I cannot believe that the semester is coming to a close. So much has happened and so much has been learned. It’s weird because I took this class because Sarah was taking it and said it would be fun, and I have always had a fascination with Black history, but I didn’t expect to learn so much. I believe that Black Studies is relevant because it’s a good way to learn about a different culture that people aren’t familiar with. I knew a little bit about Black history from my history classes, but detail was lacking in those classes. My favorite subject was Civil Rights. I think there is so much to learn from that era. The era was full of African Americans standing up for what was right, and it was full of events leading to the rights of African Americans. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Clara Luper, the students from Greensboro, North Carolina, and many others contributed to the rights that African Americans have today. Groups such as the NAACP, the Black Panthers, SNCC, and the SCLC also helped shape the lives of African Americans. I love that so much has been accomplished for African Americans, but I also believe that more needs to be done.
I loved that this class brought so many opportunities to meet so many people like Dean Evans, the women from the OKC Thunder, and Mr. Douglas and Ms. Williams from the NAACP. I loved listening to their stories and experiences and hearing what they have accomplished today.
The group project was an experience. Not exactly bad, but not the best thing. Getting ready for the group discussion was fun, and it was interesting to hear what each group member had to say about the article, but the group project was hard to get into. I think, since our group had science, we just didn’t know where to take it, and our creative minds weren’t collaborating so we just stuck with something basic. I usually enjoy working in groups, but its difficult working on getting schedules to work especially with people you don’t know. I did like meeting new people and getting to know each of my group members. The group projects in general have been really interesting. Even with something as simple as a powerpoint, it has been interesting to see all the influential people in business or music or politics. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the presentations and I can’t wait to see the last two.
Now the assignment blogs have actually been really fun. At first, I thought it was a pain, but I have really grown to like them. I think it’s a good way for you to express your opinion and ideas on different subjects. My favorite blog assignment was the African American family blog. I never took time to notice how African American families are portrayed in the media, and it was interesting to see the differences. There are some good and some bad portrayals; I was expecting more on the bad just because of the stereotypes that you hear about, but I found more good which was exciting for me. I love knowing that our society is headed in the right direction…even if it takes one step at a time. I did wish that we had more free blogs to write. I know that we could have just done it, but it’s easier for me to keep up with my blog when I’m told that I have an assignment. I also enjoyed reading other classmates blogs and reading what they had to say on a certain subject. We all come from different places and I enjoy finding out what other people think.
This class has been a great experience and I have learned so much. I love that our class has been like a community and so open in discussion. I have loved hearing everyone’s opinions and it’s been great being able to learn so much from each person in the class!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
African American Family
Tuesday
March 24, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Smart Guy
BET
Television Comedy
African American Family-Father, 3 kids (1 daughter, 2 sons)
Positive Image
Tuesday
March 24, 2009
“Daughters ‘adapting remarkably’ Obama says”
Online Article
African American Family-Father, Mother, 2 kids (2 daughters)
Positive Image
Wednesday
March 25, 2009
Bank of America Ad
The Week (Magazine, March, 20th issue)
African American Family-Father and 1 son
Positive Image
Wednesday
March 25, 2009
5:00 p.m.
“My Wife and Kids”
ABC family, channel 36
Television Comedy
African American Family-Father, Mother, 3 kids (2 daughters and son)
Positive Image
Thursday
March 26, 2009
Akeelah and the Bee
Movie
African American Family-Mother, 4 kids (2 daughters, 2 sons)
Negative/positive Image
Friday
March 27, 2009
“Oklahoma star Blake Griffin gets strength from his family”
Online Article
African American Family-Father, Mother, 2 kids (2 sons)
Positive Image
Friday
March 27, 2009
Pursuit of Happyness
Movie
African American Family-Father, Mother, 1 kid (1 son)
Negative/Positive Image
All in all, all of the images that I came across were positive. I feel like our society has come a long way in recognizing and not stereotyping African Americans. Though, it was difficult to just come across African Americans in the mediaIt , but I don’t pay too much attention to the media. On Tuesday, I came across Smart Guy, an old Disney show that I absolutely loved. The family has a positive image having a working father and kids that are able to attend school. The youngest son is even a genius. In the article that I found about the Obama family was short, but mentioned how well Barack’s daughters are adapting to moving into the White House. Even with my Republican views, it is great to see an African American family in the White House. I think it sets a great goal for those who don’t believe that they can make it. It is possible to do what you want if you set your mind to it.
