ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: racism

In conclusion even when powerful people in society restrict the freedom of the lower class to benefit their hierarchies. Aminata’s storytelling challenges the power of the upper class by sharing her story. She creates hope for herself and her story is the one thing that she hangs onto throughout the story. She goes from a slave that was no longer happy with life, to a elder with joy and happiness living with her kid known across the country. Her storytelling unifies her past with the present and creates a place for her in society.
Topic: racism

Native Son, by Richard Wright, is a tale of a black man that becomes a product of his environment due to his circumstances that leads him into a fearful downfall of violence. Bigger can be described as the victim of a racist society and its racial prejudice and segregation. Fear is the dominant emotion that the protagonist, Bigger, feels as a result of feeling inferior to white people that run the city. Bigger is especially fearful of white people and the power they have over him.
Topic: racism

In the opening scenes of the novel, Bigger and his brother, Buddy, try and successfully kill a rat. The rat is just as afraid of Bigger as Bigger is of the rat, and their reactions to these fears are the same: defiance and violence. The rat acted in violence in retaliation against Bigger because the fear it had of him. The rat “leaped at Bigger’s trouser-leg and snagged it in his teeth”(Wright 5) as an attack towards Bigger.
Topic: racism

While Bigger attacked and ended up killing the rat, its “belly pulsed with fear” (Wright 6) as it “emitted a long thin son of defiance,” (Wright 6). Wright opens the novel in this way as a beginning emphasis of the terrible and unintended consequences of fear. Along with the violent acts resulting from the victims of fear, Wright also shows how those like Bigger hide their fear. Before disposing of the rat, Bigger scares his sister Vera with the rat, all while “enjoying his sister fear” (Wright 7). Wright could’ve had Bigger just get rid of the rat, but instead shows Bigger taking pleasure in Vera’s fear to show Bigger hiding his fear so others wouldn’t see his own fear. This ultimately is the reason to why Bigger can’t control the way he acts when around white people. At the interview with Mr.Dalton he thinks to himself “Why was he acting and feeling (the way he was)” (Wright 46). The way he was acting was due to the fear of white people he had. It caused him to feel trapped, like he had no control on his own life at the moment.
Topic: racism

Despite his fear of the white supremacy, Bigger takes on the “opportunity” to work at the Dalton’s household. The job offer was considered an “opportunity” and Wright does this with full intent. Wright uses characterization and the setting of Mrs.Dalton and the white community to explain why it was considered an opportunity in the eyes of the black folk. Mrs.Dalton is blind and, like most white people in Chicago at the time, fails to see the racial prejudice and oppression that they uphold to the black people in society. Blindness and ignorance are, in a sense, one in this case. The black people are too ignorant, or in other words, blind to the fact that white people are keeping them on the bottom by hiring them to be housemaids or servants. Wright uses Mrs.Dalton to represent how the white people see the racial oppression done to blacks. To continue, Bigger’s family lives in a beat-up, rat-infested one-room apartment in the segregated community of Chicago’s South Side. Bigger and his family have very few limited options and this apartment is basically forced upon them. In comparison to the white households like the Dalton’s, Bigger’s apartment is drastically worse. The Daltons live in a luxurious mansion. The house is so big that when Bigger is in there he feels uncomfortable. The house was so much bigger than his that he hadn’t “thought [their] world would be so utterly different from his own” (Wright 45). Bigger felt intimidated by the huge house. Like the fear that makes Bigger feel trapped, his house is like living in a tiny corner in comparison to the Dalton household he works at. Seeing the house made him even more fearful of the white people.
Topic: racism

The United States of America have come a long way with the way people different ethnicities and races are treated as a whole. Our nation has once struggled with the acceptance of people with diverse backgrounds and skin color. Although as a whole we have encountered a harsh and difficult journey to get where we are now, our past is full of hate and distastefulness regarding one another. Jamestown, Virginia was where slavery was first originated when 20 African slaves where transferred via Dutch ship on shore the British colony in 1619.
Topic: racism

Living conditions on board the slave ships were miserable, often subjecting not only the captives but as well as the crew to disease (fever, dysentery, smallpox, etc.). Due to very little or no sanitation and no food, an estimated 2 million African American slaves died of either sickness or starvation on route. African American women, men and children were separated with men below the deck and women and children were held in other parts of the ship.
Topic: racism

With women and children sometimes on deck with the crew, they were subjectified to abuse and sexual harassment such as rape. It wasn’t uncommon that uproars of slaves on board these ships arranged plans to rebel and bring down the crew holding them captive. Perhaps one of the most famous rebellions transpired on the Amistad, January 1839, during route to Havana, Cuba. Once the slaves were secured and shackled ensuring they wouldn’t escape, three days later, a brave captive by the African name Sengbe Pieh (Cinque) freed himself from his confinement and formulated a plan to return the ship to Africa.
Topic: racism

