...Africa serves as a backdrop for white fantasies of conquest and heroism. From the colonial project to Out of Africa to The Constant Gardener and Kony 2012, Africa has provided a space onto which white egos can conveniently be projected. It is a liberated space in which the usual rules do not apply: a nobody from America or Europe can go to Africa and become a godlike savior or, at the very least, have his or her emotional needs satisfied. Many have done it under the banner of ‘making a difference’.” * Teju Cole, “The White Savior Industrial Complex.” “When a warlord continues to kill and torture across a swath of Congo and Central African Republic, that’s not a white man’s burden. It’s a human burden. To me, it feels repugnant to suggest that compassion should stop at a national boundary or color line. A common humanity binds us all, whatever the color of our skin — or passport.” * Nicholas Kristof, “Viral Video, Vicious Warlord.” Taken together, the essays cited above work as a marvelous (and heated) example of argument and counterargument. Responding to the Kony 2012 video, Cole and Kristof fundamentally disagree over the effectiveness and appropriateness of humanitarian intervention in third-world countries. For Kristof, “complexity” is an excuse for inaction; he chides “armchair cynics” and praises the “uncertain” efforts of Kony 2012. Cole, on the other hand, sees these efforts as a way to “satisfy the…sentimental needs of white people…” He criticizes American...
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...at all. E.B. White's essay Once More to the lake, evokes tones of pleasure and melancholy as he examines the relationships between father and son, realizing that past memories have an enormous effect on the present, and finally concluding that mankind has a foolish way of letting death sneak upon us. White's essay is about a man recounting his childhood summer's at the Lake with his family; his narrative is calm and unassuming. The essay begins with the yearning to relive secure memories of simple happiness. White's main character states, " I have since become a salt-water man, but sometimes in summer...
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...To Kill a Mockingbird Thematic Essay In many cases, people expect illusions and not even consider the possible reality. In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, the people of Maycomb county tend believe in a lot of exaggerated truths and not the true reality of things. A character Harper Lee includes as a major focus within the novel is Boo (Arthur) Radley. Boo Is described as a monster and most of the kids in Maycomb are petrified of him, as Jem points out to Dill, “Jem said if Dill wanted to get himself killed, all he had to do was go up and knock on the front door.” (Lee 16). Boo was said to 6½ feet tall, had yellow teeth that he used to eat squirrels and rodents, and a long jagged scar across his face. These rumors cause the Finch children to be constantly preoccupied in finding ways to catch a glance at him. As the story continues, the kids start to add up all of the events that...
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...Imperialism essay Imperialism is when a stronger country takes over the weaker countries for reasons such as for political, social or economic. Imperialism has been a major form in shaping the modern world. The effects of imperialism have been interpreted by many different views. The major imperialism occurred during the late 19th century and early 20th century, and had more negative effects in the modern world than the positive. One of its positive side is seen in document 4, where we can see that they were part of a modern culture and the colonial owners were responsible for providing security for a person and his or her land. They were also responsible for the opening of region to the lumberman, miner, and planter to the colony. After this occurred, they were considered part of a modern day culture. A negative effect is seen in document one where it says the white rulers live at the expense of the natives. Took their territory by force, and the most fertile land and minerals re owned by the whites. In this document you can see that the colonies did he work while the white man sat and watched. They had no freedom and had to sit in the mother country and work. Another negative effect is seen in document 2 when it said “civilization was nothing less than savagery”.in this quote you can see that the colonists make themselves superior to the blacks indicating that whatever the blacked do for civilization is savagery and that brought down their self-confidence. In document 3...
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...tools and farming methods, which helped, increase food production. These changes meant less death to smaller colonies, and overall improve the state of living. They now could live longer and have better sanitation compared to the earlier imperialism. A negative effect is seen document two-called "Colonization." In the picture you can see that the colonies doing the mother countrys hard work did not civilize the smaller colonies. They were put to work as cheap labor. They had no freedom, had to do what the mother country said since it has so much towering power over them, they were exploited and were taken advantage of. Another negative effect is seen in document four called "Missionaries." In this quote you can see that when the white people came to the Africans they had nothing but power over...
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...Thematic Essay Practice: Imperialism Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several body paragraphs that address the task below, and a conclusion. Be specific! Use examples from class and/or homework assignments to illustrate your key ideas. Theme: Imperialism Since 1500, countries have pursued a policy of expansion known as imperialism for a variety of reasons. The effects of this policy can be viewed from different perspectives. Task: Select one country that engaged in imperialism since 1500 and: Discuss the reasons (at least two reasons!) this country engaged in imperialism Discuss the effects of imperialism from the perspective of the people or society taken over Discuss the effects of imperialism...
