Frederick Douglas Essays (1241 words) - Slave Narratives

Frederick Douglas Frederick Douglass' Name & the Duality of His Nature Frederick Douglass was an emancipated slave who passed from one master to another until he finally found the satisfaction of being his own; he went through almost as many names as masters. His mother's family name, traceable at least as far back as 1701 (FD, 5) was Bailey, the name he bore until his flight to freedom in 1838. His father may or may not have been a white man named Anthony, but Douglass never firmly validated or rejected this possibility. During transit to New York (where he became a freedman) his name became Stanley, and upon arrival he changed it again to Johnson. In New Bedford, where there were too many Johnson's, he found it necessary to change it once more, and his final choice was Douglass, taken, as suggested to him by a white friend and benefactor, from a story by Sir Walter Scott (although the character in that story bore only a single 's' in his name). All throughout, he clung to Frederick, to 'preserve a sense of my identity' (Norton, 1988). This succession of names is illustrative of the transformation undergone by one returning from the world of the dead, which in a sense is what the move from oppression to liberty is. Frederick Douglass not only underwent a transformation but, being intelligent and endowed with the gift of Voice, he brought back with him a sharp perspective on the blights of racism and slavery. Dropped into America during the heat of reform as he was, his appearance on the scene of debate, upon his own self-emancipation, was a valuable blessing for the abolitionists. In their struggles so far, there had been many skilled arguers but few who could so convincingly portray the evils of slavery, an act which seemed to demand little short of firsthand experience, but which also required a clear understanding of it. Douglass had both, and proved himself an incredibly powerful weapon for reform. While the identity of his father is uncertain, it is generally accepted that the man was white, giving Douglass a mixed ancestry. Mirroring this, he was also blessed with an eye that could bring into focus different perspectives and, just as many multi-racial children today are able to speak multiple languages with ease, he had the ability to translate in the most eloquent fashion between the worlds of the black man and white man. Thus, ironically, the torturous beginning of Douglass' existence was inadvertently made (by him) into a treasure for 'us' (being mainly white America). The story of the American Dream, wherein a young man, born into a hostile world, never loses sight of one goal, is not all that distant in theme from Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass. The story of the American Dream has been embedded deeply in our (American) culture from the beginning. Similarly anchored in the American consciousness is the presence of a 'slavery-complex'. Along these lines Douglass' role is a major one, for relatively few first-hand accounts of slavery as powerful and representative as his exist, in light of the magnitude of the crime, and few voices have been as far-reaching. More recent heirs of this 'office' such as Malcolm X have carried the torch further, just as America's racial sickness still clings to our collective consciousness. Frederick Douglass has been described as 'bicultural'. In other words, he occupied a middleground shared by blacks and whites alike. This designation proves to be thematically consistent with his biological (if we are to take his word for it) as well as psychological characteristics. Dual-natured in this fashion, he is made accountable for both sides. This can be seen in his gravitation towards freedom when he was a slave, and manifests itself just as strongly in his vision, once he was able to look back, of the 'graveyard of the mind' that American slavery was for him -- as it was for the rest of black America. "They would sometimes sing the most pathetic sentiment in the most rapturous tone, and the most rapturous sentiment in the most pathetic tone...they would sing, as a chorus...words which to many would seem unmeaning jargon, but which,

