The End is Near

Well the END isn't exactly in sight, but the semester is winding down and essentially nearing the end!  This class has been very interesting from the aspect that it was definitely not what i had initially envisioned.  Before coming to class i had assumed most of our curriculum would be from the book, with plenty of reading and tests.  But to my surprise the curriculum was derived from a multitude of different mediums.  Though at times the work seemed meticulous, I can now look back and say I would have preferred to stick with these different media-based outlets.  The blogging allowed room for a lot of self-expression and venting, when/if needed.  Although i would have really enjoyed more free blogs, but it could be argued that free blogs would have taken away from the relevance of the class and this form of work.  The other aspect that took me by surprise were the discussions, I will admit at times it seemed intimidating to pipe-in on the heated debates, but from a spectators aspect it was pretty entertaining haha.  The way the work was structured also made me very familiar with D2L.  Last semester I hadn't used D2L in any of my classes, so t he fact that our class relied on it so much for assignments and grades forced me to become very familiar with the program.

This class' relevance was clear from the get go, though sometimes i didn't agree with the direction it went or the thoughts implied, I was still able to appreciate other aspects and views on some controversial topics we touched on.  I enjoyed all of the speakers that came to class and spoke to us, though sometimes i was skeptical of their relevance to the curriculum at the time.  The speaker we had on the black panthers was by far my favorite, he was so informative and enlightening!  I was impressed by his thorough knowledge and perspective on all information pertaining to the black panthers and their movement.

The group work took me out of my comfort zone a little because I tend to do work on my own, I prefer not relying on others when my grades or overall well being is at hand.  But it allowed me to view various aspects of group work and build a new found appreciation.  The first group I worked with placed me in a position of leadership which I felt most comfortable with, but as our group fell apart I was placed in a great group that was already headed in a direction with their work so i was placed in place of assistance.  I was allowed to have work dealt to me and accomplish my individual tasks, far different from being in a position of dealing out the workload.  I must say, it was a less stressful situation but my overall influence was far less, which I guess is why you need a solid group of reliable people... not always your friends.

This class didn't enlighten me as much from a historical sense but more of a sociological aspect.  Some of the discussions we had about the various aspects of culture in society broadened my horizons a little.  Though some of the activities we did I felt kind of worked to divide the class, notably the "privilege" activity we did outside mid-semester.  I felt it tried to turn privilege into a race-derived issue only when its far more than that, its a socioeconomic issue more-so in my opinion.  But still i can't say this took away from my overall experience in Intro AFAM, if given the opportunity I would definitely consider taking another class in the department.

Class Presentations To-Date

So far I have thoroughly enjoyed all the presentations to date, though it seems the purpose of relating our topics to the african american experience in 2009 is a lot harder than expected... I can personally attest to this as my group presented earlier this week. My personal favorite so far would be Group 7's video presentation, I feel they clearly defined and dissected their topic as well as can be done. Some of their interviews seemed to get off track a little at times, but usually for the better of the project... such as adding comic relief when needed. The only group that i feel related their topic to present day insufficiently was the first group to present, though the sciences is a hard topic in itself, i feel there are plenty of successful african american scientists in 2009 that they could have touched on, including those at the university. I feel today's presentation of on religion in 2009 was presented very well, they didnt have as much media as group 7 but they had no less than any of the rest and just as much, if not more, pertinent information in regards to their topic. I was impressed by the fact that they weren't completely reliant on their slides, while a few of them didn't even employ the use of note cards or prompts to talk about their subject. The other part that stood out to me was how well they dissected their topic. The only part that I feel could've been changed was the order, I think it would have made more sense to speak on Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X earlier in the presentation and use the later parts as an opportunity to relate their topic to present day. I am really excited for the rest of the presentations and to see what they have been able to do with their extra time. I really hope there are more media-based projects, though with many of the subjects it may be very tough to incorporate media into their topic. I also hope they were all able to relate their topic to 2009.

Wake Up America!

