Section A
-Focus on attitudes to race in Obama’s America 1. Give an outline of the different attitudes to the situation of African Americans presented in text 1, 2 and 3.
Yolanda Young’s text (text 1 - “Black is being seen in a whole new light”) is about her own experience. She writes about that nearly 20 years ago, she could walk down the street and not being noticed at all, as if she was invisible. But since Obama got elected she now gets noticed and she becomes overwhelmed with compliments. Yolanda Young is stating the fact that, in the modern world, there are many black stars “Of course there have always been black women who were embraced as beautiful: super-models Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell come to mind”. Also a test was made with a couple of black children. The children was handed over a white and a black doll and was asked which of the dolls were the best and the prettiest. Almost half of them said that it was the white doll.
Eric Holder’s text (text 2 - “Black History Month”) is about a speech which he is making. His attitude against the black people in the US is very positive. He thinks that it is really important that everyone is treated equally, and that everyone, no matter race, is feeling welcome in the country. “As a nation we have done a pretty good job in melding the races in the workplace”. People have to talk honest and openly about the racial problems in order create a gathered nation.
Walter Backstrom’s text (text 3 - “The obsession over race continues”) is about a meeting with a kindergarten teacher. Walter Backstrom thought that the children at that age, was only taught about colors and the ABC’s. That he was wrong about. He explains a little about a book that deals with the relationship between black and white people. “That is all we need: A book that makes white people feel guilty and black people feel like victims – in