Is America Changing Its Position On Race Relations In The Twenty First Century Argumentative Essay

Racism has always been a topic of argues, rebellions, fights and even wars. Having such a diversified world, people have always found it very difficult to live with other nationalities. Moreover, after the ‘launch’ of globalization and integration, people have understood that there is no uniqueness left in a single country anymore. Some have managed to cope with it, while others are revolted, filled with indignation and hatred to others, who at least somehow differ from them. The United States is a bright example of a multinational country: it is embracing dozens of nationalities from all over the world. It is opening its doors to thousands of people of different nationalities daily, providing them with work, food and shelter. However, the issue of racism does not but springs up more than often. The main goal of this paper is to understand at what ‘step of racism’ the United States are now. As of now, racial tolerance still remains to be a clear trend in the US society. Undoubtedly, during the past ten years a significant positive change has been made regarding the racial relations in the United States. Nonetheless, despite all the steps taken racial injustice still remains a crucial aspect of the society with implications throughout our governmental systems. However, the Americans still do all possible to strive for the equality of all the Americans; as a proof of this fight, the NAACP can be mentioned. The National association for Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909, is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States. Starting from the ballot box to the classroom, hundreds and thousands of people, dedicated workers, leaders and members of the NAACP keep on fighting for social justice for all Americans. Thus, the NAACP along with other governmental authorities is doing all possible to move the American nation forward: the organization has joined almost 200 organizations representing people of all races, as well as creeds and faiths to establish a movement, which would pull America back together. Another action, taken by the organization passed the Tea Party resolution, which was demanding the leadership of the Tea party to repudiate its racist members and make it clear that the organization should not bear bigotry. It should be mentioned that the Tea Party rallied sigs, where they depicted Obama as a jungle savage, taxpayers as slaves and congress as slave owners. Moreover, under the study, conducted by the New York Times/CBS News white supporters of the Tea Party were more eager to believe that the administration of Obama is more in favor of blacks than whites; according to the same study, they are convinced that too much has been done of the problems of black people, rather than w hite. The thing is that people are, unfortunately, too far from being nationally friendly in the United States. First and foremost such ‘hatred’ comes from the mass media, as we have seen it on the Tea Party example, as well as the politics. Recently, republican Spike Maynard, who is the West Virginia candidate for Congress, attacked one of his opponents, Nick Rahall, saying that he is â€Å"good for the Middle East† and â€Å"bad for America.† It is common knowledge that Nick Rahall is Arab-American, but it does not make him a terrorist or a drug dealer, as accused by Maynard.   (Kareem) Another politician, Illinois state Senate candidate Al Reynolds, has recently said that the real reason why women of color are better represented in higher education rather than their male counterparts: â€Å"that most minority women†¦ are motivated more so than the minority men. The minority men find it more lucrative to be able to do drugs or other avenues rather than do education.† (Kareem) Such a position from a politician does not but raises a storm of protest, as he has no grounds to claim such things. If one surfs the net, he will find much about racism in the United States, undoubtedly, it has been already done much to fight racism and boost people’s perception of other nations. The very problem is that people are still too ignorant to admit the fact that people are different, but are similar at the same time. The government, facing many economic, political and other problems, tries to hide the reality under an illusion of a huge problem – racism, which is actually, boosted by them on purpose. At the same time, people are too scared to look into real problems and face the music. Racism, as well as religion, has always been a strong weapon of all times, a weapon, which clashes people with each other. At the same time, we should admit, that the situation over racism has changed dramatically, as people have become more tolerable to each other. Even if we compare attitude to racism 60 years ago and contemporary society, we will see two completely different pictures: during the WWII hatred to other nationalities other then Aryan, was a key inspiration of the Nazis, contrary to the present days. The world is changing, at least it is trying to change, however, it is high time to start changing ourselves – we are to become less ignorant, we are to start thinking, we are to start respecting others, irrespective of their age, gender or nationality; and only if each and every person starts first and foremost from himself, the world can change to better. Works cited Kareem, Nadra. â€Å"West Virginia House Candidate Spike Maynard Launches Xenophobic Attack Ad.† Race in America. 26 Oct. 2010. 15 Nov. 2010. http://race.change.org/blog/view/west_virginia_house_candidate_spike_maynard_launches_xenophobic_attack_ad Kareem, Nadra. â€Å"Senate Candidate Says Black Men More Interested in Drug Dealing than Graduating College.† Race in America. 29 Oct. 2010. 15 Nov. 2010. http://race.change.org/blog/view/senate_candidate_says_black_men_more_interested_in_drug_ddealin_than_graduating_college

