African-Americans Activism -- Gaining Civil Rights and Pride
"e the understated are students at the Negro college in the city of Greensboro. Time and time again we have gone into oolworth stories of Greensboro. e have bought thousands of items at hundreds of the counters in your stories. Our money was accepted without rancor or discrimination and with politeness toward us, when at a long counter just three feet away from our money is not acceptable because of the color of our skins. This letter is not being written with resentment toward your company, but with the hope of understanding… e are asking that your company take a firm stand to eliminate discrimination. e firmly believe that God will give courage and guidance in the solving of this problem…" (Blair, et al., 1960) (primary source).
Introduction
African-Americans have come a long way in terms of justice and fairness. Brought against their will from…...
African-American Art
The art of African-Americans became a powerful medium for social and self-expression. Visual arts including sculpture carried with it political implications related to colonialism, oppression, and liberation. Along with other forms of creative expression, African-American visual arts particularly flourished during the Harlem enaissance. Three exemplary pieces of art that represent the character, tone, and tenor of African-American art during the Harlem enaissance include Meta Warrick Fuller's "Ethiopia Awakening," Palmer Hayden's "Fetiche et Fleurs," and ichmond Barthe's "Feral Benga." Each of these works of art conveys liberation from oppression and a subversion of the dominant culture.
In Meta Warrick Fuller's bronze sculpture "Ethiopia Awakening," a woman embodies two distinct themes: of bondage and of liberation. The lower portion of the figure is rendered as would be an Egyptian mummy: legs and feet fully bound, wrapped tightly in cloth bearing a classical Egyptian palm-like motif. Egypt is the bastion of civilization in…...
African Slavery
The periods in history in which the African peoples were subjected to slavery represents a complex phenomenon with a plethora of factors that can be used to try to explain this practice. Not only do you have to consider the factors responsible for the imperial expansion motivations for the slave owners, but there were also many responses to slavery by slaves and non-slaves alike that were made from different perspectives. Supporters of colonialism and colonial rule in Europe would often claim that the Africans were better off under then the protection of the colonist that they would have been otherwise. They would make arguments that the imperial nations made beneficial contributions such as bringing the end to African conflicts that were occurring between different tribes.
Although there may be cases where the Colonist did help end conflicts between tribes most of these accounts were pure propaganda. Furthermore, there were many…...
Both of these techniques, however, tended to pervert the established regimes by either destroying them or granting them more power than they ever had before. Boahen sees the central cause behind this European imposed partitioning of Africa to lie within the changing economic postures of the European imperial powers: "The second half of the nineteenth century was the period during which international trade became increasingly competitive, following the spread of England's industrial capitalism to the other European countries as well as to the United States." (Boahen, 30). This competition led to neo-mercantilism and, eventually, wars.
Yet, the distinction between the direct rule of the French and the indirect rule of the British, Boahen contends, were fairly difficult to discern from the Africans' perspective, and essentially, became almost meaningless ideologies to be debated by theorists a continent away. Although clearly different in their conceptual forms -- one involving formal agreements and…...
mla
Works Cited
Boahen, A. Abu. African Perspectives on Colonialism. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987.
The population of Kenya is growing, and at present more than half of Kenya's population lacks access to safe drinking water. Initially, the Kenyan government resisted international calls to privatize its state-directed water supply. However, the Kenyan government has recently instated a shift in its aim to provide clean water and appropriate sanitation to all of its residents. Having realized that the Kenyan government "could not, on its own, deliver water to all Kenyans by 2000 [as planned] since it lacked the resources to directly finance or subsidize these services...the focus then shifted to 'handing over' -- a process of finding ways of involving others in the provision of water services in place of the government" (Lamba & Memon 2005).
At present in Kenya, the government licenses Water Services Providers (WSPs) which may be private firms, community groups, NGOs, or local governments. However, privatization has…...
The independence movement cites their influences for peaceful reform as "Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela" ("Biafra Case"). Their devotion to a peaceful accord between Nigeria and Biafra, creating another independent Biafran nation is largely ignored and ridiculed by the Nigerian government.
The official group fighting for independence is the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), formed in 1999, and Nigerian police are cracking down on members of the group, making it even more difficult for Biafrans to fight for nationality. A June 2005 reporter notes, "Nigerian police officials declined to comment on record about MASSOB. Several described the Biafran nationalist movement as a banned organisation, but were unable to cite any law or decree banning it" ("Nigeria Cracks Down"). The reporter goes on to cite specific examples of peaceful MASSOB protesters being fired on by Nigerian troops (seven were killed), confiscation of…...
" (Thompson et al., 2000, p. 127)
4. Further research and resources
There are many areas of this subject that are in need of more extensive research in order to more adequately deal with the problems involves. One example of this can be seen in the fact that, "Black women are three times more likely than white women to die during pregnancy, and twice as many black babies as white babies die in infancy." (Why do African-American women have more pregnancy problems?)the literature notes that there has been very little research on why these figures should be so high among African-American females. This is one of the many areas that require more extensive research and study with regard to this particular minority group.
