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This 1899 advertisement for Pears ' Soap came from the poem written by the British novelist Robert Kipling, who wrote about the ideas of White Man’s Burden. The artists and the company were both clearly behind the idea with American Imperialism. The image was used to help make America jump in the bandwagon to step in where the Europeans left off and bring civilization to the uncivilized parts of the world. The image helps us understand the times during the Progressive Era. It is clear, first of all that this was a time a wonderful time to be a white person. The picture is centered on a white man who is wearing a white suit and his hair is white as is his moustache. It is clear that in America that white people had all the advantages and liberties …show more content…
The way the man is positioned and his posture reinforces the idea that he has been civilized and taught the concepts of American etiquettes. American etiquettes in the 19th Century included: Know when to shoot an icy glare, watch your language, women being punctual, exercise in gender-specific ways, perform when asked but don’t overstay your welcome, and suppress your emotions. American etiquettes was not a choice for people to decide on, which allowed people to be controlled that turned them into docile bodies. Also, it seems that America felt that it was their duty to save people and bring them the ideas of American Imperialism across the corners of the earth. The pictures of the ships on their journey across the sea carrying precious cargo of Pears Soap to Black savages shows the idea of colonization. The text on the advertisement also reinforces American Imperialism; “Pears Soap is a potent factor in brightening the dark corners of the earth as civilization advances.” The text suggest that using Pears Soap on Black savages will allow them to be civilized by being reinforced by the American vision. Finally, it is apparent that the Black savages who are being …show more content…
White supremacy has influenced many people to believe that they should politically, economically, and socially rule non-white people. The Naturalization Act of 1790 limited U.S. citizenship to whites only. The formation of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865 happened because they were in favor for the expansion of slavery. The illustration of the old white male promotes the ideals of slavery by his placement in the advertisement and he knows his importance of where he is in society. The white old man knows his significance in society that he superior over any race. The only way to make the world better is to have ownership over black savages (slaves). The ideals of slavery continued into 1954–68 where racial segregation and discrimination happen against African American’s. White people did not want African American’s to have the same basic rights as them because they would lose some superiority over them. Donald Trump is most recent example of exemplifying the white old man in the advertisement and supporting ideals of white supremacy. Trump defends his remarks calling immigrants ‘rapists’ and showing people during his presidential campaign his xenophobia ideals. He believes in order to make America great again is to get rid of all the
Historically, the United States has prided itself as the most egalitarian and autonomous nation in the world. Political figures and institutions have attempted to uphold the theoretical ideals of the nation, while in practice often fail to fulfill their promises to the people. This gap between our fundamental values as delineated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and our discriminatory practices such as slavery and gender discrimination can be found in competing political ideologies which purposefully exclude marginalized peoples. The framers built the United States for the white man; every other person’s rights came, and continue to come afterwards. Once one people’s freedom is postponed, the same oppressive strategies
Although the U.S. Constitution states that “all men are created equal,” during America’s early days it only applied to upper class white men. This upsets many people in the United States. When the Constitution first came into play, only the rich white men were treated right. As the years progressed, more and more whites
Throughout much of my life I was a slave to the white man. I was, however, luckier than most. I was able to become a freeman, and have since dedicated my life to the abolition of slavery and oppression in this country. This oppression lives on because of the hypocritical nature in which this country's founding fathers, including you, outlined their independence. Many times throughout your most patriotic document, The Declaration of Independence, you contradict yourself and the ideas that are presented. It appears that the ideals you present are only for those with a white skin such as yours. All other people, for example the American Negro, are not even considered people in your white wigged world. We are only property to be bought and sold accordingly, with no regard for our families, friends, or personal beliefs. These are aspects of life that you and I both fought for, but are reserved only for you.
Since they lacked certain physical and/or cultural characteristics needed to belong in the American nation, they were not considered worthy enough to receive the same rights and privileges they deserve. Therefore, Takaki hopes that with his book, people would acknowledge how America developed a society centered to benefit only white people with the creation of laws hindering these racial groups from receiving the same and equal rights they deserve.
Tim Wise’s book White Like Me provides a picture of what it is like to be white in America. A main topic covered in White Like Me is white privilege. On pages 24 and 25 Wise illustrates what white privilege is and shares his opinion regarding how to address white privilege in society today. Wise’s plan for addressing white privilege is one not of guilt, but of responsibility, a difference Wise highlights. The concept of feeling guilty for white privilege lacks reason because white privilege is something built up through generations and its existence is not of any one person’s fault.
Though slavery was arguably abolished, “for thousands of blacks, the badge of slavery [lives] on” (Alexander 141). Many young black men today face similar discrimination as a black man in the Jim Crow era - in housing, employment, public benefits, and so-called constitutional rights. This discrimination characterizes itself on a basis of a person’s criminal record, making it perfectly legal. As Alexander suggests, “This is the new normal, the new racial equilibrium” (Alexander, 181).