As pointed out, the Urban League put out some sobering statistics just recently... in all honesty I'm not so surprised by these figures.  The nation we reside in tends to live in a fantasy world, thinking as time moves forward, so are we.  Essentially, everyone thinks as we progress, our practices in everyday life progress with us.  The fact of the matter is, they don't.  People are still suffering, people are still starving, people are still dying and will continue to until we, as a nation, systematically change our ways.  So much of our nation thrives upon contradictions, in the schools we teach equality, at home we teach equality, in the government we establish laws to uphold equality.  Now excuse my language, but none of that means a damn thing when at the end of the day these same people fighting for equality still withhold prejudice and hate in their hearts.  Where is the rationale in preaching equality but when you encounter a sketchy situation, you refer to stereotypes you have familiarized and associated with certain people day in and day out?  I often come across the argument that in order to rid our nation of racism, we must first remove the established forms, such as affirmative action, and other jobs where a certain class receives preferential treatment.  Truth is, if we remove this ...racism will not unroot itself.  Racism is a part of the nations fabric, we must put more thought into the matter... it cannot be left to mere awareness campaigns, or laws that are half-heartedly enforced.  Some people may be utterly astounded by these statistics, but the question is, did they really think it was any better?  Its easy for someone not living in the belly of the beast to assume "its not all that bad" but until they make that trip across the bridge, per se, they will continue to live in fairytale land.

The problem at hand is not limited to only a lack of reality, but also a lack of seriousness.  So many people recognize there is a problem but very few recognize its true severity.  As noted earlier, the media loves to portray black families in a comedic light… I mean who really wants to take black families serious, right?  Wrong.  African Americans have been asking for equality for far too long, day in and day out we see images of a multitude of different races, yet the media is very selective on the images we see and the lights in which these races are portrayed.  But as I’ve stated before, the media is not completely at fault.  Their main focus is to play what sells, and according to the vast majorities …this is what we want to see.

Last but definitely not least, there is a division amongst blacks as a race as well.  Much like the differences of DuBois and Washington, many feel we should reform in an effort to better fit in with the vast majorities of the nation.  While the other half completely disagrees, why should we change our ways to find acceptance.  America is the home of the brave and the land of the free, how is assimilation in hopes of fitting in, brave?  How can you argue we live in a free nation if we are bound by our own differences, doesn’t America strive on the differences we face?  I will be the first to say we need to broaden our horizons, but so is the case with anyone else… knowledge is power.  But changing just to fit in, most definitely not.  America must change its ways.

The Media, a True Catalyst of Prejudice

Through all of my encounters with the media and their portrayal of black families, i found a few reoccurring themes.  The one that stood out to me the most would be the degree of dysfunctionality that seems to be found in nearly all instances I tracked.  The media appears to have this idea that all black families are filled with cookoo's who seem to function on a completely different wavelength than the rest of the "normal" world.  Dysfunctionality is not limited to just their level of craziness but also how "untraditional" the make-ups of most families portrayed are.  Typically we don't see white families on TV that are single-parent households or where the kids are raised by their grandparents, something which is far from unordinary when it comes to black families portrayed by the media.  Now that raises the question, is the media blatantly creating this stigma or is it subconscious?  Blatant or not, the idea is a bit confusing as to why the media sees it fitting to so openly, in a sense, stereotype a certain demographic.  And not on a small scale but nationwide media, so all the world can see it.  If the whole point is to raise awareness to the trials and tribulations faced by SOME black families nationwide, they are going about it all wrong.  This form of widespread awakening is actual counter productive because it is making the idea easier to fathom, the idea that black families and white families are composed differently and function differently.  It goes unsaid that there are without a doubt functional differences in families of different races, but it does not seem fitting that the qwerks of a particular race be displayed and dissected so bluntly while those of others are left untouched.  If ultimately the goal IS to spread awareness then this is something that should be taken into account for ALL races... not one or two.