buy custom Colonial America essay

buy custom Colonial America essay The first group of Africans to arrive in amerce was in the year 1619. This was in Virginia where the captain of a Dutch ship had exchanged food with the African. Moreover, it is not clear whether they were considered indentured servants or slaves. In 1623, there were few blacks while, on the other hand, there were still blacks who were denied their freedom and had no records of when to end their bondage term. In other words, there were both slaves and servant. However, one thing for sure is that they were treated less of human by being denied freedom (Hyser Arndt, 2011). By 1640, it was clear that Africans were considered slave after a court in Jamestown declared that they should serve their masters in their lifetime. Most of the African slaves were sold as prisoners in wars while others were kidnapped and traded (Finkelman, 2006). As documented, Arabs played a significant role in helping the Europeans and the American in ferrying the slaves from Africa to their continents. This was the most popular trade in the 17th and 18th century. It established rapidly and by 1700 America had over 25000 African slaves. This ended in the 19th century after black activists united and fought for their rights. As a result of the slavery, there was the birth of a new ethnic group with genes from Africans and Americans. African-American are descendants of the enslaved African captives between 1619 and 1865. Their roots can be traced from central and West Africa where slave trade had been established for three centuries (Curtis, 1998). In the past years, blacks or rather African-American were named as American Negro. However, civilization enlightened American and erase racism and they began seeing other as a family but of different skin color. As we all know, United States of America are the super power and is among the top five countries with the highest economy. In addition, this is aided by their richness in cultures. Today, racism is a thing of the past since, and the Americans have gone ahead to elect an African-American as their president. Buy custom Colonial America essay

The Holocaust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Holocaust - Essay Example It is claimed that nearly six million Jews were massacred during these twelve years through different painful means, besides other cruelties inflicted upon the community. â€Å"Between 1941 and 1945, five to six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime, its allies, and its surrogates in the Nazi-occupied territories. Yet despite the extraordinary scale and intensity of the genocide, its prominence in recent decades was far from preordained.† (Mayer, 1988:107) Somehow, the Nazis and pro-Nazis refute(d) the very claim by declaring it an infamous blur on the very face of their party and its leader Adolf Hitler. They are of the opinion that the Nazi government persecuted only the traitors and the supporters of the rivals of Germany in order to suppress the rebellion and revolt against the German nation at large in order to escape any further treachery within Germany against her army and leadership on the one hand, and to save the country from dividing into ethn ic, racial and religious groups and communities on the other. Since unity of a nation is vehemently necessary one during the time of war and peace, the communities challenging the unity and playing into the hands of the foes must be taught a remarkable lesson in order to avoid defeat, chaos, and turmoil in the country. Consequently, the Germans, according to the pro-Nazi claimants, did not kill the Jews en masse; on the contrary, the entire claims portraying holocaust are the product of the USA and her allies designed and planned to defame their opponent Adolf Hitler and Germany in such a nefarious manner that the future German generations would neither gather courage to raise any voice against the UK and USA altogether, nor could they seek the support from the Jewish community in order to fight war on some justified cause an issue. Hence, the Holocaust had been a burning issue as well as a moot point between pro-Jewish and pro-Nazis for the last six decades, and both the groups cla im themselves as innocent and guiltless, which had to face the conspiracies, trials, and opposition from the rivals. Additionally, since Hitler sought the domination of the great and superior German nation, he intended to kill or kick out the sick, retarded, disable and infected people from Germany, so that the German nation could have consisted of brave, talented, healthy and vigorous individuals. â€Å"Unwanted children, in the eyes of Hitler, were orphans, children in care because of emotional or behavior problems, adolescent non-conformists as well as children with physical disabilities or mental handicaps (in addition to Jewish, Gypsy, and non-white children).† (holocaust-trc.org) Before embarking upon the topic under study, it would be advisable to briefly throw light upon the historical background of the catastrophe. By critically examining the history of the world at large, it becomes evident that human beings had been at daggers drawn against one another since manâ⠂¬â„¢s arrival on the very face of the earth. Hundreds of thousands of wars had been fought and battlefields had been arranged and decorated by the groups, communities, states, and nations in order to subjugate the opponents in the name of seeking peace and justice by fighting  against the people belonging to rival clans, communities, ethnic-racial groups, and religious faiths. Hence, ethnicity, race, and religion have always played the dominant role in waging and fighting wars between the opposing forces, states and countries.

