Abstract This paper explains that John Keats is undoubtedly one of the finest poets of the Romantic era, but he was regularly criticized for being a follower of Cockney school of thought. The author states that the Cockney style was a derogatory term used to define a certain poetic or writing style, charged with vulgarity, superficiality, lack of class, and masculinity; thus, Keats's association with Leigh Hunt proved to be extremely disastrous for the young poet who was rudely and ruthlessly accused without actual study of his work. The paper concludes that Keats does exhibit Cockney influences, especially where defiance of cultural and political restrictions is concerned; however, his poems should be completely acquitted from the charges of vulgarity or lack of morality.
From the Paper "However, the very same poem became an English classic and modern critics have explained the severe criticism of Keats? early poems. G. A. Mathews explains that Keats unfortunately published his work during a time when it "it was hardly possible for a creative writer associated with one side to receive fair treatment from a reviewer employed by the other." But Keats can be termed a Cockney poet if we focus on some of the positive aspects and similarities of his work with that of Leigh Hunt. Despite what critics said about Keats? work, the only real Cockney influence on his work was reflected in his desire to deviate from fixed social, political and poetic rules. If his work did not exhibit clear structure, it was to some extent intentional because Keats shared with Hunt a desire to rebel against societal and political restrictions."
Abstract This paper argues that, while Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" raises a number of racial issues, it is not a racist text. In particular, the paper notes the commonality of racial epithets during Twain's day and suggests that this explains the "excessive" use of derogatory terms towards African-Americans. It then briefly outlines the position of those who consider the text to be a racist one, offers the counter-argument of those opposed to such a characterization and then concludes by outlining why this writer supports the widespread distribution of Twain's master work.
From the Paper "Briefly stated, this writer cleaves to the view that Huckleberry Finn is not a racist text. It is not racist because it is meant to be a sharp denunciation of the slave-holding society which dehumanized African-Americans and it is also a text which shocks people into considering how racism works so insidiously to graft itself onto the fabric of a culture that even ugly racial epithets become distressingly common. Ultimately, this writer agrees with Leider and Wilson that American students - at a suitable age - need to be shocked into seeing the ugly side of American history before revisionists "white-wash" it and marginalize the role of slavery in the development of the nation. In the end, even if Twain was subconsciously racist himself, the grotesque nature of many of the whites in the book clearly reveals that his sympathies lie with destroying any fatuous belief that the "Old South" was chivalrous and somehow humane."
Abstract This three-page paper examines the way elderly people have been depicted in various media. The writer uses songs, television shows, and movies to illustrate the fact that elderly people are often portrayed in much the same derogatory manner as the African-Americans were on stage at one time.
From the paper:
?The elderly people in this nation deserve the utmost respect. They have worked hard, raised at least one generation of community participants if not several and they have provided the world with their worth and value. When they reach the golden years they have learned a lot about life along the path and have many valuable insights that they can share with those who are still traveling.?
Tags: respect, generation, community, value, golden, years, elderly, wisdom, older, people
Abstract This three-page paper examines the way elderly people have been depicted in various media. The writer uses songs, television shows, and movies to illustrate the fact that elderly people are often portrayed in much the same derogatory manner as the African-Americans were on stage at one time.
From the paper:
?The elderly people in this nation deserve the utmost respect. They have worked hard, raised at least one generation of community participants if not several and they have provided the world with their worth and value. When they reach the golden years they have learned a lot about life along the path and have many valuable insights that they can share with those who are still traveling.?
Tags: respect, generation, community, value, golden, years, elderly, wisdom, older, people
Abstract This is an argumentative paper about the characterization of Shylock in the "Merchant of Venice" and whether Shakespeare should be viewed as a racist for his portrayal of Shylock. The author argues that Shakespeare is not an anti-Semite and merely reflects popular prejudice in his characterization of Shylock.
From the Paper 'Shakespeare is not an anti-Semite. He does not portray Jews with intentional slander but instead utilizes contemporary bias and prejudice to create controversy and commentary delivering social medicine to the public through the very same conduit of their prejudice. Shylock, in the "Merchant of Venice," is a target and conduit for popular prejudice. By first laughing at the realization of social beliefs the audience is then stunned when Shylock forces the realization of his equality. Regarding "The Merchant of Venice," and Shylock, there are two schools of thought. While many call Shakespeare a racist, anti-Semite, bigot and worse, for his many portrayals of minority groups, the portrayal of Shylock has a unique aspect, which necessarily separates it from any other instance of racism within Shakespeare's work."