One quality that is also taken into account by the media would be comradery/loyalty, this is a quality echoed in our readings as well as my personal experiences.  Though the media paints black families out to be nothing but utter chaos and dysfunctionality, they also recognize the loyalty that is displayed in so so so many black families across the nation and world.  I came across and article in the San Antonio Express Newspaper about Jerrell Wilkerson, a former high school football standout who was all set to play at the university of texas on a full ride before he had a son, bringing his plans to a halt.  The columnist talked about how Wilkerson went job to job trying to make a steady living to provide for his son, essentially weathering some very harsh storms.  He and his son developed a very strong bond through it all though.  So though he is a single-parent struggling to provide for his son, he and his son are still able to forge the same strong bonds seen in so many other families.  This is very similar to the same ideas echoed in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, where Will Smith's character struggles to provide for his son while still forging an impenetrable bond with his son.  Though the media recognizes this side of black families, I do not think it is enough to justify their everyday stereotyping, it is unfair to the black families out there that are just as "normal" as any family of another race out there.  So many people mold their opinions and perspectives on topics based on what the media feeds them, so by feeding them the idea that black families are dysfunctional, these people are going to have a predetermined outlook without any true knowledge.  Thus putting so many people at a disadvantage.  And until the media can find a way to avoid these stereotypes, we will continue to put people at a disadvantage.

Tracked Sources:

1. Thursday

3/26/09 4:00pm

TruTV! (Channel 48)

'Carribean Cops'

Reality TV

(2 Teenage Brothers)

Negative

2. Thursday 

3/26/09 4:30pm

Channel 12

Judge Judy

(Mother&Husband(Step Dad) vs. Daughter&Boyfriend)

Reality/Variety Show

Negative

3.  Thursday

3/26/09 6:49pm

MySA.com

'Student-Athlete, Student-Father: Jerrell Wilkerson'

(Father&Son)

News Article

Positive

4.  Tuesday

3/24/09 5:00pm

ABC Family (Channel 36)

'My Wife and Kids'

(Husband, Wife, Three Children)

Comedy program

Positive

5.  Wednesday

3/25/09 5:21pm

New York Times'

thelede.blogs.nytimes.com

'Chris Brown Arrested, and Praised, by L.A. Police'

News Article

Negative

6.  Thursday

3/26/09 8:00pm

Lifetime (Channel 25)

Akeelah and the Bee

(Mother, daughter, three siblings, 'mentor')

Movie

Positive

7. Tuesday

3/24/09 7:30pm

The Pursuit of Happyness

StarzBlack

(Father, Son)

Movie

Positive

Disrespected and Neglected, The Tulsa Race Riots

First I want to substantiate a point that was touched on prior to the movie by the Black Law Student Ass'n President, prior to this class, and really prior to the movie... I had no clue about the Tulsa Race riots. Not once had a teacher mentioned it in history class, nor had I heard of it in any form of media. Does that mean the media is in denial of the situations existence as a whole? I think so. I am embarassed to say I, like much of the rest of the world, had no prior knowledge of the events that occured. But I am equally angered to find out much of the world goes on without acknowledging the tragedies and horrors of the tulsa race riots. Personally I think it just attests to the fact that the government has ultimate and endless influence... its almost scary. As easily as they have denied these poor people the necessary and proper reperations and recognition for surviving these events, they have just as easily hidden these facts from the rest of the nation. One could infer our nation as a whole is substantially embarassed by the facts and in turn has attempted to no longer recognize or acknowledge these events. One image that stood out to me, and probably will continue to remain with me for some time, was the image of the young man who had been lynched and adorned with a sign that read "This Nigger Voted." Now correct me if I'm wrong but this tragedy occured long after the 15th amendment had been implimented, allowing any true citizen of the country to vote. For that sake, the 13th and 14th amendments had just as substantially proved African Americans to be just as rightfully able to vote as the next man. So I am still insensed in how one could find themself justified in killing a fellow human being for doing what was their civil right and liberty, to make their voice heard in this "democracy". This is just a testament of how deeply rooted racism was back then... the only justification these people saw was that african americans were apparently seen as less than human... and far from equal.

Assignment for Friday the 27th,

1. We talk about the Harlem Renaissance again in this class but based on our lectures, how did it contribute to a different perspective of African Americans during the 1920’s and so forth.

