Thousands of African Americans were drafted into World War I that took place during the Harlem Renaissance. During the Returning Soldiers, we learned that the African Americans who came home from fighting and expected to go back to their homes. They felt humiliated after fighting for freedom for America, and coming home to un equality. Their homes were taken away when rent was raised and many became unable to afford their homes.
Tupac’s song Changes is speaking for most black mean leaving in the suburbs. He takes mainly about his situation that relates to many others blacks in the community. Changes written by Tupac in song form is his way of speaking up. He talks a lot about how he notices no change in humanity.
In Complexion by Kendrick
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Lamar, Kendrick Lamar believes the color of our skin should not matter anymore in our society and we should not differentiate between our skin color and feel we are all the same. My personal experience to Egypt over the summer was quite interesting. I have family over there who I went to visit. Every outing, my sisters and I had to cover our hair to make sure the Egyptians didn’t notice it was blond and we also had to try to hide our faces because, our green eyes. It kind of sucked because I felt like we couldn’t enjoy our vacation he way we wanted to. I always thought to myself why does it matter what color my eyes are or our hair color. Dubois writes this piece for African Americans to change the way they think about coming back from war and to continue fighting.
Dubois wants African Americans to understand it was right to fight and if they had to fight again it would be right to. “It was right for us to fight. the fault of our country are our faults.” (6) After reading DuBois’s piece, I feel like Dubois wants us to change the way we think about African Americans. To me, this piece is targeted to African Americans we can all still change after reading this piece. African Americans should change the way they think about the war and continue to fight for their country. After reading this piece I feel irritated a bit because life was so hard for African Americans just because of the color of their skin. I learned our race should not determine how we should be treated because we all are equal. Also, we should continue to educate others about racism and how hard African Americans fought as well as the whites for our country, …show more content…
together. I related Returning Soldiers to the song Changes by Tupac. In Tupac’s song, he talks about how he sees no change in humanity when it comes to the color of our skin. Black people will continue to be mistreated and white people will continue to be superior. “I see no change all I see is racist faces/ misplaced hate makes disgrace to races.” “Take the evil out of people they’ll be acting right/ ‘cause both black and white is smoking’ crack tonight” if people would be more open minded and willing to accept change and no evil inside of them, they will realize how similar we all are not matter what color skin we have. “And as long as I stay black I gotto stay strapped/ and never lay back” (Shakur) Tupac expresses African Americans always have to be of their feet and cautious even at home. I related this to Riding soldiers because after the war ended, and African Americans returned home the realized the fight was not over and it will be a long fight. They knew life was going to be uneasy and rough. Both Dubois and Tupac have a motivational push towards the end. Dubious says “this is the country to which we Soldiers of Democracy return. This is the fatherland to which we fought! But it is our father land. It was right for us to fight.” (5) Dubois ends off with a motivational push for African Americans. “The faults of our country are our faults.” (5) Tupac says, “lets change the way we eat, lets change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other.” (Shakur) Both Riding Soldiers and Change, talk about making a change and standing up against racism. In Complexion by Kendrick Lamar, we should change the way we look at skin color.
Every skin color is as beautiful as another. We are all humans and we should all love each other regardless of the color of our skin. It also is not just about loving each other but, also loving ourselves and feel beautiful. We need to spread and accept that the color of our skin does not tells us whether we are superior or inferior. Rapsody says “I love myself, I no longer need/ cupid” in this we learn that in adulthood Rapsody learns to love herself and she doesn’t need anyone to tell her. That is what we all need to do is accept who we are and love
ourselves. Over the summer I went overseas to Egypt to visit my family. When we arrived my sisters and I were told to hid our hair with hats because it was blond. My twin sister and I were told we should try to cover our eyes because they were green. It was a little annoying to hear because I was expecting to nice get away vacation but, I felt like I had to always watch my surroundings and make sure my hair wasn’t shown or my eyes. I related this to Complexion because I continued to tell myself during my trip; why does it matter what color my hair or eyes are. Rapsody says “you blew me away you think more beauty in blue, green and grey” she is telling us that our appearance shouldn’t judge our characters. In our society blue, green and grey eyes are accepted in society. I never asked why exactly I had to cover my eyes and hair because I knew it would be better not to ask. Kendrick Lamar says So I'mma say somethin' that's vital and critical for survival/ Of mankind, if he lyin', color should never rival/ Beauty is what you make it, I used to be so mistaken/ By different shades of faces, This illustrates that all races should be united and this also talks about people from the same race but different skin shades. People have always been divided, and accepting each other’s skin color or shade is a key for the survival of the human race.