I was also flipping through The Week and I found a Bank of America ad, and the image that was with it was an African American father and son sitting and eating lunch together. It gives a good connotation of a father-son relationship. In the episode of “My Wife and Kids”, the father is the head of his company and hires the mother to be his accountant. There was a positive image set because both of the parents had good paying jobs and the kids were able to attend school. Though, in the episode, their son received his SAT scores and it was said to be a perfect score. Then they found out that the scores were mixed up and he got a 200. I feel like this is stereotyping a little bit, but it could have happened to any kid, in any show. Another negative image that was the wife was whiney and used that to get attention.
On Thursday, Akeelah and the Bee was on Lifetime, and I had never seen the movie. I wasn’t exactly sure what the movie was about, and I found it really interesting. Akeelah lives in a lower class city with not many opportunities. She has the chance to go to the National Spelling Bee because she is so good at spelling, but doesn’t want to be made fun of or seen as a brainiac. With the support of her teacher, principal, and her mentor, she makes it to the National Spelling Bee and ends up making it to the final two and tie-ing with her opponent. It is really a great movie and a sets a good example. Kids shouldn’t be ashamed of who they are and the talents that they have.
Today, I found an article on the Griffin brothers. It talks about the relationship that Taylor and Blake have and how they have helped shape each other. Not only do they have the support of each other, but they have the support from their parents. The image that their family sets is a positive one. The love that the family has for each other is so strong and very much God-based which is truly amazing. I also watched the Pursuit of Happyness for the first time today. Will Smith plays a father who is trying to find work to support his family. He has trouble finding a job; he ends up losing his wife, his banking account, and his credit cards. Not only does he lose all of his money, he ends up living on the streets with his son trying to find a steady job. His strive to find work ends positively as he does find a job and becomes very successful.
African American families are not highly covered in the media today. I had some difficulty coming across stories about them. I do believe that the media has done a better job not stereotyping the African American family and that our nation is headed in the right direction.
March 24, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Smart Guy
BET
Television Comedy
African American Family-Father, 3 kids (1 daughter, 2 sons)
Positive Image
Tuesday
March 24, 2009
“Daughters ‘adapting remarkably’ Obama says”
Online Article
African American Family-Father, Mother, 2 kids (2 daughters)
Positive Image
Wednesday
March 25, 2009
Bank of America Ad
The Week (Magazine, March, 20th issue)
African American Family-Father and 1 son
Positive Image
Wednesday
March 25, 2009
5:00 p.m.
“My Wife and Kids”
ABC family, channel 36
Television Comedy
African American Family-Father, Mother, 3 kids (2 daughters and son)
Positive Image
Thursday
March 26, 2009
Akeelah and the Bee
Movie
African American Family-Mother, 4 kids (2 daughters, 2 sons)
Negative/positive Image
Friday
March 27, 2009
“Oklahoma star Blake Griffin gets strength from his family”
Online Article
African American Family-Father, Mother, 2 kids (2 sons)
Positive Image
Friday
March 27, 2009
Pursuit of Happyness
Movie
African American Family-Father, Mother, 1 kid (1 son)
Negative/Positive Image
All in all, all of the images that I came across were positive. I feel like our society has come a long way in recognizing and not stereotyping African Americans. Though, it was difficult to just come across African Americans in the mediaIt , but I don’t pay too much attention to the media. On Tuesday, I came across Smart Guy, an old Disney show that I absolutely loved. The family has a positive image having a working father and kids that are able to attend school. The youngest son is even a genius. In the article that I found about the Obama family was short, but mentioned how well Barack’s daughters are adapting to moving into the White House. Even with my Republican views, it is great to see an African American family in the White House. I think it sets a great goal for those who don’t believe that they can make it. It is possible to do what you want if you set your mind to it.
