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
An analysis of the history of digital photography and a comparison of its results with those of analog cameras, focusing on black and white developments.
Abstract This paper argues that digital cameras are better than analogue cameras. Specifically, the paper looks briefly at the history of digital photography, at its utility in matters such as record-keeping and crime-fighting and at some noteworthy instances of digital photography producing impressive and compelling works. Finally, the paper looks at all of the various reasons why it may be said that digital black and white photography is better than analog black and white photography.
From the Paper "More than that, the technology that makes digital black and white photographs possible always runs the risk of becoming obsolete. For instance, the old Epson 2200, 7600, 9600 printers have been pushed aside by Epson Stylus Pro 4800, by the Epson Stylus Pro 7800, and by the Epson Stylus Pro 9800 (FLAAR Network, para.8); simply put, unlike the fairly low-maintenance prints rendered by analog cameras, the "splashy" digital B&W prints of today place photography enthusiasts in the uncomfortable position of seeking out new technological tools that have a (quite literally) a built-in obsolescence factor. Be that as it may, though, most photographers will gladly accept this trade-off if it means the chance to be more creative."
Abstract The paper examines the book "Neither Black Nor White: The Saga of an American Family" by Joseph E. Holloway and looks at how the racial
intermixing of familial relationships is a crucial aspect of lineage studies in the book.
From the Paper "Holloway describes the lineage of John Hadnot of Gloucester, England in the 16th century and the resulting migration of the family to America in 18th century. The story of William Hadnot is the central apparatus of the story of the Hadnot family, as they are slave owners that now live in New Orleans. One crucial aspect of the novel is the issue of mixed race families. Although Hadnot is a prominent slave owner, he is essentially related to the slaves that work for him on the land. This type of proof comes from the determination of William to see the value of the work done by the slaves, which are essentially his own family members."
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 The paper examines the differences in the savings patterns, wealth accumulation and home ownership between black and white individuals and explores through a literature review the social policies or solutions that have been historically focused on the inequality of wealth between blacks and whites. The paper finds that policy reform has been successful in some areas, however, there are still many barriers to home ownership and equal wages in the workplace for minority workers.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of Study
Significance of Study
Methodology
Literature Review
Findings of Study
Conclusion
Recommendations
From the Paper "The work of Freeman and Hamilton entitled: "The Changing Determinants of Inter-racial Home Ownership Disparities: New York City in the 1990s" relates that a significant change in policy concerning home ownership took place in the 1990s toward reduction of the disparities relating to home ownership between white individual and those of minority races. Specifically stated in the work of Freeman and Hamilton is that home ownership "has long been symbolic of the American dream, but for many non-whites, home ownership has been a dream deferred." (2004) Evidence of this, according to Freeman and Hamilton, may be seen in the existing gaps in home ownership differences between whites and non-whites. "
Abstract Ralph Ellison's use of "dark" and "light" motifs are explored in the construction of this tour-de force novel. The publisher argues that Ellison often inverts our traditional notions of dark and light, or black and white to help blur the line between right and wrong. The essay intends to examine the many different passages that deal with direct contrasts between the symbolic meanings of black and white (good vs. evil, or vice versa) and the passages indicating fundamental differences between literal and figurative blindness.
From the Paper "In this novel, there is a sense of good-men and bad-men, and the central journey of the novel is the narrator?s, as he tries to find both goodness, and self. In a sense, the Invisible Man is searching for the basic human goodness that he understands lies in all men. The novel portrays certain characters as these so-called good-men that must bear the ?white man's burden.? Such a burden is usually taken to mean the subordination of black men at the hands of the whites, but groups who appear on the surface to help the blacks often disguise its meaning."
"It must be noted that not all of man's darker side is repulsive to Ellison, because he often refers to certain good emotions that spring from this darker well of the human psyche. However, man does seem to have a darker side that is totally evil, a side that he tries to hide with rationalizing and conjecture."
Tags:black, catharsis, ellison, equal, literature, race, ralph, rights
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 examines this historical novel that traces the lineage of a black immigrant slaveholding family. The paper shows how the novel is a documented case of the extreme situation of "colorism" in American culture, where the wavering ideas of color and how it was defined dictated the validity of lives. The paper portrays the life story of the Hadnot family and explores issues of black culture, history, Jim Crow and the concept of "colorism."
