The film, “A Challenge to Democracy,” is an attempt by the American government to justify the Japanese internment camps during World War II. The film was produced by the War Relocation Authority and is full of distorted information meant to intentionally mislead the American public into believing that these camps weren’t so bad.
The film begins by stating that the Japanese were relocated to these camps due to a military hazard at a time when the threat of invasion was high. They were not relocated due to disloyalty and were not under suspicion in any way. 100,000 were relocated in 1942; 2/3 of those relocated were American citizens by law. They were relocated in out of the way places, mostly in the dessert. They were kept in large communities surrounded by a wire fence. Each family was given a 20’x25’ room with only a stove, a light bulb, cots, mattresses, and blankets. The film also explains that they were fed nutritious food, but only enough to sustain them. However, the film presents all of this information in a very positive way. These camps are described as communities within themselves. There was school and many jobs within the camps. They had their own government and even their own judicial system. However, most workers began at a wage of only $12 per month. The first people to leave these camps went to harvest sugar beets on large plantations. However, most of these workers returned, and the government only allowed families that they thought to be loyal to leave the camps. Those who were not eligible were all moved to one camp where they stayed until the war was over. The film ends showing how the Japanese eventually integrated nicely into the American society. The film shows many Japanese workers working in many different positions and even shows the Japanese joining the army and fighting for their country. This film connects with chapter ten of Takaki. Takaki writes of how the Japanese were discriminated against on the sugar plantations, and how eventually their hopes of assimilating into the American culture were devastated with the attack on Pearl Harbor. This film builds on what Takaki concludes. The film explains how the Japanese were treated with the start of WWII in our country and what they had to overcome to get where they are today.
Do the positions of those who produced this film affect the information that is presented? I think that the film is very much affected by the positions of those who produced it. The film was produced by the War Relocation Authority, and the information presented is distorted in a way that makes the camps look much better than what they actually were. It almost looks like these camps were a good place to live according to the film when in reality these people were forcibly removed from their homes. They didn’t want to be there at all and the film does not show this whatsoever. Overall, the film is very biased and does not truthfully show how these concentration camps actually were.
While watching the film, I immediately became aware of the way in which the film illustrated the concentration camps. In high school I learned that the Japanese were forced to leave their homes and live in these horrible concentration camps. The film shows that the camps weren’t all that bad and that it was necessary for the security of our country. I don’t agree with the way in which the information is presented and think that the film is extremely one-sided.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Takaki-Chapter 10
Chapter ten of Takaki, “Pacific Crossings: Seeking the Land of Money Trees,” is, for the most part, an informative chapter. The main ideas expressed are how Asians were treated in America and Hawaii. The chapter’s primary focus is on the Japanese in America, and Takaki’s spends the majority of the chapter discussing the racial discrimination of this group of people and their unsuccessful attempts at assimilating into the American culture.
The chapter begins by stating that by 1890 there was a new group of immigrants flooding into America. This group was the Japanese. They came from Japan in order to escape the economic hardships of their native country. Plantation laborers were able to make six times more in American than in Japan. The immigration of the Japanese was different than the Chinese due to the fact that the Japanese promoted the immigration of families and women whereas the Chinese did not. Most of these immigrants ended up on the sugar plantations in Hawaii. Here they faced unfair labor practices and discrimination. Oftentimes, other ethnic groups from Asia were paid more for doing the exact same work at the exact same rate. Planters pitted these different groups against each other in order to prevent strikes. This worked to a certain extent, but when the different groups finally decided to strike together they were able to gain better wages. Women worked in the fields as well and were often paid less than men for doing the same work. Takaki discusses in great detail the horrible working conditions and the ways in which these people were treated. He also explains how the Japanese were unsuccessful at assimilating into American culture. Although many went to school and became well educated, they were not given a fair chance to work. They also tried to establish themselves as farmers, but were still unable to gain respect. Takaki concludes by stating that many Japanese born in America were split between the two cultures and didn’t want to fully give up their Japanese heritage. He finally states how the attack on Pearl Harbor ended this hope.