I was also flipping through The Week and I found a Bank of America ad, and the image that was with it was an African American father and son sitting and eating lunch together. It gives a good connotation of a father-son relationship. In the episode of “My Wife and Kids”, the father is the head of his company and hires the mother to be his accountant. There was a positive image set because both of the parents had good paying jobs and the kids were able to attend school. Though, in the episode, their son received his SAT scores and it was said to be a perfect score. Then they found out that the scores were mixed up and he got a 200. I feel like this is stereotyping a little bit, but it could have happened to any kid, in any show. Another negative image that was the wife was whiney and used that to get attention.
On Thursday, Akeelah and the Bee was on Lifetime, and I had never seen the movie. I wasn’t exactly sure what the movie was about, and I found it really interesting. Akeelah lives in a lower class city with not many opportunities. She has the chance to go to the National Spelling Bee because she is so good at spelling, but doesn’t want to be made fun of or seen as a brainiac. With the support of her teacher, principal, and her mentor, she makes it to the National Spelling Bee and ends up making it to the final two and tie-ing with her opponent. It is really a great movie and a sets a good example. Kids shouldn’t be ashamed of who they are and the talents that they have.
Today, I found an article on the Griffin brothers. It talks about the relationship that Taylor and Blake have and how they have helped shape each other. Not only do they have the support of each other, but they have the support from their parents. The image that their family sets is a positive one. The love that the family has for each other is so strong and very much God-based which is truly amazing. I also watched the Pursuit of Happyness for the first time today. Will Smith plays a father who is trying to find work to support his family. He has trouble finding a job; he ends up losing his wife, his banking account, and his credit cards. Not only does he lose all of his money, he ends up living on the streets with his son trying to find a steady job. His strive to find work ends positively as he does find a job and becomes very successful.
African American families are not highly covered in the media today. I had some difficulty coming across stories about them. I do believe that the media has done a better job not stereotyping the African American family and that our nation is headed in the right direction. Thursday, February 26, 2009
Civil Rights
The Harlem Renaissance was a time that provided many opportunities for African Americans. It marked the first time that critics took African American literature seriously and it was also the time of the Great Migration. The Renaissance increased education and employment opportunities. The Harlem Renaissance included the emersion of Jazz, which was a free art form that the Blacks were able to have and use to entertain.
The Civil Rights Movement was a time where African Americans fought for equal rights. The movement included other movements like the Sit-In Movement, the Free Speech Movement, the Anti-War Movement, and the Black Power Movement. Many groups like the Black Panther Party and SNCC were also a part of working in the Civil Rights Movement. In Mississippi of 1955, Emmett Till acknowledged the white owner’s wife, on a dare, which caused problems with the owner. He was kidnapped by Roy Bryant and his half brother J.W. Milam and was brutally beaten and murdered. This event brought the nation together and was said to have started the Civil Rights Movement. I had heard this story before this class in my history class last semester, but we didn’t go into too much detail.
SNCC is the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. This group “not only mobilized, organized and politicized thousands of Black students, but also politicized many white students and their leaders through recruiting and training them and bringing them to the South to work in the struggle” (Karenga 9). The group started out working towards integrating blacks and whites but ended working the movement towards one of Black Power.
In the “Martin and Malcolm” essay there are many differences between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Their lives are so different from each other, yet they both were fighting for “racial advancement”. Malcolm’s philosophy was based on a nonviolent but militant way of getting through the mass struggle. He was raised in a low income family that based living off of “charity and government welfare” (Carson 13) while Martin was raised in a loving home and had a great relationship with his parents. Even though Malcolm said that he would do anything to make things right, even if that meant using violence, he never used it. I believe that Martin used ideas from Gandhi because he grew up “in a family where love was central” (Carson 13). Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X both grew up so differently, but both wanted some way of getting their race to advance in society.
I do believe that the Civil Rights Movement accomplished its goals to an extent. Blacks have advanced so much in society, so much that we now have one as President, but there are still so many problems that need to be faced. Racism still exists today, it’s not as prominent, but it is still there. Blacks, now, are free, are citizens and can vote due to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments; they are able to sit anywhere they want anywhere they go due to Sit-In Movements and the Bus Boycott for example; and they can receive equal education because Brown vs. the Board of Education overruled the “separate but equal” policy.
