Color terminology for race

Race, the White Myth, and the American Bourgeoisie “There is not a country in world history,” Howard Zinn writes, “in which racism has been more important, for so long a time, as the United States” (23). Whiteness—that is, the white myth—is an elusive and ever-shifting qualifier, typically understood to mean “of European ancestry;” however, upon further interrogation, whiteness reveals itself as a signifier of power, class, and prowess in a nation that has thrived in its subjugation of ethnic…

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about American life is achieving the “American Dream”. The very thought of living a life of freedom in lifestyle choice, economic opportunity, and political engagement, drove many immigrants to this country. E.L Doctorow explores this phenomenon in his novel, Ragtime. Although he speaks almost explicitly about achieving the American dream, what he does not say is almost as important. The American Dream is not achievable for African Americans, or…

The Human Race and Essentialism: An Illusion When people are born, they are not essentially good or evil at heart. People come into the world as objective creatures, and their environment influences what kind of person they grow up to be. People can be compared to a lightly painted canvas, and the environment is the brush that adds color- the good and the bad. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the idea of being good or evil at heart can be observed though the characters such as…

innocent citizens. As I began to question the purpose of police and began analyze the actions and the demeanor of the present law enforcement, I was driven to understanding what causes these reoccurring incidents to happen and what factors such as race, attitude, training plays into these numerous accounts of police brutality. In order to obtain a precise and detailed perspective of a police officer, I decided to conduct an interview with my grandfather, Henry Ray Mincey Sr., a former Kansas…

The concept of “black rage” was originally propositioned as part of a legal defense for mass murderer Colin Ferguson, in which long term exposure to anti-black racism was cited as a main factor in the plaintiff's psychosis. Though the defense was did not manage to save Ferguson from life in prison, it sparked a conversation that still persists to this day: “What are the long term effects of racism on the African American psyche?” In some cases, it seems as if “black rage” is simply a term used…

There truly is nothing like having the opportunity in immerging oneself within a culture to find out who they are as human beings and how they feel about themselves in society and how they feel about law enforcement. Through new personal experiences, interviews, books, and online research I have expanded my knowledge of customs, traditions, and practices unfamiliar to me. My partner and I decided to choose the African American Culture. Although the African American culture is not new; it is a…

backgrounds), this transition is a positive sign of a future where racial hegemony is distributed more equally. However, race is far from the only status creating privileges for some and roadblocks for others in this country. Sex, class, religion, and many other identities intersect to establish raw power and socio-economic mobility. In my educational career, the conventions of class, race, and family have provided great opportunity for success, while also circumscribing my ability to relate…

In this paper, I intend to interpret and explain the arguments made by Jane Hill in her article titled “Language, Race, and White Public Space.” To successfully map Hill’s arguments, I will complete the following. At first, I will identify the main claims Hill makes, outlining each argument in detail. As I state the main claims of the article, I will explain definitions important to the understanding of each argument. I will then discuss the evidence Hill uses to support her claims and connect…

about if you could play ball then they ought to have let you play. Don't care what color you were” (1.1.81). Troy is upset at the fact that when he was younger he tried to make it to the professional league but was turned away because of his skin color. Troy, as well as his son, tries to reach the desires held by every American to be successful but are unable to just like many other African-Americans who are judged by race rather than talent. In the…

ventured through the store, walking up and down each of the isles, admiring all of the different products. Items on the shelves ranged from Aztec to Día de los Muertos figurines and from very vividly painted to subdued in color. There was stem ware and tea setting and multiple types and colors of Crucifix’s along with plates with Jesus on them. Plates and posters of Francisco “Pancho” Villa and Freda Kahlo added to the overall feeling of religion and pride. I stepped out the back door to find…