Anti-miscegenation laws

Stereotyping, or the oversimplified idea of specific people in general. This is the topic in both “Just Walk on By” by Brent Staples and “Are Women Really More Talkative Than Men” by Matthias R. Mehl. Staples talks about being an African-American living in New York where he is persecuted for being part of the race most commonly linked with mugging and other crimes. Just because he is African American does not mean he will be like that; the man should have a chance to live and not be persecuted…

Minorities have always been represented poorly in television. Typically, in television shows, the main roles are dominated by the white male. We usually do not see the main characters played by minorities or women. If we do indeed see a minority is a show, the role that they play is typically a small stereotypical role based on their race. For example, in many shows we see Indians that play doctors, cab drivers or even shop owners, which is very stereotypical in society today. Also, we typically…

Primary Source Assignment 8 One of the most pronounced and infamous acts of hate against black men and women began in the late 1800s, and that act is known as lynching. Though an act of extreme hate, lynching embodied a number of complexities for its motives, as well as the cultural significance adopted within the concept. Lynching represented the underlying struggle of power with the state, gender roles, and a social communion with the intent of reestablishing old racial norms. Ida B. Wells…

For this weeks theme of love and happiness one of the readings that stood out to me the most was Shirley A. Hill’s article titled, “Black Intimacies: Love, Sex, and Relationships—The Pursuit of Intimacy.” This article is based, according to Hill’s, the relation between race and class and its role it has on African American intimacy (415). While reading this article, Hill makes an interesting clams in regards to her thesis—the relationship between race and class and its effects on African…

Nella Larsen’s Passing is a great read that I enjoyed. Her depictions of 1920 society and the emphasis on the benefits and downfalls of skin color made this book an interesting novel. Skin color in Larsen’s Passing was a big deal. One could receive benefits solely because of skin color. So why was skin color so important and why did it matter to the main characters Clare and Irene? Maybe the history of skin color differences in America, the emphasis society has on skin color, and finally…

How many of us have ever felt like we did not fit in? Have ever been put down, excluded or physically attacked because another person or group believed we did not fit in or did not measure up to their standard? Though most of us have been treated unfairly at one point in our lives, we may still fail to realize a much larger scale problem that exists in our society today; a problem which I strongly believe a majority of people are unaware of, and is really something that needs brought to the…

As I reflect on the chapter reading, with thoughtful consideration I will share my competence, in addition to my personal beliefs concerning the topics. The cultural orientation paradigm interprets the deficiency of cultural knowledge as the foundation of misconception of other ethnic groups. Blacks / African-Americans have suffered oppression for many years. Though many Blacks / African-Americans have overcome many obstacles through education and becoming qualified in the work sector; never…

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a jaw dropping perspective of the lives of young black girls that are forced into believing that they are ugly and therefore suffer from self-loathing. The role models in their lives are not exactly the most stable to provide them with the answers of live; therefore, they leave the girls to look into society to fill that ever expanding void of their purpose in life. In this shockingly realistic story, the young black girls such as Pecola take on the burden from…

Intersectionality “Intersectionality is those multiple intersections and crossroads in our lives that are replete with multiple social group memberships that are interconnected and interrelated. Intersectionality involves three factors and focuses on our multiple identities that intersect our life, shape our personalities, and influence us” (Lum, 2007, p.52). When considering other ISMs, sexism and classism sensitize me to the impact of oppression experienced by other individuals. As a female,…

Zora Neale Hurston’s “The Gilded Six-Bits” features a newlywed couple living in a black settlement. At the beginning of the story the couple seems content and blissfully married however, their relationship is put to the test when Joe catches his wife Missie May cheating on him with another man. Missie May’s infidelity shatters the trusting and playful nature of their relationship but by the end of the story, the couple is eventually able to get past this devastating act of betrayal. Throughout…