Race and Racism in Michelle Alexanders The New Jim Crow - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 904 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/02/05 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Racism Essay Did you like this example? â€Å"The New Jim Crow† is a wonderful account on the revival of a racially biased society in the United States. Race is defined as a group of human beings distinguished by a common origin, shared habits, and interests or same physical attributes. Racism, on the other hand, refers to the discrimination against an individual based on their race. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Race and Racism in Michelle Alexanders The New Jim Crow" essay for you Create order Racism can be extended to include the belief that a given race has specific attributes which makes it superior or inferior compared to other races. This paper will seek to address race and racism by critically reviewing â€Å"The New Jim Crow† by Michelle Alexander. Jim Crow refers to a section of the state constitution used to impose discrimination policies based on color, social class or family background. In that regard, members of the African-American community were not able to access equal social and political opportunities simply because they were believed to come from an inferior race. Though the Jim Crow sections of the state constitutions supporting racial segregation have been done away with, the current American legal system has changed to be â€Å"The New Jim Crow.† And so, African-Americans and other minority groups in the United States are made to serve unfair legal restrictions which undermine their privileges as American citizens. Despite many people believing that racial discrimination ended in the 1960s thanks to a number of civil rights movements, Michelle Alexander through â€Å"The New Jim Crow† gives a picture of how government institutions are up to suppress the achievement of a one race society. The legal sy stem is not consistent in its administration of justice. â€Å"The same supreme court that had ordered integration and encouraged civil rights legislation† was now â€Å"bending over backwards to help criminals† who were terrorizing black people (Alexander 42). Again, the shortening of jail sentences for African-Americans will not serve to improve the well-being of the color community, but constitutional amendments to eradicate partisan racial policies will prove significant in changing the American racial narrative. â€Å"The New Jim Crow† puts into perspective the war on drugs and how it has been used as a tool to undermine the status of African-American citizens in the United States. It is a common assumption by members of the white race that all drug-related problems in the United States are making of the black community. The Drug Enforcement Administration, which is the trusted federal wing to handle the use and spread of dangerous drugs, has been pinpointing few individuals from the black community and criminalizing them with drug-related charges hence leading to increased numbers of black people in the American correctional facilities. For this reason, Michelle Alexander seeks to shade light and bring into public knowledge the vice of social stratification, where black people and members of minority groups are made to suffer for crimes they didn’t commit. â€Å"The war on drugs offered whites opposed to racial reforms a unique opportunity to express their hostility towards b lacks† (Alexander 53). The book is aimed at mobilizing the civil rights fraternity to take action against a biased government system which is victimizing its own citizens on a color basis. The author is adding her voice to support a discriminated community by explaining to them how the system is working against them and informing them of the possible avenues through which lasting solutions to racial problems can be achieved. In addition, Michelle Alexander denotes racial history as an abandoned discussion among American households. Using the term race has been made to sound irrelevant in the United States, with many people believing that racial discrimination was a thing of the past while in a real sense it is still a common vice. â€Å"Some discrimination would be conscious and deliberate, as many honestly and consciously would believe that black men deserve more scrutiny and harsher treatment† (Alexander 105). Notwithstanding the milestone achieved in racial integration, the slaves brought in from Africa as a result of the slave trade are yet to obtain the status they desire in the American society. Sending their kids to separate schools doesnt conform to the norms and deeds of a healthy society and further limiting their economic opportunities only serves to undermine them rather than controlling social problems. The belief that all Americans are in a position to achieve what they dream is only true to some as â€Å"The New Jim Crow† hinders them from securing nice jobs and accessing bank loans to startup businesses. The colorblind policies imposed by a biased legal system doesn’t give them the conducive environment required for personal development thereby poverty will for long be a black people’s crisis. In conclusion, the election of Barrack Obama as the first black president of the United States has not convinced Alexander Michelle that America has surpassed racial challenges. Importantly, the existence of economic and social barriers against people of color and other minority groups cannot be overshadowed by few achievements made by African-American individuals. The author doesn’t aim to revive racial antagonism but rather wishes to emphasize the need for equal treatment of all races in the United States. Race or social class should not be a determining factor when it comes to employment or administration of justice, therefore, â€Å"The New Jim Crow† should serve as a mirror for Americans to see into themselves. Policy makers, legal practitioners, and politicians should not perceive the book as an attack on their side but a challenge to change towards establishing an all-inclusive society.