What consequences are we facing today as a result of the information Takaki presents in this chapter? There are many consequences that our nation is still dealing with due to what Takaki presents in chapter ten. The racial discrimination that the Japanese suffer today is because of this time period and the way that the Japanese were treated in the past. This is also true of discrimination based on sex. Women were paid far less than men were for doing the same job on the sugar plantations. This persists to this day. Studies show that women are still being paid far less than men for doing the exact same job.
I became quite interested in the material as I was reading this chapter. I haven’t learned much about Japanese immigrants or the sugar plantations in Hawaii at all in the past. It was interesting to find out where the discrimination against the Japanese all stems from, and this chapter helped a great deal in presenting a potential source of that hatred.
The chapter begins by stating that by 1890 there was a new group of immigrants flooding into America. This group was the Japanese. They came from Japan in order to escape the economic hardships of their native country. Plantation laborers were able to make six times more in American than in Japan. The immigration of the Japanese was different than the Chinese due to the fact that the Japanese promoted the immigration of families and women whereas the Chinese did not. Most of these immigrants ended up on the sugar plantations in Hawaii. Here they faced unfair labor practices and discrimination. Oftentimes, other ethnic groups from Asia were paid more for doing the exact same work at the exact same rate. Planters pitted these different groups against each other in order to prevent strikes. This worked to a certain extent, but when the different groups finally decided to strike together they were able to gain better wages. Women worked in the fields as well and were often paid less than men for doing the same work. Takaki discusses in great detail the horrible working conditions and the ways in which these people were treated. He also explains how the Japanese were unsuccessful at assimilating into American culture. Although many went to school and became well educated, they were not given a fair chance to work. They also tried to establish themselves as farmers, but were still unable to gain respect. Takaki concludes by stating that many Japanese born in America were split between the two cultures and didn’t want to fully give up their Japanese heritage. He finally states how the attack on Pearl Harbor ended this hope.
What consequences are we facing today as a result of the information Takaki presents in this chapter? There are many consequences that our nation is still dealing with due to what Takaki presents in chapter ten. The racial discrimination that the Japanese suffer today is because of this time period and the way that the Japanese were treated in the past. This is also true of discrimination based on sex. Women were paid far less than men were for doing the same job on the sugar plantations. This persists to this day. Studies show that women are still being paid far less than men for doing the exact same job.
I became quite interested in the material as I was reading this chapter. I haven’t learned much about Japanese immigrants or the sugar plantations in Hawaii at all in the past. It was interesting to find out where the discrimination against the Japanese all stems from, and this chapter helped a great deal in presenting a potential source of that hatred.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Race: The Power of An Illusion-episode 2(Extra Credit)
The main point of episode two of Race: The Power of An Illusion is that race is not genetic, but was socially constructed in order to fulfill economic and political motives.
The film begins by stating that the problem with race isn’t how you look, but rather the meaning that people assign to it based on how you look. It goes on to state that race is an idea constructed solely to achieve economic and political goals. The film then goes on to explain in great detail the way in which Thomas Jefferson viewed slavery and blacks. The film refers to his Notes on the State of Virginia numerous times. It is explained that Jefferson viewed blacks as inherently inferior to whites. This is the first time that this idea was articulated. Before 1619, status was based more on religion and wealth and had nothing at all to do with the color of one’s skin. This changed when the colonies ran short on European indentured servants to work on the plantations. Planters took advantage of the slave trade and shifted their labor force over to black slave labor. This type of labor was beneficial because of its never ending supply and the fact that these slaves couldn’t run away and blind in with the rest of society due to the color of their skin. The film then discussed the way in which Native Americans were viewed. Native Americans were viewed similarly to blacks, but it was thought that they were inferior due to their culture and could be civilized. It was thought that they could assimilate with the whites unlike the blacks. However, this changed when the colonist wanted their land. Many Cherokees were forced of their land in 1838, and a quarter of them died on the Trail of Tears. The film goes on to explain that false scientific studies even proved that whites were superior due to the size and shape of their skulls. It was even thought that blacks were a separate species.
If there isn’t any scientific proof that there is a genetic difference among the races, why does this idea of race persist? The idea of race persists because it is still advantageous to certain groups. White Americans hold on to this idea of race because they can benefit from it. They receive privilege that is denied to other non-white groups. This is the same reason it was created in the first place. Whites created this idea in order to justify enslaving them. It was very profitable and these black slaves could be identified if they attempted to run away.
