...Racism Final Assignment RACISM Europe, Middle East, Britain and United States. by Lois C. Etete Prof Mehdi Nazer HUM: 112 June 13, 2012 Introduction This document will analyze the contemporary society but also discern present events patterns that will continue to be of consequences five to ten years hence. The paper will explain Racism as a serious problem confronting societies at the present time. The document will draw attention to the fact that these problems or issues are rooted in human civilization. Racism is the belief that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race and that some racial groups are superior to others. Racism and discrimination have been used as powerful weapons encouraging fear or hatred of others in times of conflict and war, and even during economic downturns. Racism is also a very touchy subject for some people, as issues concerning free speech and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights come into play. Some people argue that talking about supporting racial discrimination and prejudice is just words and that free speech should allow such views to be aired without restriction. Others point out that these words can lead to some very dire and serious consequences (the Nazi government policies being one example).Race: Are We So Different, Understanding Race, American Anthropological Association (AAA), July 8, 2009 In a short video the Understanding Race project from...
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...Will There Ever Be an End to Racism? A white woman pulls into a convenience store parking lot late one evening. As she gets out of her car she notices a shady figure begin to walk towards her. She becomes nervous and makes a quick entry into the store where she feels a bit safer. There is no one else in the store besides her and the cashier. She walks to the back of the store to retrieve the item she came for. She hears the door open and she turns around to see who entered the store. It is the same black male that she noticed in the parking lot. The black male begins to make his way to the back of the store. The woman’s nerves spike again and she hastily grabs what she came in to get and high tales it to the cashier. After she is checked out she bolts out of the store and back to her car, where she speeds out of the parking lot without looking back. This type of racism is not at all uncommon. All the black male wanted to do was buy the items he came for and leave, all while minding his own business. This type of racism occurs more often than not. America has come a long way from segregation back in the sixties, but college campuses still have a long way to go. According to Steele, college campuses all across America are experiencing racism (22) . The racism experiences can range from minimal things like the story above, or they can become more serious where black students have taken up protests to stop college racism. According to Steele’s research incidents...
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...Influences on the Middle East and trans-Atlantic slave trade In Race and Slavery in the Middle East An Historical Enquiry, the author, Bernard Lewis, tackles difficult subjects such as slavery and racism without prejudice and manages to explain the slave trade development in the Middle East along with the great influence and contribution it had on the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Whether it was by enforcing institutions, networks, commercial patterns or Middle Eastern concepts or by following different ways of the slave trade. With his impartial academic analysis, the reader is able to comprehend the history behind the region where slavery lasted the longest. His twenty-four colorful illustrations where the reader can appreciate the culture of slavery are a great example of local perceptions in the Middle East. Slavery in the Middle East was a tolerable institution. From the very beginning the reader can appreciate that “the institution of slavery indeed had been practiced from time immemorial” and thus establishing the slave trade in the Middle East as something passed down from ancient civilizations. Although the methods for obtaining slaves changed throughout the time something that stay in consistency about the slave trade in the Middle East was tolerance. Tolerance, for the Middle Eastern, not only meant acceptance but compassion. All communities were united in order to urge slave owners to treat their slaves as humanely as possible and to ensure this policy was followed...
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...------------------------------------------------- WRIT1301 ------------------------------------------------- Final Paper Assignment ------------------------------------------------- ROUGH DRAFT In television, and almost every other medium the media uses today, there’s a fine line between promoting and properly integrating diversity, and exploiting it. In this paper, I will be critically analyzing the hit television show, Lost, and how in leans more towards exploitation because of its incorporation of token characters from different races and genders, which hurts more than helps our society, particularly American society, in its goal of expelling racism and sexism. The racial and gender stereotypes displayed in the hit television show Lost contribute negatively to society and its attempt to expel racism and sexism. By having characters that blatantly follow both racial and gendered stereotypes broadcasted on one of the most popular American television shows, it communicates to its viewers that their own stereotypical views on different races and cultures are inherently true and further cement that view point into the American mindset. If you’ve never seen the television series Lost, then it’s safe to say you’re lost. Although the series has long come to a close, when it was being aired, it was one of the most talked about shows on television. The one thing people didn’t seem to notice, and neither did I until I looked at it with a very critical eye, is that a large amount...
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...anthropologists historically agreed on the existence of three relatively distinct groups: the Caucasoid, the Mongoloid, and the Negroid. “Criticism of the idea that there are clearly recognizable racial types does not imply that all human populations are uniform or that population cannot be grouped into larger units that, among themselves, have certain similarities” James C King (1981). The Caucasoid is characterized as pale reddish white to olive brown in skin colour, of medium to tall stature, with a long or broad head form. The hair is light blond to dark brown in colour, of a fine texture, and straight or wavy. The colour of the eyes is light blue to dark brown and the nose bridge is usually high and found in Europe, N Africa, and the Middle East to N India, The Mongoloid race has been described as saffron to...