The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald - 969 Words

Riordan 1 At its most simplistic form, nostalgia is a sentimental longing for the past. It is a subtle phenomenon that is associated with a person or place. Fitzgerald plays this concept into his novel The Great Gatsby, which is narrated by a character named Nick Carraway. Nick tells of his neighbor Gatsby, who goes to extreme lengths to reclaim a lost love. Throughout the novel, Gatsby serves as a conduit for humanity’s nostalgic depictions of the past. He accumulates massive amounts of wealth and even changes his identity in efforts to relive something that has already passed. Fitzgerald draws from this, and conceptualizes how nostalgia distorts a person’s overall perception of being. Gatsby dreams an intangible world and constantly strives to sculpt his life in which his actions are manifestations of his desire to be wealthy. Gatsby’s identity is superficial, and Nick sees through this faà §ade. â€Å"If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life†¦ it was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again (Fitzgerald 2)† Gatsby has a quality that many people, including Nick, admire; hope. He is constantly reaching for Daisy and goes to extensive lengths to acquire her. His ambitious state of mind constitutes for his progressive nature however, he simultaneouslyShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1393 Words   |  6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded faà §ade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. This author helped to launch the theme that is so prevalent in his work; the human instinct to yearn for more, into the forefront of American literature, where itRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1343 Words   |  6 PagesHonors English 10 Shugart 18 Decemeber 2014 The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life. The Great Gatsby is about the lives of four wealthy characters observed by the narrator, Nick Carroway. Throughout the novel a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby throws immaculate parties every Saturday night in hope to impress his lost lover, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby lives in a mansion on West Egg across from DaisyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1155 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Gatsby The Jazz Age was an era where everything and anything seemed possible. It started with the beginning of a new age with America coming out of World War I as the most powerful nation in the world (Novel reflections on, 2007). As a result, the nation soon faced a culture-shock of material prosperity during the 1920’s. Also known as the â€Å"roaring twenties†, it was a time where life consisted of prodigality and extravagant parties. Writing based on his personal experiences, author F. ScottRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1166 Words   |  5 Pagesin the Haze F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in a time that was characterized by an unbelievable lack of substance. After the tragedy and horrors of WWI, people were focused on anything that they could that would distract from the emptiness that had swallowed them. Tangible greed tied with extreme materialism left many, by the end of this time period, disenchanted. The usage of the literary theories of both Biographical and Historical lenses provide a unique interpretation of the Great Gatsby centered aroundRead MoreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald845 Words   |  3 PagesIn F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, colors represent a variety of symbols that relate back to the American Dream. The dream of being pure, innocent and perfect is frequently associated with the reality of corruption, violence, and affairs. Gatsby’s desire for achieving the American Dream is sought for through corruption (Schneider). The American Dream in the 1920s was perceived as a desire of w ealth and social standings. Social class is represented through the East Egg, the WestRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay970 Words   |  4 Pagesrespecting and valuing Fitzgerald work in the twenty-first century? Fitzgerald had a hard time to profiting from his writing, but he was not successful after his first novel. There are three major point of this essay are: the background history of Fitzgerald life, the comparisons between Fitzgerald and the Gatsby from his number one book in America The Great Gatsby, and the Fitzgerald got influences of behind the writing and being a writer. From childhood to adulthood, Fitzgerald faced many good andRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald2099 Words   |  9 Pagesauthor to mirror his life in his book. In his previous novels F. Scott Fitzgerald drew from his life experiences. He said that his next novel, The Great Gatsby, would be different. He said, â€Å"In my new novel I’m thrown directly on purely creative work† (F. Scott Fitzgerald). He did not realize or did not want it to appear that he was taking his own story and intertwining it within his new novel. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he imitates his lifestyle through the Buchanan family to demonstrateRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1607 Words   |  7 Pages The Great Gatsby is an American novel written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. One of the themes of the book is the American Dream. The American Dream is an idea in which Americans believe through hard work they can achieve success and prosperity in the free world. In F. Scott Fitzgerald s novel, The Great Gatsby, the American Dream leads to popularity, extreme jealousy and false happiness. Jay Gatsby’s recent fortune and wealthiness helped him earn a high social position and become one of the mostRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1592 Words   |  7 PagesMcGowan English 11A, Period 4 9 January 2014 The Great Gatsby Individuals who approach life with an optimistic mindset generally have their goals established as their main priority. Driven by ambition, they are determined to fulfill their desires; without reluctance. These strong-minded individuals refuse to be influenced by negative reinforcements, and rely on hope in order to achieve their dreams. As a man of persistence, the wealthy Jay Gatsby continuously strives to reclaim the love of hisRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1646 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1920s witnessed the death of the American Dream, a message immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Initially, the American Dream represented the outcome of American ideals, that everyone has the freedom and opportunity to achieve their dreams provided they perform honest hard work. During the 1920s, the United States experienced massive economic prosperity making the American Dream seem alive and strong. However, in Fitzgerald’s eyes, the new Am erican culture build around that