Langston Hughes Essay - 1084 Words

Langston Hughes was a large influence on the African-American population of America. Some of the ways he did this was how his poetry influenced Martin Luther King Jr. and the Harlem Renaissance. These caused the civil rights movement that resulted in African-Americans getting the rights that they deserved in the United States. Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was young and his grandmother raised him. She got him into literature and education; she was one of the most important influences on him. He moved around a lot when he was young, due to his parents divorce, but remained a good student and graduated high school. After this he traveled the world and worked in different places, all the things he†¦show more content†¦All of these things, subject matter, themes, style, literary devices, and influences play into the way that Hughes writes his poetry and they can all be seen in the poem â€Å"Dream Variations†. That is why the po em is typical of Hughes’ writing. The poem is very typical of Hughes’ subject matter and themes. This is because he usually writes about racial subjects such as equality and the average life of an African-American. Going so far as to say that most of his poems are racial in theme and treatment, derived from the life that he knows (â€Å"An Introduction to Langston Hughes.†). This poem does have the racial topic of equality for a couple of reasons. To begin with, the speaker talks about how people should see the world and the other people in it. Key word, should, because he then goes onto say, â€Å"That is my dream!† (Hughes l. 9). This is one reason why â€Å"Dream Variations† has a theme centered on how everyone wants to be treated equally. Because the speaker talks about how he wishes he was treated by the world. Along with the theme of equality the poem’s subject is the life of an average African-American. This is because he speaks of how he wants to dance â€Å"Dance! Whirl! W hirl! Till the white day is done† (Hughes ll. 12-13). Yet he cannot because he has to work, and he tries to make his work seem like dancing but he is still very tired at the end of the day. This shows the average life of an African-American because they had to work very hard in the earlyShow MoreRelatedLangston Hughes Biography1058 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"James Mercer Langston Hughes, known as Langston Hughes was born February 2, 1902 in Missouri, to Carrie Hughes and James Hughes.† Years later his parents separated. Langston’s father moved to Mexico and became very successful, as his for mother, she moved frequently to find better jobs. As a child growing up Langston spent most of his childhood living with his grandmother named Mary Langston in Lawrence, Kansas. Mary Langston was a learned women and a participant in the civil rights Movement. WhenRead More Langston Hughes Essay1356 Words   |  6 Pagesstands out as one of the most prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes defined himself by his ability to pursue the true essence of â€Å"black folk† at a time when black identity, culture, or art was considered an oxymoronic concept. Hughes sought to explore the true identity of Black America even amidst criticism that his work was anti-assimilationist in its literary expression. Wallace Thurman, one of Hughes’ closest friends had this to say about the poet’s subject matter: â€Å"He wentRead More`` Dreams `` By Langston Hughes Essay1667 Words   |  7 Pagesimpacted the movement against racial inequality, Langston Hughes turned the pages with inspiring work. Whereas in Langston Hughes poem Dreams encourages people to achieve ones goals and goals for a community of people no matter what the obstacles are; Hughes illustrated this through using a lyrical style of writing and metaphors. Due to the lack of acknowledgment of African Americans cultural, social and artistic capabilities, Langston Hughes stood as the hero image for blacks everywhere. LikewiseRead MoreThe Langston Hughes570 Words   |  2 PagesLangston Hughes’ style of poetry renounced the classical style of poetry and sought out a more jazz and folk rhythm style. Most of Hughes’ poems were written during the Harlem Renaissance, named after the cultural activity African Americans participated in, such as: literature, music, art, theatre, and political thinking. William Blake, on the other hand, was a nonconformist who was associated with the leading radical thinkers of his day. Although, considered a lyric poet and a visionary, Blake’sRead MoreA Brief Look at Langston Hughes1413 Words   |  6 PagesLangston Hughes Langston Hughes’ challenging background, ethnicity, and era of life can all be thought of reasons as to why his style of writing relates among discrimination and unsettling topics. Although his writing can be said to bring hope to the African Americans, his style can be frightening and daunting when taken the time to read his pieces. They may not seem real, but they are his way of interpreting and informing the future of what African Americans, like himself, had to go throughRead More Langston Hughes Essay670 Words   |  3 Pages James Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was very small, and his father (who found American racism made his desires to be a lawyer impossible) left the family and emigrated to Mexico. Hughes mother moved with her child to Lawrence, Kansas, so she and he could live with his grandmother, Mary Langston. Langston Hughes mother moved to Topeka in 1907, leaving the five-year-old with his grandmother. Langston came from a family of African-AmericanRead MoreEssay on James Langston Hughes891 Words   |  4 Pages (February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967) Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was born into an abolitionist family. He was the grandson of grandson of Charles Henry Langston, the brother of John Mercer Langston, who was the the first Black American to be elected to public office in 1855. Hughes attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry in the eighth grade, and was selected as Class Poet. His father didnt think he would be able to make a living as at writingRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance By Langston Hughes1033 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom 1920 to around 1935. Even though this period was short, it still lives on though all African American artists today. According to Biography.com in the article about Langston Hughes, there were many artist, musicians, and writers such as Langston Hughes, who was a huge part of the Harlem Renaissance period. Langston Hughes was a well-known poet and play writer. In the magazine called â€Å"The Crisis† his poem â€Å"Negros Speak of River† was published in 1921 and brought him attention in all the blackRead MoreBiography of Langston Hughes Essay1046 Words   |  5 Pages The well known poet Langston Hughes was an inspiring character during the Harlem Renaissance to provide a push for the black communities to fight for the rights they deserved. Hughes wrote his poetry to deliver important messages and provide support to the movements. When he was at a young age a teacher introduced him to poets Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman, and they inspired him to start his own. Being a â€Å"darker brother,† as he called blacks, he experienced and wanted his rights, and thatRead More Langston Hughes Essay1049 Words   |  5 Pagesperhaps even in any century, can be compared to Langston Hughes. Hughes wrote with his heart and soul, creating poems that everyone could understand. He expressed love for all races, colors, and religions and did not judge anybody until he had reason to judge them. He wrote to entertain, to inspire, to teach, and to make a point. His way with words made him the most popular and prolific black writer of the twentieth century ( Offinoski, 32). Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902