Attempting to return The Amistad back to Africa took a lengthy 63 days. Once the ship arrived on shore in Montauk Point, Long Island, the United States government immediately seized it resulting in the slaves being charged with piracy and murder. As Spaniards ripped Africans from their homes and out beneath their own covers, they not only damaged the Africans but the homeland they were so wrongly taken from. The affect of the international slave trade on Africa brought great despair and tragedy, the death toll reached great heights, as economic and environmental devastation resulting from wars were unbelievably skyrocketing.
Topic: racism

Politically, the ties between religious communities, ethnic groups, kingdoms and rulers and subjects were left transformed. Subsequently the triangular slave trade left the continent underdeveloped and vulnerable. As most people sat by and watched what was occurring a brave and strong individual dreamt of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people. Nelson Mandela, South African activist and former president, is known for helping bring the apartheid where white and black people in South Africa lived separate lives, to an end. Mandela is also widely recognized for being an advocate for human rights.
Topic: racism

While Mandela was growing up he witnessed basic rights for blacks being denied things that should be available to both and all groups be limited to whites and forbidden for blacks. Activities such as voting, marrying whites, drinking from same water fountains, using hospitals and an equal education were hindered for blacks and aimed mostly for whites. However, Mandela believed that everyone should be treated equally. Mandela held such disgust for the unfairness of the way people were treated, he stated that “I hate discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations, I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days.” (Biography.com, Nelson Mandela Biography, Biography.com). And Nelson Mandela did just that.
Topic: racism

In 1956 Mandela and 150 others were arrested and charged with treason for their political advocacy, these beliefs encouraged Mandela to direct a peaceful campaign free of violence as an act of defiance against the South African government. While Nelson Mandela was confined for 27 years in prison, he developed tuberculosis and the color of his skin granted him the lowest level of treatment of hospitality from prison workers. On February 11, 1990 Frederik Willem de Klerk authorized Nelson Mandela’s release from solitary confinement. Frederik also unbanned he ANC, a liberation movement formed in 1912 to unite the African people, and removed restrictions on political groups and suspended executions. Upon his release the changes he had on slavery and the world were evident. Nelson Mandela showed people that a single person could be a catalyst and he wasn’t afraid to be that one person. As Mandela worded it “There is no passion to be found playing small – in setting for a life that is less than one you are capable of living.” (Red.org, 8 Ways Nelson Mandela Changed the World, Red.org).
Topic: racism

Former president Mandela also comprehend that while it is crucial to forgive, history must never forget its tormented past. Mandela desired remembrance instead of revenge. He understood that the key to keep moving progressively forward as a nation, understanding and learning from its troubled past was needed. Mandela also set an example of dedication, courage, and sacrifice for all peoples. Mandela refused to protect and defend himself in order to not legitimatize the charges being used against him. Multiples times the government tried to level with Mandela offering him to be set free if he did not engage in any political activities once considered a free man. Mandela did not take the offer refusing, he replied “I cannot and will not give any undertaking at a time when I and you, the people, are not free – your freedom and mine cannot be separated.” (Red.org, 8 Ways Nelson Mandela Changed the Worl, Red.org).
Topic: racism

Not only did Mandela fill his followers with hope and righteousness he gave an education to rural students. In 2007 Mandela founded the Nelson Mandela Institute for Rural Development and Education to tutor and send high quality teachers to rural areas where education wasn’t as progressive and caught up to date as the other parts of the world. Mandela declared, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Globalcitizen.org, 7 Ways Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Still Resonates Today, Globalcitizen.org). The world has come a long way with slavery and the differences between skin color determining the way you were treated and what you could do or achieve. So how are thing in South Africa today? Optimists say it remains the most advanced country in Africa with thriving cities that are integrated into the global economy. Millions of blacks have been educated and raised out of poverty.
Topic: racism

Othello may be an African prince, destined under benefit Furthermore sovereignty. He claims, “I bring my life Also existence/from men from claiming imperial offense. He exited as much local country Furthermore as much term for guaranteed extravagance with take on with “around white Europeans Furthermore create free of those radical commitments from claiming sovereignty. Done as much new home, as much best commitments are will people he himself need picked to serve: the Venetian administration Also as much wife Desdemona.
Topic: racism

These achievements have earned Othello the deference Also appreciation of the individuals around him with those exemptions of an angry few, including iago what’s more Rodrigo. Iago hates Othello On account he delegated the unpracticed Casio Concerning illustration as much lieutenant As opposed to Iago, who Rather got as much “ancient. ” iago enacts as much revenge upon Othello Toward manipulating Rodrigo, who longings Othello’s wife Desdemona. Rodrigo communicates as much desire by calling Othello racial slurs: “What A full fortune do those thick-lips owe/If he could convoy’s thus!”). Both men plot on achieve a limit with Othello’s m by telling Desdemona’s father, Brabant, that Othello abducted her.
Topic: racism

