African American essays

184 samples in this category

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1 Page 622 Words
In James Baldwin's thought-provoking essay, "Stranger in the Village," he delves into the profound experience of being an outsider in an unfamiliar environment. Baldwin recounts his time spent in a remote Swiss village, where he grapples with the complexities of race, identity, and the human condition. Through his introspective reflections and poignant observations, Baldwin explores themes of isolation, prejudice, and...
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1 Page 623 Words
In modern-day time, Detroit is the city with the highest illiteracy rate, while being the city populated with the most by black people. This is not a coincidence. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, illiteracy is the inability to read and write. Lack of funding, inadequate standardized testing, lack of discussion, inability by the government along with many more things are...
African AmericanIlliteracy
like 241
4 Pages 1697 Words
Black feminist literature stresses on the double-victimization of black women. The women from the oppressed society encounter absolute dominance and cruelty within the territory of the whites, who suppress them in the name of race; also they undergo the same kind of treatment by their own men in various unsolicited ways. The prolonging silences of women congregate at once to...
3 Pages 1201 Words
In Bell Hooks’ essay “In Our Glory: Photography and Black Life” from Art On My Mind: Visual Politics, Hooks breaks down the importance of photography within black life and why this activity should be continued to preserve black culture. Hook’s main argument throughout her writing is that photography is powerful in creating meaning because cameras allow black people to effectively...
African AmericanPhotographySociety
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1 Page 996 Words
Criminologists have long been interested in the relationship of crime with race, class, and gender - particularly critical criminologists. There have been ongoing discussions as to which factor is the most important. Intersectionality scholars, however, consider these discussions as pointless, because these modes of power (race, class, gender, etc.) intersect to form particular oppressions that are not a sum of...
African AmericanIntersectionalityState
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1 Page 577 Words
Introduction: Lorraine Hansberry's play, 'A Raisin in the Sun,' explores several prominent themes that resonate with audiences even today. Among these themes, the pursuit of dreams and the search for identity stand out as central to the experiences of the Younger family. This theme analysis essay will delve into the significance of dreams and identity in the play, examining how...
1 Page 547 Words
Introduction: Black Lives Matter is a powerful and influential movement that has gained significant attention in recent years. It emerged as a response to the persistent systemic racism and violence faced by Black individuals in various aspects of society. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive definition of the Black Lives Matter movement, exploring its origins, goals, and impact on...
1 Page 412 Words
Introduction: Maya Angelou's essay, 'Momma, the Dentist and Me,' delves into her childhood experiences and the profound influence of her grandmother, whom she lovingly refers to as Momma. In this summary essay, we will provide an overview of the essay's key themes, memorable moments, and the lasting impact of Angelou's storytelling. Summary: 'Momma, the Dentist and Me' chronicles Angelou's childhood...
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1 Page 485 Words
Introduction: Maya Angelou's poignant essay, 'Momma, the Dentist, and Me,' explores themes of identity, racism, and resilience. In this critical essay, we will delve into the powerful storytelling, the significance of the characters, and the profound impact of Angelou's work in shedding light on the African American experience during the mid-20th century. The Power of Storytelling: Angelou's narrative prowess is...
African AmericanCommunityMaya Angelou
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3 Pages 1401 Words
Eric Roth’s 1994 award-winning film, Forrest Gump explores racism in American society from the 1950s to the 1980s. In ‘Forrest Gump’, it can be seen that African-American people experience severe prejudice through various protests and actions performed by white Americans. The prejudice African-Americans receive was highlighted through Forrest’s good friend Bubba, an organisation called the Black Panthers and protest called...
African AmericanForrest GumpSociety
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5 Pages 2078 Words
The early onset of systematic oppression forced racism through laws and actions, the creation of the government, slavery, and the inadequate treatment of African Americans throughout time. A long-term effect can be seen in the treatment and statistics of African Americans over the years. In present-day America, the saying “Make America Great Again” is seen everywhere among Donald Trump’s supporters,...
African AmericanNative AmericanOppression
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4 Pages 1782 Words
My first introduction to Oprah the actor was in a clouded frame of a classic Spielberg movie, where she shook and trembled, as she wailed to her heart’s distraught. Oprah the actor got to me far before Spielberg the director. (Color Purple, Directed by Steven Spielberg, 1985). I wasn’t even cognizant of Spielberg the director. What my head however, couldn’t...
like 210
2 Pages 734 Words
‘Warriors Don’t Cry’ by Melba Pattillo Beals is a true story based around the discriminatory events in Little Rock, Arkansas. Melba and eight of her other friends risk their lives on September 25, 1957, as they decide to integrate into an all-white school. They face extreme racism when once enrolled in the school; people would call them threatening to bomb...
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2 Pages 996 Words
Introduction Color is a profound element that influences our lives in myriad ways, often serving as a reflection of our personal identity and emotional landscape. The role of color in personal narratives is not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, resonating with cultural, psychological, and individual significance. As the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung once posited, "Colors are the mother tongue of...
