Social Construction of Race - 1867 Words

There is perhaps no bigger and more expansive social construction known to man than the construction of race. In earlier times race meant a tie to national origin, Greek race, Roman race, etc. race underwent a big change in meaning to it’s more contemporary form to distinguish biological differences of physical features and skin color (Wiegman 157). Film and television in this century and the twentieth century have aided and perpetuated stereotypes of race. These stereotypes have been most associated with minority or non-white groups in particularly, and most discussed pertaining to African-Americans in these mediums. Dating back to the earliest silent films all the way through the 20th century and into the new millennium†¦show more content†¦Just like society at large, religion is, in America, the most important aspect and the dividing line between the â€Å"other†. Governor Al Smith of New York, an Irish-American and the Democratic candidate for president in 1928 faced fierce backlash for being Catholic and was a deciding factor in him losing the election (cite). Likewise thirty-two years later John F. Kennedy ran for president and face head winds so strong he had to address it at a Protestant ministers conference in Houston, TX, and demonstrate his insistence that he would not listen to the pope and was a loyal American (cite). Today fifty years after the Kennedy Administration what was â€Å"other† is now â€Å"white†, for instance, Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia both Italian-Americans both Catholics are as Wiegman describes â€Å"part of an expanding whiteness† (Wiegman 158). While the aforementioned example is not about film, the filmic representation of the marginalized white groups mirrors American society as a whole. If as Wiegman notes whiteness is expanding, how far will it expand? And if infinitely, what does that mean for African-Americans and o ther minority groups? Only time will tell. Following the Second World War the predicament of European Jews was of little to no concern to those in the United States according to Patricia Erens author of The Jew in American Cinema (197). In the 1950s with the onslaught of McCarthyism studios were against making anyShow MoreRelatedRace And Race : The Social Construction Of Race858 Words   |  4 PagesThe race is an indefinite term, which has not been created from science or research, but more so the idea of what it is. Essentially, race is all about perception. One person may separate races based on a certain category of traits while another person uses totally different guidelines to define what races there are. Race has ultimately been created socially, therefor has no biological components until people connect the two terms. This paper examines the connection between society and race whileRead MoreRace As A Social Construction1679 Words   |  7 PagesAlisha Sparks Dr. Stanley POLS 24 November 2015 Race as a Social Construction When we talk about race, what are we really talking about? The issue of race is a complex issue, with socially ambiguous undertones that have plagued our society for decades. Race has been a marker and maker of stereotypes. Race has been used as a justification for injustice. Whether slavery, Japanese internment, or social and economic exclusion, race has given an avenue for those in power to exclude ones deemed ‘other’Read MoreThe Social Construction Of Race1242 Words   |  5 Pagesfoundation for what appears to be the social construction of race. Somewhere along the lines, eugenics became more about isolating certain human characteristics, like skin color, and relegating them to a hierarchy of societal importance (Norrgard, 2008). Race is simply defined as a pattern-based concept that allows for the general public to draw conclusions based on an individual’s geographical location and thereby predetermining their inclusion into a particular social group (Yudel l, et al., 2016) TheRead MoreRace As A Social Construction822 Words   |  4 Pageswhat is race? The term race is difficult to define as a result of the belief that it is â€Å"racist† to talk about race. Although how do we know what race is if we do not discuss it within society. After much thought I defined race as an individual’s background that may be used to describe their ancestor’s demographics as well as their religion. However, today people tend to put more emphasis on race being the color of an individual’s skin. As discussed in class society does not understand what race is,Read MoreThe Social Construction Of Race1743 Words   |  7 PagesIn The Social Construction of Race, Ian F. Haney Lopez defines race as a social construct that is constantly changing its meaning due to the fickle nature of society. Lopez believes that this fickleness stems from a social climate formed by a variety of factors such as human economic