They succeed in angering her adore for music, something she imparts to her father when they raise the subject from claiming race. Iago says to Brabant, “An old dark ram/Is topping your white ewe”. With this saying, iago What’s more Rodrigo insight that Othello Furthermore Desdemona’s future Youngsters will a chance to be half-breeds who will turned the criticize for pop culture Furthermore achieve disgrace upon Brabant. They keep on going by saying, “You’ll need your girl secured with a Barbary/Horse; you’ll bring your nephews neigh should you; you’ll bring coursers to cousins Furthermore gannets for Germans”.
Topic: racism

Anxious that such occasions might endanger as much position Similarly as senator, Brabant accuses Othello of hijacking and beguiling as much little girl over an edgy endeavor on hold as much identity or control Furthermore honor in the eyes about particular social order. Done as much defense, Othello focuses crazy that in the secret word Brabant “loved me; oft welcomed me” ,demonstrating to that Brabant might have been not racist Furthermore didn’t separate against Othello until Iago’s obstruction made him feel it might have been On as much best political investment on would thereabouts.
Topic: racism

Othello, himself, may be ignorant about whatever existing Prejudice alternately of the force of such neglectful contempt. He declares, “My parts, my title Also my so0tless soul/shall warrant me rightly”. He doesn’t accept that separation could figure out as much blame. In In this thought from claiming widespread correspondence meets expectations against Iago’s asserts that Desdemona may be deceiving once Othello due to as much skin color. Othello unhesitatingly declares, “Nor starting with mine own powerless benefits will in draw/the littlest dread alternately mistrust of her revolt/for she required eyes, and picked me”
Topic: racism

However, he dives for on say, “And yet, how nature blundering starting with itself “.This demonstrates that, maybe profound down, Othello puts stock that it may be for Desdemona’s intrinsic way on support men of her own race. Iago draws upon Othello’s question Furthermore says, “Her will, recoiling should her finer judgment/May fall on match you with her country forms/and cheerfully repent”). Toward saying this, iago intimates that Desdemona compares Othello with other white Venetian men what’s more second thoughts her marriage. Persuaded Eventually Tom’s perusing Iago’s words, Othello begin will accept that Desdemona is deceiving around him in light of he is dark.
Topic: racism

Left alone with these thoughts, Othello states “I’d whistle her off Also Lesvos her down the wind/to prey at fortune). As much expressions recommended that Assuming that Desdemona might have been turned out false, he might throws her crazy about as much family. However, following he acquires up the issue of his own race Also distinguishes how he is unique in relation to whatever remains of society, Othello lashes out in outrage toward Desdemona, the substitute to as much overwhelming sense from claiming self-loathing:. Haply, to I am bootleg. What’s more have not the individual’s delicate parts from claiming discussion. That clamberers have, alternately to I am declined. Under the vale for quite some time (yet that’s not much). She’s run. I am abused: Also my easing. Othello doesn’t simply reprimand Desdemona to her unfaithfulness or censures her to her sins, Be that as he, to a way, supports her activities Eventually Tom’s perusing accepting that as much own race-related Shortcomings persuaded her will need an undertaking for in turn mamoncillo. This quote reveals to a change previously, Othello. He starts should loathe Desdemona a result he Right away puts stock that she cheated on him due to as much race. He won’t make substance for only tossing her out, yet will be presently devoured for despising a result he puts stock her deceiving Furthermore separation need created him on feel agony What’s more subpar quality.
Topic: racism

Similarly as iago proceeds with supply Othello for ‘proof’ of Desdemona’s assumed infidelity, Othello will be further devoured with fierceness Furthermore desire. When Lodovico goes will convey a let will Othello, Desdemona makes a remark which Othello accepts may be over her other lover, and he slaps her. Lodovico will be stunned at this rash behavior, which may be thus crazy for character, Furthermore lets Othello: “My lord, this might not be believed in Venice/though I ought to swear I saw’s; ’til exceptionally much”. He dives around with address Othello’s notoriety following such an act, saying: Will be this respectable field whom our full senate. Bring all things considered sufficient? Whom ardor Might not shake? .Those shot for accident, or dart from claiming chance, Might not graze or pierce? Othello gets to be actually rasher when he calls Desdemona a whore, What’s more Emilia, Iago’s wife, exclaims: “Here’s a progress indeed!” However, it may be not until Othello commits the intimacy wrongdoing that as much skin color will be held against him. They censure as much race in light of the battle until Figure An intending to this sudden passing Furthermore apparently unmerited movement.
Topic: racism