Conference week 5 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Conference week 5 - Assignment Example However, the type of organizational chart illustrated for Walt Disney is a chart based on a process, for instance, all the staff positions are responsible for the support of the Company’s workflow. The Functional Organizational Structure of the Walt Disney Company has some likable characteristics. For instance, it does not have too many management levels. This indicates that its organizational structure is effective. In addition, another likable characteristic is that the modeling of chart in such a way that all the staff positions have the responsibility of ensuring a smooth workflow. Certainly, the organizational chart adopted by Walt Disney Company depicts some form of creativity and is very effective. It is therefore, the best chart that suits the company. In the business world, one of the greatest arguments has been on whether projected financial statement analysis can be considered to be both a formulation of strategy and implementation tool of a strategy. Generally, financial statement analysis can be considered as a vital tool in implementation technique of a strategy. This is because it gives an organization the opportunity of examining the anticipated results of a variety of approaches and activities. This type of financial analysis can also be used in the prediction of a range of implementation decisions made. For instance, in the cases where an organization desires to ensure a 50% elevation of promotion expenditures purposely to ensure the support to the strategy of market development. Additionally, this it is also applicable in the case where an organization desires to ensure a 25% salary increase so that it can support its market-penetration strategy. Moreover, this analysis can also be beneficial to an organization that des ires to elevate the expenditures on research and development by 70% so as to

Why Are College Students Stressed What Can We Do Essay

Why Are College Students Stressed What Can We Do - Essay Example ausal factors that contribute to stress within the life college student as well as some prescriptive changes that can be utilized as a function of reducing the overall level stress. In such a manner, it is the hope of this particular author that the information which will be put forward can be useful not only in seeking to further define this negative externality of you but in seeking to promote best practices that will improve the quality of life, health, and stress reduction of the individual that might otherwise high stress during their college years. Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, there are two types of pressures that are inherent within the university system. The first of these has to do with pressures that are placed upon the student by the University and those that are placed on the student by none other than the student themselves. Although these definitions may seem somewhat simplistic, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms by which these stressors impact upon the student are various and multifaceted. Taking the example of the way in which the University creates expectations that stress the student, this can of course be understood in terms of race, scholarships, class standing, and other norms that exist within the University system. Whereas it is true that it is necessary for a student to put forth maximum effort as a function of learning the material at hand, most educators would currently agree that the University education has become so focused upon this component of education that the learning of the mate rial, is a distant third or fourth in terms of overall priorities (Pedersen 623). This is a fundamental drawback and weakness that is exhibited within the current educational system in colleges and universities around the country. In order for this to be ameliorated, it will be necessary for universities and colleges to insist that educational attainment and knowledge acquisition is the main determinant by which success can be judged;