Okay first off I am not 100% sure what this question is looking for but in my personal opinion i think the Harlem Renaissance opened so many doors for those who were alive to witness it. The realization that there were so many creative outlets for African Americans helped so many find new ways to focus their time as well as using the arts as an outlet to continue gaining support for the movement. I know this isn't in the material but I think by opening these doors to so many in these harsh conditions, it was used as a means to get so much off their chest. rather than result to violence and anger to display their distaste for their treatment, people were able to use poetry and other forms of wrote word to display their pent up aggression.

2. Define the Civil Rights Movement?


The civil rights movement was essentially a nationwide awakening of African Americans who had been subjected to unfair and unjust treatment for far too long. This movement prompted the amendment of laws and rules to provide equality nationwide. As we all know, this did not come easy, much blood, sweat, and tears were shed... and continue to be shed. Altogether, the civil rights movement forced America to recognize blacks as deserving of equal treatment. Though this equality is still disputed to today, strides have been made... disputably in both directions though, for the good and the bad. In a sense, the civil rights movement is STILL in effect, people are STILL fighting to make sure their civil liberties aren't infringed upon.


3. What event occurred in Mississippi that brought the collective spirit of the nation together in 1955? Had you heard about this before you came to this class?

The murder of Emmett Till prompted this nationwide union. I, in fact, had heard of this before we touched on it in class. I had heard about it in school during high school and actually watched a couple documentaries about the events and read a ton of information online, so i had a pretty solid concept of the whole situation. This event will continue to standout in my head for as long as i live, the fact that these men were able to continue on living their lives as if nothing happened... while this poor kid lived his last moments being abused, in the presence of true evil, all because he whistled! The one part that I found very satisfying in my research was that he didn't back down to these grown men. Emmett Till was fearless in his last hours, he wasn't scared of those men. This event in my opinion truly sparked the civil rights movement.



4. What is SNCC? It appears they began the movement espousing one philosophy and ended following a very different concept. Please explain

SNCC stands for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. SNCC played a major role in sit-ins and "freedom rides." They founded much of their beliefs on a strong will to rebel without violence. This only lasted for so long though, after all the abuse much of the members were faced with, some began to question their non-violent ways. This prompted a major divide in the party, many supported their original belief, and a vast number also supported the idea that they should combat violence with violence.


5. In one of your readings illustrated the similarities and differences of Malcolm and Martin. Please read the following passage and summarize how their life experiences helped develop their personal philosophies.

The fact that both men are the products of such a harsh time where a whole culture was in dire need of a leader, someone to give them direction, alone proves that their life experiences controlled their personal philosophies mainly... if not solely. These men stood up to the task. From the reading one would perceive their honest views were more similar than previously thought to be. They both acknowledged or appreciated the other's views to the same degree.

20 Priviledges

Here is a list of 20 priviledges either I am afforded, or those around me are:

1. The opportunity to attend college.

2. I am priviledged to have a great relationship with my family.

3. I am priviledged to live in an environment where i can feel my well-being isn't endangered.

4. I see many people who have the priviledge of not being held accountable for their actions.

5. I am priviledged to not have to be in a position where i have to provide for my family.

6. I am priviledged in the sense that i feel i can comfortably ask my family for help and receive it (within reason).

7. I am priviledged in the sense that i have never had to truly struggle to survive financially.

8. In contrast to #4, i am priviledged because i am expected to be successful by others.

9. I am priviledged in having never been turned away from a job on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation. (most because no one realizes or knows i am half-black)

10. I am priviledged in knowing that i do not have the pressure of being the only person in my family to ever attend college.

11. I see many people who are priviledged to be able to attend a university, unfocused, to find themself... on their parents' dime.

12. I am priviledged to not have any major learning disabilities that would hinder me from learning or understanding at the rate i do.

13. I am priviledged to be afforded the opportunity to have a vehicle of which i am only responsible for the gas.

14. I am EXTREMELY priviledged to not have to worry about how i will pay for school, yet atleast.

15. I see many who are UNPRIVILEDGED to not realize or appreciate all that their parents provide or do for them. I say unpriviledged because when they become adults and realize the true extent of their responsibilities, only then will they appreciate all that was done for them.

