Whiteness As An Interdisciplinary Arena - 980 Words

1. Whiteness can be defined as an interdisciplinary arena that is focused on what proponents describe as the cultural, historical and sociological aspects of people identified as white, and the social construction of whiteness as an ideology tied to social status. According to Richard Dyer in his article â€Å"White† he defines it as â€Å"trying to think about the representation of whiteness as an ethnic category in mainstream film is difficult, partly because white power secures its dominance by seeming not to be anything in particular, but also because, when whiteness qua whiteness does come into focus, it is often revealed as emptiness, absence, denial or even a kind of death (Dyer 44). Whiteness is simply in itself is a word that is categorized by and through social status and invisible to a white person’s eye. Richard dyer connects the idea of whiteness to race within media creating some sort of theoretical double blind. Meaning that is it a necessity to study ra cial representations in movies because due to the white power. As well as looking at non-dominant groups has had the effect of reproducing the sense of oddness, differentness, exceptionality of these groups and the feeling that they are departures from the norm. Meanwhile the norm has carried on as if it’s the natural, inevitable, ordinary way of being human (Dyer 44). 2. Within the movie The Searchers directed by John Ford through out the film there are copious scenes consisting of implicit racism. This pivotal movieShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesmigration thus came not from the actions of institutions at the national and colonial levels but from the interaction of macrostructural trends and microsocial—but eventually transnational or intercontinental—networks. The family was the fundamental arena of decision making. Migrant families can be compared to an investment portfolio, sending children and spouses to a variety of diversified places and occupations in the hope that one would provide a return on the investment. The specifics of this