While watching the film I became some what saddened. It is horrible to think that this happened in a country that is based on the principle that all men are created equal. It is even worse to see that he very man that wrote those words owned slaves himself. I think that it is even worse that these ideas persist today, now that there aren’t even any inaccurate scientific findings to fall back on.
The film begins by stating that the problem with race isn’t how you look, but rather the meaning that people assign to it based on how you look. It goes on to state that race is an idea constructed solely to achieve economic and political goals. The film then goes on to explain in great detail the way in which Thomas Jefferson viewed slavery and blacks. The film refers to his Notes on the State of Virginia numerous times. It is explained that Jefferson viewed blacks as inherently inferior to whites. This is the first time that this idea was articulated. Before 1619, status was based more on religion and wealth and had nothing at all to do with the color of one’s skin. This changed when the colonies ran short on European indentured servants to work on the plantations. Planters took advantage of the slave trade and shifted their labor force over to black slave labor. This type of labor was beneficial because of its never ending supply and the fact that these slaves couldn’t run away and blind in with the rest of society due to the color of their skin. The film then discussed the way in which Native Americans were viewed. Native Americans were viewed similarly to blacks, but it was thought that they were inferior due to their culture and could be civilized. It was thought that they could assimilate with the whites unlike the blacks. However, this changed when the colonist wanted their land. Many Cherokees were forced of their land in 1838, and a quarter of them died on the Trail of Tears. The film goes on to explain that false scientific studies even proved that whites were superior due to the size and shape of their skulls. It was even thought that blacks were a separate species.
If there isn’t any scientific proof that there is a genetic difference among the races, why does this idea of race persist? The idea of race persists because it is still advantageous to certain groups. White Americans hold on to this idea of race because they can benefit from it. They receive privilege that is denied to other non-white groups. This is the same reason it was created in the first place. Whites created this idea in order to justify enslaving them. It was very profitable and these black slaves could be identified if they attempted to run away.
While watching the film I became some what saddened. It is horrible to think that this happened in a country that is based on the principle that all men are created equal. It is even worse to see that he very man that wrote those words owned slaves himself. I think that it is even worse that these ideas persist today, now that there aren’t even any inaccurate scientific findings to fall back on.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Richard Wright (Extra Credit)
In “The Ethics of Living Jim Crow: An Autobiographical Sketch,” Jim Wright concludes that blacks were forced to act a certain way, or act Jim Crow, in order to avoid being harassed and beaten by whites.
Throughout the chapter, Richard Wright gives examples in which he learned his “Jim Crow” education. He begins with a story of how he first learned how to behave as a black boy. When Richard Wright lived in Arkansas as a young boy he and his friends got in a fight with white neighbors from across the railroad tracks. He ended up getting hit in the head with a broken bottle and needed to get stitches. When he told his mother of the news, she yelled at him and told him not ever to fight with white folks again. She acted as if blacks really were inferior to whites. He goes on to tell of numerous instances in which he learned how to live as a young black boy. He talks of how he was beaten for not addressing his white co-workers with the title of “sir.” He was also rewarded at another place of employment for remaining silent when a black woman was severely beaten for not paying her bills on time. There is yet another instance when he is beaten by a white cop for delivering packages in a white neighborhood after dark. The officer tells the boy to tell his boss not to send him out in the white neighborhood after dark anymore and Richard is forced to reply with a “yes, sir.” He goes on to talk of other cases in which he was forced to act a certain way because of his skin color. He even had to act as a servant to a white man in order to get books in the library because “No doubt if any of the white patrons had suspected that some of the volumes they enjoyed had been in the home of a Negro, they would not have tolerated it for an instant” (Wright 30).
Why did the whites force blacks to behave this way in our nation’s past? Whites forced the black people of our country to behave in this way in order to separate themselves from them. They made the blacks feel inferior so they, themselves, could feel superior. As we have discussed in class, there needs to be something to compare yourself to. Making the blacks feel as if they weren’t human made whites view themselves as being better. There must be an oppressed group in order for there to be a privileged group, and whites oppressed blacks in order to receive this privilege.