16. I am blessed in the sense that i wasn't born with any physical or mental disabilities.

17. I am priviledged in the sense that i've been afforded the opportunity to travel out of the country and experience other cultures.

18. I am priviledged in the sense that i have never had to face extreme hate or cruelty on the basis of my skin color.

19. I am priviledged to have the opportunity to surround myself with people who aren't haters and are true to heart.

20. I am priviledged to realize the extent and degree of all the priviledges and opportunities afforded to myself.


Reflecting on all that i've had go my way in life just makes me realize that much more how blessed i am. I can honestly say i truly appreciate what opportunities i have personally been afforded, and at what cost they've come (even prior to this list). I feel very spoiled when i hear some of the horror stories people have had to overcome or triumph over. This isn't to say i have taken for granted what i've been given or blessed with, but just that i have no honest feeling that the world has had it in for me, and my life has been bad. I can only hope that i will be able to afford my children these same opportunities and this same outlook i've had. Since day one, my parents have made me realize the extent of how nice i truly have it in comparison to so many others, I think this is why i am so grateful.

Seven Questions/Reflections From Class

1. Historically, how has the NAACP been instrumental in the African American experience? Please be specific.
The NAACP has been fighting on the frontlines for blacks since day one, they've conducted sit-ins, boycotts, and fought some of the nation's most important supreme court cases (i.e Scott v. Sandford, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School Dist., Roe v. Wade, etc.) They have not waivered one bit on their passion for maintaining our civil rights and making sure they aren't infringed on. They have done all they can to level the playing field in a sense.

2. How has the Oklahoma NAACP contributed to the history of civil rights movement?
As stated in the question prior to this and the questions preceding, the NAACP took on many of the nation's most important cases and either one them or created a national buzz about them. Oklahoma alone played a major role when they fought in the case of Sipuel v. Board of Regents, eventually allowing african americans to attend public universities like the University of Oklahoma.

3. What are some ways in which the legal movement contributed to the Civil Rights movement? Please be specific.
The fact that many people were taking situations, where their civil rights were being infringed upon, to court is a major testament to the relationship shared by the legal movement and the civil rights movement, the two go hand in hand. Many cases like Brown v. Board and Plessy v. Ferguson were instrumental in gradually solidifying african americans' civil rights

4. What were some similarities between the NAACP's relevance to the African American experience and the legal movement?
The fact that the NAACP helped spear-head the vast majority of these cases shows that the NAACP was pivotal, to say the least, in the legal movement and protecting civil rights. Although not all cases were won, the vast majority were put on the national stage as major decisions, drawing tons of attention.

5. Explain Reconstruction and was it successful?
The reconstruction was America's way of attempting to re-integrate freed slaves into society. reconstruction was a failed period mainly because of america's feeble attempts re-integrate them. The government proposed giving the freed slaves 20 acre plots of land, which turned out to be a lie. Most slaves were forced to go back to working on the same plantations they occupied before because they could not afford to take provide for their families, this made for major animosity between the whites and african americans in the south. This was not limited to just the south though, many freed slaves who migrated north were faced with racism still, as white professionals frowned on their black counterparts as they became the competition for finding work. All in all, the government did not make a thorough enough attempt to make sure african americans were able to join society smoothly, thus this period failed.

6. What are some current ways in which the NAACP has been active in maintaining societal civil rights?
The NAACP continues to take on court cases as they had in the decades before, in an attempt to protect our civil liberties. As well as continuing to raise awareness about the constant fight for equality.

7. Personal reflection: After listening to both of our recent visitors, what are some of your thoughts in reference to African and African American studies and the African American experience.
One quote that stood out to me came from Dean Evans, "The return of hate energizes nothing." I strongly believe this was the mindset for many African Americans during the civil rights movement and now. If our goal is to continually strive for equality and essentially change in the system, we must not become frustrated, as we encounter hate or strife, that should just drive us that much more to find equality. If during the civil rights movement, all the hate crimes by whites were returned with hate crimes from african americans, nothing would have been accomplished. In fact we would STILL be seeing these same hate crimes, thus no evolution or change would have come.