The point when Othello homicides as much wife, it strengths the individuals who previously regarded Furthermore appreciated him, Also the individuals who held him will be equivalent with respect to know levels, to utilize as much skin color on illustrate as much extraordinary misdeeds. For example, Emilia calls him a “blacker devil!” On the theme for Desdemona’s assumed infidelity, Emilia states that Desdemona might have been accurate Also “was excessively awful affectionate of her the majority smudged bargain”, scornfully alluding on Othello done racist terms. As much race will be notwithstanding perceived Furthermore continuously used by the individuals who Othello estranged through as much nonsensical movements. Assuming that he required not been incited through desire Furthermore as much own sense for self-loathing, Othello might keep on going on need been viewed done helter shelter regard toward whatever remains of the public arena.
Topic: racism

Othello required A while ago exist an existence free of racial discrimination, but for the individuals few who begrudged Furthermore loathed him, or feared he might damage their forces. These couple of utilized as much race likewise a method for bringing around as much decimation. For whatever remains of society, he might have been acknowledged a respectable furthermore idealistic general, what’s more as much shade might have been about little result. However, when Othello conferred terrible law violations due to as much unwarranted jealousy, the individuals who needed A while ago accepted him with be outstanding and great censured him, not by critiquing as much character, Yet Eventually Tom’s perusing criticizing as much recognizing racial characteristic: as much shade.
Topic: racism

The sheriff tells Cotton Blossom’s Captain Andy that Julie will have to leave the beat as if people found out that a black woman was trying to pass herself as white, would end up with trouble with the white audiences. Julie suffers racism a number of times including Ellie’s hysterical renouncing of their friendship as soon as her background is revealed. Captain Andy’s replaces them with his daughter, Mongolia and a young gamer, Gaylord.
Topic: racism

However, this was tough time for the black African American community and the catholic community as extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan were created as they openly racist towards these groups. Segregation got to the point where black people weren’t even allowed in the same restaurant or bus, making this so difficult for the community to live their lives. Showboat was not shown in the south during this time as it would not have been accepted with the amount of racism during that time.
Topic: racism

Tracy devises a plan with the help of Link, her parents and her black friends to get them all on the show during a on the show white pageant show. They pull little Inez to the stage to dance and by a late surge of support she wins the pageant. Tracy gets the station manager fired and officially announces the show as integrated. (Ebert 2007) John Waters drew his ideas from real life events during the time of December 1963.
Topic: racism

Producer’s at Baltimores WJZ TV cancelled the Buddy Deane show – which he was a devoted fan of – rather than integrating the popular teen dance programme. During the years 1957 to 1963 only white teens where allowed to spectate or dance on the weekly broadcast of the Buddy Deane show with the exception of one Monday each month where black teenagers filled the studios and were allowed to dance on live TV or watch in the studio.
Topic: racism

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American minister, dissident, compassionate, and pioneer in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He was best known for improving social equality by utilizing peaceful common defiance, in light of his Christian convictions. Birmingham is presumably the most altogether isolated city in the United States. There have been increasingly unsolved bombings of Negro homes and houses of worship in Birmingham than in other cites in the country. Martin Luther King Jr. could never hold back his views with the clergymen; kids had been executed in a congregation shelling, and they contradicted the peaceful development.
Topic: racism

In King’s last reference to Socrates, the rationalist tallies up chronicled figures who were associated with civil disobedience (King 2). As well as from philosophers and theologians, King frequently seeks inspiration from Biblical sources. Another Allusion is the mention of St. Thomas Aquinas and his view on unjust laws being not humanly natural or uplifting. This relates to the degrading of human personality. When it comes to segregation an inferior minority is shunned upon (Hornsby 4). Biblical allusions of Apostle Paul carry the gospel of freedom. King addresses racism by preaching for non-violence. He refers to a common ground of Biblical texts to connect to his audience of clergymen, to get his point of a peaceful resolution across, and encourage a consideration of ethics. He additionally recognizes the earnestness and status of the clergymen who composed the letter he’s reacting to, regarding their validity as men of good will who are knowledgeable on Bible lessons (King 3).
Topic: racism

