DAY ONE I’m on the road today, travelling to Mississippi. James is driving while Andrew and Michael sit in the back with me, organising the files we’re meant to give out as school supplies. “Spelling list?” James asked from the front. Andrew and Michael both replied, “Check.” Everyone blew out a breath. It’s daunting—when I think about what I’m about to do, I get a churning feeling in my stomach. Was this the right idea? Yesterday, another church was burned down, people inside no more than ash. Is that going to be me in a few days? We have to hope that we’re not killed before we’ve arrived. DAY THREE We arrived yesterday evening, driving the car slowly so as not to disturb everyone. Today we’re in an African-American church, a few civil rights workers wandering around the pews, talking to different people. …show more content…
I talked to an African-American family a few minutes ago and it’s disgusting what they have gone through.
But somehow, they have the will to continue fighting which makes me realise … I must help these people. The state election is happening soon and we have to change for the better. No more segregation anywhere. It is not right to treat someone like trash when they are the same as everyone else—only separated by skin colour. DAY SEVEN We had an attack last night. White supremacists came raging through, attacking us, using firearms, throwing Molotov cocktails through our windows. I survived despite a few scratches and bruises on me. But now, Andrew, James and Michael are missing—they’re all over the news. They had to leave again last night for more equipment yet they never returned. We’re going down in numbers, equality dwindling on the few who are left and ready to do what’s right. DAY
EIGHT Martin Luther King stood up today to talk about Andrew, James and Michael at a news conference in New York. We don’t know where they are or what happened to them. I’m currently working with a group of teenagers but they are brutally hard to teach. Most can’t sit still and believe that education isn’t important since they never had the chance to get one. There was a rally outside the church and it was awful. We had to close the doors and windows and hide under the tables to escape shrapnel from hitting us. When it ended, we had to put cloths over the windows to hide the children from seeing the bodies lying on the ground. When I tried to push a young girl away from looking, she turned to me and said, “I’ve seen these types of things already.” DAY NINE Andrew, James and Michael were found today. Dead. I can’t fathom the possibility of them being killed. Because of their cultural background? Skin colour? What a world.
more at this time are missing. Everyone is still in shock after 2 days that the
My name is Winifred Thompson, and I’m writing to you to tell you my viewpoint on a former citizen who deserved a national holiday. This citizen has done great things to serve the United state, and he has influenced a lot of change for the African American population. His name was Booker T. Washington and just like other great leaders such as Martin Luther King, he deserves to be honored. Booker T. Washington was one of the former African-American leaders of the early 20th centuries, who founded the Tuskegee University. Booker T. Washington was born in Virginia to a slave on April 5, 1856, Booker T. Washington had lived a difficult life. His mother was a slave and worked as a cook for a plantation owner and that made Booker T. Washington a
The injustice of segregation laws is leading to a violent impact throughout the African American community, as they strive to have equal rights. In the essay, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. describes the many struggles the African American community is going through. Dr. King effectively uses rhetorical appeals to persuade the clergymen that segregation laws are unjust and must end. Dr. King exemplifies his credibility as an advocate for the ending of segregation laws. He gives an example of how society should realize that there is no need for violence by comparing both Socrates’ and his techniques.
...equality strains the bonds that hold us together as a society, and until we can find a solution, we will continue down this beaten path of destruction.
The African American culture seems to be a lot less unified than others in today’s society. There are some recent situations that bring me to believe that as a culture African American as less unified. One situation that sparked my interest the most was the recent critics of and actor by the name of Nate Parker he was about to release a movie the spoke in great detail about the slave rebellion in the 1800. Right before the release of his movie there was a leak that brought out his rape allegations for the 1999 during this time in college which brought out about extremely horrible press and publicity which made people not want to go and support his movie and him as an actor. I know that it can seem as if people mostly women did not want to
Academic achievement, character, social skills, motivation, passion, and curiosity would be the first things I pack with me if I were selected to travel and study abroad.
