numerous metaphors of non-convergent rising, and especially against her characters' desire to rise without convergence" (McFarland 229). This can also be seen in Julian's character. Julian thinks he has risen but has not converged with the ideals he professes."
Abstract This paper debates whether the Puritans were narrow-minded, undemocratic bigots who had no conception of religious liberty. The author frames the issues in the words of a current prevailing viewpoint. and then presents information that will refute that viewpoint.
Abstract People react to discrimination in different ways. Some let it discourage them, some run away form it, and others hate it so much that they become bigots themselves. There are, however, positive ways of reacting to discrimination. Discrimination can motivate people to survive and become successful so that they can try to prevent it in the future. This paper explores works by Langston Hughes, Brent Staples, Richard Wright, and Alice Walker, authors of short stories concerning different African-American characters facing issues of race and discrimination. The paper shows that, by reading their stories, one gets a clear understanding that when faced with discrimination, it is best to keep a positive attitude rather than a negative one. In these stories, the characters that do keep a positive, more realistic attitude toward racial issues and discrimination tend to turn out more successful, mentally, than the characters that react to these issues negatively. Works analyzed include, "One Friday Morning" (Langston Hughes), "Black Men and Public Space" (Brent Staples), and "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker.
From the Paper "Brent Staples? reaction to discrimination and racial profiling is what gives him a better attitude and outcome. In "Black Men and Public Space", Staples discusses how he is a victim of these every day. Walking down the street at night, white people, especially women, would quickly walk away form his direction. In subways, white people would sit nervously as if waiting for him to attack. Even merchants in retail stores would give mean glares when he entered their store. Staples describes feeling "surprised, embarrassed and dismayed, all at once". This sort of environment could quickly erode a person's spirit. In his situation, most would become angry and resentful. Staples, however, realizes that he cannot allow this to happen."
Abstract This paper looks at the tendency in the U.S. educational system to force non-mainstream cultures to conform to the established mainstream culture and how this is the primary means by which education contributes to the development and preservation of bigotry and prejudice. The paper also looks at how, if done properly, education can instead be used to help overcome racist, bigoted, and hate-inducing ideas in society and, actually, honor multiculturalism and diversity.
From the Paper "The education system in the United States has a long history of ethnic segregation, both formal (adjudicated by law) and informal. It has been argued that segregated programs are based on the idea of de-culturizing the student, rather than incorporating the culture in question into the learning experience. This is done through a program designed to eliminate the native language and culture. For instance, there have been times when the education system has eliminated or simply ignored the laws concerning attendance, especially in the case of Mexican American farm workers? children who were needed to work in agriculture during planting and harvest seasons (Spring, 2003)."
Abstract This paper examines Philip Roth's book, "Goodbye Columbus" and analyzes it, as well as Roth, by considering whether Roth should be considered a Jewish writer or simply a writer writing about Jews. The paper also considers whether Roth's book is written about Americans who happen to be Jews or Jews who happen to be Americans.
From the Paper "As much as the public "enjoyed" and that is not too strong a word, the stories of the Patimkins in his first big successful book, so the critics pounced on an anti-Semitic tinge to the characters and their behavior. "The merits of 'Goodbye Columbus and its author are immediately evident. The novella shows sardonic wit, and the sharp eye of a born writer. The Patimkin way of life with its 'white hair the color of Lincoln convertibles' and the 23 bottles of Jack Daniels, each with a little booklet tied around its neck, decorating the unused bar, has been rendered for all time....But the faults of 'Goodbye Columbus' are also readily visible. The novella has no values to oppose to Patimkin values...Many of the incidents do not advance the action; the end is merely a running-down." Perhaps what this critic missed is the fact that there is no calculated end. The Patimkins continue. That is the whole sardonic point. Nobody really learns anything about change or adapting. Assimilation is not the same as adaptation. In fact, assimilation might lose the Patimkins in the general mainstream of America, and that is not what they seek, nor what Roth implies their purpose in life is."
Abstract This paper discusses the lives of several critical African-American leaders in history. These leaders have not only revolutionized their own professions, but have rendered it much easier for future black leaders to forge paths in their own fields of interest and specialties. The paper examines not only the historically lauded black leaders, but those who have shaped culture as well, in the march towards equality and justice for all Americans. The African-American leaders that are discussed in this paper are Duke Ellington (music), Lola Faturoti (fashion), Martin Luther King Junior(politics), Jay-Z (business) and Thomas W. Burton (medicine). The paper shows how these leaders in society have influenced all aspects of culture in America and have forged a path of success for all future African-American and other minority leaders.
From the Paper "America's history is filled with immensely touted African-American figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X and W.E.B. DuBois who helped mold the freedom and civil rights movements.