interest, current events , and ideology. There are certain racial definitions however, that have remained mostly the same despite efforts to bring attention to the offensiveness and immorality of such discriminatory thinkingRead MoreThe Social Construction Of Race1638 Words   |  7 Pagesstupid immoral, diseased, lazy, incompetent, and dangerous to the white man’s virtue and social order â€Å"(p.181). Blackness have become objectified in public spaces, they are view as a threat on the street of Toronto, surrounding areas and even in the criminal justice system. In fact this negative stereotype of criminalization have put Black males under scrutiny and constant surveillance. The social construction of race by the dominant belief system are still embedded in society that capitalized on minoritiesRead MoreThe Social Construction Of Race2146 Words   |  9 PagesAbadjivor AFAS 304B Professor Machibya 30 March 2015 The Social Construction of Race The underlying characteristic of race concepts is found in its use of phenotypes and physical differences in order to gain an understanding of why there are different people that exist in the world. These differences have been used in understanding the behaviors, intellect, and the value of humans through connecting different characteristics to different classified races. Using phenotypical differences to understand certainRead MoreRace As A Social Construction966 Words   |  4 PagesRace is a concept only existing in societies with systems of oppression based on social racism. In chapter eleven: Inequality, they discuss how, â€Å"There is nothing intrinsic about, for example, any racial or ethnic group that makes it distinct from any other; race and ethnicity are dynamic, fluid categories that are socially defined†(Ritzer). The oppression of â€Å"superior† groups demonstrates on â€Å"inferior† groups is one consequence of race as a social construction, whic h is to have one’s identity reducedRead MoreRace Is A Social Construction1074 Words   |  5 Pagesthe term â€Å"race† should not be used. Scholars and others argue that the term â€Å"race† should not be used because there is no biological basis for the concept of race. Geneticists have determined that code for physical traits (the key distinguishing characteristic for â€Å"race†) are inherited independently of one another. Any attempts there have been to define race based on genes are futile, because there is no set of genes that everyone within the â€Å"race† has. Scholars argue that race is a social constructionRead MoreSocial Construction of Race1418 Words   |  6 PagesThe Use of Humor to Poke Fun at the Social Construction of Class: Illustrated in the Film The Jerk through Navin Johnson Money does not last forever. All the money in the world can become the reason why people change their personality and behavior. In the film The Jerk by Carl Reiner, a complete moron struggles to make it through life on his own, until a bizarre invention makes him unbelievably a wealthy man. Navin grew up in Mississippi as an adopted son of a black family, but on his birthday

Teen Pregnancy Rates On Canada - 1452 Words

Abstract: This report takes an in-depth look at the teen pregnancy rates in Canada. Comparing the trends in Canadian provinces mainly focused on the trends in Ontario. Teen pregnancy rates have drastically falling from a report completed in the 1970’s where the pregnancy rate amongst teen girls between the ages of 15-19 years old. In the 1970’s, teen pregnancy was amongst the highest rates Canada has ever seen. This report also focuses on the reasons teen pregnancy is prevalent in the following provinces and the effects after the birth of the child, what factors play a role in these mothers giving birth which include; family circumstances and the position poverty plays. Comprehensive research has been done over the last few years following†¦show more content†¦Could it be that Canada is a desired place to raise children from the amount of assistance the Government gives? Findings include; where education is low, poverty is as well. Socio economics without question play a role in teen pregnancy rates. Thesis In certain provinces, teen pregnancy rates appear to be declining, however in other provinces rates appear to be rising. In provinces like Winnipeg, Calgary and Ontario rates have been the highest Canada has seen within the last 40 years. Evidence has suggested that socio-economics played a major role in the fluctuation of teen pregnancy rates. Teen girls who lacked in education were more likely to become pregnant and also live below the poverty lines. Canada’s decrease in teen pregnancy rates were a result of contraceptives becoming more available in public places such as schools, and within their personal lives. However in communities north of the GTA, there are higher rates of pregnancy. Aboriginal do not have the same accessibility as others do, which is why teen pregnancy rates are above the national average. Other reasons contributing to the rise of pregnancy with first nation teen girls are the socio-economics as well as factors leading to oppression within that communi ty. Teens trying to finish school while pregnant have less successful rates of gaining more education because of the high cost of raising their