Today is our first day of being the leaders, doers, and problem solvers of the future. Those who persevere, who give it their all and approach each day with optimism will ultimately meet success and happiness. Of course, there will be many a failure on that windy road of life, but with dedication, we can do anything and make any dream come true. But, as we grow older and encounter success, we must not forget those who have had it rough, whose lives may have hit some potholes on the way, and we must take care of those who need a helping hand. As each of us leaves our mark on the world, be generous and be happy, and always remember the good times, good friends, and lessons learned at Marefat.
In today’s society, many people deal with the stereotypes media has placed upon a certain group of individuals as a whole, regardless of the person themselves. These particular groups of people are judged based on those stereotypes we see all the time. Until we have experienced those labels for ourselves, our emotions toward these stereotypes are just a mere fable of sympathy. We as people view things based on our own experiences, upbringing or even our backgrounds, but when the perspective of stereotypical stories is told from us, we tend to see things in a totally different way.
The article entitled “Why I am Black and Not African American” written by John H. McWhorter argues that Americans should use the term black instead of African American. The term black is perceived as a symbol of strength and hard work. While the term African American transports blacks back to a time in history filled with bondage and discrimination. Therefore, McWhorter argues that the derogatory term of African American should not be used and that the term black is more appropriate. McWhorter was able to establish a strong argument because he met several of the standard criteria for a quality argument. The established criteria explain a quality argument must include a debatable thesis, supporting evidence, ethos, pathos, and an opposition.
“It is socially and psychologically dysfunctional to be unfamiliar with one’s own culture and heritage” (Stewart & Anderson, pg. 8). This quote stated I totally agree with but what about acknowledging another culture whether it’s your own or not? As a non African American I still believe that African American Studies should be its own discipline and area of study. African American Studies serves a purpose of its own, a purpose different from history and sociology. All ethnic groups such as African Americans have their own unique culture and history that should be fully understood. From what I know, history tends to just refer to slavery and civil rights and ignore the rest of the contributions African Americans had on society but from chapter one in the book I read that, “African American Studies explains and acknowledges the heritage, culture, and ancestral roots in Africa” (Stewart & Anderson, pg. 4). So with this being said, I
In the 1960’s, African Americans were people who society taught to shun. The blacks’ life was extremely difficult because of racial prejudice. In the southern United States, the African Americans were not treated as people, and they did not have a place in society. The whites did not want to treat them as people or give them their equal rights. The African Americans thought they were a disgrace to society. It took bravery for the African Americans to stand up for themselves all they wanted was to be equal, and have all the same treatment, and they risked their lives to do so.
When we think about race and poverty in terms of the shared values and linked fate of our people, our approach to politics as well as policy should begin to change. Instead of balancing a list of constituencies and identity groups, our task as a community becomes one of moving forward together as a diverse but cohesive community, addressing through unity the forces that have often divided us as a
Ever since slavery came to America, the whites had placed African Americans below their social status. After their placement as property to white men that many leaders in the African American community fight for their rights as a free man. Throughout the years, the black identity had many issues that struggle for equality from their own identity, constitutional rights they argued with radical white men and the secondary education that many leaders of African American to prove their education they needed.
In this reflective essay, it displays the honest truth of how African Americans are treated in America. Many people base their perceptions towards black men or women because of incidents that they have seen in the media. When white people or any other race commit violent acts, most don’t even care or change their views. Stereotypes can also affect the way that we see people. If we have never met or been friends with someone that society talks down on then we will believe everything that we hear. This is why Staples was treated as a criminal.
Hello everyone today I am here to talk about a serious issue that has been happening and here to make a change. By the time you leave this room I hope you have a new perspective on black people. First of all we all know about the movement called Black Lives Matter. It’s a movement that supposedly supports black people and calls out for help. I believe that in order to keep black people safe, they should end Black Lives Matter. Ever since this movement was started black people have not been safe in America. The United States is no longer a safe place for black people because of Black Lives Matter. Too many black people are dying for no reason. Black people should stop this movement because they are liars and want attention. I can tell you million