Abstract "The Rain God" is a tale of desert and rain, of blooming plants and dying people. This paper questions how all of these ideas and images relate.It shows how the three images have to be considered as one, because all represent the continuance of the cycle of life. A blooming and flourishing garden represents life as much as death, just as the desert and rain represent both. The paper explains that the correlation between life and death is best explained by examining the many images of the desert and water presented in the work.
From the Paper "In the book rain and desert are present as symbols synonymous with life and death, and the earth and gardens that grow from it represent the same. The desert is present throughout the story as a metaphor for pain and suffering. In many instances throughout the novel Islas expresses human emotion and behavior, particularly the negative and painful aspects of life, through earth imagery. The desert in many chapters represents the pain of life felt by primary characters and the pain inflicted on characters that results from family sins. Many people within the novel try to escape "the desert", or pain and suffering, but become injured or die while attempting this feat."
Abstract This paper discusses ways of coping with loneliness, in reference to Ernest Hemingway's short story "Cat in the Rain" as well as the writer's personal experience.
Abstract This paper examines how James Cone believes that if blacks, particularly African-Americans, don't wake up and change the traditional American image of Jesus, they will probably never grasp the true philosophy and mission of Jesus. It discusses how African-Americans must see Jesus as a black man that endured the struggle and how it is the duty of black preachers, pastors and theologians to advocate black theology, which includes the black image of Jesus, for the sake and survival of the African-American experience.
From the Paper "When one begins to think about God, questions arise as one lacks significant knowledge of God. When one begins to engage in such a dialogue, or entertains such questions, one has clearly entered the community of theology. The articles states: "The attempt to think about God leads immediately to a host of related question which are included under the term theology. First, there is the question of mans relationship to God, the ultimate source of things? Then we must ask about revelation to God, that is, how does man know what God is like? If God must reveal himself where and how is he revealed?" These are prospective questions that man can't escape when thinking about God or in dialogue about God. "
Abstract In addition to looking at the reasons for the disintegration of the Black Panthers, this paper also traces the origins of the Party, examines how and why it started, describes its program and activities, the FBI's campaign against the Black Panthers, the trial of Black Panther members in court, the role of women in BPP, and the impact of the Party on the country.
Table of Contents
The Black Panther Party
Origin
Why was the Party Started?
The Ten-Point Program
Activities of the Black Panthers
War Against the Panthers
Black Panthers in Court
Black Panther Women
Alliances and Coalitions
Mistakes Made by the Black Panthers
Impact of the Party on the Country
From the Paper "The black community of Oakland, California was greatly perturbed due to the failure of Southern white policemen to provide adequate protection for its black residents and the increasing incidents of police brutality targeted at the blacks. The organizers of the Panthers, therefore, aimed to gain justice for black people and dedicated themselves to defend the black community from racist police oppression and brutality. Besides being considered as the perpetrators of injustice and violence against the black community, the police was perceived by the Panthers as the representatives of the status quo and the "establishment" who implemented its anti-Black agenda. Since the Panthers believed that they were fighting the "status quo" the BPP considered itself to be a "revolutionary" party, which was committed to wage a class struggle to overthrow the existing order. (Harris 169)"
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."
Abstract Compares Alain Locke's and Carolyn F. Gerald's proposals for a pseudo-militant black arts movement. Looks at how both authors view the self-image of the average black person as one that has been forced upon them by the white majority. The paper goes on to discuss how both authors see the need to change and recreate the black self-image, and their differing views on how to approach the task of creating this new image.
From the Paper "The main difference between Locke and Gerald is the way in which they approach the new image-making task at hand. For Locke, it is entirely a creative process. He seeks to find whatever meaning in white culture that ought to be (for black culture has, after all, left parts of its meanings floating about in white space, such as musical influences). He additionally seeks to create new meanings that can interact healthily with white culture, to create a new American culture. Gerald is far more nihilistic. Her focus is more on destruction and the (justifiable) wrath of her people. Attempted culture creation in the presence of the white discourse has only led to failure and frustration. The white discourse must be destroyed."