Maya Angelou And Still I Rise - 897 Words

In â€Å"The Story of an Hour† and the poem â€Å"Still I Rise† Kate Chopin and Maya Angelou have explored the theme of oppression in a variety of different ways. â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is a short story based around how dramatically things can change within the space of an hour and how this can affect your life in the short period of time. Within the hour Mr Mallard is presumed dead in a railroad disaster, resulting in Mrs Mallard short lived ‘freedom’ after years of being oppressed, before soon learning that her husband is not dead as she encounters him. This shock triggers an ongoing heart problem and Mrs Mallard is soon confirmed dead. â€Å"Still I Rise† is a poem based around Maya Angelou and how she will overcome challenges that are thrown at her.†¦show more content†¦Another key technique applied by Angelou is similes. â€Å"But still, like dust, I’ll rise†, the reader pictures the rising cloud of dust in the ir mind. Her use of similes helps strengthen the meaning behind the words, leading to a deeper connection to the reader. The reference to slavery in the third line gives you a clear picture in your mind of the oppressors hating on Maya Angelou for who she is. In â€Å"The Story of an Hour† imagery is used to show the thoughts of Mrs Mallard as she thinks of the future freedom without her husband, â€Å"A long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely†. She is looking forward to the future because she no longer has to worry about anything else and all of her pressures in the form of Mr Mallard. Angelou uses a variety of structural techniques within the poem, the first of which is rhetorical questions such as â€Å"Did you want the see me broken†? This is used to openly question why her oppressors are hostile towards her. Half way through the poem the tempo begins to change as Angelou dramatically changes her mood from negative to positive, and begins to express her beliefs towards the oppressors. â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is about how things can change in a short amount of time, due to the small amount of time it makes you feel as though you are going along the journey with Angelou. This engages the reader as it is in such a small time frame, that they want to knowShow MoreRelatedStill I Rise By Maya Angelou1078 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Still I Rise† by Maya Angelou is a poem of objection and satisfaction in which Maya states that she will raise regardless of any situation. In her poem, â€Å"Angelou also incorporates anaphora, similes and metapho rs throughout the poem to illustrate the resilience of the speaker regardless of what befalls her† (Bouchard: â€Å"Literary Contexts in Poetry†). Using these methods, the reader is able to visualize the hardships the poet went through. â€Å"Still I Rise† by Maya Angelou offers ambition and inspirationRead MoreStill I Rise By Maya Angelou877 Words   |  4 Pagesfull shaped curves of her body, and the color of her skin . The poem â€Å"Still I Rise† by the well-known poet, Maya Angelou, specifically describes the reasons why she had so much confidence; even if she were to be judged by her appearances and mindset. This poem is about embracing females, but it mainly introduces similar life situations that many African American women have experienced. The symbols and point of view that Angelou specifically added in her poem made her readers realize that there areRead MoreStill I Rise By Maya Angelou2154 Words   |  9 Pagesdifferent religions and races is a theme that is explored throughout many texts like the ‘Still I Rise’ Poetry from Maya Angelou, ‘The Dollhouse’ short story by Katherine Mansfield, The movie ‘Gran Torino’ directed by Clint Eastwood, and the Documentary film ‘Born into Brothels’ by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman. First Text: A poem that conveys the theme discrimination is Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou helps the reader see the struggle and feel what the black society had been treated likeRead MoreStill I Rise By Maya Angelou Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesPowell June 23, 2015 Still I Rise Maya Angelou’s poem, â€Å"Still I Rise† shows a repetition of strength stanza after stanza. African Americans were faced with the challenges of oppression and slavery. African American women not only as a minority of African American race, but as a female, were