Lil Wayne, Scumbag or Extraordinare?

With Lil Wayne's 7th album on the verge of being released to the masses of enthralled fans WORLDWIDE, I would like to bring a question to center stage. Is D'wayne Michael Carter, aka Lil Wayne aka Weezy F. Baby, a scumbag who thrives on glorification of drug abuse and feeling above the law, or a truly innovative human being?

Many black activists across the nation despise the young mogul solely due to the fact that he uses his stardom to glorify violence and the abuse of drugs. And i must say, for those looking to better the image of young African-Americans on a nationwide level, Mr. Carter proves to be an utter nightmare. "Long hair, don't even care," is the most simple way to describe the star from an outsider's perspective.

But when you dig deeper, when you scower the question and ponder it more thoroughly, the thought arises of whether he truly is a step beyond innovative. A man who recorded his first album as a mere 16 year-old, signed to one of the hottest record groups at the time, Cash Money Records, has evolved into a world figure. His music has given so many classes and breeds of people a common ground. Not only has D'wayne strengthened a fan base of young black Americans who reside in the nation's most impoverished areas, but he has also accrued a faithful fan base of young adolescents from middle and upper class families. The fact is, Lil Wayne is a Rock Star. His music is a genre of his own, there is rap, there is hip hop, there is rock, and then there is Lil Wayne. He has alone inspired a certain style and swagger among many of today's adolescents that is astounding. So many aspire to replicate the young star, whether its flaunting money, producing music in the manor in which he does, and yes... the drug abuse and violence. In a matter of time, Lil Wayne will take his innovations to a whole new level when he releases his newest album "Tha Carter III: Rebirth", a rock album. Having proven his thorough reign over the rap game, Wayne will attempt to broaden his throne to even the realm of rock. Who would've thought that a rapper would honestly be able to consider them self a Rock Star at the same time. His ability to produce music in genre I alone considered to be a "white mainly" genre, will prove to be his biggest move yet. I believe the release of this album will just unite so many more people of different walks of life, just validating his innovativeness. Bringing rockers, rappers, blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians, impoverished, rich, old and young together on one level. This album will not just make ripples in the pond, but waves in the ocean.

Guanta-NO-Mo Bay!

Two days in and our newly inaugurated president makes a defining statement, closing one of our nation's staple monuments, but for all the right reasons. How can we fight terror with terror and expect to see change. I am so excited for the future of our nation, i feel we are in great hands and its amazing to know i played my part in history!

Nationwide African American Studies, To Be Or Not To Be?

My views on this subject are plain and simple. If our goal as humans is to constantly fight the never-ending fight for equality, then one should ask why just African American Studies programs? What makes an AFAM program more important than Latin American, Asian American, Native American, or even a Caucasian American Studies program? I will be one of the first to say AFAM Studies programs in public universities across the nation do need some reform. I honestly don't think they are taken as seriously as they should be. With that said, the goal again should not be to create widespread awareness for only AFAM Studies and the culture it touches on, but for all cultures that are different from our own. If a student takes a course in any of the above stated cultural studies, becoming more aware and interested, that is a win for all sub-cultures. Awareness of the diversity on our planet is a win for everyone alike, or different.

The question then becomes, how, how do we go about reforming these programs and creating interest in the student body of these public universities? I believe it starts at the top, the presidents of these universities must first take their cultural studies programs serious before their student body can even consider taking an interest in these programs. The problem is obviously not funding, with the price of school in today's day and age, funding is far from the problem. Once university presidents begin to see the importance of cultural awareness and diversity, they will likely begin to increase funding to these programs. And though it may meet widespread disapproval, possibly requiring students to take a certain number of credit hours in a cultural studies program. If private universities like Baylor and Trinity can require you to take religious studies programs, then why can't public universities require students to take credit hours in cultural studies, its not different then requiring Gen. Ed. courses like Math and English.