Abstract The writer of this paper argues that the laws and legislation may be in place in order to guarantee the end to racism but it will take many generations before the mind set of people can change and their derogatory words and actions will stop.
From the Paper "When people talk about discrimination and prejudice, they talk about it as if it is a thing of the past. They talk about slaves, plantations and what our great grandparents went through. When they talk about what it is to be ethnic, many paint a picture that looks something like Kunta Kinte in the movie Roots. Then they follow it with some comment like, "Boy its good things are not like that anymore." But the truth is that even though the physical lashings are not as severe, the emotional scares run just as deep as they did 150 years ago. Just two generations ago, our grandparents were still under the Jim Crow laws, which set aside different rules for Blacks than Whites. Our parents still may remember what it was like to be made to sit in the back of the movie theater because of the color of their skin. The Jim Crow laws may have been repealed and we now have many well meaning anti-discrimination laws, but those who think that discrimination is a thing of the past have never checked the box marked "African American" under race."
Abstract The writer of this paper addresses the issue of how prejudices and racism are caused by stereotypes. He then examines how this influences children and how youngsters are so exposed to these issues. The paper analyzes certain derogatory words and phrases and how their intentions can be misinterpreted.
From the Paper "Martin Luther King's infamous words- "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character"- still resonate in today's society. While it is clear that numerous advances and improvements have occurred in race relations over the past century, difficulties and tensions continue to persist. In recent years, violent rioting has occurred in Los Angeles, California in 1992 (after the white police officers who brutally beat Rodney King were acquitted) and a black man was dragged to his death behind a truck in Texas. Thus, it appears that the United States has a long road to travel if it ever hopes to truly reflect a ?melting pot.?"
Tags: race, stereotype, nigger, negro, minority, discriminatory, white
From the Paper "People respond to debt in one of three ways. Some are overwhelmed by it. Others are slightly uneasy and worry that they are in too deep. And a few lucky souls have so much money they rarely think about debit or credit at all. Most people, in fact over 40 million Americans, fall into the first two categories.. While credit offers wonderful opportunities to improve a person's material standard of living, it also carries with it a number of risks. Many people do not have a budget, spend more then they make and have no savings. Unless used wisely, it is easy to fall into the nightmare of unpaid bills, overdue notices, collection agency letter, negative credit reports and even bankruptcy. However, it is possible to set up a credit repair system that allows an individual to get out of debt and manage money more wisely."
Abstract This paper discusses the use of satire, metaphor and simile in Gay's "The Beggar's Opera". It shows how Gay used his opera to satirize the society of his time, but that this satirization was not derogatory or moralistic enough to give much offense. It shows how Gay's entire cast of characters play the role of metaphor depicting social ills of the time.
From the Paper "In satirizing the conventions of opera and romance, the Beggar's Opera arranges a meeting of opposites. Macheath the criminal thus refers to himself as a "man of honor". Instead of the expected nobleman, this man of honor is a mere criminal, but he is more than that. Gay turns him into a metaphor for the hypocrisy of those who like to believe in their own heroics. Specifically, Macheath represents the aristocrat and the army officer. His affectations and efforts at romance later in the opera reflect this."
Abstract This paper explains that the term "Mexican-American" is used for the original inhabitants of the U.S.-acquired northern territories of Mexico; whereas, "Chicano", historically a derogatory term, is used for Mexicans who immigrated in the U.S. during the period of the 1930s and 1940s. The author points out that, historically, during the early period of conflict, while the "Mexican Americans" had already been assimilated into American society, establishing their social and economic status in the society, Chicanos were mainly "outcasts" in this country. The paper concludes that, today, the Chicano-Mexican society is, and will be, a balance between the traditional and modern cultures, creating a hybrid form of culture and society that is distinctly characteristic of their Mexican and American heritage.
From the Paper "As the Mexican society is gradually assimilated into the contemporary American society, its future can be traced or patterned right after the history of African Americans in the US. The emergence of the Mexican American and Chicano movements fighting for equality and recognition of their rights in the American society is reminiscent of the civil rights movement of the African Americans during the 1960s (in fact, Mexicans are also included in this protest movement, along with black Americans). In essence, Mexican society and culture of the present and for the future is described as ?people between cultures,? where ?? "culture in the borderlands"? "human cultures"? (metropolitan typifications) are neither necessarily coherent nor always homogeneous.""