faced with all those challenges, along with woman’s rights. It took 55 years after the abolishment of slavery for females to finally have the right to vote, under the 19th amendment. Maya Angelou’s poem expressesRead MoreAnalysis Of Still I Rise By Maya Angelou1080 Words   |  5 Pagestougher and wiser. Still I rise is a poem written by Maya Angelou, an African American poet and a civil-rights activist. This poem was written around the civil rights movement, when people where being segregated by their race. Throughout this poem we are shown the thoughts and feelings people have displayed against her, but she will not let them get her down. Her dark past allows her to have strength and rise abov e the criticism where her ancestors fell to slavery. In poem Still I rise the main messageRead MoreAnalysis Of Still I Rise By Maya Angelou917 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Still I Rise† is an inspiring poem written by Maya Angelou, she delivers a powerful message from within to provide her African American ancestors an opportunity to rise above segregation and racism. Maya Angelou expresses her pride throughout the poem and describes different hardships in her past. Angelou incorporates her past experiences, powerful views, and over comings while also expressing the tone regarding her pride, feminist values, strong confidence, and close ties with African AmericanRead MoreAnalysis Of Still I Rise By Maya Angelou993 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscussed in class starting with Maya Angelou’s â€Å"Still I Rise.† Angelou starts off her poem stating, â€Å"You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, you may trod me in the very dirt but still, like dust, I’ll rise.(Lines 1-4)† From these lines, Angelou speaks on the strength that African-American have each day. Blacks have been seen in history as an abomination, and their names have been dragged through the mud just because of their skin color. But Angelou tells people that none of thisRead MoreStill I Rise - Maya Angelou (Reading Log)885 Words   |  4 PagesStill I Rise Maya Angelou The poem ‘Still I Rise’ written by American author Maya Angelou is written from the perspective of Maya herself. She is speaking to her audience of oppressors about how she has overcome racism, criticism, sexism, and personal obstacles in her life with pride and grace. It describes her personal struggle through life and how she managed to pull through and how she will continue on her life journey. This poem is historically rooted with mentions of slavery, a â€Å"past of pain†Read MoreEssay of Poem Still I Rise by Maya Angelou621 Words   |  3 Pagesunderstand life and their situations. The purpose of this writing is to discuss a literary work through a personal experience. The poem that will be discussed in this essay will be â€Å"Still I Rise† by Maya Angelou. This is her famous poem ever known. This author is a very good writer, I am reading her poems for the first time and I liked her poems so much. This poem suggests that we can overcome difficulties in life, despite rejections and injustice. It also discusses racism and all the problems black peopleRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Still I Rise By Maya Angelou1959 Words   |  8 PagesMaya Angelou was a highly respected spokesperson for African Americans as well as for women of the twentieth century. She spoke on the behalf of all enslaved African Americans who suffered during the civil war. Most of her works are considered autobiographical because they contain many of her own experiences. She is a natural narrative writer that uses a lot of imagery and repetition in her poems.She has a great influence in the field of literature as a woman’s activist. She has received numerous

Theory Essay free essay sample

The Lesson is written by Toni Cade Bambara and is a fictional narrative. The significance of this short story is deepened when we apply Paulo Freire’s story Pedagogy of the Oppressed because he talks about the different kinds of teaching methods that relate to the characters in The Lessons and the society that they live in. In Freire’s story he deliberates about the society we live in, which uses the banking method rather than the problem posing method of teaching. I believe that this is what Miss. Moore is trying to show her students in The Lesson by taking them to the ‘rich’ part of town when they go into the toyshop. In Freire’s story he gives two terms: the oppressor, which in my opinion is the white people in The Lesson and the oppressed which is Sylvia and her classmates. In The Lesson, you meet a young girl who goes by the name of Sylvia. Sylvia is brought up in a ‘slum’ area and is resentful towards her teacher, Miss Moore. Sylvia feels that her teacher is better than everyone else in her community because she has a college degree, and doesn’t care to listen