I think the way you grow up and your life experiences do help mold your personal philosophy, but it is one-sided. I think it is important to know how others have grown up and lived as well as seeing what they believe in. Having grown up in a fortunate home with loving parents who were highly educated has allowed me to view the world with an optimistic attitude. I don’t know if I would be able to say the same if I had a harder life; one like Malcolm’s. I think it is important to learn, experience, and discuss with other people their opinions and their view on certain subjects because it only expands knowledge and experience for the crazy world that we live in.
The Civil Rights Movement was a time where African Americans fought for equal rights. The movement included other movements like the Sit-In Movement, the Free Speech Movement, the Anti-War Movement, and the Black Power Movement. Many groups like the Black Panther Party and SNCC were also a part of working in the Civil Rights Movement. In Mississippi of 1955, Emmett Till acknowledged the white owner’s wife, on a dare, which caused problems with the owner. He was kidnapped by Roy Bryant and his half brother J.W. Milam and was brutally beaten and murdered. This event brought the nation together and was said to have started the Civil Rights Movement. I had heard this story before this class in my history class last semester, but we didn’t go into too much detail.
SNCC is the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. This group “not only mobilized, organized and politicized thousands of Black students, but also politicized many white students and their leaders through recruiting and training them and bringing them to the South to work in the struggle” (Karenga 9). The group started out working towards integrating blacks and whites but ended working the movement towards one of Black Power.
In the “Martin and Malcolm” essay there are many differences between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Their lives are so different from each other, yet they both were fighting for “racial advancement”. Malcolm’s philosophy was based on a nonviolent but militant way of getting through the mass struggle. He was raised in a low income family that based living off of “charity and government welfare” (Carson 13) while Martin was raised in a loving home and had a great relationship with his parents. Even though Malcolm said that he would do anything to make things right, even if that meant using violence, he never used it. I believe that Martin used ideas from Gandhi because he grew up “in a family where love was central” (Carson 13). Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X both grew up so differently, but both wanted some way of getting their race to advance in society.
I do believe that the Civil Rights Movement accomplished its goals to an extent. Blacks have advanced so much in society, so much that we now have one as President, but there are still so many problems that need to be faced. Racism still exists today, it’s not as prominent, but it is still there. Blacks, now, are free, are citizens and can vote due to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments; they are able to sit anywhere they want anywhere they go due to Sit-In Movements and the Bus Boycott for example; and they can receive equal education because Brown vs. the Board of Education overruled the “separate but equal” policy.
I think the way you grow up and your life experiences do help mold your personal philosophy, but it is one-sided. I think it is important to know how others have grown up and lived as well as seeing what they believe in. Having grown up in a fortunate home with loving parents who were highly educated has allowed me to view the world with an optimistic attitude. I don’t know if I would be able to say the same if I had a harder life; one like Malcolm’s. I think it is important to learn, experience, and discuss with other people their opinions and their view on certain subjects because it only expands knowledge and experience for the crazy world that we live in.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Privilege
Today in class was a real eye opener. I knew that I have been fortunate all of my life, but I have never realized how much people around me haven’t been as privileged. Also, reading the article by McIntosh made me recognize that there are so many privileges that I have being a white female. We also watched a little bit of a film by Jim Wise. He was discussing the different privileges whites have over those of a different race. It was an interesting film and I wanted to hear even more of what he had to say. Watching the film and reading McIntosh allowed me to realize some of the privileges that I have; some of them which include:
1. I have been able to attend a good public school district and receive a great education.
2. I can go to the store late at night and not be followed by an employee because he thinks that I’m going to be stealing something.
3. I can go through airport security without worrying if my bags will be checked or being searched because of my race.
4. I can drive and not worry if I’ll get pulled over randomly because of the color of my skin.
5. I can walk into a store and not be judged by others because of my race.
6. I have been privileged in the fact that I have been able to grow up in a safe neighborhood.
7. I have the privilege of being able to work in a workplace and not get judged by the color of my skin.
8. I am able to go into a class at school and have a majority of the class be of the same race.
9. I can flip through a magazine and see a majority of my race being represented.
10. My family has been fortunate enough that my parents are paying for my college as well as my brothers’ colleges.
11. When I get into my profession, I can be sure that a majority of the people I will be working with will be of my same race.