From the Paper "The time span in the novel is from the 17th to the 20th century so the experiences of the individuals within it traverse the whole era of slavery in America as well as the social, political, economic and human rights issues that were faced by black slaves during and after the long difficult reformation and Jim Crow, and the civil rights struggles of the 1960s and 70s. The people whose lives are intimately portrayed within the work lived through such extreme social conditions as the Colfax riots, and extreme segregation."
Abstract The paper states that employment for African-Americans living in the inner city has long been a major problem. From the period of 1955 to 1965, black and white males worked in the labor force at equal rates, with blacks actually more likely to be working than whites. The paper states that in 1965, when the U.S. had its largest economic growth ever, the separation between the two groups began its employment separation and a 20-point gap had opened up between young blacks and young whites in the work force. The paper discusses the problem and concludes that, based on various sociologist's reports, money, alone, will not resolve this deep-seeded problem of the lack of inner city employment. The paper maintains that the solution has to be a multi-faceted approach with ongoing structural changes to the underlying issues.
From the Paper "Elijah Anderson, a renowned ethnographer of the inner city and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, relates in an interview that when he wrote his PhD dissertation for the University of Chicago in the 1970s, the responsibilities and opportunities for the young black inner city male were completely different than they are today. Working people were able to make a decent living by working hard, even if they didn't have any special skills or education. Things have greatly changed since then."
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 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 In this article, the writer discusses that the scholar Bell Hooks' 'Killing Rage: Ending Racism' begins with the shocking defense of a severely psychologically disturbed black man who unleashed a killing spree on the New York subway. The writer notes that while by no means defending murder, Hooks engages in a kind of tacit endorsement of the man's motivation, or his sophisticated understanding that both blacks and whites can perpetuate institutionalized racism, by supporting institutions that foster racist attitudes. The writer points out that America is a nation founded upon a racial divide between blacks and whites, founded upon the economic, political, and social legacy of slavery. The writer discusses that the notion of institutionalized, rather than personalized racism demarcated by Hooks stresses that although the effects of institutionalized racism may disproportionately affect blacks, both black and white 'bodies' can and do enforce the prejudices and stereotypes.
From the Paper " Hooks' criticism seems apt in the sense that 'whiteness' as a construct, much like 'heterosexuality' and 'maleness' has only recently been problematized within contemporary academic discourse. But Hooks' use of the term as the opposite of blackness, in reference to individuals is itself problematic. What about racial categories of white people who only 'recently' became white, such as people of Irish, Italian, or Mediterranean extraction? Or Jewish people and members of other minorities that have not been able, historically, to fully participate in American culture because they are not seen as 'white.' Do they all see blackness in the same fashion because they are locked in the same ideological system, or do they exist within their own subculture as well as participate in the dominant discourse of black/white racialization?"
Abstract This paper reviews the book "In The World They Made Together: "Black and White Values in Eighteenth- Century Virginia" by Sobel and reveals the fact that slavery affected both the blacks and whites through an emergence of a black-white America.
An analysis of M. Kim Young's article: "Whites' Explanations of Blacks' Socioeconomic Underachievement: Individualism, Structuralism, and Status Inconsistency, Current Research in Social Psychology".
Abstract This paper examines M. Kim Young's 2000 article entitled, "Whites' Explanations of Blacks' Socioeconomic Underachievement," which demonstrates that white individuals with different backgrounds perceive the lower social economic status of blacks from different perspectives. The paper looks at the methodology used, as well as the results of the study, amongst other things.
Paper Outline:
Methodology
Hypothesis
Dependent Variables
Independent Variables
Analysis and Statistics
Possible Problems with Methodology
Results of the Study
Discussion
Further Research Possibilities
Footnotes
References
From the Paper "Kim Young states that most whites do not endorse that blacks are disadvantageous because of their inborn disability. On the other hand, he notes that slightly less than 60 percent of whites believe it is due to lack of motivation among blacks. Young's results show that whites are more likely to see unequal chance for education than discrimination as a major cause. They tend to see that lack of resources rather than differential evaluation of such resources is more important in determining blacks' crippled position. The study also indicates that underachievers are far more likely than overachievers to see that discrimination and unequal chance for education are the reasons for blacks' underachievement."