Over 2.5 million African-American men registered for the draft, and black women also volunteered in large numbers. While serving in the Army, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, they experienced discrimination and segregation but met the challenge and persevered. They served their country with distinction, made valuable contributions to the war effort, and earned high praises and commendations for their struggles and sacrifices. During World War II (1939-1945) African Americans were fighting for the United States in a segregated Army. They were treated unfairly and fought under harsh circumstances.
World War 2 meant discrimination, racism, and segregation for African Americans. With the draft like for Winfred W. Lynn of Jamaica, New York he chose to inform his draft board that he wanted to serve armed forces without segregation by race.
World War I marked a drastic change in African American history. The war began as a conflict between the Europeans and soon became an event with revolutionary consequences, which would have a big affect on the social, economic, and political future for the black community. The war impacted the black community of Cleveland greatly whether you were male or female, soldier or civilian. The war began in 1914 and ended in 1918, which marked one of the most dynamic periods for the African American community because of migration, racial violence, and political protest. African Americans challenged the American Government, demanded their rights as American citizens, and demanded equality both in subtle and dramatic ways. We should further our knowledge on World War I because it is important to develop a better understanding of how the war affected African Americans and the struggles they faced because of it.
To understand the viewpoint of W.E.B Dubois and his argument for having a well-educated African American population, his own background and life experience of the struggle to be African and American must be considered. DuBois is born in the north in Massachusetts where the so-called Negro problem paralyzing the
In 1917, the United States entered World War I under the slogan “Make the World Safe For Democracy.” Within a week after the U.S, entered the war, the War Department stopped accepting black volunteers because colored army quotas were filled. No black men were allowed in the Marines, Coast guard or Airforce. However they were allowed in the Navy only an as mess man which was a position the yielded very little advancement and no glory. When drafting began, of the more than 2,000,000 blacks registered 31 percent were accepted to 26 percent of the white men. Blacks then comprised 10 percent of the population. World War I
When it all comes down to it, one of the greatest intellectual battles U.S. history was the legendary disagreement between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. This intellectual debate sparked the interest of the Northerners as well as the racist whites that occupied the south. This debate was simply about how the blacks, who just gained freedom from slavery, should exist in America with the white majority. Even though Washington and DuBois stood on opposite sides of the fence they both agreed on one thing, that it was a time for a change in the treatment of African Americans. I chose his topic to write about because I strongly agree with both of the men’s ideas but there is some things about their views that I don’t agree with. Their ideas and views are the things that will be addressed in this essay.
While DuBois respected Booker T. Washington and his accomplishments, he did not. felt that blacks needed political power to protect what they had and what they earned. DuBois called for a new plan of action. He felt that the The greatest enemy of blacks was not necessarily whites but it was the ignorance of the whites concerning the capabilities of the black race. DuBois's answer was to encourage the development of black youth in America.
World War II opened up several opportunities for African American men during and after the war. First of all, the blacks were able to join the military, the Navy and the Army Air Corps’ (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). The African Americans were allowed to join the military because they were needed, but they would be trained separately and put in separate groups then the white men because America was still prejudice. (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). The same went for the African Americans that joined the Navy, only they were given the menial jobs instead of the huge jobs (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). African Americans that joined the Army Air Corps’ were also segregated (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). The Army Air Corps’ African American also known as the Tuskegee Airmen were sent to the blacks university in Tuskegee for their training (Reinhardt and Ganzel 1). They became one of the most well known groups of flyers during World War II th...