Tags:black, artists/writers, global, race-identification, black, people, black, literature
Abstract This is an informative paper on what exactly a black hole is and what scientists have theorized about black holes. The paper examines the formation of black holes, past research on black holes and pondering questions still unanswered today.
From the Paper "Ever since you were old enough to know what the sky, moon and stars were, you have always imagined what is actually up there? One of the most fascinating ideas of all is the mysterious and scary thought of a BLACK HOLE! This is perfectly normal because even today scientists are still pondering over that same question ? what is a black hole and does it exist? Theories that at one time seemed reasonable are now laughed at, our skies hold an infinite space which we will never be able to explore, as a result, our questions will be infinite as well."
Abstract This paper discusses how the book "The Black Jacobins", by C. L. R. James, is an not only account of the Haitian Revolution, it is a close and personal account of the only slave revolt that ultimately resulted in the founding of a black republic in the heart of the Caribbean. By closely relating the French Revolution with the Haitian Revolution, roughly from 1791 to 1803, it looks at how James is able to show the reader how the two events effected each other. It shows how James examines the struggle for independence while providing an intimate look at those involved, especially the slaves. James offers a perspective of black history that empowers black people, illustrating how they responded to and overcame slavery, especially under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture.
From the Paper "Class structure was important to James, as he believed it was based more on economic needs rather than racial divisions; the economic forces proved to be more influential than the racial boundaries did. James admits that this did not erase the presence of racism, it simply points out that greed for economic and class status were often considered more important than race and can thus influence race prejudice. However, because the elite continually tries to re-implement the order and establish their elite class over and over again, according to James. Within the slave community, James also distinguishes an "upper" class of servants. These servants cultivated themselves and learned as much as they could. From their unique position, they could see the unfairness of society; their knowledge would later help them serve their people on a higher level."
Abstract In this paper, Neihardt provides a different historical perspective of pioneer history through the perspective of Black Elk, a Native American. The paper examines how this anthropological dictation not only provides evidence of the genocide and racism that Europeans forced upon the Indians, but also how much more noble and moral Black Elk was though his tradition and honor of treaties. The writer proposes that by getting another perspective to the often-biased American history of how Native Americans are seen, the story of Black Elk resonates the truth of happened during pioneering expansion from the voice of the defeated.
From the Paper "In this book review one can analyze the various anthropological dictations of the Native American, Black Elk, who was 'interviewed' by the European John Neihardt. By examining various aspects of the expansionist policy of the Europeans who moved into the Dakota tribal region, one can realize an Indian perspective of how they were treated in the ensuing wars. In essence, Neihardt acts as a anthropological investigator that discovers the non-European point of view of the "Indian" Wars' with Black Elk. The purpose of the John Neihardt's book Black Elk Speaks is to give validity to the Native American side of the story when westward expansion was at is peak in the Dakota regions of the Old West. Neihardt's mission is to convey a different story of early pioneer European expansion than those found in American history books."
Abstract This paper discusses the causes and effects of the Black Plague or the Black Death, as it was known to Europeans (or formerly known as the Bubonic Plague). It describes the nature of the Black Plague and its effects on individuals and communities. The paper then discusses how the Black Plague contributed to the end of feudalism in Europe.
From the Paper "Europeans in the middle ages tended to be superstitious in their religious beliefs. As they searched for something or someone to blame for the wrath of the plague, all of their praying and blind faith did not protect them from being infected. Comets, earthquakes, astrological configurations and the sin of humankind were all examined as possible causes. Interestingly, as Christians watched as their cardinals, bishops, priests and other clergy fall dead, just as vulnerable as anyone else, the religious strength of the feudal structure began to decline, as well. It is thought that these events may have ignited the Protestant Reformation (Uretsky)."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that throughout history the Black Plague has emerged in some societies and then laid dormant, only to become active again, killing massive numbers of populations. The writer points out that primarily carried by rats and the fleas that feed from them, the Black Plague has been cited as existing in a growing number of cases in modern times, although its roots began centuries earlier. The writer notes that there have been several pandemics of the Black Plague, which is the most devastating infection that the world has ever known. The writer maintains that statistics indicate that the Black Plague still exists and is increasing in the numbers of the population that it kills each year. The writer concludes that it is for this reason society, medical science and those that lead nations must begin to act on the plague in order to save millions more within societies today and in the future.