John Quincy Adams once said that, “It is among the evils of slavery that it taints the very sources of moral principle. It establishes false estimates of virtue and vice: for what can be more false and heartless than this doctrine which makes the first and holiest right of humanity to depend upon the color of the skin?” John Quincy Adams be of the opinion that slaves were equal to the “white man” and should not be treated like animals but as equals. Agreeing with John Quincy Adams, he discusses inequality, a point that needs to be emphasized, since the Declaration of Independence “that all men are created equal” and that it is not followed completely by all fellow “Americans”. According to him, “we have
In an era of addressing social issues and inequality, many African Americans were segregated and divided; they fought for justice but racial tensions still formed. The Progressive Era: a time of major movements of the American population. During the decades between the 1890s and 1920, Americans were faced with many challenges and in turn, they entered a modern era of change. The states and cities were experiencing a newly diverse and urban society. There were new technological advances and industrial economics were growing rapidly since the Civil War. Although, not all innovations made during this time were beneficial. With the large innovations in society and the progressive mindsets, the lives of African Americans dramatically changed. The
Throughout the course of human history, civilizations time and time again have attempted to obtain the solidity and happiness found in the United States. In order to seize this stability, the U.S. faced a great variety of hurdles within its history, but also tasted the fruits of prosperity and victory. By far, the most spectacular of these ages of wealth was the Roaring 20’s. After leaving World War I with few losses, the U.S. dove deep into the evolution of pleasure and also focused on helping immigrants from around the world achieve the coveted American Dream. After this joyous age of diversity died, the reign of Jim Crow Era emerged like never before, this era of discrimination served as
Racism has jumped to the forefront of conversation politically as well as socially recently. However, many fail to see the full extent of racism and the harmful effects it has had in American history. Post civil war brought a realization to the nation, that although now free, blacks, Indians and mixed descendants or mulatto’s were considered a lower class and Jim Crow Laws help cement them in this class of society. These laws, many referenced post Civil War, have origins dating pre Civil War as well. In 1835, “North Carolina passed a new constitution, which declared that ‘free Negroes, free mulattos, and free persons of mixed blood’ could not vote.” This de facto movement not only affected the lives of African Americans but also immigrants, Catholics, Jews and other groups of people.
...old and innovative statement on civil rights. He attempts to convince the public that discrimination has gone on for far too long and it is time for a change. As for the photo it mainly uses the appeal of Pathos, but it does not lack in power. The image is simple but communicates a powerful image revolving around discrimination. It shows that skin color does not change the fact that a man in a man. Both of these media’s are powerful and worked to better society on the idea of discrimination uses the different rhetorical appeals. Of course, in conclusion, JFK’s speech and the photo both aided the development of our current state of mind. In that time we didn’t see African Americans as equals but since JFK’s motivating speech and the powerful photo “I am a man” we have changed are views and become a much more tolerant society.
William Apess then asks his mostly white audience to reexamine their Christian values along with their prejudices. His essay acknowledges that unless the discrimination and prejudices that plague the white man over the other races disappear, then there won’t be peace in the Union.
White people in the past think that they are the only human being in the United States of America, and they are completely able to control other people particularly African American people. According to Abraham Lincoln “Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” He does not like the idea of slavery in the united States of America. The color is an issue in 20th century in the United States of America, who is white he has the rights nonetheless, the others people like African American for instance do not have at least the basic rights. According to August Wilson, he said “As long as the colored man look to white folks to put the crown on what he say... as long as he looks to white folks for approval... then he ain 't never gonna find out who he is and what he 's about.”. Wilson thinks that white folks was able to control everything they want because they are white not black. 12 Years a Slave signalize the white American people with people who have black skin. Moreover, it shows reaction African people from the white people while they were working for them as unfree people. White people own black people as a product not a human being; they did not have the realization of the negative ramifications. Philadelphia is the
During the Gilded Age white were understood to be at the top and all other ethnicities were below them as well in the 1941, however during the 1950-1980 things were starting to change but not dramatically. White men in all three periods were allowed to speak their minds and say whatever they wanted because in their minds they understood that they were at the top.4 For example, white men joined forces and created the unions to go against the overbearing power of corporations.5 These corporations c...
The reconstruction period which is the period of rebuilding the United States after the civil war is said to be a time of great pain, and endless questions to the United States (Gienapp, 2012). The Civil War led to the end of slavery, and three constitutional amendments which altered the nature of the African-American rights. The Thirteenth Amendment facilitated the abolishment of slavery in all territories, and states. What is more, the Fourteenth Amendment proscribed the US from depriving male citizens’ equal rights, and protection under the law, in spite of their race or color. Likewise, the Fifteenth Amendment granted all African-American males, the right to vote. All these changes and their ratification was a vital requirement for the Southerners to be re-admitted to the Union. As much as these changes were positive steps towards racial segregation, their enforcement proved difficult as the Southerners were against them, terming them as revenge, from the Northerners. The Southerners could not hold onto the idea that, black men could enjoy the same status as white men by being allowed to vote, and hold office (Reconstruction: American’s Unfinished Revolution, 2010).