12. I can be sure that I am heard when I speak an opinion that I may have.
13. I can easily find extracurricular activities with the involvement of people of my own race.
14. I can be sure that I can ask questions about culture and it not seem politically incorrect because of my race.
15. I know I can talk to a professor here at the university and know that he or she will be willing to answer any questions that I have.
16. I can put down other languages, thinking that others should learn English, and not be looked down upon because of my race.
17. My parents have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to try best.
18. Both of my parents graduated from high school and they both attended college.
19. I know that I can interview for a job position and not be discriminated against because of the color of my skin.
20. I have the ability to decide exactly what I want to do with my life; I don’t have to be told what I should or shouldn’t do, because of who I am and the life that I am able to live.
Privilege, I believe, is something that I’m not able to control. I was born as a white female and am fortunate. It isn’t fair that I was able to live the way that I have so far and have people so close to me live such a harder life. There are people that I know of a different color who are just as smart, if not smarter, than I am. For them not to be able to live the life that I have lived just isn’t right. And I hate that they did not get to choose how they wanted to live. They, too, were born into it.
1. I have been able to attend a good public school district and receive a great education.
2. I can go to the store late at night and not be followed by an employee because he thinks that I’m going to be stealing something.
3. I can go through airport security without worrying if my bags will be checked or being searched because of my race.
4. I can drive and not worry if I’ll get pulled over randomly because of the color of my skin.
5. I can walk into a store and not be judged by others because of my race.
6. I have been privileged in the fact that I have been able to grow up in a safe neighborhood.
7. I have the privilege of being able to work in a workplace and not get judged by the color of my skin.
8. I am able to go into a class at school and have a majority of the class be of the same race.
9. I can flip through a magazine and see a majority of my race being represented.
10. My family has been fortunate enough that my parents are paying for my college as well as my brothers’ colleges.
11. When I get into my profession, I can be sure that a majority of the people I will be working with will be of my same race.
12. I can be sure that I am heard when I speak an opinion that I may have.
13. I can easily find extracurricular activities with the involvement of people of my own race.
14. I can be sure that I can ask questions about culture and it not seem politically incorrect because of my race.
15. I know I can talk to a professor here at the university and know that he or she will be willing to answer any questions that I have.
16. I can put down other languages, thinking that others should learn English, and not be looked down upon because of my race.
17. My parents have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to try best.
18. Both of my parents graduated from high school and they both attended college.
19. I know that I can interview for a job position and not be discriminated against because of the color of my skin.
20. I have the ability to decide exactly what I want to do with my life; I don’t have to be told what I should or shouldn’t do, because of who I am and the life that I am able to live.
Privilege, I believe, is something that I’m not able to control. I was born as a white female and am fortunate. It isn’t fair that I was able to live the way that I have so far and have people so close to me live such a harder life. There are people that I know of a different color who are just as smart, if not smarter, than I am. For them not to be able to live the life that I have lived just isn’t right. And I hate that they did not get to choose how they wanted to live. They, too, were born into it.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The NAACP
In 1909, the NAACP was formed by African Americans and white liberals. The organization still exists today, working to fight against the injustice of America. It has been instrumental in the African American experience, historically, because it has led African Americans to be where they are today. Many actions had to take place, and during the beginning years of the organization, “the NAACP went on to launch and win effective campaigns against lynching and Jim Crowism, and to secure the vote” (Karenga, 169). The Oklahoma NAACP has contributed to the history of the civil rights movement, specifically with the sit-in of Clara Luper in 1958. She was the “advisor for the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council” (Decker, Internet). Luper and the Youth Council, then, went to Katz Drug Store and sat at the lunch counter. This act began the sit-in movements that occurred across the United States.