Martin Luther King Jr. provides the use of parallelism, defining a pattern or concept and method using parts of sentences, in which giving them the same, or parallel structure. Martin Luther King mentions repeatedly of Germans to emphasize and persuade his meaning of righteousness, saying despite the violence or it being illegal, he would’ve provided comfort to the Jews. He creates the pattern using the sentence “everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal” (King 3). Here, King depicts what happens when one depends on a law that excludes itself from good obligation. On a few events in the “Letter,” he scolds the pastorate for speaking to a congregation that is independent from social, ‘genuine world’ concerns. His contention here is that enabling a law to rule without surveying its ethical quality creates a circumstance like that of Nazi Germany. His assault here on the church – who appear to help ‘peace’ without considering the severe isolation that accompanies such request – isn’t exceptionally unpretentious, contrasting them with Nazis who oppressed Jews basically on the grounds that their biases were secured by the law. What the entry does is recognize congruity and individual duty. The last mentioned, he contends, considers activity that can change the world. By recommending that he would have overstepped Nazi laws since they were uncalled for, he provokes his group of spectators to do likewise with isolation laws (Tiefenbrun 24). King lists all the extremists and explains how he is not the only extremist. This provides parallel structure again effectively persuading that though he is doing the right thing, he should not be the only one. King asks the people if they are able to fulfill their task and not retaliate. He emphasizes what they will have to bear in order to accomplish the goal of destroying racism and to see if the members of the group are strong enough. Having explained extremism, King demands that “mistreated individuals” will in the long run seek after their opportunity, as is going on all through the world. The “Negro people group” additionally feels this “fundamental inclination” and is endeavoring to satisfy it through walks, journeys, and petitions. On the off chance that these subdued inclinations are not permitted articulation, they will surely go to savagery. By calling this articulation “radical,” moderates are demonstrating an absence of qualification among viciousness and peacefulness (King 4). He then states that he stands between the two forces, extremism and non extremism, and compares his traits to remarkable figures. By doing this he causes his readers to see the similarity between him and the men, giving him greater credibility and his letter a sense of purpose and desire to be read ( Tiefenbrun 6-7).
Topic: racism

Inclusive language avoids the use of certain expressions or words that might be considered to exclude particular groups of people. (Henry David ) Martin Luther King uses men to touch on manhood towards racism, saying that they will fight. King does not necessary mean men but that just one should work to gain his basic constitutional rights even if that pursuit precipitates violence. (Henry David) Martin Luther King uses we are here to convey a change in hope. He calls for individuals to follow their consciences, for unjust laws to be challenged and for all people to be one and treated equally. Martin Luther King uses the word Negros to convey the struggle of violence and to use pathos to convey guilt and the need for “peaceful resolution” to destroy racism.
Topic: racism

Some doubt that Martin Luther King displays his message effectively. Racism has not disappeared, it still happens today but with Martin Luther King segregation has vanish and violent protests have decreased to more peaceful solution. With his use of rhetorical devices such as allusions, parallelism, and inclusive language, Martin Luther King effectively defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism. He uses historical and biblical allusions to create tension. He uses parallelism to connect his meaning of righteousness. Lastly, he uses inclusive language to form his audience into one to combat racism.
Topic: racism

”(Oxford learner’s dictionary, 1995,P.no 1169).The word stereotypewas originally coined in 1798 todescribe a printing process involving the use of fixed casts of the pages of type (Ashmore& Del Boca, 1981). In political and social concepts the term was introduced by an American journalist Walter Lipmann in 1922 refers to the “pictures in our heads” about different social and political groups (Allport, 1954; English & English, 1958; Katz and Braly, 1933; Klineberg, 1951).
Topic: racism

The definition given in English &English (1958) is the most authentic and cited one. “A relatively rigid and oversimplified or biased perception or conception of an aspect of reality, especially of persons or social groups …” (p. 253). Stereotypes are frequently used asa set of beliefs about the personal attributes of a group of people even in commonplace activities. They are present on the basis of different levels on the basis of racial groups such as “Asians are good at math”demographic groups “Florida residents are elderly”(Bordaloet al.
Topic: racism

2015 Stereotypes) Social science has produced three broad approaches to stereotypes. The economic approachOf Phelps (1972) and Arrow (1973) sees stereotypes as a manifestation of numerical discrimination, in terms of the aggregate beliefs about that group. The sociological approach to stereotyping pertains only to social groups. It views stereotypes as fundamentally incorrect and derogatory generalizations of group traits, reflective of the stereotyper’s underlying prejudices (Adorno et al. 1950). The third approach to stereotypes is the “social cognition approach”, rooted in social psychology. Mental representations of real differences between groups allowing easier and more efficient processing of information.
Topic: racism

Goldberg (1993) defines racism may be taken as “any practice which, intentionally or not, excludes a ‘racial’ or ‘ethnic’ minority from enjoying the full rights, opportunities and responsibilities available to the majority population. The term ‘racism’ is used to refer; to attitudes and practices which are explicitly hostile and libelous towards people defined as belonging to another ‘race'(“Racism and Identity”2012).Racism can be defined simply as any policy, belief, attitude, action or inaction, which subordinates individuals or groups based on their race (Defining Racism and Sexism). Racism claims that the content of a man’s mind is inherited; that a man’s convictions, values and character are determined before he is born, by physical forces beyond his control. This is the account of racism which is based on biological features of a human being without paying any attention to the individual special capacities, talent, ideas and ideals. There were a lot of forms of racism, such as slavery and colonization.Racism is mainly the belief that people should be classified and separated according to their inherited traits by their racial groups.Spivak(1987) describes racismas matter of cultural imperialism, and exploitation of knowledge.
Topic: racism

