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"When Affirmative Action was White", 2008.
A critical review of Ira Katznelson's, "When Affirmative Action was White".
1,447 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
The paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of Ira Katznelson's book, "When Affirmative Action was White". The paper looks at the main idea of the book, some key supporting ideas or themes and the perspective the author assumes with regards to the historical record. The paper shows how although Katznelson presents a credible argument, his ideas are clearly biased.
From the Paper
"The primary focus of Katznelson's book is to argue that affirmative action is not something that emerged substantively in the 1960s but, rather, has its roots in the policy decisions of the 1930s and 1940s. Specifically, policies crafted in that seemingly long-ago time dealt with issues like welfare and work in ways that marginalized the overwhelming majority of African-Americans - and this marginalization is still be felt even today. Furthermore, the inequalities that ostensibly found their expression in the legislation of the period were largely the product of trying to please Southern Democrats; to put it another way, Democratic representatives of the American south bristled at any attempt to elevate the condition of the "negro" and many of their Northern colleagues (on both sides of the aisle, apparently) ably assisted them in efforts to thwart meaningful reform (Katznelson, X). In a real sense, Katznelson wants to emphasize how the struggles of the past remain very much the struggles of the present - and how affirmative action today is only incompletely dealing with the issue of racial inequality."
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Integration and Nationalism During the Civil Rights Era, 2008.
An examination of two dominant philosophies from the civil rights era: Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam.
1,465 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the theories of the two leaders that have come to symbolize the American civil rights era: Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam. The paper discusses these different theories on integration and African-American identity. The paper then argues that the civil rights era brought to the forefront some diametrically opposed theories on the solutions to the African-American dilemma in the United States. The paper also looks at the intrinsic and fundamental differences of two dominant philosophies from that turbulent era: the one embracing America and working within the context of the founding fathers and the Constitution, the other dismissing the intentions of the founders and unveiling the unfulfilled promises of the constitution. In conclusion, the paper shows that both met with success, and both contributed to the overdue "cracking open" of the race issue in the United States.
From the Paper
"Any attempt to understand the turbulent post-World War Two decades in the US must commence with this assertion: the civil rights movement was not the unexpected child of the 1950s and 1960s, but rather, the climactic achievement of decades, if not centuries, of toil and struggle. However, it was during these decades that the idea of civil rights (that is, African-American civil rights) permeated the national consciousness as never before. A casual perusal of the harrowing images from that period may lead one (wrongly) to assume that the African-American community's stance on the issues of the period was unanimous and impervious to internal fragmentation. Civil rights leaders did agree on one seminal issue--mainly, that the conditions in which most African-Americans, and particularly those in the South, found themselves living in were simply intolerable."
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Was Conrad Racist?, 2008.
This paper critically examines Chinua Achebe's essay "Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'".
1,067 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses Chinua Achebe's claim that Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" was intentionally racist. The paper examines the historical context of the novella and argues that Conrad was a man of the times, with its prejudices, values and its dehumanizing view of people of color. The paper further contends that the picture Conrad paints is merely a true representation of African life as he witnessed it.
From the Paper
"Chinua Achebe wrote a radical easy in 1975 claiming that the Heart of Darkness was not the great work of art that it is depicted as due to the racism that is so prevalent in the novella. Achebe even went a step further to say that Conrad was a racist and that he intentionally wrote into the Heart of Darkness his racist views. Historically it has been argued since the publication of the Heart of Darkness in 1897 that Conrad wrote of the Congolese he knew through his work as a seaman and that his life in Europe, specifically Poland where he resided was a great factor in his writing of imperialism."
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Integrationism and African-American Nationalism, 2008.
This paper compares the difference between the political ideas of integrationism and African-American nationalism during the Civil Rights era in the US.
950 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that both the integrationists and the African-American nationalists were stirred to action by the racism directed against African Americans in the US. The author describes that, while the integrationists favored non-violence, the African-American nationalists were prepared to use violence. The paper further relates that integrationists would work with whites; whereas, the African-American nationalists would not. Additionally, the author relates that the integrationists wanted a future of living harmoniously with whites even as the African-American nationalists wanted a future of living separately and making their race strong, proud and independent. The paper concludes that neither group achieved its aims because the US remains deeply troubled by racism today.
From the Paper
"Another important different between the two groups was the goal they aimed for. It was not as simple as wanting to end oppression, racism and discrimination. Both sides were working towards their own vision of the future. The integrationists wanted an integrated future in which both races would live side by side in peace. This was expressed in the speech given by the most well-known integrationist,Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His most famous speech sums up his dream of an integrated future, in which all races live together in harmony."
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The Harlem Renaissance and "Negro Art", 2008.
This paper explores the concept of "Negro Art" from the Harlem Renaissance period by analyzing the philosophies of two of that movement's central leaders.
1,440 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the philosophies of three leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance--Langston Hughes, George Schuyler and W.E.B. DuBois. The paper describes Langston Hughes' "The Negro and the Racial Mountain" in which he attempts to prove that the desire to not be associated with a specific ethnic class is tantamount to racial self-hatred. The author then explains that George Schuyler in his "The Negro Art Hokum" argues that African-American artists are not some sort of unified bloc and that the imposition of subject matter and style is belittling and racist. Next, the author of the paper applies the conclusions of Hughes and Schuyler to two paintings by Beauford Delaney, a prominent painter of the Harlem Renaissance. The paper concludes that the fairest and most logical approach to the study of "Negro Art" lies somewhere between Langston Hughes and George Schuyler.