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...Flag Wars is a 2003 American documentary that gives us an inside look over the conflict between two minority communities in the city of Columbus, Ohio. The film, which was shot over the course of four years, focuses on the city of Columbus, Ohio at a time in which the issue of gentrification occurred and how it arose racism, violence and crime amongst the African-American and White gay male population. Although this issue can be observed in any region of the United States the producers decide to focus on the particular neighborhood of Olde Towne East; a neighborhood that has recently been declared a historic district by the city officials of Columbus and brings about a numerous amount of restrictive housing codes. The documentary begins with...
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...However I agree with Malcolm’s dissatisfaction with the people watching the speech and some participating in the march. To throw away personal opinions and pretend to support a cause to seem “chic”, as Malcolm wrote, is disrespectful to the cause. It is also disappointing that money and publicity bring more people together than serious issues that need to be resolved. Even in the present time most people don’t care about other people’s suffering unless it affects them directly. Throughout history it is clearly shown that affecting a nation's money is a sure way to get some sort of change. For example, the United States would have had no interest in being involved with the Middle East if they didn’t have a rich oil supply. Because oil is a profitable and limited product, the United States ensures that the Middle Eastern countries’ affairs don’t affect oil fields. The only thing that matters is profitable oil, not human lives....
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...“The life where nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without color, pain or past.” (Lois Lowry). This quote defines a dystopia. A dystopia is an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. On the other side is a utopia where everything is perfect. They both relate to each other as they are an imagined place or state. There are tons of problems in the world today. One of them being pollution. Pollution has caused problems for everyone. Fishes and sea creatures are being affected because of water pollution, air pollution causing millions of people their lives. The Sulfur Dioxide emissions engender acid rain and prompt chronic respiratory disease. Lung cancer, heart disease, even damage to the brain nerves, liver or kidneys. To fix these problems I should purpose zero emission cars, prohibiting the use of cars running on diesel or petrol. Zero emission cars run on electricity produce no air pollution and noise pollution. Also banning the use of natural resources that can cause pollution and using wind and water to generate electricity. These raw materials are harmful and can run out. On the other hand Wind and Water power are a great source for generating energy at a low cost infinitely. Another issue that exists in our community is shortage of money for a lot of people. Money is the current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; coins and...
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...I know that you and I long for peace in the Middle East, but before you continue to talk about necessary conditions from an Israeli perspective, you need to know what?s on my mind. Where to begin? How about 1964.Let me quote my own words during my trial. They are true today as they were then: ?I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.? Today the world, black and white, recognize that Apartheid has no future. In South Africa it has been ended by our own decisive mass action in order to build peace and security. That mass campaign of defiance and other actions could only culminate in the establishment of Democracy. Perhaps it is strange for you to observe the situation in Palestine or more specifically, the structure of political and cultural relationships between Palestinians and Israelis, as an Apartheid system. This is because you incorrectly think that the problem of Palestine began in 1967. This was demonstrated in your recent column ?Bush?s First Memo? in the New York Times on March 27, 2001. You seem to be surprised to hear that there are still problems of 1948 to be solved, the most important component of which is the right to return of Palestinian refugees...
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...Introduction The social construction of the “Muslim race” has influenced the racialisation of the community on the basis of their Muslim identity. The racialisation process has been exacerbated by the recent terror attacks in France and Belgium, resulting in the unjust attachment of these acts to the Muslim community. Anti-Muslim racism is now the predominant form of racism in Britain, manifesting itself on an institutional and individual level (Mahamadille, 2005). This essay aims to discuss the reality of anti-Muslim racism in Britain through processes of racialisation and through manifestations of anti-Muslim hostility and discrimination. But first emphasis is placed on how “the Muslim race” has become socially constructed by mainstream British society. Social Construction of “Muslim Race” Social constructionists share the belief that categorisation on the basis of biologically transmitted traits is a pseudo that traditionally was used to justify the unequal treatment of certain groups by others (mainly relating to skin colour) (Machery, 2005). Biology, religion and culture merely provide the materials from which we socially construct the ideas of difference and community. Scholars now widely believe that race is socially constructed as opposed to biologically based (Bonilla, 1997). The “Muslim Race” is arguably the greatest example of a socially constructed race in recent times. Despite major differences in skin colour, nationality and culture, the Muslim community have...
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...Use of Social Psychology Theories to Understand Racism and Marginalization in In Search of Respect In the book, In Search of Respect, Philippe Bourgois conveys the “individual experience of social structural oppression” of the second and third generation immigrants living in East Harlem (Bourgois 2006: 15). He conducted a participant-observer study of the ethnic groups living in El Barrio primarily focusing on Puerto Ricans. He discusses East Harlem’s cultural history emphasizing the racial tension that still exists today. Bourgois notes the street culture associated with residents in El Barrio, “In this particular case of the United States, the concentration of socially marginalized populations into politically and ecologically isolated inner-city enclaves has fomented an especially explosive cultural creativity that is in defiance of racism and economic marginalization” (Bourgois 2006: 8). By using social psychology to describe racism and marginalization, one can see that psychological theories can be used to explain the racial tension, substance abuse, and frustration with mainstream society of the people who live in El Barrio. Social marginalization prevented many immigrants from engaging in normal activities within the society they live. Prior to the Puerto Rican invasion of El Barrio in the 1930’s and 1940’s, Italians immigrated to America and lived in El Barrio. El Barrio has always been stigmatized, “the streets of East Harlem have always produced violent, substance-abusing...