Poetry of Love and War Essay Example For Students

Poetry of Love and War Essay Whilst time changes many things, one thing it does not change is the experience of deep emotions. Whether they are love, hatred, grief or friendship, human have always attempted to explore what It Is to love and to hate. One way they have done this is through poetry. Four poems which do just this are the nineteenth century love poem, Friendship After Love, written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, e Cummings, It may not always be so written in the twentieth century, World War One poem Dulcet et Decorum Est written by Wilfred Owen and finally, Homecoming written by Bruce Dade about the Vietnam War. These four poems explore many things about love, war and the similarities and differences between them. Though written In different times, all four poems explore essentially the same things; whether It Is communicated through love or war. Friendship After Love, written in the nineteenth century by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, depicts the progression of a relationship from the stages of love and passion to the heartbreak at the loss of love and finally to the steady state of friendship. She speaks of her love, which began so passionately, but became nothing ore than friendship, relating her experience of that lost love through this poem. The progression of love Is Inevitable and must be accepted. Friendship After Love explores the changes and movement of the love she has experienced. Whilst there Is always a sense of loss when a relationship ends, there can also be resolution and relief from the expectation that can overwhelm a relationship, Why are we haunted with a sense of loss? , He beckons us to follow, and across/Cool verdant vales we wander free from care. Whether or not a friendship evolves from a passionate allegations, does not stop the connection which will always remain between two people who have shared an experience of love together. Although the end of a relationship, such as the one In this poem, Is often for the better, a sense of emptiness can be felt from the loss of such a relationship, Is it a touch of frost lies in the air? Why are we haunted with a sense of loss? We do not wish the pain back, or the heat/ And yet, and yet, these days are incomplete. Many important and interesting ideas are explored about love in Friendship After Love. The feelings of affection and love depicted In this poem are experienced by many. Love Is a universal theme and the Ideas and struggles experienced In this poem are of Individuals of all types, worldwide. This poem explores the unpredictability and imperfection of love, flaws which need to be accepted. The intensity of love cannot be upheld by two people for an extensive amount of time. It eventually fades, showing the true underlying foundations of the relationships and whether they are stable or not. The loss of love Is difficult and painful, but not all love lost must end in hatred. The idea f friendship after is explored In this poem, Comes large-eyed friendship, underlying the positives of an end to a relationship. Techniques are used In writing poems to help convey a message. Ella Wheeler Wilcox used many techniques when writing Friendship After Love, which helped her to communicate her ideas about love and the loss of it. Personification was very important in the composition of this poem, So after Love has led us, till he tires/ Of his own throes, and torments, and desires. She uses this method to suggest and signify that love is not unseen and is very real. Disarmer all ablaze/ Has burned itself to ashes, and expires/ In the intensity of its own fires. Using metaphor helps to portray the vehemence of love and loves ability to burn itself out. It also helps to create an image of passionate love as an extreme fire, helping us to understand the ideas being conveyed in this poem. The structure used, as well as rhyme and punctuation, have hidden significance. Th e structure used for Friendship After Love is inconsistent and changeable, conveying loves unpredictability and varying phases.

What Is the Most Effective Way to Introduce Pythagorean Theorem to Students

Introduction about the topic When introducing theorems to students it is often important to make them understand the way the theorem is proved rather than simply learn algebraic representation or formula. As far as the Pythagorean Theorem is concerned it is essential to remember that is based on major principles of Pythagoras.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What Is the Most Effective Way to Introduce Pythagorean Theorem to Students? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since it is accepted that the Western cultures and sciences largely rely on Pythagorean principles it is but natural to make students aware of the discourse concerning Pythagorean ideas. More so, students would be able to memorize the theorem due to their interest to its creator and his ideas. Therefore, the most effective way to introduce the Pythagorean Theorem is to provide the most interesting facts about Pythagoras, his major concepts and the his tory of the theorem development. After that it is possible to pass on to providing certain ways to prove the theorem. The two articles to be used are the work by Habibi (2010) and the work by Ramsahoye and Finlay (2010). Introducing the text Mezban Habibi (2010) argues that it is not enough to present the algebraic formula to students since they should be aware of the discourse concerning Pythagoras and his concepts to understand the significance of the theorem. Evaluating The article can be regarded as a valuable source of some of the most important theoretical background when considering the Pythagorean Theorem in terms of teaching mathematics since it relies on thorough research in the field. Position in relation to other contributions to knowledge Habibi’s claims have been confirmed by many studies which claim that mere memorizing is not as effective as making students understand ties between different aspects of knowledge.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How it is relevant to my research topic Habibi’s approach can be applied during mathematics classes since his work provides a simple example of one of effective ways to introduce the Pythagorean Theorem to students. Introducing the text Ramsahoye and Finlay (2010) provide a thorough analysis of Holbein’s The Ambassadors in terms of major Pythagorean concepts. Evaluating Ramsahoye and Finlay (2010) rely on many reputable sources considering different manifestation of Pythagorean concepts in the painting and, more generally, in various aspects of human life Position in relation to other contributions to knowledge The claim of Ramsahoye and Finlay (2010) concerning possibility to find numerous manifestations of Pythagorean ideas in science and art has been confirmed by many researchers (Habibi, 2010; Hamming, 1980). How it is relevant to my research topic The major findings of Ramsahoye an d Finlay (2010) can be applied during classes of mathematics. Admittedly, after such discussion students will be able to understand the essence and importance of the theorem. Reference List Habibi, M. (2010). Short Proofs for Pythagorean Theorem. International Mathematical Forum, 5(66), 3273-3282. Ramsahoye, R., Finlay, J. (2010). â€Å"The goods of Friends are Common†: Pythagorean Theorems and Renaissance Ideals of Friendship in Holbein’s The Ambassadors. Artfractures Quarterly (5), 5-17.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What Is the Most Effective Way to Introduce Pythagorean Theorem to Students? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on What Is the Most Effective Way to Introduce Pythagorean Theorem to Students? was written and submitted by user D0m1n0 to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.