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.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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.
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.
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