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...rough treatment have all contributing to the ever-present problem. The abuse we see from police officers today is similar to when ending segregation was a national issue. The mistreatment then caused riots to be seen in the news. Police abusing their power has again taken their toll on communities. Recently, just as it did in the past. But today luckily, we have stopped the violence and moved to peaceful protests and marches As Baldwin says in Notes of a Native Son, “It was better not to judge the man who had gone down under an impossible burden. It was better to remember: Thou knowest this man's fall, but thou knowest not his wrassling” (1335). I take this to mean you can't judge people because they crack under a wight, but that you need to understand them and see why they acted the way they did. On August 1, 1943 a World War II veteran , Robert Bandy, was shot in the arm when coming to the aid of a black woman named Margie Polite. The white police officer , James Collins, had gotten called to the incident because Polite had been unruly and loud at a hotel and yelling at staff (“Harlem Riots of 1943”). When Collins tried to arrest Polite, Bandy appeared to defend her. After a brief argument, Bandy struck Collins with his own nightstick and Collins shot Bandy in the shoulder.Rumor spread that Bandy had been killed and the people of Harlem became incensed. By August 2, stores had been looted and property had been destroyed. A total of 16,100 men were deployed to stop the riots...
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...Despite the necessity of different states working together in order to make the modern world function, there have been many instances where one country has had almost a totalitarian power over the rest of the world. Wallerstein describes this as a hegemon, and states that these nations, specifically the United States for a period of time, “[dominated] the world economy” and were able to “get their way politically.” Colonialism definitely explains the ways in which hegemony, and the “white race’s superiority” was a prevalent issue at the time, and a great example to show this is the idea of the ‘White Man’s Burden.’ The United States, that was defined as a hegemon, colonized indigenous land and saw it as the white man’s burden to civilize the...
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...Adam Dees Dr. Herman WOH1030 2 April 2015 Impact of British Imperialism In the late 1800’s, European nations only controlled about 10 percent of the continent of Africa, France to the north and Britain to the south (Edgar, 2008). As time goes by, other countries gain conquests, mostly in western areas of Africa. This essay will go over a few key points in history that led to the Age of Imperialism and the British colonization of Southern Africa. The essay will also identify key players in this age. Southern Africa was known for its gold and other valuable items that made it so appealing to Europeans. This and many other reasons led to wars over the areas that had high gold content. In the mid-1800’s European nations begin seizing power over countries in Africa. “By World War I Ethiopia and Liberia were the only countries not under European control.” (Edgar, 2008). In Belgium, King Leopold II had aspirations of conquest in African nations (Edgar, 2008). In 1876, he started the IAA or the International African Association in which he hires Henry Stanley to lead up exploration of this uncharted area (Edgar, 2008). Stanley was also dispatched to ascertain the whereabouts of David Livingstone, another famed explorer that was lost in the Congo (“Sir Henry…). When Stanley found Livingstone they became friends until his death in 1872 at Lake Bangweulu. Stanley continued where Livingstone left off, however and helped in the development of the Congo (“Sir Henry…). In a journal...
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...HIS 102: Paper # 1 Imperialism There are many different opinions about imperialism and the “Age of Imperialism.” From a variety of people, like economists, writers, soldiers, and senators, all vary in opinion and idea about imperialism. This essay compares and contrasts the views from a J. A. Hobson, Rudyard Kipling, Frederick Lugard, and Albert Beveridge. In J. A. Hobson’s document, “Imperialism,” Hobson argues that the motivation for imperialism was not driven by the well being and advantages for the nation, but by the interests and private gains of different social classes. By reading this document, you can get the impression that Hobson felt that imperialism was a result from demoralization of certain classes. According to Hobson, imperialism was not just inessential for a nation, but obscene as well. This clashes with why Hobson felt that the underdeveloped countries were so desirable to build their economic assets with. He summarizes that these desirable and fortunate investments appealed to the favored classes because it gave these classes more than what was needed in sources of income. Also, Hobson was one hundred percent against imperialism and argued that the impact of imperialism was negative. In the text he states, “It is the besetting sin of all successful States, and its penalty is unalterable in the order of nature” (456). That statement lets the reader know exactly how Hobson felt about imperialism and its impact as a whole. Hobson even mentions in the text...
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...This course introduces students to post-secondary studies in English through world literatures in English. Focusing on materials from an array of historical and cultural contexts, it will address the intersections between culture, language, oral traditions, and literatures in a global perspective. Students will examine representative genres including poems, plays, novels, short stories, and essays from several countries, in order to appreciate the diversity of English, both spoken and written, as well as perspectives and cultures not their own. Learning outcomes and objectives include becoming stronger critical readers, academic writers and editors, as well as active, thinking participants of global cultures, appreciating the role of English within them. A minimum of 30% of class time will be devoted to writing instruction. This can take many forms, including graded written assignments, informal writing, writing workshops, free-writing exercises, stylistic analysis, research skills, peer editing, multiple drafts, and ungraded writing. Students will be required to write at least two essays which will be marked and formally graded. During the course, students will write at least 3000 words. Required Texts: Concert of Voices: An Anthology of World Writing in English 2nd edition Ed. Victor J. Ramraj (Broadview Press) The Sign of Four Arthur Conan Doyle ed. Shafquat Towheed (Broadview Press) The Reluctant Fundamentalist Mohsin Hamid (Anchor Canada) Recommended Text: ...