The Struggle For African American Liberation - 1242 Words

In the early 1960s, when both men entered the struggle for African American liberation, it were the factors that set them apart that shaped both their outlook and the way they contributed to fight for Black empowerment. While Malcolm rose to fame by means of fierce attacks on Whites, Carmichael participated in non-violent workshops to prepare himself for his participation in the Freedom Rides. The first time Stokely encountered Malcolm X in person was during an event at Howard University in 1961, where Malcolm and Bayard Rustin discussed their diverging ideas on the nature and the objectives of African American liberation. Though Carmichael, who like many other students was excited to hear Malcolm speak at the event, thought that Bayard†¦show more content†¦Only by understanding the interconnected character of these worldwide struggles and by cooperating with non-White people around the globe, he suggested, could Blacks in the United States improve their situation. Instead o f relying on the empty promises of the Democratic Party and hoping that the rights they had all along would eventually be respected and protected by the government, African Americans should broaden their perspective and demand their human rights. These God-given rights would not depend on the fleeting goodwill of White people at home but could be pursued/claimed before a world court. While Malcolm chastised the United States Government for not being willing to guarantee and protect the rights of African Americans in his speech â€Å"Ballot or the Bullet,† once the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became a reality, he petitioned the delegates of the United Nations not to accept the legislation at face value. Pointing to the long-existing Brown decree that had hardly been enforced over the last ten years, Malcolm’s memorandum narrated some of the more recent hate crimes to illustrate that for many African Americans, as well as African visitors or residents, racism in the Unite d States was rampant and often deadly. While Malcolm was in the processShow MoreRelatedRacial Leadership And The African American Political Thought From B Du Bois1260 Words   |  6 PagesUnited States we have had different views of racial leadership in Afro American political thought from W.E.B Du Bois to Booker T. Washington to Marcus Garvey who sought to lead African-Americans from the oppression they face. All three of these historical figures had different views on racial leadership and politics as well as the vision and direction that racial emancipation should take. W.E.B Du Bois argued that African-Americans should political, economic, and social freedom and advancement. BookerRead MoreAwa Thiams Arguement Against the Statement â€Å"Rape is to Women what Lynching is to Blacks†1708 Words   |  7 PagesAwa Thiam speaks on the topic of the daughters of black Africa trying to find themselves. She also states the comparison of the black women struggle with the Europe an women. Thiam is arguing the point that the European feminist imposed the false argument â€Å"Rape is to women what lynching is to Blacks† (Thiam 114). Women in the text suffered from double domination and double enslavement by the colonial phallocratic. Thiam explains the false consciousness of the black women as well. The goal for theRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of I Am By Assata Shakur960 Words   |  4 PagesThrough her struggles, Shakur educates her audience, this is written on a blog but spoken out loud at the time, on how there is racial bias and injustice. By applying a wide range of rhetorical devices, Shakur uses her position as a Black Liberation Army leader to motivate African Americans to fight for the Black Power Movement. As Shakur begins her speech, she introduces pathos into her writing. By addressing her audience as â€Å"brothers† and â€Å"sisters†, Shakur sees every African American as a familyRead MoreThe Foundations Of Racial Capitalism, Imperialism And Colonialism Essay1468 Words   |  6 Pagescolonialism have significantly shaped the existence of African people, and those of the diaspora. As a result of these institutions, the history and implementation of slavery and colonialism have had lasting effects that are essential to the current position of Black folk in Africa and the diaspora; altering the way we view ourselves, our country and the world. Throughout different moments in history, Black folk have equated freedom and liberation with equality, justice, and the right to live as youRead MoreThe African American Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1960s760 Words   |  3 Pagesthe African American struggle for civil rights in the United States change between the early an d late 1960s? The civil rights movement was an influential movement that has been taking place in America for many years. Victories during this time helped to raise hope for African Americans during this influential movement. In the beginning of the movement there was a focus on nonviolence, and the non-violent techniques began to pay off in the early 1960s. As the time progressed the struggle forRead More Emory Douglas: All Power to the People1059 Words   |  5 PagesGun-slinging, militant-looking, irate adolescent African American men, women, and children: an incessant image employed by the revolutionary artist Emory Douglas. Douglas is perhaps one of the most iconic artists’ of the 20th century and has created thousands of influential protest images that remain unforgettable to this day. Through the use of compelling images Emory Douglas aided in defining the distinct visual aesthetic of the Black Panther Party’s newspapers, pamphlets, and posters. It wasRead MoreLesbian Ide ntity Politics and Associated Organizations Essay936 Words   |  4 Pagespart of social reform in the Sixties and Seventies. Yet, the advent of identity politic reform originates in the Fifties, a decade that saw the African-American Civil Rights Movement start to gain momentum. On the heels of the Civil Rights movement, we also see the Women’s Liberation Movement begin to gain steam, shortly thereafter followed by the Gay Liberation Movement. And as an offshoot of these reform movements, we observe the dawn of lesbian identity politics – a movement very much its own amongstRead More The Crusade for Equal Rights in the United States Essay1135 Words   |  5 Pages The struggle for equal rights has been an ongoing issue in the United States. For most of the twentieth century Americans worked toward equality. Through demonstrations, protests, riots, and parades citizens have made demands and voiced their concerns for equal rights. For the first time minority groups were banding together to achieve the American dream of liberty and justice for all. Whether it was equality for women, politics, minorities, or the economy the battle was usually well worth theRead More Lorraine Hansberry Essay555 Words   |  3 Pagesas Best Play of the Year. She was the youngest American, the fifth woman and the first black to win the award. Her success opened the floodgates for a generation of modern black actors and writers who were influenced and encouraged by her writing. Hansberry was born in 1930, the youngest of four children of Carl and Nannie Hansberry, a respected and successful black family in Chicago, Illinois. Nannie was the college educated daughter of an African Methodist Episcopal minister, and Carl was a successfulRead MoreCross Cultural Psychology - A Case Study On Marcus Garvey Essay1488 Words   |  6 PagesPsychology – A Case Study on Marcus Garvey Introduction to African History Black people in the Western Hemisphere have in the past lacked the ability to represent their tales to their own selves, from their point of view in museums. The fact that African Universities, such as 14th century Djenne University of Timbuktu, had numerous volumes of manuscripts and books, the black kids in the Western Hemisphere were under the impression that Africans written history didn’t exist therefore Europeans’ wrote