As I read this chapter, I was shocked at just how horribly Richard Wright was treated as a young man. I am aware that racism exists, but was a bit surprised at how far the hatred was carried. He was beaten by a police officer for riding his bike at night, delivering packages which his job required. Wright seemed like a very bright young boy and it is a shame that he was treated this way due to the color of his skin alone.
Throughout the chapter, Richard Wright gives examples in which he learned his “Jim Crow” education. He begins with a story of how he first learned how to behave as a black boy. When Richard Wright lived in Arkansas as a young boy he and his friends got in a fight with white neighbors from across the railroad tracks. He ended up getting hit in the head with a broken bottle and needed to get stitches. When he told his mother of the news, she yelled at him and told him not ever to fight with white folks again. She acted as if blacks really were inferior to whites. He goes on to tell of numerous instances in which he learned how to live as a young black boy. He talks of how he was beaten for not addressing his white co-workers with the title of “sir.” He was also rewarded at another place of employment for remaining silent when a black woman was severely beaten for not paying her bills on time. There is yet another instance when he is beaten by a white cop for delivering packages in a white neighborhood after dark. The officer tells the boy to tell his boss not to send him out in the white neighborhood after dark anymore and Richard is forced to reply with a “yes, sir.” He goes on to talk of other cases in which he was forced to act a certain way because of his skin color. He even had to act as a servant to a white man in order to get books in the library because “No doubt if any of the white patrons had suspected that some of the volumes they enjoyed had been in the home of a Negro, they would not have tolerated it for an instant” (Wright 30).
Why did the whites force blacks to behave this way in our nation’s past? Whites forced the black people of our country to behave in this way in order to separate themselves from them. They made the blacks feel inferior so they, themselves, could feel superior. As we have discussed in class, there needs to be something to compare yourself to. Making the blacks feel as if they weren’t human made whites view themselves as being better. There must be an oppressed group in order for there to be a privileged group, and whites oppressed blacks in order to receive this privilege.
As I read this chapter, I was shocked at just how horribly Richard Wright was treated as a young man. I am aware that racism exists, but was a bit surprised at how far the hatred was carried. He was beaten by a police officer for riding his bike at night, delivering packages which his job required. Wright seemed like a very bright young boy and it is a shame that he was treated this way due to the color of his skin alone.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Ethnic Notions
Ethnic Notions is a film that explains how blacks are viewed in society. The main point of the film is to show that blacks have been falsely portrayed in society to make them look in ways that are convenient to white society.
The film begins with numerous cartoons that portray black men and women as being foolish. The film states how the images shape feelings about race, and even though blacks aren’t really that way, we begin to view them in that way. Black men were often portrayed as being happy, irresponsible, and childlike. This image became known as the “happy darky.” Slaves were portrayed as being happy which caused some to believe that since slaves were happy, slavery must be a good thing. There was also the Jim Crow character and minstrel shows that again depicted blacks as being silly and childlike. In these shows, whites put on “black face” and basically acted as foolish as they could. Later on blacks themselves played the role of Jim Crow. The film states that black comedians play the role of black minstrels today. The media then began to portray blacks as being brutes and savages. Even when blacks tried to rid themselves of these stereotypes by fighting in World War I, they were not given a chance and treated as servants. At the end of class, the film was discussing how these images are what caused the racial stereotypes. Often we view these stereotypes as being funny, but they really aren’t.
Just why were black portrayed this way in our past? I believe blacks were portrayed this way for many reasons. All of the reasons are beneficial to whites and detrimental to blacks. By making black look silly, foolish, and childlike, it made it easier to enslave millions of them. Making them look happy as slaves also promoted the idea that slavery was good for the slave. Making blacks look like savage animals and brutes also helped to justify keeping northern jobs from them. Whites made blacks look in whatever ways were beneficial to them at the time. It was profitable to enslave them and also beneficial to deny blacks jobs in order to keep them for white men.
It was very sad to see they ways in which blacks were treated while watching the film. I was already familiar with much of the slavery issues and the way in which blacks were viewed in our past, but I had never seen many of the cartoons and the ads. These were new and quite surprising to me. I also knew of the minstrel shows, but never knew that blacks actually played roles in them. I always thought all of the actors were white men made to look like black men. Overall, I liked the film because it showed actual cartoons and ads and made it easier to understand how blacks could be viewed the way that they were.