Some ways that the legal movement contributed to the Civil Rights Movement were that it gave African Americans a sight for how the law wasn’t fair, and it gave them a reason to stand up for what was right. Many African Americans from across the country participated in the Sit-In Movement after the first one of Clara Luper in 1958. Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat on the bus because she knew that it was not right. This began the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which African Americans banded together to fight against segregation. This boycott spread throughout the South and was “an effective instrument of breaking down segregation barriers” (Karenga, 186). There are some similarities between the NAACP’s relevance to the African American experience and the legal movement because they both have structure. The NAACP was a way to “fight against injustice” (Karenga, 169) and it fought to give Blacks rights that they did not have years before. The 13th, 14th and 15th amendments were established for African Americans’ freedom.
The period of Reconstruction was a time that African Americans endured but also a time they wanted to forget. After the Civil War, laws were set up to help ensure the rights of African Americans, but whites did not follow through with these laws. The laws came from the Freedmen’s Bureau which was “to guide and protect the freed Africans”. As much as the Africans wanted their freedom, whites did not provide a sense of hope. Reconstruction had many chances to be successful for African Americans, but it was not. Some of the reasons that Reconstruction failed include “the failure of the federal government to give Blacks land and equipment…” and “the rise of the white terrorist societies like the KKK and the Camelias in spite of the 1870 and 1871 laws against such societies” (Karenga 165).
The NAACP still exists today, and it is still fighting against injustice. They work with people trying to get their needs and rights obtained. Mr. Douglas, the President of the Oklahoma NAACP, spoke with us about what they are about and an example that really stood out was talking about teachers and helping them get the salary that they deserve. They fight for what is best and since Mr. Douglas and Mrs. Williams came, a group of students are trying to start up an NAACP program. Since their visit, I am becoming even more interested in the African American experience. Mrs. Williams was telling the class about her life and the hard times she had to deal with. I have never met anyone personally who dealt with so much: not being able to read until the age of 53 (I believe is what she said) just amazes and hurts me, especially because I am going to be a teacher. To not know how to read and write and going through college only on a track scholarship is unbelievable. Hearing about the NAACP and what it has done and what it is doing and hearing Mrs. Williams’s story really makes me want to go out and make a difference.
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/L/LU005.html
http://www.rose.edu/EOCRHC/Oral-Luper,C.htm
Some ways that the legal movement contributed to the Civil Rights Movement were that it gave African Americans a sight for how the law wasn’t fair, and it gave them a reason to stand up for what was right. Many African Americans from across the country participated in the Sit-In Movement after the first one of Clara Luper in 1958. Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat on the bus because she knew that it was not right. This began the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which African Americans banded together to fight against segregation. This boycott spread throughout the South and was “an effective instrument of breaking down segregation barriers” (Karenga, 186). There are some similarities between the NAACP’s relevance to the African American experience and the legal movement because they both have structure. The NAACP was a way to “fight against injustice” (Karenga, 169) and it fought to give Blacks rights that they did not have years before. The 13th, 14th and 15th amendments were established for African Americans’ freedom.
The period of Reconstruction was a time that African Americans endured but also a time they wanted to forget. After the Civil War, laws were set up to help ensure the rights of African Americans, but whites did not follow through with these laws. The laws came from the Freedmen’s Bureau which was “to guide and protect the freed Africans”. As much as the Africans wanted their freedom, whites did not provide a sense of hope. Reconstruction had many chances to be successful for African Americans, but it was not. Some of the reasons that Reconstruction failed include “the failure of the federal government to give Blacks land and equipment…” and “the rise of the white terrorist societies like the KKK and the Camelias in spite of the 1870 and 1871 laws against such societies” (Karenga 165).
The NAACP still exists today, and it is still fighting against injustice. They work with people trying to get their needs and rights obtained. Mr. Douglas, the President of the Oklahoma NAACP, spoke with us about what they are about and an example that really stood out was talking about teachers and helping them get the salary that they deserve. They fight for what is best and since Mr. Douglas and Mrs. Williams came, a group of students are trying to start up an NAACP program. Since their visit, I am becoming even more interested in the African American experience. Mrs. Williams was telling the class about her life and the hard times she had to deal with. I have never met anyone personally who dealt with so much: not being able to read until the age of 53 (I believe is what she said) just amazes and hurts me, especially because I am going to be a teacher. To not know how to read and write and going through college only on a track scholarship is unbelievable. Hearing about the NAACP and what it has done and what it is doing and hearing Mrs. Williams’s story really makes me want to go out and make a difference.