Racial Discrimination in UK Criminal Justice

Racial Discrimination in UK Criminal Justice A growing awareness of the systemic and institutional biases built into the criminal justice system has given rise to much research focused on the specific types of inequalities produced. From the disproportionate incarceration of particular groups, to law enforcement measures designed to target specific communities, the criminal justice system in the U.K. has faced a growing number of criticisms related to its perpetuation of discrimination based on race. In this essay, I review and evaluate the evidence on whether there exists widespread racial discrimination in the U.K.s criminal justice system (CJS). First, a review of the historical context is presented, followed by a discussion of some of the major challenges identified in the CJS with respect to racial discrimination and bias. The problem of overrepresentation is then reviewed, followed by a focused discussion of how discrimination manifests in U.K. criminal justice institutions. It is argued that despite important reforms and some progress having been made, racial discrimination remains embedded in U.K. CJS institutions, and can be seen across multiple levels of operation, including search, arrest, prosecution, and sentencing. Historical Context A review of the historical context in Britain is helpful for understanding the current challenges related to discrimination in the countrys CJS, as well as more longstanding issues related to racial discrimination across the U.K. overall. Perhaps the most flagrant example of racial discrimination on the part of the police has been illustrated in historical use of the so-called sus law. Officially, the sus law was a term to refer to Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act (Cloake and Tudor, 2001). This section of the Vagrancy Act, first passed in 1824, was a popular tool used by police in Britain to routinely arrest young men of colour, absent any evidence of their having committed a crime (Cloake and Tudor, 2001). Thanks to its widespread abuse, the law was eventually struck down in the 1970s (Cloake and Tudor, 2001). Police often used the law to justify the arrest of any young black man they deemed suspicious (Cloake and Tudor, 2001). The law served to create mistrust between Britains black c ommunities and police, and would eventually culminate in widespread rioting during the 1980s (Denham, 2007). Besides the use of the sus law to unfairly target young men of colour, media coverage of certain social phenomena have functioned to construct black communities as in a state of disorder, and being prone to crime (Rowe, 2012). Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, along with young Muslim men, in particular, have traditionally been otherised in the mainstream media and depicted as a criminal threat (Rowe, 2012). The notion that young men in these communities constitute an inherent gang threat has also been depicted in various media portrayals (Rowe, 2012). For example, during the Milltown disorders in 2001, the media constructed Asian immigrant communities as inherently criminal, and as posing a growing threat (Rowe, 2012). The Milltown disorders have been cited as a prime example of conflict between different racial groups in contemporary Britain (Keith, 2008). Explanations put forward for the unrest have included poor engagement between the community and the police (Rowe, 201 2). Media coverage and police discrimination have intersected to increase the divide between visible minority and majority communities in Britain. Over time, the recognition of certain longstanding tensions and difficulties between racialized communities and the police in Britain has helped lead to efforts designed to uncover root causes of problems. Following a series of serious riots in Brixton in 1981, the government ordered an inquest to understand the root cause of the unrest (Ponsaers and Devroe, 2012). The inquiry was led by Lord Scarman, and the inquest would eventually produce the Scarman Reports (Ponsaers and Devroe, 2012). These reports detailed the complex interplay of economic, social, and political forces involved in riots and unrest (Ponsaers and Devroe, 2012). Lord Scarman advanced a series of recommendations designed to help address what was then identified as systemic racism in the criminal justice system (Ponsaers and Devroe, 2012). As part of recommendations, Scarman noted the need for an independent review body to examine complaints made against the police (Ponsaers and Devroe, 2012). Despite recommendations being advanced on thorough research, and being aimed toward addressing the root causes of growing racial unrest and division, Scarmans main recommendations were never enacted (Ponsaers and Devroe, 2012). As a result, discriminatory treatment continued, and riots persisted as an ongoing problem in certain areas home to marginalized communities. This shows a storied history of racial discrimination intertwined in the history of Britains criminal justice system. An understanding of contemporary challenges with respect to widespread discrimination must be grounded in knowledge of the historical context that has functioned to reproduce particular inequalities and injustices. Specific Challenges in the Criminal Justice System Todays discrimination-related challenges in Britains CJS exist against a backdrop of longstanding inequality, exclusion, and racism. In four key areas of Britains CJS, significant racial discrimination can be observed. Institutional and structural biases built into the systems and values underpinning criminal justice in Britain results in a variety of inequities at different levels of operation. An inequality in outcomes in areas of search, arrest, prosecution, and sentencing, poses a broader risk to the continued functioning of Britains CJS overall. There is a pressing need to address systemic discrimination as a means of not only restoring confidence in the system, but also addressing existing inequalities functioning to undermine police effectiveness. Stop and search is one area of the U.K.s CJS that has been subject to claims of discrimination and racial profiling. Historically, the stop and search program has been a source of significant controversy; following the release of the Macpherson Report in 1999, it was revealed that the police were overwhelmingly targeting visible minorities in stop and search interactions (Llewellyn, Agu and Mercer, 2010). Indeed, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, young men of colour were the most frequent target of police stops and searches (Llewellyn, Agu and Mercer, 2010). When it was revealed that police were systemically targeting visible minorities, police largely curtailed its use (Llewellyn, Agu and Mercer, 2010). It is noted, however, that since the 7/7 bombings, use of stop and search has once again increased; this has been cited as a broader trend toward securitisation in the wake of the attacks (Parmar, 2014). As part of this process, Muslim communities in the U.K. have now been disproportio nately targeted by police (Parmar, 2014). At the same time, media portrayals have reinforced