The film begins with numerous cartoons that portray black men and women as being foolish. The film states how the images shape feelings about race, and even though blacks aren’t really that way, we begin to view them in that way. Black men were often portrayed as being happy, irresponsible, and childlike. This image became known as the “happy darky.” Slaves were portrayed as being happy which caused some to believe that since slaves were happy, slavery must be a good thing. There was also the Jim Crow character and minstrel shows that again depicted blacks as being silly and childlike. In these shows, whites put on “black face” and basically acted as foolish as they could. Later on blacks themselves played the role of Jim Crow. The film states that black comedians play the role of black minstrels today. The media then began to portray blacks as being brutes and savages. Even when blacks tried to rid themselves of these stereotypes by fighting in World War I, they were not given a chance and treated as servants. At the end of class, the film was discussing how these images are what caused the racial stereotypes. Often we view these stereotypes as being funny, but they really aren’t.
Just why were black portrayed this way in our past? I believe blacks were portrayed this way for many reasons. All of the reasons are beneficial to whites and detrimental to blacks. By making black look silly, foolish, and childlike, it made it easier to enslave millions of them. Making them look happy as slaves also promoted the idea that slavery was good for the slave. Making blacks look like savage animals and brutes also helped to justify keeping northern jobs from them. Whites made blacks look in whatever ways were beneficial to them at the time. It was profitable to enslave them and also beneficial to deny blacks jobs in order to keep them for white men.
It was very sad to see they ways in which blacks were treated while watching the film. I was already familiar with much of the slavery issues and the way in which blacks were viewed in our past, but I had never seen many of the cartoons and the ads. These were new and quite surprising to me. I also knew of the minstrel shows, but never knew that blacks actually played roles in them. I always thought all of the actors were white men made to look like black men. Overall, I liked the film because it showed actual cartoons and ads and made it easier to understand how blacks could be viewed the way that they were.
Discussion question-Takaki Ch. 3
What consequences does Takaki’s conclusion have on our society today?
Friday, February 9, 2007
Takaki-Chapter 3
Ronald Takaki concludes in chapter three, “The ‘Giddy Multitude’: The Hidden Origins of Slavery,” that planters did not carefully think about the consequences of relying exclusively of Africans as a source of slave labor. He states that this action has caused significant problems for black people as well as American society.
Takaki begins with his example of The Tempest as he did in chapter two. He states that it is possible that some in Europe may have seen the savage Caliban as black due to the fact that there were a few blacks in England at the time. He then states how the common view of black was bad and evil while whites were viewed as good and pure. Africans were even thought to be cannibals. Takaki then goes on to explain slavery in the United States. The information presented is very similar to what we have read in chapter two of Zinn. He discusses how in earlier times much of the labor came from both white indentured servants and blacks. These groups shared a similar social class and saw themselves more as equals. These groups began to join together and rise up against authority. Planters became fearful of whites being involved in uprisings and turned more to black slaves which they could enslave for life. Blacks could be controlled more effectively because they could be denied rights based on the color of their skin. Furthermore, the Virginia elite pitted white laborers against black slaves. Takaki then explains Jefferson’s view on slavery. He felt bad about enslaving Africans but owned 267 slaves at one point anyways. Jefferson believed that blacks were inferior to whites by nature. He wanted to gradually abolish slavery but felt that the blacks must be removed from society because blacks and whites could never live along side one another. Takaki finally concludes that these actions may be to blame for the racist views in our society today.
What consequences does Takaki’s conclusion have on our society today? Takaki’s conclusion has great consequences on our society today. He concludes that the decisions of our forefathers caused the racist views in our society. This is very true. People continue to view blacks as being inferior to whites in our society. This view is what has gone on to cause the problems associated with privilege and oppression as well. Many of the privileges whites get that blacks are denied can be traced back to the institution of slavery.
I was not all too surprised while reading Takaki. I had already learned and been exposed to much of this information during my Early American History course last semester. I learned much about slavery and the proposed solutions to abolish the institution. None however were accepted and it ended up taking the deadliest war in American history to solve the problem.