Outline:
Introduction
Beginning of the Plague
Emergence
Affects on Society
How it Spread
Second Mass Occurrence
Origins
Countries it Impacted
Affects on Society
New Types
London
Appearance in London
How it Impacted Society
How it Ended
Modern Society
Existence of the Plague in the 20th Century
Existence of the Plague in Modern Society
Statistics
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the 1300s the Black Plague emerged in Asia and quickly spread throughout Europe and once again in Italy. This pandemic was directly related to the trade that existed between these countries, as it followed the waterways that carried goods from one port to another. In this pandemic the plague was capable of taking in excess of 20 million lives and adversely impacted all civilizations that it spread to. This occurred through the inability of farmers to harvest their crops and workers to produce goods that were required to maintain businesses. Bishop contends that the affect of the plague on the populations where it existed included families abandoning their children, physicians refusing to care for patients and the Catholic Church proclaiming massive forgiveness for all who died because of the lack of clergy to hear the confessions of the dead."
Abstract Metaphors not only can be used as literal interpretation of events, but also have metaphorical meanings. A good example would be the black cat in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" and how the narrator in the story implied throughout the story that the cat is of demonic creature. The black cat in the short story not only has a literal meaning of a normal household cat but also from a metaphorical-side of meaning, as the narrator's personal demon, which haunts him throughout the story and brings him to the point of near insanity.
From the Paper "The first mention of the black cat in the short story is when the narrator's wife noticed his partiality for domestic pets and "lost no opportunity of procuring those of the most agreeable kind" (894), which includes a black cat. In the beginning, the narrator describes the cat as a "large and beautiful animal, entirely black, and sagacious to a degree" (894). When he describes the cat in this way, the narrator gave us his view of the cat as an everyday, normal household cat that people who have had an encounter with cats can feel a real connection to. Even though some people might have the superstitious belief that an entirely black cat might be a minion of the underworld or a witch in disguise which his wife did when she "made frequent allusions to the ancient popular notion" (894), the narrator tries his best to also show that this is a normal cat like any other. The narrator also gives the pet the name of Pluto, which is the name for the god of the underworld in Roman mythology. By doing this, he further connects the black cat of his to something from the underworld. He also calls what he sees when he went back to check out the ruins of his house that burned down as an apparition (895) and a "phantasm of the cat" (896). An apparition is a ghost or spirit and by following what the narrator describes, his view of the black cat goes from a normal household pet to something that haunts him for months. The loss of the cat not only brought him remorse at what he did to the cat when he hung it on a rope but also regret at the loss of a fine pet."
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
Abstract The paper relates the history of black Americans starting from the pre-Civil War period. It includes a description of the life of free blacks in the pre-civil war period, the life of a southern plantation slave, the roles of free blacks and slaves during the civil war, and the reconstruction period.
From the Paper "Although numerous discriminatory laws restricted their lives even in the colonial period, freed African Americans, particularly in the North, were active participants in American society. Black men enlisted as soldiers and fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Some owned land, homes, businesses, and paid taxes. In some Northern cities, for short periods, black property owners voted. A very small number of free blacks owned slaves. "
Abstract The introduction of highly addictive crack cocaine in the 1980s caused widespread devastation in inner city communities. Under a tough 1986 crack law, vast numbers of black males are serving long prison sentences, yet crack sales and crack addiction have not decreased. Despite the failure of the War on Drugs to reduce drug use or crime in inner city neighborhoods, protests that the crack law targets blacks for prosecution and long prison sentences, and evidence that the CIA was involved in introducing crack cocaine into inner city neighborhoods, the government has refused to change its tactics and take measures to actually help the black community recover from the crack epidemic.