From the Paper
"Another of Delaney's works that highlights the necessity of forming a compromise between Hughes' and Schuyler's contrasting theories on art is his famous pastel drawing of James Baldwin, the American writer and novelist. Although the two were close friends, Delaney does not attempt to transmit, through his strokes, a sense of his love of and appreciation for Baldwin. Had he wanted to do that, he surely would have created a different portrait than the eerie, anxiety-riddled, and yellow-hued portrait that he actually made."
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African-Americans and Civil Rights, 2008.
This paper discusses the differences between the integrationist movement and African-American Nationalism during the civil rights era.
976 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
The paper compares the two approaches to the American Civil Rights Movement: the moderate integrationist movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the more radical African-American nationalism movement, associated with Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party. The paper shows the intense rivalry between these two different approaches. The paper points out, however, that they were working for the same ideal of true equality for African Americans.
From the Paper
"The Civil Rights struggle was the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights to whites in the USA. It took place mainly in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of those involved in the struggle preferred moderate means. A famous integrationist was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the other hand, some activists were more radical. Most of these radical activists did not believe in working with whites. This is referred to as African American Nationalism. Famous African American Nationalists include Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party."
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Black Women Organizations, 2008.
This paper examines the influence of black women's movements in the past century.
1,760 words (approx. 7.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 56.95
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Abstract
The paper explores how various organizations played important, although different, roles in the advance of black women in America. The paper looks at the organizations of Mary Church Terrell, Mary McLeod Bethune, Dorothy Height and Helena Wilson and shows how they reflected differing attitudes on matter of class, race, and gender.
From the Paper
"In the early twentieth century, the National Association of Colored Women (the "Association"), the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (the "Auxiliary"), and the National Council of Negro Women (the "Council") played important although different roles in the advance of blacks in America. These organizations' leaders, especially Mary Church Terrell, Mary McLeod Bethune, Dorothy Height, and Helena Wilson, shaped the rising strength of movements among black women. In their various efforts, they reflected differing attitudes on matter of class, race, and gender."
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Nat Turner: Slave Resistance and Revolution for Freedom, 2008.
A discussion of Nat Turner's inspiring story of slave resistance, and its implications for America today.
1,143 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the story of Nat Turner's rebellion and its effect on slave resistance. The paper explains that Turner's story is significant because it meant different things for many people in America. For blacks, Turner was a symbol of hope and resistance, and to Southern whites, he represented their greatest fear, that the oppressed blacks would not tolerate their conditions much longer. The paper looks at how Turner's "confession" helped to galvanize the anti-slavery movement in the North. The paper then points out that it is important that Americans acknowledge the slave rebellions because they meant so many different things to many different people. The paper also suggests that knowing that slaves fought courageously for their natural rights might inspire modern-day African Americans and replace some of the defeatist attitude that is evident in some black cultures. It would also make white America acknowledge their sins of the past and come to terms with them. The writer believes that by understanding and acknowledging America's dark past, the country can make a better effort to atone for the mistakes of the past by helping many African Americans bring their standard of living up to that of other American ethnic groups.
From the Paper
"Before he died, he told his story to Thomas Gray, who turned it into the book, "The Confessions of Nat Turner". Gray manipulated much of Turner's story to portray the rebellious slaves not as people pushed to their limits and fighting for their natural rights, but as savages bent on bloodthirsty revenge. This story sent shockwaves throughout the divided country. Many Southerners used it as justification to commit violent crimes against blacks and to enforce stricter slavery laws."
Turner's story is significant because it meant different things for many people in America. For blacks, Turner was a symbol of hope and resistance. He was a spiritual man who was doing what God had told him to do. To Southern whites, he represented their greatest fear, that the oppressed blacks would not tolerate their conditions much longer. His "confession" helped to galvanize the anti-slavery movement in the North."
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Difficulties Following the Abolition of Slavery, 2008.
A discussion of the difficulties that many African Americans continued to face after the abolition of slavery due to their relationship with White Southerners.
868 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper details some of the difficulties that African Americans continued to face after the abolition of slavery. It looks especially closely at the relationships between Black and White Southerners and the perceptions that these two groups had about one another. The paper discusses issues of ownership, perception, status and violence.
From the Paper
"After the end of slavery, Blake notes that it was also hard for blacks to have anything of value for their own. As slaves, they were allowed things like whiskey and food and other extra items. But as a hired person working as a sharecropper, "we couldn't make nothing, just overalls and something to eat" (Blake). It seems that the white man had become used to making so much from slaves, that he still found a way to make as much by making sure the blacks just made even less than they had before. Life after slavery found blacks with even less than they had materially as slaves."
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The Civil Rights Era, 2008.
This paper discusses the difference between African-American nationalism and integrationism during the Civil Rights era.
750 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, simultaneously, during the Civil Rights era, profound activities brought about the demise of legislature that bound African Americans to second class citizenship and created a new consciousness among African Americans. The author points out that some African Americans wanted to be self-sufficient with a common national separate identity and an independent ideology rather than try to acculturate with mainstream America. The paper relates that other African Americans believed in the political ideas of integrationism, which did not entail the development of an independent ideology among African Americans but rather was more involved in the acceptance of African Americans into the cultural, political and economic activities of the overall social structure in America.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
African American Nationalism and Integrationism: Differences during the Civil Rights Era
Conclusion
From the Paper
"Frantz Fanon wrote that, the process of decolonization, and the mental scar of black subjugation, required black nationalism, including blacks in America, to be a process marred with violence, as a sign of struggle for national liberation. Integrationsim does not hold this view, since the necessary aim, it not "purging" activity, but more so , the construct of a political ideology, that allows African Americans the same rights as other races - 'whites'."
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