Another instance of this lack of research is in the area of partner violence and abuse. Studies have shown that partner violence is high among African-American couples and that "...despite…...
Brown, C.M. (2004, June). Advancing African-American Women in the Workplace: New Study Finds Challenges Remain despite Push for Diversity. Black Enterprise, 34, 46.
African Centered Education
In 'The Miseducation of the Negro', Carter oodson (2000) argues that the education provided to African-Americans ignored or undervalued African historical experiences, and overvalued European history and culture. This has caused the alienation of African-Americans, who became dissociated from themselves, by ignoring or cutting African-Americans' links with their own culture and traditions. oodson argued that this type of education has caused African-Americans to reject their own heritage, while positioning them not at the center of European culture, but rather at its margins. oodson predicted that such an education would result in the psychological and cultural decline of the African-American people.
For oodson and many others, the solution to this problem could be found in the development of an educational system that responded to African-Americans. This model, built on the traditional African-American colleges, would teach both the history and culture of Africa together with that of the United States.
A variety…...
mla
Works Cited
Asante, Molefi Kete (1991). "The Afrocentric Idea in Education." Journal of Negro Education (Spring).
The simultaneous convergence of these leaders, groups, and movements, is easy to understand when one considers the environment of the Harlem area during the early 1900s. With vast numbers of new African-American citizens having come from the racist south, the area was ripe with social, political, and cultural concepts that come with new found freedom. In such a charged atmosphere, leaders such as Garvey had an audience ready to listen, and motivated for change. As their empowerment became reality, the view of those individuals altered, and with assistance from groups such as the UNIA, their ideas became reality, creating a new social order and an entirely new cultural center.
Black power as a movement rose from the freedom movement of the 1960s. A political movement, black power strove to express a racial consciousness throughout the world, although the movement was centralized in the United States.
This paper discusses the black power movement,…...
mla
References
Alkalimat, a. (2003). Introduction to Afro-American studies. Chicago: Twenty-first century books.
African-Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces
This research paper proposes to discuss the importance of African-American soldiers in the United States military. It will do so from a decidedly comprehensive approach which highlights their contributions to the major martial endeavors the U.S. has undertaken since its inception. In examining the history of these soldiers within America, this paper proposes to also deconstruct the motives which galvanized African-American soldiers to enlist in the military. These motives will be contrasted with those of conventional European-Americans'. In order to properly provide the context for the examination of the influence of African-Americans in the U.S. military, this paper proposes to consider the extreme amount of reliance on African-American labor that helped to build the basic municipal, social and economic structures of the country.
Additionally, this paper will illuminate the type of treatment which African-American soldiers were subject to during virtually all phases of the history of…...
it's theme touches on mercantilism and the slave trade, colonialism, and the African experience, and suggests that this experience unties all Africans, even those who have never lived on the continent. Lowe's article adds to this theme by showing that Africa is still viewed as unpopular in the media, and suggesting that the media contributes to furthering that stereotype by its use of the word tribe. Furthermore, the article suggests that those across the world who share the African experience must share this burden of misrepresentation. Finally, D.T. Niane's retelling of a traditional African tale shows Africans' experiences and values, allowing readers to draw comparisons and contrasts with other cultures. In addition, the theme of traditions, culture, belief systems, and forms of knowledge add to the information in the previous articles, showing how the common African experience shared by so many is unique and special. Thus, by summarizing and…...
mla
Works Cited
Lowe, Chris. "Talking about 'Tribe': Moving from Stereotypes to Analysis." African
Action. 2008. Customer did not provide web address.
African-American Assimilation and Acculturation
Self-identity and acceptance are important for any individual attempting to adapt to society and social change. Many African-American's have a difficult time adapting to cultural values and traditions in Western America. Some assume that assimilation an acculturation to Western values will remedy the social distress that exists within the African-American population. Many have described the current social status of African-Americans as in a state of distress. Much controversy exists regarding the subject of assimilation and acculturation of African-American's to American culture. This paper will explore the issues surrounding acculturation while also examining Pan-African movements and assimilation.
The most important question to ask is whether assimilation and acculturation are positive outcomes for African-Americans. Many would argue that assimilation might contribute to the current state of social crisis that exists among African-Americans. Young (2003) for example, notes that African-Americans share "an ancient and vital history" including values and belief systems…...
mla
References:
Adeleke, T. (1998). "Black Americans, Africa and history: A reassessment of the Pan-
African and identity paradigms." The Western Journal of Black Studies, 22(3): 182.