to anything Miss. Moore has to say. The story starts off by Miss Moore bringing the group of children to this toyshop, which is where I believe she is trying to expose them to this banking system concept, to show them what is wrong with their society. The banking system concept is when â€Å"the teacher talks about reality as if it were motionless, static, compartmentalized, and predictable. Or else he expounds on a topic completely alien to the existential experience of the students† (Freire 52). In other words the banking system where the teachers believe only they can be the ‘knowledgeable other’, the knowledgeable other is someone who has more experience and knows what they are doing which makes them the one who holds all the knowledge. They don’t believe the students can teach them anything new. Using this type of system will result in the student’s only being as good as what they’re taught. The problem posing method on the other hand is where the teachers and the students work together, that they can learn from each other and respect one another’s thoughts, ideas, questions and wonders. A great example of the banking method that Freire writes is â€Å"the more completely she fills out the receptacles, the better a teacher she is. The more meekly the receptacles permit themselves to be filled, the better students they are† (Freire 53). In The Lesson the white people are the oppressors and Sylvia and her classmates are the oppressed. Freire explains the oppressed â€Å"The oppressed receive the euphemistic title of â€Å"welfare recipients†. They are treated as individual cases, as marginal persons who deviate from general configuration of a â€Å"good, organized, and just† society† (Freire 55). This is saying how poor people are treated as separate people in society. The students in The Lesson did not know they were seen as this ‘separate’ part of society. According to Freire he doesn’t believe this is the case, he see’s everyone as equals â€Å"The oppressed are not â€Å"marginal†, are not people living â€Å"outside† society. They have always been â€Å"inside† (Freire 55). Once Sylvia and her classmates arrive at this toyshop they notice a toy sailboat that catches them off guard, but it’s not the sailboat, it is the price tag that is attached to it, Sylvia exclaims â€Å"Who are these people that spend that much for preforming clowns and $1000 for toy sailboats? What kinda work they do and how they live and how come we ain’t on it? (Bambara 425). I believe that by bringing the children to this new environment she was trying to open the children’s eyes to this ‘separate’ society. Miss Moore embodies the idea of problem posing. From Freire’s point of view, a teacher that poses these traits should â€Å"from the outset, her efforts must coincide with those of the students to engage in critical thinking and the quest for mutual humanization† (Freire 56). Miss. Moore does this when she asks a question to deepen Sugar’s thought about why adults would play with a kid’s toy. A great metaphoric description between the two methods that Freire uses, quoting Fromm is that the banking system causes people to be ‘necrophilia’ versus the problem posing method, which is causing people to be ‘biophilious’. â€Å"While life is characterized by growth in a structured, functional manner, the necrophilous person loves all that does not grow, all that is mechanical. The necrophilous person is drive by the desire to transform the organic into the Memory rather that experience, having, rather than being, is what counts. The necrophilious person can related to an object- a flower or a person- only if he loses the possession he loses contact with the world†¦ He loves control; in the act of controlling he kills life† (Fromm 58). I feel that this quote strengthens the issue that the children have around this expensive boat. In my point of view the children are more biophilious, this is backed up when it shows that they do not see the importance of an expensive boat when they could use that money to feed an entire family. They aren’t bound by materialistic items. During The Lesson you read about Sylvia getting mad at her friend Sugar for engaging in conversation with Miss Moore regarding the toy sailboat. This displays that Sylvia is unintentionally still bound by the banking system because if they were in the problem posing method this would be seen as harmful to one another’s learning. You notice that Miss Moore is trying to get the students to critically think for themselves in a problem-posing manner, but it is apparent that they are all in some matter constricted by this banking system method that they live in. The whole idea of the banking system with the roles of the oppressed and the oppressor is that it stops people from becoming fully human, as Freire says â€Å"no one can be authentically human while he prevents others from being so†.