Racial isolation in the U.S refers mainly to the legally and socially enforced separation of races, mainly between whites and other races. This isolation is rooted to the eighteenth century slave institution where colored were slaves to the whites, and they were seen as inferior to them. The conflict between the South and the North about the removal of the slave system lead to a civil war between the two poles of the nation. After the Civil War and the winning of the North, slavery was banished; however, whites in the South did not accept the new situation where their ex-servants became as equal as them. So, they invented and worked in order to legislate what they claimed to be “
Topic: racism

Identity is defines as “the characteristics, feelings or beliefs that distinguish people from others”(Oxford learner’s dictionary, P.no, 588.1995). Identity is important because it gives us a place in the world. It gives us an idea of who we are, and functions as a link between us and the world. Identity marks our way in the world, and provides a way of understanding the interplay between our subjective experience of the world and the cultural and historical construction of our subjectivity (Min Zhou (2015)
Topic: racism

Identity has “to do with the imagined sameness of a person or of a social group at all times and in all circumstances; about a person or a group being, and being able to continue to be itself and not someone or something else” (Bennett et al, 2005, p.172). Our identity marks the ways in which we are the same as those who share that designation, and the ways in which we are different from those who do not because it is usually defined by what it is not, and frequently constructed in terms of oppositions such as woman/man, black/white, culture/nature, self/other etc. (Woodward 1997). Identity is also constituted in our discourses through our conscious and unconscious thoughts and emotions where our sense of the self are constantly reconstituted in discourse each time that we speak or think (Weedon 1987). Identity therefore should be regarded as a cover word for a range of personae, including statuses, roles, positions, relations, institutional and other relevant community identity that one may attempt to claim or assign in the course of social life (Ochs1993).
Topic: racism

The Oxford dictionaries define identity crisis as a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person?s sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to change in their expected aims and role in society.Identification is so embedded in our daily interactions that people rarely give it much thought, but it is an essential social and economic process. Identification is a part of nearly every meaningful encounter among people. It is a part of every sophisticated commercial and legal transaction. It is part of most every contact between a government and citizens. It is even an essential part of encounters among animals. Imagine for a moment a world without identification, a world in which you could not recognize people and they could not recognize you. It would take extraordinary effort to meet our human needs, both physical and emotional. Home life and social life would be alien and bizarre. People would have to introduce themselves to new friends and family members each time they saw one another. Identification gives authentication to personality of nation (Jim Harper 2006, identity crisis).
Topic: racism

‘Othering’ and Stereotyping are extremely vital concepts in postcolonial discourse. Otherness is coined by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Stereotyping by Homi K. Bhabha. All these concepts, according to postcolonial theory, result out of a direct interaction between the people of a superior and a subordinate culture. Gayatri Spivak introduces the term ‘otherness’ for the process by which imperial discourse produces its subject others. In Spivaks, explanation, otherness is a, “dialectical process because the colonizing other is established at the same time as its colonized others is produced as subjects (InAshcroft, p.156).In simple words the other refers to the colonized subjects who form part of the Self/Other binary. The colonizers consider themselves to be the centre, and deal with the colonized as the marginalized one. Das (Twentieth) traces the origin of the term ‘Other’ in the writings ofSartre, Derrida and Lacan.Self becomes the universal parameter of modernity and
Topic: racism

The process of otherness culturally justifies the domination and subordination of the native people. By placing them as the other at the social periphery of the geopolitical enterprise that is colonial imperialism. Conquest and control of other people’s lands and goods has been a recurrent and widespread feature of the past. An in-depth study of the colonial settlements generated by the expansion of European society after the Renaissance however reveals its special significance. It is not an enterprise carried out purely for economic gains, but an ideology, a hegemonic (the dominance of one social group) cultural enterprise characterized by extreme parochialism (a limitation of views and interest to limited area) that affected the psyche of the colonized.
Topic: racism

European colonialism is structured within imperialism, a Western specific. As Said (1978) explains, imperialism is the ideology and colonialism a means to carry out that ideology. European whites are projected as being civilized, rational and hard working. In contrast, the non whites are presented as being barbaric, irrational, lazy and sensuous. The colonized are an inferior race not just outside history and civilization but genetically predetermined to inferiority. Hence colonialism becomes a virtuous necessity for civilizing a savage race.
Topic: racism