Parenti, M. (1978) Power and the Powerless, New York: St. Martins Press
Young, Carlene. (2003). "Assimilation and social change dynamics in African and African-American communities." The Western Journal of Black Studies, 27(3): 164.
frican-mericans
Baroch, ndrew J. "10 Years after Million Man March, frican-mericans return to Washington." VO News. Retrieved November 13, 2005, from http://www.voanews.com/english/mericanLife/2005-10-14-voa7.cfm.
This article was making a connection between the century-old Million Man March and The "Millions More" March that was scheduled for October 15, 2005. Though the Million Man March was specifically organized for efforts to register frican-mericans to vote in U.S. Elections and also to increase black involvement in volunteerism and community activism, the Millions More march this year was set in order to address the still existent inequalities that exist with regard to racial discrimination. In addition to racial discrimination, Ms. Wharton-Boyd, one of the many organizers of this march said, "Our issues fall into the area of health, social services, health, reparation, political stability, cultural development." Ms. Wharton-Boyd was also careful to remind readers that this event isn't a protest, but "a way to come together and bring…...
mla
According to the findings of this article and the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, President Bush's national approval rating has declined to 39%, the lowest level during his Presidency. "And among African-Americans, Bush has only a 2% approval rating, proving that African-Americans are not fooled by Republican's hollow apologies and empty rhetoric on outreach to the African-American community." They (African-Americans) believe that they have heard empty promises from the Bush Administration with regard to "employment, education, access to health insurance, and the issue of poverty" and average household incomes.
This final article also deals with discrimination, but this one is that happens between blacks in America. "Go back to Africa" is what some African-Americans tell African immigrants in this country. This is a pattern that is happening throughout the United States and it is resulting in high tensions and Blacks in both groups hoping to redefine themselves away from the other group.
The role of African-American parents has often been characterized as more dominant than those in white families, at least partially due to the difficulty of keeping the family together under pressure. Extended family structures are still more common in African-American families: for economic and later cultural reasons, grandparents are more likely to live with adult children, and. Grandmothers were often asked to function as babysitters, as African-American women were more apt to be forced to work than their white counterparts. However, this multigenerational framework has had a positive effect on many families and created a strong social support structure for families during trying times.
In highly stressful circumstances, such as crime-ridden urban locations, children may be more apt to have children earlier, and to leave school given that their observable role models do not present college as a likely future option. Such has been the case for many African-American young men,…...
It is believed for every dollar that flows into Africa in the form of foreign loans eighty cents flows out as capital flight. One of the significant constraints to the growth in Africa is the low savings and investment. Trade and current account deficits are another source of worry. Though overall fiscal discipline showed improvement, fiscal profligacy remains an issue. Some of the African currencies experienced massive price increases due to conflicts and political instability giving cause for concern. The adverse climatic conditions seen in 2002 had a severe negative impact on agriculture. The four key challenges that the African countries face include escaping poverty by going beyond averages; attaining fiscal sustainability and thereby exiting from dependence on aid, enthusing the African bureaucracies and thereby enhancing the capacity to deliver, and moving to mutual accountability and thereby taking the most effective path to development effectiveness. (Overview - Accelerating the…...
mla
References
Basu, Anupam. Calamitsis Evangelos, a; Ghura, Dhaneshwar. "Promoting Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Learning What Works" International Monetary Fund. August 2000. Retrieved at Accessed on February 25, 2005http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/issues/issues23/ .
Economic Costs of malaria are many times higher than previously estimated." Press Release WHO/28. April 25, 2000. Retrieved at Accessed on February 25, 2005http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2000/en/pr2000-28.html .
1. A diet or lifestyle related disease is one that is brought about specifically because of the type of diet the person has or the lifestyle he or she chooses to live.
2. Obesity causes many health issues. The most common are sleep apnea, type II diabetes, and heart disease.
3. Obesity is linked to both diet and lifestyle. Someone who overeats and also does not exercise can become obese over time.
4. In society, obesity causes higher health care costs, "fat shaming," and discomfort for many people because of a lack of ability to accommodate larger-sized people (think airplane and bus seats,....
In August Wilson’s Fences, the author explores several themes as they relate to the central themes of race, fatherhood, and manhood in the United States. One of the themes that he tackles is the concept of fate, though the approach is less about life being preordained as it is an examination of how history, social circumstances, and upbringing can combine to make some events appear preordained or fated rather than the intervention of some type of divine or supernatural fate. This contextual analysis of manhood in a political situation that seems designed to challenge it was explored by
There are a number of fantastic slave narratives that really describe the experiences of people in slavery. However, there is a problem with most of these narratives. Written by former slaves, these narratives are going to represent a rarity among slaves because their authors could read and write, while teaching a slave to read or write was punishable under many slave codes. Therefore, we strongly suggest looking at a more comprehensive collection of slave narratives. Fortunately, the Works Progress Administration compiled slave narratives under a few different programs, most notably the Federal Writer’s Project. ....
Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library
of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