Enough is never enough Free Essays

AHHHHHHHH!! What am I going to wear today? Every morning, this seems to be a problem, even though I have closets full of clothes and no more space to actually place my clothes since every possible place has been filled. But, I feel I don’t have enough, because it seems I’ve worn just that top yesterday and the other â€Å"Gap† black one, on Wednesday. I guess I’ll just have to go shopping once more, since I just don’t have enough! Enough is never enough. We will write a custom essay sample on Enough is never enough or any similar topic only for you Order Now Whether it is a lust for material, social or political â€Å"stuff†, we simply want more. I live in a first world country, with all the luxuries of life in a house, with a delightful 3 times meal, nice, new shiny cars parked outside- allowing me to go whenever and wherever I want. Basically, for most of us here in Canada, it’s the best life can ever get! But why is it that we continuously just demand more and more? Or even better we claim we â€Å"need† more. A want, all of a sudden becomes a need – something we couldn’t survive without. But, it’s no different for me. I have a huge collection of different types of shoes for different seasons, and the collection just seems to be looking old and I actually think it needs an update, because the last time I bought shoes was just last week, when the new boots came out in style. According to the 2001 Survey of Household Spending, Households in Canada spent an average of $57,730 in 2001 on everything from food, shelter and clothing to recreation and travel, which was up 3. 4% from $55,830 in 2000, slightly higher than the rate of inflation of 2. % as measured by the Consumer Price Index (Statistics Canada). This shows the continuous rise in our buying habits, since our thirst for deeper material possessions doesn’t seem to have an end. Its not just one person desiring innumerable things but it applies to all of us. The other day my friend was complaining to me, † I know I just came from the salon but I wish I’d get those bangs instead, instead of these layers, so lets go there tomorrow again. † We actually think that’s a bit too much, but you know what? It’s happening. We aren’t just dissatisfied with our looks, but with everything else we own. She just isn’t pleased with what she’s got! So, then who exactly is? I asked 10 people randomly to find out the answer and the responses I got were surprising. Six out of the ten people were satisfied with what they have and replied in a positive manner. â€Å"You can’t be greedy! How much more can you ask for? You have a house†¦ TONS of clothes, food†¦ and all the other â€Å"wants† for entertainment and all the fun things†¦ o yeah totally satisfied â€Å"or â€Å"I’m satisfied with what I have but I also wish that I can have more material and wouldn’t mind having more if I were to get it† or â€Å"I’m satisfied for now but I would want more in the future, like in 10 years† and â€Å"I’m satisfied for now, but because there is more out there and we can access it, we want more but just not ri ght now. † The others were complaining about how little they have and life would be much better if they had much more. I would fit into that category! My house isn’t getting any prettier, even after all the money spent on the antiques and the expensive decorations. I feel it would make the house look much better, if we purchased some paintings. I have a â€Å"56† inch T. V, that seizes half of our living room space but I plan to buy the new flat screen ones, since they are the â€Å"new look†, even though our T. V is precisely perfect. From Internet to Mp3 players, our life is fully complete. Isn’t it? But instead of normal speed Internet, we want high speed – faster and advanced, which means our life is complete but we aren’t content. We simply just can’t see what items we actually do have and what we can use, instead we see what we don’t have and just ask for more and more since its never sufficient for us. We’re on a continuous search for material. It’s a non-stop hunt! It’s not a hunt just for material goods but for social and political rights as well. We live in a democratic society that allows us to have more social control over government. We have more communal rights and freedom then many citizens in other countries. We have the guarantee for the freedom of expression, assembly, religion, and the press. We have equal rights just like all the other citizens regarding race or religion. We have mobility rights, legal rights, minority languages, educational rights and democratic rights. However, same sex couples are still asking for same sex marriage rights. Why does it feel that we don’t have enough freedom? But, I just thought, we did. Maybe we should be put in a communist country such as China where public criticism of government is not permitted, and the rights of the state take precedence over those of the individual. That way it would be more fun seeing people complain and trying to get their way across to a communist government. Many of us are well employed and the companies we work for promise us many things, such as benefits, but several of the occupations, such as teachers are still asking for a raise in the pay since its not an adequate pay for them. We are paying all those taxes and even though we are getting safer roads and a health care system, in return, we feel it’s too much and want a tax cut. Why does it feel like the government is ripping us off? We have the ability to make choices, get education at any age, attend free language classes, read free books at the library, play at the community center but the list just seems to be looking shorter. We are still fighting with the government against the high tuition cost and the small size of the libraries. We are waiting for new political leaders to come into place and change the way things are being done politically, and make decisions that are a benefit to the society or us, which is constantly changing. We can actually never sit down and be thankful for what we have. It’s like