Takaki begins with his example of The Tempest as he did in chapter two. He states that it is possible that some in Europe may have seen the savage Caliban as black due to the fact that there were a few blacks in England at the time. He then states how the common view of black was bad and evil while whites were viewed as good and pure. Africans were even thought to be cannibals. Takaki then goes on to explain slavery in the United States. The information presented is very similar to what we have read in chapter two of Zinn. He discusses how in earlier times much of the labor came from both white indentured servants and blacks. These groups shared a similar social class and saw themselves more as equals. These groups began to join together and rise up against authority. Planters became fearful of whites being involved in uprisings and turned more to black slaves which they could enslave for life. Blacks could be controlled more effectively because they could be denied rights based on the color of their skin. Furthermore, the Virginia elite pitted white laborers against black slaves. Takaki then explains Jefferson’s view on slavery. He felt bad about enslaving Africans but owned 267 slaves at one point anyways. Jefferson believed that blacks were inferior to whites by nature. He wanted to gradually abolish slavery but felt that the blacks must be removed from society because blacks and whites could never live along side one another. Takaki finally concludes that these actions may be to blame for the racist views in our society today.
What consequences does Takaki’s conclusion have on our society today? Takaki’s conclusion has great consequences on our society today. He concludes that the decisions of our forefathers caused the racist views in our society. This is very true. People continue to view blacks as being inferior to whites in our society. This view is what has gone on to cause the problems associated with privilege and oppression as well. Many of the privileges whites get that blacks are denied can be traced back to the institution of slavery.
I was not all too surprised while reading Takaki. I had already learned and been exposed to much of this information during my Early American History course last semester. I learned much about slavery and the proposed solutions to abolish the institution. None however were accepted and it ended up taking the deadliest war in American history to solve the problem.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Zinn-Chapter 2
Howard Zinn’s chapter two, “Drawing the Color Line,” is mostly an informational chapter on how racism began in our country. His main point, however, is that racism is based on historical elements, not natural ones. Slavery, he argues, is where racism began in this country and it can be ended under certain conditions.
Zinn begins the chapter by asserting that there has never been a country in the history of the world where racism has been so important for so long. He then attempts to explain how racism started in the first place. He points to slavery and then gives evidence to support this claim throughout the rest of the chapter. The English settlers first tried to enslave the Native Americans. However, they were unsuccessful because they were greatly outnumbered and were forced to turn to African slaves instead. Black slaves were much easier to enslave for several reasons. They were removed from their land and culture, and were forced into new systems of language and customs making them helpless. Zinn goes on to explain the difference between American slavery and slavery that existed in Africa. American slavery was much crueler than in Africa. In fact, African slaves were very similar to European surfs. In America slaves were treated horribly and whites were given preferential treatment such as receiving lighter court sentences than blacks. Many black slaves began to resist their enslavement and joined together in revolt. When unhappy poor whites began to join in the uprisings, slave owners began to become fearful. To settle this fear and to suppress the rebellion of the poor whites the Virginia Assembly passed laws that gave poor whites benefits denied to black men. White indentured servants were given food, money, and a gun when their indentured time was up. Zinn concludes that the desperation of starving settlers, the helplessness of Africans, the incentive of profit for slave traders and planters, superior status for poor whites, and the legal and social punishment of black and white collaboration are all historical pieces that led to slavery and racism in America (30).
What are the consequences of Zinn’s conclusion for our world today? I believe there are many consequences for our world from Zinn’s conclusion. We still deal with racism in our society today. This, as Zinn argues, all stems from slavery. Many of the problems concerning privilege and oppression are based on race as well. We must realize that racism is based on history and is not natural in order to overcome it. The first step in doing this is for privileged groups to let go of the privileges they receive based on race.
I was already familiar with most of the information presented in the chapter. I agreed with the facts that Zinn presented and believe that he used the facts fairly to argue his position. It is sad to think that this is how human beings were treated, but it is what happened, and Zinn does a good job of presenting the facts.
