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Self-confidence is critical to the development of children
Effects of racism on blacks
Effects of racism on african americans
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The confidence of the young black male is an idea that, unfortunately, is lost at a very young age. When they are young, in this society, young black males are often told harmful and inaccurate ideas which are constantly flooded into their head. They are persistently reminded of their skin color, which eventually develops a mindset where they will not amount to anything. The confidence of young black males is broken down through false ideas and statements, which as a result, corrupts their thinking to the point where they themselves block their own way to success. They themselves begin to believe the ideas they are told, that they are nothing, and they will amount to nothing. At a young age, black males are told a multitude of false ideas …show more content…
that gradually deteriorates their self-confidence. They are bestowed judgment upon which they are incessantly reminded, and what eventually becomes the foundation of the belief they have in themselves. They are told false ideas such as, “There are more African-American males in prison than in college,” “African-American males don’t go to college,” “African American male students have the same opportunities as their peers,” and “African-American male students are underachievers.” Each of these statements are entirely false. The first statement indicated that the majority of young black males habitually result in prison rather than college. In 2011, a Howard University professor name Ivory A. Toldson found in his research that there are about 600,000 more African-American males enrolled in higher education than there are in jail. The second statement indicated that African American male students are underachievers. Young African Americans are presumable told the most often. They are told this and are never to be shown that some of America’s brightest minds are African Americans. In addition, we currently have our first African American President. With the troubles and tribulations set before African American males, their achievements should be viewed as remarkable. However, the color of their skin creates a diminutive view on everything they achieve. The final statement signified that African American male students have the same opportunities as their peers. Unfortunately, this isn’t true either. The American society is majorly ruled and directed through the idea of racism. Both in the school system and in life in general, African American males are treated in an exceptionally unfair manner. A survey by the U.S. Education Department’s 2011-2012 Civil Rights Data Collection stated that African American male students receive a disproportionate number of suspensions, detentions, and call-outs. They also have a much higher rate of being expelled from school. Additionally, most schools attended by African American males have less access to experienced teachers, as well as advanced placement classes. If anything, African American male students are bestowed many more barriers and obstacles than opportunities. All due to their skin color, their opportunity chances drop dramatically. Not only does the system count on black American males failing, it expects failure. The system is built around their failure, and developed to maintain their failed state. African American males are met with obstacle after obstacle, tribulation after tribulation, only to obtain a fragment of what their peers can obtain. Both the school and economic system are designed to lead African American males to failure. Those young African American males must be taught to be stronger. They must be taught to overcome their obstacles and strive for greatness. They must be smarter and rise above the minuscule expectations, proving that they are more intellectual and stronger than they are perceived to be. At a young age, African American males are told that they won’t amount to anything, that they are destined to fail.
Their self-confidence is disrupted and destroyed at an early stage. If this is the case, their self-confidence should also be constructed at an early age. Although; it is inevitable to protect someone against all events that are destructive to their self-esteem, the times that are constructive to their self-esteem should be increased as much as possible. As the young black males are constantly told negative ideas, so should they constantly be bestowed positive judgment. In fact, because negative ideas make a much larger impact on one’s self esteem, the positive opinions and thoughts should be bequeathed to them even more frequently. The biggest problem in this predicament is that the negative effects that are brought upon the young black males; are never countered by any positive statements. The fact that expectations are low, and there is a minute amount of praise for those African American males who do achieve greatness are the cause for the low self esteem in young black males. Not only must encouragement be provided for the young African American males, but they must also possess a desire to rise above the low expectations and assumptions made about them. They must have the desire and the drive to demonstrate their talents and gifts. They must encompass the desire to ascertain their own goals and prove that they can be just as, if not more than, superb as their
peers. The confidence of a young black male is, unfortunately, an extremely fragile idea. It is broken down at a very early age as they are filled with lies and assumptions, claiming that they are worthless and that they will never amount to anything. They are continuously told negative acclamations that gradually disrupt and ultimately destroy their self-esteem. As often as they are told the negative ideas, also should they be told the positive ideas. There is a lack in praise and critical feedback for young African American males, adding this would create a drive and a desire to do better. They must prove first to themselves that they are better than the acclamations and low expectations set before them, and aim high above them. They must prove their worth to themselves before anything can be proven to their peers or those who think lowly of them. Self-confidence starts from within. As one exudes confidence, others will gradually gain confidence in that individual as well.
The introduction to this article begins with a personal narrative about his own experiences as an African American teenage
In sports, there is no shortage of black success stories. Meanwhile, two black men of prominence in Odessa (who are not athletes) fell from grace. Willie Hammond Jr. (the first black city councilor and county commissioner) and Laurence Hurd (a minister and desegregation supporter) were glimmers of hope for the black community that were both snuffed out. Hammond was arrested on charges of arson conspiracy and perjury and Hurd is in prison for burglary and robbery, leaving a hole in the morale of the black community that was not repaired. These losses, combined the with negative news of black people circulated via media, made the possibility of succeeding in a white man’s world inconceivable. Yet, there is no shortage of black success stories in sports, like Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson; in every area that is not a “rich man’s sport”, black athletes dominate. To the poor children on the Southside, there is something very alluring about the “Cinderella stories” of men from poor black neighborhoods rising to prominence through sports. Based on these examples, there seem to only be two paths for a black teen to take: criminal or athlete. Many of these teens aspire to be sports stars and depend on nothing else because there is nothing else. Some may become the superstars they hope to be or they fall into ruin as Boobie Miles, Derric Evans, and Gary Edwards
In the novel “Black Boy” by Richard Wright, Richard’s different character traits are revealed through multiple different instances of indirect characterization. Indirect characterization is a literary element commonly used in the novel. It is when the author reveals information about a character through that character's thoughts, words, actions, and how other characters respond to that character; such as what they think and say about him. Richard is put into many circumstances where the way he acts, the things he says and thinks, and the way others respond to him clearly show his character. Richard shows his pride when he refuses to fight Harrison for white men’s entertainment, principles when he doesn’t take advantage of Bess even though he has the opportunity, and ignorance when he sells KKK papers.