As Said points out in Orientalism (1978)”since the orient was a sub race he had to be subjected it was that simple” (207). In his work Orientalism (1978) Said deals with the concept of the Orient as the other of the West: inferior, alien and conquerable.Occident and Orient becomes the relationship of power, of domination, of varying degree of a complex hegemony. Although the geographical line between the West and East is an imaginary and artificial one, the acceptance of this binary opposition with the former as privileged and the latter as unprivileged is taken for granted by the Western scholars. Orientalism as a Western narrative about the Orient is guilty of legitimizing civilizing mission, essentialism (absolutely necessary, extremely important) expansionism (the doctrine of expanding the territory or economic influence) and imperialism (a policy of extending your rule over foreign countries ) and on the other hand, convincing natives of their own inferiority.
Topic: racism

Said asserts that European knowledge of the East goes arm in arm with expansionism, exploration and settlement. He argues that the ‘Orient’ is constructed and represented in the binary opposition against the Occident, as the ‘Other’. In many respects, the Orient is seen by European values, assumptions, cultural codes and as the Occident’s other. He criticizes the way that the Occident views the Orient by her own culturally-determined and biased and limited historical perspectives Said (1978).
Topic: racism

Modern society needs advertisement to manifest their living culture. Whether it is a wall poster or a roadside billboard, all advertisements are apt to attract public attention. Similarly, the advertisement which I received is simple but eye-catching. It is a print poster of Haagen-Dazs that only portrays a female figure. The figure is about a young black woman who is closing her eyes and holding a Haagen-Dazs Popsicle stick in her mouth. She appears to be placid and mild, and there is a small line of words “Chocolate & Dark Chocolate” below the woman’s portrait.
Topic: racism

It is an obvious materialization and racial discrimination to equate a groups of people with their skin color. In fact, racism is a significant social problem which exists in different countries through ages. The manifestations of racial discrimination can be concealed or practical that emerges in our daily lives. Throughout history, the occurrence of slavery and apartheid always affected the attitude of white peoples towards black people. During the colonial era, most of whites regarded blacks as slaves, tools or private objects and ignored their human rights. With the time development and social progress, those serious racism issues seem to be resolved in various social groups. However, the Haagen-Dazs advertisement accurately illustrated that the phenomenon of white discrimination against blacks is still existed in individual’s subliminal mind. This usage of black people in advertisements reinforce the negative stereotypes of certain ethnic groups. Other groups tend to relate the low social status to the blacks which results in inequality between different races. Influencing by this racial stereotype, white groups hold their traditional conventions towards blacks which blocked equal access to the social resource and hindered the cross-cultural communication.
Topic: racism

Besides, the woman portrait in the advertisement shown her bare shoulders which indicates she is wearing nothing at all. This sexual depiction of the female body in the advertisement highly reflecting the social gender issues. In the modern consumer society, the consumer culture materializes and commercializes women that advertisers have begun to use this strategy to stimulate consumer desire. The demonstration of female sexual charms in advertising makes the woman’s beauty and sexy become a sale. Their image is often combined with famous cars, luxury goods, or branded clothes also men’s products. In the subconscious of the audience, women’s beauties are constantly hinting that purchasing these products can mark the success of men. As the consumer culture undergoing such transformations, society continuously emphasizes the male hegemony and develops its patriarchal culture to stimulate consumption desire. Under this circumstance, People’s subconscious always places women in subordinate positions, neglecting women’s self-development and their contribution to society. Even women themselves are affected by the materialization that they tend to ignore their true values and focuses on their appearance. The prejudice of the female concept in the advertisement still needs to be helped by our society so that society can move towards a free and dignified community for both sexes.
Topic: racism

The ideas of adversity such as being beaten at residential schools and the racism he faced while playing hockey, demonstrates Saul’s constant inner struggle and his desire to become a more powerful individual. Throughout the novel Saul is exposed to many painful experiences that leave him little to no identity and an unimaginable outlook on life. We quickly learn that when Saul was a child, he was taken away from his family and forced into an Indian Residential School where he witnessed and experienced abuses at the hands of the school’s educators.
Topic: racism

“They called it a school but it was never that….There were no tests or examinations. The only test was our ability to survive.”(Pg.79) The emotions present in the quote represent the pain and agony he endured when being forcibly taught the ways of the white people. The school he is referring to is St. Jerome’s Indian Residential School; which many described as “Hell on earth”. Saul is rapidly thrown into a world of extreme emotional and physical abuse brought on by the hands of the nuns and priests that are assimilating the children.
Topic: racism

He was traumatized when it occurred. When you thought that there is finally someone that supports you, but then getting stabbed blindly in the back is very despairing as a young child. Pg 43 in the book ” they took me to St. Jerome’s Indian Residential School. I read once that there are holes in the universe that swallow all light, all bodies. St. Jerome’s took all light from my world “. Saul’s suffering in this story is just very discomforting.
Topic: racism