Abstract This paper explains that the way Shakespeare constructed the themes of racism in "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice" can be analyzed using social-psychological theory because the racism towards Othello and Shylock is based purely on racial and religious differences between Othello, Shylock, and the Venetians. The author points out that Othello, the Moor of Venice, is referred to by other Venetians as the Moor or another derogatory, bestial name, "the thick-lips", "an old black ram", "a Barbary horse", and "the lascivious Moor", much more often than by his name, which, while not necessarily indicating racism, separates Othello from those around him. The paper concludes that Shakespeare's ability to characterize human nature is perfectly illustrated in the characters of the Christian Venetians, Othello, and Shylock.
From the Paper "Shylock is telling us that Antonio hates him because he is Jewish, however when considering Shylock's place in society and psychological theory, there is more to his hatred than just religion. Antonio also thinks Shylock is despicable because of his un-holy and sinful profession, even though Antonio and the other Venetians take advantage of his business. Shylock's job poses a threat to Christian values, but it is also slightly more significant that just that. The Christian Venetians feel threatened because they themselves are not being very Christian and ruining their society themselves; they are taking advantage of a money lender, and try to deny Shylock of the Christian virtue of mercy (IV.i.182-203)."
Abstract This paper examines the most common types of sexual harassment and provides the federally accepted definition of sexual harassment. The paper further discusses important legal issues of sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly for employers. It also looks at the federal and state laws prohibiting sexual harassment and then analyzes effective prevention methods.
From the Paper "Sexual harassment is an age-old problem that has entered the lime light in the past several years. Harassment is not new or necessarily changed, but individuals have become more aware of how their comments and actions can be offensive to others. Employees have the right to a workplace where they feel safe and free of sexual harassment. Comments and derogatory statements can affect the employee in a negative manner as well as the company. Sexual harassment suits have cost companies millions of dollars and could even risk the company's ability to remain open to the public. It is essential and legal to ensure that employers protect their employees from harassment and take the necessary steps to rectify any allegation of abuse. Employers can no longer turn a deaf ear to sexual harassment and are held responsible for the work environment that is created within their company. We as a society have an obligation to ensure that laws are followed and we do our part to not harass anyone as well, it is not only a moral issue but it is the law."
Abstract This paper examines Terry Woo's "The Banana Boys", a fiction book about Chinese born Canadian youths. The derogatory term, 'banana boy', refers to the fact that they are 'yellow' (that is, Chinese) on the outside, but 'white' (that is, Canadian) inside. The paper discusses how each of the boys has a distinct way of dealing with his identity of a 'banana boy', implying that there is no single Asian-Canadian experience. Finally, the paper adds that the book is relevant not only to the Chinese community in Canada but to the larger Canadian community as well, made up, to a large extent, of immigrants and their children.
From the Paper "This book is of great relevance both to the Chinese-Canadian and to all other Canadians too. It is a unique work of literature that tells a story of the Chinese Canadians in present time, and their attempts to carve a unique identity for themselves, each of the boys in his own way. They may have tried hard to fit in with the "Chinese" identity or the "Canadian" identity, but there will never be a distinct group for them to fit in completely and fully belong. The "Chinese" and the "Canadians" do not quite claim them as their own, so they search for their own unique identity in pop culture. Many Asian Canadians who have been born in this country or who group up here may find that the 'banana boys' resemble them in many ways, and that the experiences of the 'banana boys' with racism, culture, work, etc. are also their own experiences. Furthermore, other Canadians who are also coming from different cultures may find that the book appeals to them too. The children of immigrants are often faced with identity questions much like the characters of "Banana Boys", and the silent cultural clash is something many experience."
Tags: Chinese-Canadian literature minority immigrant immigration, second generation
Abstract This paper discusses hip-hop music, which it describes as a genre of music that paints many negative pictures and speaks poorly of women, but is also a genre containing many different aspects and points of view. The paper first explains that the debate over hip-hop music stems from its projection of an overall attitude of disrespect, male empowerment and scenes of violence that seem to encourage such real-life actions. In addition, the lyrics in hip-hop music often use derogatory language directed at women. However, there are examples of women in the music industry who almost encourage sexual exploitation through their own lyrics or, in the opposite case, who fight against it with songs of their own. The paper uses lyrics from several songs to explore if the hip-hop genre is just a way to make a hit recording or if it truly is a reflection of a society.
From the Paper "If that isn't disturbing enough, an article on the "Harvard Political Review" online cited a study conducted by James D. Johnson, Lee Anderson Jackson, and Leslie Gato of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Their study explained that the violent and male-empowered images in hip hop lyrics and videos are desensitizing the minds of young children. Because the children are being so regularly exposed to such violent behavior, their acceptance and tolerance of these ways are greatly increased."
Tags: real-life, sexual exploitation, violence rapper reflection