Those studying the experience of African Americans in World War II consistently ask one central question: “Was World War II a turning point for African Americans?” In elaboration, does World War II symbolize a prolongation of policies of segregation and discrimination both on the home front and the war front, or does it represent the start of the Civil Rights Movement that brought racial equality? The data points to the war experience being a transition leading to the civil rights upheavals of the 1960s. World War II presented several new opportunities for African Americans to participate in the war effort and thereby begin to earn an equal place in American society and politics. From the beginning of the war, the black media urged fighting
This statement suggests that the quality of life for colored people in this time period is worse than being dead. It is implied by Dubois in this essay that not only would the white people be happier if the black people were all killed, but also that the black people would be happier due to them not having to face the hatred and segregation that they were subject to at the time. Dubois makes a sound argument that the white people in this time period have a problem with a black man making the same amount of money as them and getting the same education as them. They do not believe the black man is their equal. He uses the colored man in the essay to bring to light an extreme solution to the apparent problem, which in turn makes the white people, and the reader, open their eyes to the glaring issues inherent in racist behaviour and
African Americans were very questionable at first in the Civil War. The Union Navy had been already been accepting African American volunteers. Frederick Douglass thought that the military would help the African Americans have equal rights if they fought with them. Many children helped in the Civil War also, no matter how old they were. Because the African Americans were unfavorable, black units were not used in combat as they might have been. Nevertheless, the African Americans fought in numerous battles. African Americans fought gallantly. Northern leaders also saw another reason to have African Americans in the Civil War is that the Union needed soldiers. Congress aloud them to enlist them because they thought they might as well have more soldiers.
Throughout American history, African Americans have had to decide whether they belonged in the United States or if they should go elsewhere. Slavery no doubtfully had a great impact upon their decisions. However, despite their troubles African Americans made a grand contribution and a great impact on both armed forces of the Colonies and British. "The American Negro was a participant as well as a symbol."; (Quarles 7) African Americans were active on and off the battlefield, they personified the goal freedom, the reason for the war being fought by the Colonies and British. The African Americans were stuck in the middle of a war between white people. Their loyalty was not to one side or another, but to a principle, the principle of liberty. Benjamin Quarles' book, The Negro in the American Revolution, is very detailed in explaining the importance of the African American in the pre America days, he shows the steps African Americans took in order to insure better lives for generations to come.
DuBois presents the question “[h]ow does it feel to be a problem?”, introducing the attitude towards African-Americans upon their emancipation (DuBois 3). The idea of freedom for slaves meant equality, but “the freedman has not yet found in freedom his promised land […] the shadow of a deep disappointment rests upon the Negro people” (6). The challenge faced during this time was how to deal with the now freed slaves who once had no rights. DuBois states that African-Americans merely wish “to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly i...
On the other hand, "Changes" by Tupac is a song about making social changes. "Changes" is one of his most famous songs. Tupac always stands out as a rapper because of his poetic writing style. The first few lines, "I'm tired of bein' poor and even worse I'm black. My stomach hurts, so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch," showed the listener how many blacks live in poverty and have no choice but committing crimes. Tupac keeps saying hat he sees no changes throughout the song. He wants to see some changes to benefit his people. In this song, he uses epanaphora, the repetition of a phrase. For
The New York City Draft Riots of 1863 were the cause of a lot of new laws, proclamations, etc. Back then nobody looked at “blacks” as citizens, basically you were not considered normal. Even middle class men were not given all their rights. A lot of people do not realize that the world did not get this diverse this easy. All sorts of groups had to pay the price and suffer to get the world where it is today. And really, if you ask anyone what the riot in New York is about, they will just stare at you. True, blacks were free but that did not make them like anybody else. Since the number of soldiers was going down in the Civil War, the United States Congress passed a legislation that made all the middle class men, black men, and most able-bodied men between the age of 20 and 35 to serve three years of service in war. Causing all these men to rage and attack the people getting out of it. You have money? Well you did not have to go. Which the other men that had no money to get out of it started taking their anger out on the people that could.[ ] It is probably one of the only times were the rich would try to disclaim their status from fear of what these men were going to do. Buildings, houses, properties, and even people were getting burnt and demolished from the people that were not even being considered in the community.