1. “One of the difficulties about being a Negro writer (and this in not special pleading, since I don’t mean to suggest that he has it worse than anybody else) is that the Negro problem is written about so widely” (446) James Baldwin is referring to the fact that African American writers have written about all of the problems already suffered by African Americans; He feels that every body considers themselves informed about the African History. He also is stating that there is either a pro or against side in the writings there is pain on both sides there for it is difficult to find things to write about because both sides cause him pain. 2. “But it is a part of the buisness of the writer-as I see it- to examine attitudes, to go beneath the surface, to tap the source.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s letter “A Letter from Birmingham,” was a good example of a counter argument from “A Call to Unity” by eight white clergymen. His inspiration for writing the letter came from clergymen’s unjust proposals affecting African-Americans. Dr. King effectively created his argument by using logos, pathos and ethos. What also helped his case were his personal experiences. He lived during the time where segregation was everywhere in the United States, not as a white man, but as an African-American.
In 2012 racism still exist, Black Men and Public Space is still very much relevant to African Americans today. Brent Staples experience racism first hand as an African American male in his story, Black Men and Public Space. From a first person point of view, Brent Staples explores his involvement with stereotypes through anecdotes and dark humor. “My first victim was a woman, white, well dressed probably in her late twenties,” is how Staples starts his story. With this anecdote Staples grab the reader attention and curiosity to see why he uses these terms to describe the woman and what has happen between the two of them.
Lawrence Rigby English 120 Dr. T. Francis September 11th, 2008 Student No. 000-04-6841 Room: Michael Eldon GIB Critique: Is Slavery the Cause of the Social Ills that Plague Blacks Today? By: Garvin H. Shannon While his opinion and theory behind the social ills of blacks are well supported, Shannon has failed to mention that the human race itself, is shaped by its past. In truth, we all "have the power to shape our own destiny" as Shannon mentions, but the fact remains, Blacks must first comprehend their purpose in order to understand what is predestined for them. In his opening statements, giving our oppressors divine characteristics is said of those blacks that use slavery as the reasoning behind their lack of responsibility; however, I cannot depart from the impression that Shannon feels slavery hasn't had little or any effect on the moral fiber of blacks.
No matter how much Obama tries to eliminate racism, there will always be racism. Everyone I believe is entitled to their own opinion but should no express it with one who does not believe so. But Obama will try his hardest to eliminate racism as much as
After reading the article “Black Man and Public Space”, I feel very sorry for black man like Brent Staples because how people treat and judg them so unfairly, and we get to do something to change their attitude. We are all human being and living in the same society, so we all have the same rights, duty and responsibility anyway. Because of that, it’s so weird if we think we are more valuable than others. The stable and strong society needs every single individual works together to build and develop it, and our color isn’t a matter. The matters are how we connect people, how we make people dedicate them to community, and how we make people feel they are in charge for this community.
Richard Wright gives the audience insight into the mindset and circumstances of blacks in America, through the experiences (good and bad, rising and falling) of Bigger Thomas. Through his carefully crafted novel, Native Son, Richard Wright shows that the world around Bigger Thomas contributes to his mental instability and animal like behavior. The novel contributes Bigger’s mental instability to the factors, of having to play two different roles depending on the world he is in. Bigger in the world of African America’s or the “Black Belt” then he is assertive and aggressive. In the world of whites Bigger is submissive and fearful.
he portrayed ethos in his speech effectively because he himself is an African American, and he knows exactly what kind of segregation and discrimination his black brothers are experiencing. King gives an example by saying, “We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels
When King refers to how important “the fierce urgency of Now,” is, he backs up the argument of how the black population is so worn down and disgraced that they just cannot take the shameful respect any longer. To show he recognizes the hesitation of the white citizens, King makes sure his men of color understand that once they have gained their freedom, they must say
Black Men in Public Places Does the media portray African Americans in a negative light and do statistics support these beliefs? Many people view blacks as threatening, menacing or even as criminals. From the first puritans to settle in America, black people were viewed as inferior to whites. This image, through the media, has evolved into a fear of the black race, especially black men. The essay “Black Men in Public Spaces,” written by Brent Staples illustrates the view from the black man perspective, but may also add to the stereotype.