we are on a constant search for more social and political rights, because the amount of freedom we currently hold, still makes us feel caged. What is the motivation that’s asking us to search and fight for extra? What makes us think we don’t have enough and we need to consume more? Don’t you want to know? One of the reasons may be that day by day, researchers are finding out new technology and ways to make life much easier and more convenient for us. They provide us with gadgets that allow us to carry out several different tasks at one time, which are tempting to have, thereby creating more wants. As fashion builds, with new styles and trends coming out everyday, it overwhelms us with a new look, which is new and exciting, that gives us a satisfying feeling, making it a desire to go out there and devour more. Daily, our wants fluctuate. Overall, society and our own opinions, make us judge about our haves and have not’s. Not having one thing at any moment makes us feel we have nothing, therefore making us unsatisfied. The wants of a person, socially also change and as life gets convenient for everybody, we start thinking about people who are in wheelchairs and are disabled in other ways. We ask the government to make ramps into theatres for them and parking lot spaces, especially to meet their safety, creating a social want. As inflation occurs and prices hike up, people want to start earning more, to be able to afford a living and have enough to satisfy their desires and wants, once again creating a social hunger. According to Maslow’s Theory, â€Å"People might have enough of food, security, belonging and respect but!!! Enough of self-actualization is harder to attain. In point of fact self-actualization is seen as being somewhat addictive, once experienced it is something that people tend to want more and more of! Moreover people can only really pay attention to self-actualization needs once their more basic needs are satisfactorally met! † (Abraham Maslow hierarchy of needs). This theory shows how it’s in us that after we pass our needs we move on to our wants, which are innumerable. All these factors, affect for our longing for material goods and social rights since they arise as the need for them occurs. Maybe we do have an explanation of why we are always asking for more and not being delighted with what we actually have. We might just be able to make it through an answer. Do these reasons mean we can just keep on seeking for more and fighting for more? To what extent can these reasons be used and are they a positive impact or a negative one? The question comes down to asking if the desire for more is a good or bad thing? Are we living in a society that sees the long for more, of a good thing benefiting everyone or something against communal values? In my opinion, it depends on the person who’s looking at it and the type of want. I guess the citizen or person for example, asking for less tuition fees, of course will see it as a good thing and sees it as a need to lower the costs which will point out all the benefits to all the students, province wide. However, the government will see this as a negative impact on their financial budget and wont see it at all as a financial crisis for students attending universities and colleges. It all comes down to whose point of view we are looking through. In my opinion, if the social or political want is a one that will help everyone in society, and not harm anything, it’s an agreeable thing. We can fight and protest for it since it’s something only citizens can see and the government can’t and its up to us as responsible citizens to have the political leaders open their eyes and recognize that it’s for a good cause. It’s the only way to be able to improve our society and the world we live in. If companies for example, were asking for laws that would be damaging to the environment such as no pollution control or being able to throw chemicals in the water, they would be seen as a social greed. The government hasn’t allowed this law to take place for a specific reason and it should be kept that way. As time passes and changes occur in style and technology the lust for new things seem logical as long as there isn’t a continuous desire. We just need to draw a line sometimes to exactly where the limits are for searching and fighting for extra of everything, sometimes that can justify the good and bad. We should be able to stay within them, and the person that exactly decides the limits is – us. How to cite Enough is never enough, Papers

The Beatles †free essay sample

â€Å"The Beatles One† is by far the best Beatles  ­album ever compiled. It was released in 2000 and includes all of the bands biggest pop rock hits from the U.K. and the U.S. Most of the songs were  ­released during the 60s, and all but two were on top-ten lists. The album includes number-one hits like â€Å"We Can Work it Out† and â€Å"Day Tripper.† The Beatles had many styles. One of the reasons this album is so popular is that it shows the evolution of their musical skill. Most of the songs at the beginning are basic three-chord rock tunes, such as â€Å"I Want to Hold Your Hand,† but as the CD progresses, The Beatles musical talent flourishes. The listener can hear their talent peak with â€Å"Hey Jude.† Many instruments and beats make this one of their most popular songs. There are many reasons I love this album. One is that every time I listen, I get lost in the poetic lyrics. We will write a custom essay sample on The Beatles – or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Also, no matter how often I hear the songs, they never get old. The only downside is that this album doesnt contain songs from the bands later career. From the time The Beatles formed in 1960 to today, they have been one of the most popular and influential bands of all time. They were not just singers, they were composers. Many groups that did not write their own music, like the Monkees, didnt remain together long. â€Å"The Beatles One† is a culmination of the bands best songs and it deserves two thumbs up.