"These individuals helped African-Americans emerge from literally centuries of slavery - and although equality is still not at our fingertips, it is undoubtedly a lot closer to a reality than during the 1960s.
"In fact, the cultural change engendered by the civil rights leaders is almost as impressive as the political change won. To think that just 40 years ago it was commonplace to believe that African-Americans were in some way inferior and not deserving of equal rights, the vote or even a seat at the front of the bus today is almost absurd."
Abstract In this paper, the writer looks at Jackie Robinson who was the first African American baseball player in the major leagues. The writer discusses that Jackie Robinson did not overcome the hatred of racial bigots all across America by sharing their love for baseball; he overcame their hatred by conducting himself as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
From the Paper "Because of his moral courage, Jackie Robinson became a legend both on and off the baseball diamond. As the first African American baseball player in the major leagues, Robinson quietly confronted the pervasive racism infesting mid-twentieth century American society and culture with dignity and a fierce determination to suppress his combative nature. He understood that America's pastime was cherished with almost sacred reverence by tens of millions of Americans and demonstrated his own reverence and unquenchable passion for the game of baseball every time he stepped on to the playing field."
Abstract The paper examines how the film "Twelve Angry Men" reflects a racist problem within the justice system, which did not provide an unbiased view of the crime committed. The paper relates that were it not for Juror 8, the result of the conviction of guilty would have been quick and bigoted. The paper discusses how in this film, the problem of the personal opinions on a subjective plane confuses and distorts the view of true justice.
From the Paper "In this film study, the problem of ethnic bigotry and social intolerance within the American jury system will be discussed through the film: "Twelve Angry Men" (1957). By understanding the various reactions to the opinions of the people in the jury, one can realize that the Puerto Rican boy accused of the crime has already been condemned due to his racial status. In this manner, the jury system may not offer objective opinions as to how to try certain cases, especially in the case of an all white jury trying a boy of Latin American heritage. The general plot of the film: "Twelve Angry Men," directed by Sidney Lumet, is directed at the racial intolerance of a group of jurors that are picked to solve a crime that Puerto Rican boy has committed."
Abstract This paper discusses how readers know something important about Armand Aubigny's character by the third paragraph of Kate Chopin's short story "Desiree's Baby". The paper looks at how Aubigny is shown to be as cold as steel, a slave master and very racist, but also attempts to defend Aubigny's actions, claiming that he is a man from a culture where patriarchal and bigoted behavior is acceptable.
From the Paper "Rather than embrace the child and reassure one's wife, the way an average man would likely do, Aubigny leaves Desiree and child alone and retreats into his dark world. He was so racist and hateful of any color of skin not his own, he felt that Desiree had brought shame and injury upon his family name. What kind of a man would fall in love so quickly, and then brutally dominate his pretty, soft, feminine wife (taking advantage of her sweetness in order to have a son so his name can be carried on), only to push her away when the child she bore for him did not live up to his expectations? The answer is Aubigny is a man from a culture where patriarchal and bigoted behavior is acceptable. Yes, contemptible to those with grace and loving personalities, but acceptable because for many individuals, that is just how life was in the south prior to the Civil War."
Abstract This paper explains that the United States government, its military personnel, diplomatic officials and other representatives have failed to prevent or speak out against attacks on gay and lesbian Iraqis because of political expediency. The author relates the ways in which the condition of Iraqi gay and lesbian citizens today is worse than under Saddam Hussein. The U.S. must recognize its responsibility and must work to protect the gay and lesbian citizens of Iraq, the paper argues, because human beings are not defined by their sexual identity.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background: The United States Invasion of Iraq and Humanitarian Claims and Responsibilities
The Invasion
Occupation: America's Duties and Responsibilities under International Law
To an "Independent" Iraq: Implicit American Support for Anti-Gay Order
The Full Horror of Occupation: Implicit American Support for a Bigoted Iraqi Regime
Catalog of Atrocities
American "Moral Lapses": Abu Ghraib and the Wider Problem of Violence in Iraq
American Neglect of Treaty Obligations and Its Failure as an Occupying Power
The American Failure to Lead by Example
Conditions on the Home Front
Implications for the American Occupation in Iraq
Conclusion
From the Paper "American policies and attitudes further encourage the very same tendencies in the new Iraqi state. The military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," supplies Iraqi militiamen with just the excuses they need to continue to dehumanize their gay and lesbian compatriots. By forcing American service people into the shadows, the United States creates an atmosphere in Iraq that is conducive to the marginalization and destruction of gay men and women. "
Tags: fatwahs, shariah law, abu ghraib, political expediency, intervene