notions of Muslim communities as being inherently connected with criminality (Parmar, 2014). This process has mirrored the othering of black communities historically in Britains CJS. Based on DNA samples collected at the time of arrest, black men are overwhelmingly overrepresented in terms of their numbers of arrest, particularly when compared with the Asian and white populations in the U.K. (The Stationery Office, 2010). The data show that 27 percent of the U.K.s black populationÂÂ   have their DNA stored in the national DNA database (The Stationery Office, 2010). This is compared to just six percent of the countrys white population, and just nine percent of the countrys Asian population (The Stationery Office, 2010). These numbers show that even today, black men are far more likely to be arrested than white or Asian men in the U.K. The research has confirmed that the root cause of the overrepresentation of black citizens in the U.K. CJS is their overrepresentation in arrest and prosecution (Hood, 2008). Moreover, the research has shown that black defendants are more likely to receive longer sentences than their white counterparts (Hood, 2008). These findin gs reveal a CJS where racial discrimination is widespread and pernicious. The Problem of Overrepresentation The problem of overrepresentation in the CJS is manifested differently among the diverse BME population. Socio-economic status is a key factor in shaping the experiences of black males with the CJS in Britain; different groups and communities have tended to experience different levels of socio-economic success and integration (Alexander, 2010). For example, the research has demonstrated that families of Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent have tended to face higher risks of poverty; conversely, black Caribbean communities and communities of African descent face a higher risk of educational problems which can reflect their marginalization (Alexander, 2010). For some communities, a significant level of marginalization and isolation from the broader society has led to a kind of polarisation and tribalisation (Alexander, 2010). For other communities, the experience is markedly different. There is thus a need to recognize the diversity inherent in the experiences of different communities. W hile overrepresentation is clearly a problem in the U.K.s CJS, it is potentially dangerous to essentialise diverse groups on the basis of broad trends and statistics. A Nuanced Explanation of Discrimination A nuanced understanding of the root causes of discrimination in the U.K. system is needed for advancing effective policy responses. Indeed, while there are a disproportionate number of black men represented in the U.K.s CJS, the same is true for Canada and the United States, as well (Warde, 2012). Systemic and institutionalized racism, built-into the structures and norms underlying social institutions like criminal justice systems is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be explained or addressed through a singular focus on any one particular cause. Rather, adopting an intersectional and nuanced approach can help to explain both how racial discrimination persists at different levels of Britains CJS, as well as how it interacts with other institutionalized and historic forms of discrimination. The importance of considering the broader historical context, particularly for those with certain identities racialized by the CJS in Britain, cannot be ignored. Institutionalized slavery and the legacy of the slave trade represents an important factor to consider when attempting to explain institutionalized discrimination. It has been argued that the intergenerational effects of slavery have left many immigrants already fragile (Burke, 2015). Upon their encounters with institutional racism in Britains CJS, powerful consequences can result. These interactions can open existing wounds and drive deep division and mistrust for the police. The consequence here is that communities are made less safe, while the legitimacy of law enforcement is undermined. This helps to illustrate the pernicious effect of discrimination; not only are individuals unfairly targeted for arbitrary reasons, the public is made less safe as a result of greater division between some communities and the police. Conclusion It is clear that widespread racial discrimination persists in the U.K. CJS. Black men are dramatically overrepresented at the levels of stop and search, arrest, and prosecution. Moreover, these citizens tend to receive longer sentences than other defendants. While different communities may experience different levels of discrimination, racial discrimination in the CJS represents a pressing threat to public safety. As long as institutional bias continues to exist within the CJS, and minority communities are unfairly targeted, the public will face serious risks. Going forward, a commitment to address the root causes of racial bias is needed. References Alexander, C. (2010). Culturing poverty? Ethnicity, religion, gender, and social disadvantage among South Asian Muslim communities in the United Kingdom. In: S. Chant, ed., The International Handbook of Gender and Poverty: Concepts, Research, Policy, 1st ed. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp.272-277. Burke, A. (2015). The extent of conflict between being black and being British. Criminal Justice Matters, 101(1), pp.6-9. Cloake, J. and Tudor, R. (2001). Multicultural Britain. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Denham, J. (2007). Young black people and the criminal justice system. 1st ed. London: Stationery Office. Hood, R. (2008). Discrimination in the courts?. In: B. Spalek, ed., Ethnicity And Crime: A Reader: A Reader, 1st ed. Berkshire: Open University Press, pp.54-63. Keith, M. (2008). Between Being and Becoming? Rights, Responsibilities and the Politics of Multiculture in the New East End. Sociological Research Online, 13(5). Llewellyn, A., Agu, L. and Mercer, D. (2010). Sociology for social workers. 1st ed. Cambridge: Polity. Parmar, A. (2014). Configuring ethnic identities: resistance as a response to counter-terrorist policy. In: C. Phillips and C. Webster, ed., New Directions in Race, Ethnicity and Crime, 1st ed. London and New York: Routledge, pp.118-138. Ponsaers, P. and Devroe, E. (2012). On how a failing government creates an intrusive police force. In: E. Devroe, ed., Tides and currents in police theories, Issue 25; Issues 2012-2014, 1st ed. Antwerp and Portland: Maklu Publishers, pp.115-134. Rowe, M. (2012). Race Crime (Key Approaches to Criminology). 1st ed. London and Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. The Stationery Office, (2010). Legislative Scrutiny: Crime And Security Bill; Personal Care At Home Bill; Children, Schools And Families Bill Twelfth Report Of Session 2009-10 Report, Together With Formal Minutes And Written: House Of Lords Paper 67 Session 2009-10. 1st ed. London: The Stationery Office. Warde, B. (2012). Black Male Disproportionality in the Criminal Justice Systems of the USA, Canada, and England: a Comparative Analysis of Incarceration. Journal of African American Studies, 17(4), pp.461-479.