Tatum examines what “Blackness,” means in a predominately white society and explores reasons why black adolescents begin to believe that they are inferior or in other words “not normal” in society, especially in academics where some black adolescents claim that “doing well in school is often identified as being White” (para. 30) which leads them to not give their education their maximum effort in the fear of being labeled as “too white” or simply just “not black”. She uses her son’s personal experiences as well as typical stories of how blacks are misunderstood in order to educate the reader as to how black people eventually develop a self-identity based on the implications of society and the situations that surround them. This can be seen when she says, “The stereotypes, omissions, and distortions that reinforce notions of White superiority are breathed in by Black children as well as white” (para. 10). In this quote Tatum further examines what “Whiteness” means in the same context and explains that since American society associates White people to be the normality, they are not able to create a well-balanced self-identity without it being based off of racial
There are many, many forces — physical, historical, cultural, and political — that shape and constrict the life chances of black males in the U.S. Some of these are longstanding legacies that may take generations to shift. But in other ways, the social, economic, and symbolic place of African-American men and boys is recreated and reinforced every day. In particular, public perceptions and attitudes toward black males not only help to create barriers to advancement within this society, but also make that position seem natural or inevitable. Among the most important mechanisms for maintaining (or changing) these perceptions are the mass media with their significant power to shape popular ideas and attitudes.
It must be noted that for the purpose of avoiding redundancy, the author has chosen to use the terms African-American and black synonymously to reference the culture, which...
In school social circles, I always find myself "The Token Black Guy." I thought of this term for my role after viewing an episode of Scrubs on TV. I started thinking about the small number of black students at my school. It is something I have always turned a blind eye to.
Queens is one of the most diverse boroughs in New York. There is just about every ethnicity living in it. Growing up in Queens I adapted to the diverse environment at a very young age. Living in a diverse environment impacted my way of thinking and the way I act towards others.
Society must accept the rebellion of the black teen contributes to the image of an American teen has a whole. The carelessness and complacent nature of the American teen is epitomized in urban youth’s culture. Keeping this in mind, society cannot embrace the teenager’s image, without first acknowledging all of those whom contribute to it. The Black and White teens’ rebellions should be viewed as contrasting elements, but two foundations that are different structure, but contribute to a greater ideal.
... also influences them to partake in negative activities. "Every film shouldn't have to be about some urban, hip-hop drug thing," (Lee.S) the way that blacks are portrayed in the eye of the media is nine times out of ten in a negative manner, this only adds on to the negative stereotypes that come along with being s African American. Music also affects the black youths close ties to fashion, and the news looks. The youth of today are so caught up if the new fads of today that they don’t even acknowledge or take time to educate themselves on their past, they are ignorant to the rich legacy that their ancestors have left behind. This generations has very little to no education about the past so what will they have to pass on to their children at this rate, if someone doesn’t swoop in and relocate the blacks focus to what’s important our rich legacy will soon disappear.
The year was 1915, Carter G. Woodson had recently traveled from Washington D.C to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation. This gave him and thousands of other African Americans the ability to appreciate displays highlighting the progress African Americans had made since the abolishment of slavery. This occasion inspired Woodson and four others to form the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now Association for the Study of African American Life and History or ASALH). This organization’s purpose was to recognize and promote the accomplishments and history of African Americans that often went unnoticed. In 1916, Woodson created The Journal of Negro History in hopes that it would familiarize people with the findings and achievements of African Americans. But Woodson wanted more; he wanted all people to celebrate and be aware of the great things African Americans had and were accomplishing. He wanted both whites and blacks to have strong, positive affiliations. Woodson decided the best way to accomplish these things was to create Negro Achievement Week.
In today’s society there are many stereotypes surrounding the black community, specifically young black males. Stereotypes are not always blatantly expressed; it tends to happen subconsciously. Being born as a black male puts a target on your back before you can even make an impact on the world. Majority of these negative stereotypes come from the media, which does not always portray black males in the best light. Around the country black males are stereotyped to be violent, mischievous, disrespectful, lazy and more. Black males are seen as a threat to people of different ethnicities whether it is in the business world, interactions with law enforcement or even being in the general public. The misperceptions of black males the make it extremely difficult for us to thrive and live in modern society. Ultimately, giving us an unfair advantage simply due to the color of our skin; something of which we have no control.
As Jodi Rell once said, “At the end of the day, the goals are simple: safety and security.” We all want to feel safe and secure. It’s a human need to feel safe. I would say our general public could be considered pretty safe. But there are people who threaten the safety of the general public. One threat comes from African-Americans. The threat isn’t from every single African-American, but is from a large amount of them. They can be dangerous, and to protect the public, the police need to target these African-Americans to help keep everyone safe.
To prevent these discriminations’ from transpiring again we need to stop people’s prejudices of African Americans. Prejudice can be defined as biologically similar people who hold strong beliefs that cause them to discriminate another object (Pearson). Prejudices start from the home in which the child and raised in and continually grows until that child reaches adulthood, and then the cycle continues and is passed on from generation to generation. To stop the cycle of prejudice and go on toward the goal of equality, we can eliminate the stereotypes that destroy others perceptions of African Americans, by making it known we are all one race- the human race. African Americans should not be defined by their complexion but rather the good they have brought to the world. Letting it be known that we are all equal and should be treated in that respect.
Black and Female: The Challenge of weaving an identity.? Journal of Adolescents July 1995 19. 466.