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...Essay - Great Britain Between the late 16th and early 18th centuries Great Britain was the world's biggest empire to date, and controlled almost a fourth of the known world. This massive empire was achieved through bloody conquest and suppression of the native population in every country, which Great Britain got into contact with. In the time of the empire, artists created paintings of this great nation, they painted its great fights and conquests of the new worlds that were discovered. Britain was portrayed as a fair and just ruler of the savages, but this was far from the truth, because Britain just exploited the countries and brought along with its rule enslavement of entire populations, which was maintained by ruling with an iron fist. Many in Britain today still believe that imperial times were a glorious period that the inhabitants of the Britain should be admiring and looking up to. But imperial Britain wrought so much pain to the populations that was suppressed and forced into slave like conditions for the good of the empire, even though the British Empire helped create infrastructure in their occupied land and laid the foundation for new democracies. In the two following articles and the documentary “Seven Ages of Britain -Episode 6 Age of Empire” will the topic of whether or not Britons should be apologetic for their time as an empire be analysed and discussed. The article: “British Empire: Students should be taught colonialism ‘not all good’, say historians”...
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...Charities are outmoded institutions that have no contribution to make to modern society. What is needed are social enterprises. Discuss. Introduction In this essay I will start by looking at definitions of both “Charities” and “Social Enterprises” before going on to look at a short history of the development of the voluntary sector in the UK. I will then move on to examine the arguments suggesting that charities have become outmoded and the perceived benefits of social enterprises as an alternative approach. In the final section I attempt to critically assess these arguments and to draw some conclusions. Some definitions Charities are essentially organisations established to provide some form of public good, with most of their funding being generated through donations from individuals, companies or government departments. In the UK a charity must be registered with the Charity Commission and the purposes of the charity must meet the “public benefit requirement”. Its purposes will be defined in its governing document or constitution, and ALL of its purposes must be exclusively charitable. This is the main distinction between charities and social enterprises. This latter term is used to describe a wide range of organisations which are run as businesses (and often constituted as companies rather than charities) but don’t exist purely to make money for their stakeholders. Instead they have other goals such as to benefit the community, the environment or any other social interest...
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...Eating Sugar An essay by Nadia Khattab Humans are often afraid of the unknown, whether it is different cultures, challenges, food, etc. In “Eating Sugar” the fear of the unknown is focused on the encounter with a different culture, the Thai. The setting is a Thai jungle where the couple Alex and Eileen are visiting their daughter, who is a 21 year old English teacher. They have been forced to go there in April, when the humidity and heat is at its worst. The parents are uneasy with the situation, as they are suspicious of the Thai’s intentions. They end up in the middle of the jungle, where a marketplace was supposed to be. The place is empty, and no people are to be seen. When the Thais appear, it’s very interesting to interpret the different reactions that the family members have to the Thais. Both parents are extremely nervous, and expect the worst from the Thais. The daughter on the other hand, who knows the Thai because she lives and works in Thailand, is not at all afraid. She is very glad that she has met other people. One of the Thais speak English, and he tells her that a car is going to come by soon. The mother, who constantly shows her anxiety, is worried a car might come by, and that there is no guarantee. The daughter is throughout the whole story very calm, and keeps insuring her parents that it’s going to be all right. The roles have been switched, and the child is now the responsible one, and the parents are panicky. “Suzanne, their brave twenty-one-year...
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...International Journal in English ISSN 0976-8165 Empire and Excess: Kipling and the Critique of Said’s Orientalism Sourit Bhattacharya Edward Said’s Orientalism remains one of the most influential books of the last quarter of twentieth century. In an informative manner, Said locates the seeds of Orientalism right in the medieval European imagination that solidifies itself in the nineteenth century. It is through knowledge, power, reason, scientific technologies and disciplinary set-up, philosophical supremacy and commercial benefit that the Europeans tried to redefine and restructure the East. The result was the emergence of a new form of ‘power’ based on information and control. Behind all the sacrificial and religious garb of the ‘white man’s burden’, Said notes, there runs hideous machinery that distorts the forms of knowledge, and remoulds the subject-object relationship in a Eurocentric mirror reflection. The orient becomes a textual study, a place, seen in mass, and considered to be transformed in such implacable homogeneity. Said writes: “In the system of knowledge about the Orient, the orient is less a place than a topos, a set of references, a congeries of characteristics, that seems to have its origin in a quotation, or a fragment of a text, or a citation from someone’s work on the Orient.”1 The Orient, like the ‘terra nullius’ notion of Australian imperialism, never exists, or exists in a manner which is vast, amorphous, and intractable. A proper administration of it...
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