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/L/LU005.html
http://www.rose.edu/EOCRHC/Oral-Luper,C.htm
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sit-In Movement
In class on Monday, we were discussing the different people who were involved in the Civil Rights Movement and the Sit-In Movement was mentioned. This reminded me of the history class that I took last semester. I was in History 1493, and this class covered material from the Industrial Revolution to the present. Near the end of the semester we talked a little about the 1960s and Civil Rights. One lecture, in particular, stuck with me; it was when we were discussing the Sit-In Movement in Greensboro, North Carolina. Four students went to a diner on February 1, 1960 and went and sat at the white counter knowing that they wouldn’t be served. This action was the beginning of about 70,000 other sit-ins throughout the South. My teacher said that during one of the sit-ins an older white woman walked by the boys and said, “It’s about time.” When I heard that, I got chills. I love hearing about people taking a stand and hearing that there were white people who cared. I wish that we could have talked more about the civil rights movements, but it was the end of the semester so we were not able to go into a lot of detail. I enjoy learning about the 1960s and how people took a stand for what was right. When I hear about people having problems with people of a different race, it drives me crazy. I do believe that racism has decreased since the 1960s, but it is still out there. It hurts me to think that people judge others by the color of their skin. I agree with Martin Luther King Jr. when he says, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I, too, dream that color will never be an issue.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A random Superbowl Sunday
Superbowl Sunday!
It has been an interesting, random night, but it has been so fun! The football game is going on right now, and my roommates and I invited some friends over to watch the game and hang out. We started the night with sixty McDonald’s chicken nuggets. People started coming over and the party began. The nuggets only lasted us about ten minutes because there were eight of us. We also have chocolate cake and cookies because my roommate Hannah went home this weekend, and since we’re from the same city, she stopped by my house to pick up the food that my mom had made. My friends Pam, Brittany, Laura, and I want the Arizona Cardinals to win and Sarah, Jesse, and John are cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s been an exciting and a very intense game. There has been cooking, yelling, chatting, and a lot of eating. During the third quarter, Brittany, Sarah, Josh, John and I got into a discussion about the African American race and how we don’t understand racism. We were also questioning what to call African Americans. Do we call them African Americans or do we call them Blacks? We don’t want to be offensive and we are curious to what the correct term is. It was an interesting conversation. It was a completely random conversation and coincidental that the subject came up. It has been a really fun night so far, and I’m excited for The Office to come on afterwards. It’s nice being with friends. Hanging out is one of my favorite hobbies. I truly enjoy being around people and learning something new about each person. I wish that school were cancelled tomorrow because I love being social and don’t want to go to bed early for my 8:30 class. I am excited for class tomorrow though because it is the beginning of Black History Month and I can’t wait to learn about a culture that isn’t mine.
It has been an interesting, random night, but it has been so fun! The football game is going on right now, and my roommates and I invited some friends over to watch the game and hang out. We started the night with sixty McDonald’s chicken nuggets. People started coming over and the party began. The nuggets only lasted us about ten minutes because there were eight of us. We also have chocolate cake and cookies because my roommate Hannah went home this weekend, and since we’re from the same city, she stopped by my house to pick up the food that my mom had made. My friends Pam, Brittany, Laura, and I want the Arizona Cardinals to win and Sarah, Jesse, and John are cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s been an exciting and a very intense game. There has been cooking, yelling, chatting, and a lot of eating. During the third quarter, Brittany, Sarah, Josh, John and I got into a discussion about the African American race and how we don’t understand racism. We were also questioning what to call African Americans. Do we call them African Americans or do we call them Blacks? We don’t want to be offensive and we are curious to what the correct term is. It was an interesting conversation. It was a completely random conversation and coincidental that the subject came up. It has been a really fun night so far, and I’m excited for The Office to come on afterwards. It’s nice being with friends. Hanging out is one of my favorite hobbies. I truly enjoy being around people and learning something new about each person. I wish that school were cancelled tomorrow because I love being social and don’t want to go to bed early for my 8:30 class. I am excited for class tomorrow though because it is the beginning of Black History Month and I can’t wait to learn about a culture that isn’t mine.
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