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...Rdavis UNCG The Islamic World Islam and Terrorism: How do you see the relationship between Islam and terrorism? Many of us Americans do impulsively equate Islam with terrorism. I can’t say that this has always been true for me. Even before I started educating myself about the Middle East and the Muslim religion I would think twice before making those knee-jerk judgments. Being an African American women in a Christian based America, I have learned about racism 1st hand, the hypocrisy of the Christian church and that things are not always one sided. Growing up in the Heart of New York City also showed me how many races of people from different cultures and religions have lived amongst each other relatively peacefully. Islam is said to be the world’s second largest religion. If Islam equaled terrorism the U.S. and other parts of the world would have been under tremendous fire by the Muslims for many years. I don’t feel that Islam equates terrorism. We all have our differences but we are all human. With that said there are moral and immoral humans, there are moral Muslims and immoral Muslims. The violence we see today stems from a radical form of Islam and I believe this to be different from the mainstream beliefs of the Islamic community. There are differences between Islam and Islamism. Islamism is said to be a complex ideology of Islam. This ideology is often identified as radical and political. Islam is a religion...
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...Though slavery has been around for decades, racism actually began with the enslavement of Africans during the sixteenth century. Slave trade was one of the main promoters of racism during that time. Prior, however, skin color did not define racial attitudes. This extending type of trade gave birth to the idea of races being regarded by their skin color. In To Kill a Mockingbird, racism is noticeable in both the text and globally. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, racist acts and events occur many times throughout the story. It is evident in this novel when Scout and Jem pass Mrs. Dubose’s house. Mrs. Dubose explains “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!”(Lee ch. 11). This quote shows the hatred toward the Finch’s because of Atticus defending a black man. Mrs. Dubose clearly thinks of black people as “trash”. Bob Ewell shows how racist through many events in the story. One example is when he is on the witness stand and says “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella” (17. 231). Bob obviously doesn’t care what he says about others at all, even standing in front of a huge audience and the judge. He represents a definite bias towards white people and would do anything to hurt a black man. The Ewell family is pretty intolerant when it comes to the general public and especially the black community. Cecil Jacobs had his part in the prejudice events when he tells Scout “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta...
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...against black Americans; detractors accused him of preaching racism and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm X was effectively orphaned early in life. His father was killed when he was six and his mother was placed in a mental hospital when he was thirteen, after which he lived in a series of foster homes. In 1946, at age 20, he went to prison for larceny and breaking and entering. While in prison, Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam, and after his parole in 1952, quickly rose to become one of the organization's most influential leaders. He served as the public face of the controversial group for a dozen years. In his autobiography, Malcolm X wrote proudly of some of the Nation's social achievements made while he was a member, particularly its free drug rehabilitation program. In keeping with the Nation's teachings, he promoted black supremacy, advocated the separation of black and white Americans, and rejected the civil rights movement for their emphasis on integration. By March 1964, Malcolm X had grown disillusioned with the Nation of Islam and its leader Elijah Muhammad. Expressing many regrets about his time with them, which he had come to regard as largely wasted, he embraced Sunni Islam. After a period of travel in Africa and the Middle East, which included completing the Hajj, he repudiated the Nation of Islam, disavowed racism and founded Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American...
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...Racism and Power A Formal Research Paper on Racism HSP-3UI-03 Jenna Yates 06/16/2014 -1- Introduction Over the generations, there have been horrific examples of racism around the globe. The holocaust, the slave trade and Apartheid in South Africa are all examples of appalling events throughout history that display racism. In addition to these extreme examples, racism exists on a smaller scale in peoples day to day lives. For example, there are people who face certain disadvantages, like being denied employment, denied an apartment or denied a friendship all because of their race. While there is definitely a movement to eradicate racist actions and beliefs, they still exist. Despite education and a history of horrible experiences with racism, it is still a huge issue in our culture and in our environment. This is so, because there is always a group who benefits from racism and it is hard to let this power and privileges go. Racism has been an effective tool for those in a position of power and privilege to maintain their status, income, recourses, the ability to make decisions, etc. Racism empowers some and disempowers others. Even though we have seen the down side of racism, it is something we continue to repeat from country to country and decade to decade because we know it works to maintain power. Despite all the advances society has seen in research, knowledge and technology, mankind has not been able to abolish racism. Therefore, in spite of our understanding...
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