African AmericanRacial RealismWoman
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1 Page 615 Words
Brent Staples, a journalist, in his essay ‘Just Walk On By’ explained through a personal story the perspective of how the American society has viewed and treated its African American male population. Society has put a negative label on African American men, they have been viewed constantly as a threat, and they also have been racially profiled more often than...
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4 Pages 1777 Words
Black slavery in the U.S. was made illegal in the mid-1800s. However, the effects have lasted more than a few lifetimes. Lynching, segregation, and discrimination have all diminished greatly since the Civil War, yet the trek for equality seems to be an uphill battle for black Americans. Between the Civil War and the present day, black Americans have been at...
2 Pages 972 Words
‘A Raisin in the Sun’ is a play written in 1959 by Lorraine Hansberry about a family struggling with oppression and discrimination as they try to improve their financial situation with an insurance payout following the death of Walter and Beneatha’s father. The play deals with several different themes. The three biggest themes are the value of dreams, racial discrimination,...
2 Pages 973 Words
In the essay 'The Case for Reparations', the author, Ta-Nehisi Coates, analyzes African-American history in order to further his argument that African Americans deserve some form of reparations. He argues that America has allowed for the 'plunder' of African Americans in the past and continues to do so in the present. To back his claims, Coates uses stories and evidence...
2 Pages 954 Words
Introduction Booker T. Washington stands as a pivotal figure in the annals of American history, particularly in the context of civil rights. Born into slavery in 1856, Washington rose to become one of the most influential African American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His philosophy of self-help, vocational training, and economic empowerment for African Americans was...
African AmericanCivil RightsSociety
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3 Pages 1413 Words
Why are race and stereotypes such a prevalent problem within the education system? Both schools and their students have a responsibility when it comes to the safety and education of the pupils. Most people would agree that the responsibility is shared based on age --or as a general guideline, a 50-50 split. This, however, is only applicable in theory. In...
African AmericanGender StereotypesStudent
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2 Pages 896 Words
Introduction Jackie Robinson's entrance into Major League Baseball in 1947 marked a pivotal moment not only in sports history but also in the broader struggle for racial equality in the United States. As the first African American to play in the major leagues in the modern era, Robinson's journey challenged the entrenched segregation that characterized American society. His integration into...
African AmericanJackie RobinsonLegacy
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3 Pages 1232 Words
One of the great challenges today is that we often feel untouched by the problems of others and by global issues. People often feel overwhelmed and disconnected from these issues, not empowered and poised for action. This is where art can make a difference; by being a tool for social change. Engaging with a good work of art can connect...
1 Page 537 Words
Introduction "Through My Eyes" is a powerful memoir written by Ruby Bridges, recounting her experience as a young African American girl who became a symbol of courage during the civil rights movement. In this literary criticism essay, we will explore the themes of resilience, empathy, and the power of education in Bridges' memoir. By analyzing her compelling storytelling, vivid imagery,...
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2 Pages 1055 Words
African Americans and American women have been oppressed by the opinions and laws of white men since the drafting of the Constitution of the United States. African Americans and American women’s most prevalent contributions exist in literature and culture, most predominately in the works of Langston Hughe’s “I, Too,” Zora Neale Hurston’s, “How It Feels To Be Colored Me,” Bontemp’s,...
2 Pages 860 Words
‘The Social Life of DNA’ by Alondra Nelson goes in depth explaining how genetic testing can be the key to discovering our roots. Nelson highlights the concept that people, specifically African Americans, should rediscover their roots to find out who they are and where they came from. Through DNA testing, such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA, people were able to gain...
African AmericanDNARoots
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5 Pages 2492 Words
What is racism? According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the definition of racism is any action, practice, or belief that reflects the racial worldview—the ideology that humans may be divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called “races”; that there is a causal link between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality. Racism is not new to any culture. It...
like 248
2 Pages 808 Words
George Washington Carver or ' peanut man ' was an American Agricultural scientist known for crop rotation, peanut farming, and for inventing ways to prevent soil depletion. George Washington Carver was born in Diamond Missouri on a plantation in the early 1860s. (The exact date is currently unknown) George was born before slavery was abolished. His master, Moses Carver, was...
African AmericanGeorge Washington
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3 Pages 1307 Words
When debating to what degree racism fuelled the start and expansion of colonial plantations, one must recognise first and foremost that racial prejudice plays a large role in maintaining the hierarchy of the plantations. A question that often arises in this debate is whether racism was around before slavery, or if it occurred as a result. As expressed by Eric...
African AmericanSlave Trade
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2 Pages 802 Words
America is often addressed as a melting pot of several cultures, cultures that are embraced and accepted by those of natural citizenship. The latter is a statement of fact, to a certain extent. It’s difficult for many people to identify themselves. If I was born in America does that mean I am solely American? In cases like this, people find...
like 432
2 Pages 780 Words
Race has become a controversial subject throughout the years, ideas and perceptions about race are constantly in motion as society develops. Even today racial minorities continue to face oppression. Race has been created to support racist ideas and create divisions within mankind. We are all fundamentally the same because race is an idea that has been malignified by politics, racism,...
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