Zinn begins the chapter by asserting that there has never been a country in the history of the world where racism has been so important for so long. He then attempts to explain how racism started in the first place. He points to slavery and then gives evidence to support this claim throughout the rest of the chapter. The English settlers first tried to enslave the Native Americans. However, they were unsuccessful because they were greatly outnumbered and were forced to turn to African slaves instead. Black slaves were much easier to enslave for several reasons. They were removed from their land and culture, and were forced into new systems of language and customs making them helpless. Zinn goes on to explain the difference between American slavery and slavery that existed in Africa. American slavery was much crueler than in Africa. In fact, African slaves were very similar to European surfs. In America slaves were treated horribly and whites were given preferential treatment such as receiving lighter court sentences than blacks. Many black slaves began to resist their enslavement and joined together in revolt. When unhappy poor whites began to join in the uprisings, slave owners began to become fearful. To settle this fear and to suppress the rebellion of the poor whites the Virginia Assembly passed laws that gave poor whites benefits denied to black men. White indentured servants were given food, money, and a gun when their indentured time was up. Zinn concludes that the desperation of starving settlers, the helplessness of Africans, the incentive of profit for slave traders and planters, superior status for poor whites, and the legal and social punishment of black and white collaboration are all historical pieces that led to slavery and racism in America (30).
What are the consequences of Zinn’s conclusion for our world today? I believe there are many consequences for our world from Zinn’s conclusion. We still deal with racism in our society today. This, as Zinn argues, all stems from slavery. Many of the problems concerning privilege and oppression are based on race as well. We must realize that racism is based on history and is not natural in order to overcome it. The first step in doing this is for privileged groups to let go of the privileges they receive based on race.
I was already familiar with most of the information presented in the chapter. I agreed with the facts that Zinn presented and believe that he used the facts fairly to argue his position. It is sad to think that this is how human beings were treated, but it is what happened, and Zinn does a good job of presenting the facts.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Johnson-Chapter 6
In chapter six of Privilege, Power, And Difference, Allan Johnson concludes that members of our society must first realize that they are part of the problem concerning privilege and oppression before they can become part of the solution.
Johnson begins the chapter by stating that to solve the problems associated with privilege that we must first be able to talk about it. However, we as a society rarely do this because it is uncomfortable. Johnson also discusses how our society is based on individualism and how everything is somebody’s fault. This makes it even harder to discuss privilege because everyone wants to blame some other group. Johnson then explains how many are part of the privilege problem without even knowing it. He discusses how we take the path of least resistance by doing what our society labels as acceptable behavior. We may not even be aware of this until we do something that is unacceptable. Johnson gives the example of a manager’s tendency to train employees that are similar to them to demonstrate this point. White males tend to train whit male employees. He then states that “social life . . . cannot be understood by looking at individuals alone” (82). Johnson states that people behave differently in different social situations and uses the game of Monopoly as an example to demonstrate this. Individuals may not normally be greedy, but behave so during the game because that is the behavior that is called for. However, one can support the system of privilege without even being consciously aware of it. Johnson states that silence alone is enough to ensure the continuation of this system. Most people are silent on privilege issues, and that is what is making them last. He concludes that we must stop the silence and acknowledge that we are a part of the problem and pledge to be part of the solution as well.
Just why do people choose to take what Johnson call “the path of least resistance”? As Johnson argues, many take this path because it is the only one they are aware exists. You can’t pick which path to take when you only see one option. However, I believe that many see the other options but are afraid the pick them. They are afraid that if they attempt to help oppressed groups that they will be rejected from their privileged group and become oppressed themselves. It comes down to the fact that members of privileged groups are selfish, and don’t want to lose the privilege they possess by helping non-privileged groups out.
I felt as if I learned a lot about how members of society view privilege while reading this chapter. I see how members of society can feel as if they are not a part of the privilege problem event though they are, and how silence support they system that we are trapped in. I agree that we must break the silence in order to stop the system of privilege in our society.
Johnson begins the chapter by stating that to solve the problems associated with privilege that we must first be able to talk about it. However, we as a society rarely do this because it is uncomfortable. Johnson also discusses how our society is based on individualism and how everything is somebody’s fault. This makes it even harder to discuss privilege because everyone wants to blame some other group. Johnson then explains how many are part of the privilege problem without even knowing it. He discusses how we take the path of least resistance by doing what our society labels as acceptable behavior. We may not even be aware of this until we do something that is unacceptable. Johnson gives the example of a manager’s tendency to train employees that are similar to them to demonstrate this point. White males tend to train whit male employees. He then states that “social life . . . cannot be understood by looking at individuals alone” (82). Johnson states that people behave differently in different social situations and uses the game of Monopoly as an example to demonstrate this. Individuals may not normally be greedy, but behave so during the game because that is the behavior that is called for. However, one can support the system of privilege without even being consciously aware of it. Johnson states that silence alone is enough to ensure the continuation of this system. Most people are silent on privilege issues, and that is what is making them last. He concludes that we must stop the silence and acknowledge that we are a part of the problem and pledge to be part of the solution as well.