Gangs of New York Essay -- Film Analysis

Picture Manhattan in 1860, a time before the city had been dolled up and gotten ready for the silver screen, before the glamour and allure took over. Amsterdam Vallan (DiCaprio) is a young Irish man that migrates to the USA at a young age. Amsterdam’s story takes place in Five Points District of New York, a filthy and dangerous part of the city before it was deleted form history. As a young boy Vallan witnessed his father’s murder at the hand of William Cutting or Bill the Butcher (Day-Lewis) during one of their many gang wars. As Amsterdam’s story progresses along side The Butcher they become inseparable, but Amsterdam had ulterior motive. Ultimately, Amsterdam attempts to betray his new found ally in order to avenge his father’s death. Historical accounts of events are almost always synthesized by the storyteller; in the case Gangs of New York Martin Scorsese tells of Five Points, The Dead Rabbits Riots, and The Draft Riots, but is his fictional story a ccurate through history? "This is the place; these narrow ways diverging to the right and left, and reeking everywhere with dirt and filth... Many of these pigs live here. Do they ever wonder why their masters walk upright instead of going on all fours, and why they talk instead of grunting?" (Dickens 61) The outlandish filth described by Charles Dickens was a first hand account of the intersection of Orange Street, Cross Street, Anthony Street, and Little Water Street, better known as Five Points New York. It became the setting for many of 17th century gangs, but the most prominent were the Bowery Boys and The Dead Rabbits. This wicked part of town was known for its depravity the crimes that flooded the streets, from mugging to murder. Clearly, the slums were the place for v... ...†¢ Burrows, Edwin G., and Mike Wallace. Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898. New York: Oxford UP, 1999. Print. †¢ Cocks, Jay, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan. "Gangs Of New York Final Script." Web. . †¢ Dickens, Charles, and Patricia Ingham. American Notes for General Circulation. London: Penguin, 2000. Print. †¢ Ellis, Edward Robb., and Jeanyee Wong. The Epic of New York City. New York, NY: Carroll & Graf, 2005. Print. †¢ "RIOTING AND BLOODSHED; THE FIGHT AT COW BAY†¦ THE CITY UNDER ARMS." The New York Times. 6 July 1857. Web. . †¢ Sifakis, Carl. The Encyclopedia of American Crime. New York: Facts on File, 2001. Print. †¢ Slayton, Robert A. Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith. New York: Free, 2001. Print.