Characterized by laziness, jovial attitude, and a simple mind, this stereotype endured throughout the time period with constant references to it in media at the time. “Care free and irresponsible, the sambo was quick to avoid work while reveling in the easy pleasures of food, dance and song. His life was one of child-like contentment.”(Riggs, Marlon) Without the access to widespread information, guidance and knowledge was often passed within families, instilling information, or in this case, stereotypes. “A stereotype may be so consistently and authoritatively transmitted in each generation from parent to child that it seems almost a biological fact” (Boskin 12) This is evident in Huckleberry’s actions towards Jim in the start of the book.
Topic: racism

Jim, having been born into slavery, adopted a core set of values and a reliance on superstition to explain his situations. Like the vast majority of slaves at the time, he was without education, and is assumed to be illiterate. These values that he is constantly making efforts to uphold include a specific and important one: trust. Especially in his circumstance, Jim’s interaction with others can be dangerous for him, and finding someone he can truly rely on and trust is incredibly difficult. When this trust is broken, it may never be repaired. “Dat truck dah is TRASH; en trash is what people is dat puts dirt on de head er dey fren’s en makes ’em ashamed.”(Twain 86) This quote is taken from a scene in the middle of the novel while Huck and Jim are caught in the midst of treacherous weather. The fog is so dense that Jim loses Huck in the night. Huck attempts to make a joke and play a trick on Jim, making him believe that the whole storm never happened. This is not taken well by Jim, and could potentially have compromised their important relationship.
Topic: racism

Jim’s relationship to Hcuk throughout the novel changes drastically from its shallow beginning. Both Jim and Huckleberry share similar traits: neither are formally educated, both share good instincts and intelligence, and lastly, they are both estranged from society. This makes them both already a good fit for one another. From the moment that Jim and Huckleberry meet on Jackson’s island, his whole attitude towards him changes once they begin to have a more symbiotic relationship. This is interaction is written with Huck relying on Jim for his knowledge, instincts, and his general help with the task at hand. Regardless of the circumstances, Jim is able to bring a prior experience or tidbit of information that can aid them. On the other hand, Jim relies on Huck as his only hope to become a free man, and his source for hunting knowledge and impulsive attitude. Once they reach this equal ground, the majority of Huckleberry’s prejudice towards the black race as a whole, and most importantly Jim, completely disappears. Although Huckleberry may have been able to rid his mind of this impartial preconception to black people, he still struggles with thoughts about whose property is whose. Huckleberry still retains these thoughts during his internal conflict about whether or not to continue harboring a fugitive slave. If word of his wrongdoings were to be discovered, he could be outcasted within his community.
Topic: racism

Throughout the novel, Jim’s character undergoes numerous changes, making him one of the most dynamic. His relationship with Huck defines these arcs. From the start to the end, his qualities are become fully developed. As stated above, Jim’s qualities at the start of the novel reflect stereotypes of the time period. and since his character was created by a white author, it both shows how the white population may have seen black individuals. Twain clearly shows optimism towards race relations during the time the book was written. While tensions were high between Huckleberry and Jim by nature of forced interactions with other characters, the mere fact that all apprehension between races had vanished while alone together shows Twain’s true feelings toward racism. While on Jackson’s island
Topic: racism

During Huckleberry’s own moral changes during the end of the novel, he rejects institutional racist beliefs and is able to finally overcome his opinions on the “bad place” implemented by his limited civilized conscience, and decides to adhere to his own personal moral values. This finally allows him thus allowing Jim to be free. This turning point in the novel started from the very beginning of the novel, when Huck warns Jim with “get up Jim hump yourself! They’re after us!”. The significance of the word “us” in this sentence may come across as subtle and unimportant, but it shows the first moment where Huckleberry and Jim are equals. “I was the best friend old Jim ever had in the world, and the only one he’s got now; and then I happened to look around and see that paper· It was a close place. I took it up, and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ -and tore it up. It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said.” (Twain 214). Twain’s controversial decision to include this in the novel shows a turning point in American literature at the time of writing. Having a protagonist of a story fully commit to multiple sins, and freeing a black individual was a portrayal that is the first of its kind.
Topic: racism

The postmodern writers all over the world assert that their countries possessed a prestigious history, culture, and heritage; and they also valorize the past from which they have drawn the raw materials for their works. The traditional view and territorial entity are the unique characters generated through their migration from one region to the other or from one settlement to another settlement are raw sources of postcolonial and postmodern writers’ work. Postmodernism relies on concrete experience over abstract principles, arguing that the outcome of one’s own experience will necessarily be fallible and relative rather than certain or universal.
Topic: racism

Postmodernism is skeptical of explanations that claim to be valid for all groups, cultures, traditions, or races, and instead focuses on the relative truths of each person. World Wars, colonialism, the rise of urbanization all these factors led the writers to write about racism, feminism, capitalism which were undoubtedly some crucial matters of the late 19th century. Having said that, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the elements of racism in Samuel Selvon’s postmodern novel The Lonely Londoners.