Just why do people choose to take what Johnson call “the path of least resistance”? As Johnson argues, many take this path because it is the only one they are aware exists. You can’t pick which path to take when you only see one option. However, I believe that many see the other options but are afraid the pick them. They are afraid that if they attempt to help oppressed groups that they will be rejected from their privileged group and become oppressed themselves. It comes down to the fact that members of privileged groups are selfish, and don’t want to lose the privilege they possess by helping non-privileged groups out.
I felt as if I learned a lot about how members of society view privilege while reading this chapter. I see how members of society can feel as if they are not a part of the privilege problem event though they are, and how silence support they system that we are trapped in. I agree that we must break the silence in order to stop the system of privilege in our society.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
"The Difference Between Us" (Extra Credit)
The main thesis of Episode 1 “The Difference Between Us” in The Power of An Illusion is that race in not biologically real, but is rather a socially constructed concept. Also, humans are much more alike than different.
The film gives much scientific evidence to support the fact that we as humans are much more alike than different as a species. If fact, the movie pointed out that penguins are twice as different from each other than humans are different from one another, and that fruit flies differed 10 times more from one another than humans. Genetically we are among the most similar species on the planet. In the movie, Alan Goodman asserts that “race is a biological myth.” One's race is judged solely on physical characteristics such as skin color and hair type. There is absolutely no biological evidence that supports the idea of race. People of the same so called race can actually be much more different than one another, genetically, than from a person of a different race. A class experiment conducted during the film supports this fact. Students tested their mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA and compared it to the mtDNA of other students in the class. The experiment showed that those who appeared to be alike were actually much different genetically from one another. People, in some cases, were actually much more genetically similar to those who didn’t resemble them at all.
Why do many members of our society believe that race is genetic? I think our society believes this for many reasons. For one, most have never been told that race isn’t real or defined in biological terms. I know that I’ve never been told that race isn’t real, but rather socially constructed and a biological myth. People think that if people appear to be different then they must be biologically different, and that just isn’t the case.
I became very interested in the film while watching it in class. I never knew that there were no biological differences among different races whatsoever. I thought that there had to be something genetic that caused on person to be white and another black. The film taught me, however, that there is nothing genetically distinct to one specific race. As class ended I began to wonder just why it is that so many people feel like race is genetic in the first place. I was also never aware that we as humans are so much alike in comparison to other species.
The film gives much scientific evidence to support the fact that we as humans are much more alike than different as a species. If fact, the movie pointed out that penguins are twice as different from each other than humans are different from one another, and that fruit flies differed 10 times more from one another than humans. Genetically we are among the most similar species on the planet. In the movie, Alan Goodman asserts that “race is a biological myth.” One's race is judged solely on physical characteristics such as skin color and hair type. There is absolutely no biological evidence that supports the idea of race. People of the same so called race can actually be much more different than one another, genetically, than from a person of a different race. A class experiment conducted during the film supports this fact. Students tested their mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA and compared it to the mtDNA of other students in the class. The experiment showed that those who appeared to be alike were actually much different genetically from one another. People, in some cases, were actually much more genetically similar to those who didn’t resemble them at all.
Why do many members of our society believe that race is genetic? I think our society believes this for many reasons. For one, most have never been told that race isn’t real or defined in biological terms. I know that I’ve never been told that race isn’t real, but rather socially constructed and a biological myth. People think that if people appear to be different then they must be biologically different, and that just isn’t the case.
I became very interested in the film while watching it in class. I never knew that there were no biological differences among different races whatsoever. I thought that there had to be something genetic that caused on person to be white and another black. The film taught me, however, that there is nothing genetically distinct to one specific race. As class ended I began to wonder just why it is that so many people feel like race is genetic in the first place. I was also never aware that we as humans are so much alike in comparison to other species.
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