A Tribute To The City Of Florence Essay Example For Students

A Tribute To The City Of Florence Essay It is abundantly clear how Leonardo Bruni feels about the city of Florence. In Panegyric to the City of Florence, he expresses nothing but the highest praise for the city. Every aspect of Florence is backed by a clear reason why it is the best, and there is no other city in the world that can compare. According to Bruni, Florence has extraordinary beauty, architecture, geography, history, government, and people. This, of course, is only one persons opinion. In the diaries of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati, they too give their opinions on the city of Florence. In general, they do not seem to give Florence the same recognition and praise that Bruni gives. Bruni explains that Florence is a beautiful city, one which cannot even be described in words. He notes that Florence is not ostentatious, but rather, it is elegant in its moderation (23b). The city is physically beautiful, but it also possesses the clearest and purist speech (42a). The study of literature in Florence grows in full vigor, Bruni points out. Pitti indirectly shows that he agrees with the art of literature by writing a sonnet in his diary (Pitti 71). Everything from the buildings to the land it sits on, Florence is claimed by Bruni to be the most gorgeous city in the world. The city is also amazingly clean (24a). Everywhere you go, Bruni is positive that you will find nothing disgusting to the eye (24a). However, according to Pitti, his family had to leave the city because they had taken refuge from the plague then raging in Florence (Pitti 64). Pitti again mentions how he and his family had to leave because of the plague in 1411 (Pitti 87). Dati also states that there was a plague in the year 1411 (Dati 129). In addition, Pitti recalls a time when citizens left the city to avoid the pestilence (Pitti 102). Neither the plague, nor the pestilence is mentioned by Bruni. To him, Florences cleanliness, its attractive buildings, its good climate, and its large population all work towards making this the worlds most beautiful city (24a). The architecture in Florence is very distinguished according to Bruni (24b). He is in awe of its spacious and ornate buildings (24b). Not only are the everyday buildings throughout Florence a spectacle, but there is nothing more magnificent than the churches (25a). Sacred buildings are decorated appropriately, including the tombs as well (25a). Even the homes of the private citizens are designed, built, and decorated for luxury, size, respectability, and especially for magnificence (25a). The unparalleled architecture in Florence is not only limited to one part of the city, but it is diffused throughout the whole city (25b). Florence is surrounded by a wall (23b); but once outside the fortress, there are country houses even more spacious than those found in Florence (25b). These homes have the luxury of being comfortable and pleasant (25b). Bruni believes that anyone would be amazed when at a distance he sees from the top of a mountain the massive city, beautiful and splendid, surrou nded by many country houses (26a). He also points out that in the center of Florence is a tall and handsome palace of remarkable workmanship (25b). This palace stands out above the private houses, and it dominates all of the buildings around it (25b). Bruni restates that the awe invoking architecture can be seen in the grandeur of its buildings, its splendor and magnificence, the lofty towers, the marble churches, the domes of the basilicas, the splendid palaces, the turreted walls, and the numerous villas (26b). Bruni cannot expresses his love for Florences architecture enough. Bruni insists that the geography of Florence is unlike any other. It is neither in the high mountains, nor in the vast plains; it lies midway between the dangerous extremes (23b). Bruni acknowledges the wonderful climate Florence possesses because of this. It causes people to never want to leave due to the fact that wherever they go they will meet either a greater cold or a hotter sun (23b). This is interesting considering that Pitti was very frequently traveling to other cities. Dati traveled somewhat as well. Geographically, a river also runs through the middle of Florence, yet it never disturbs the streets that cross the city (24b). In addition, Florence has an abundance of high quality crops (27b). The city is fortunate enough to be independent of outside help either for necessities or even luxuries (27b). Florence is not on the water, however Bruni believes this to be a good asset. There are a great many inconveniences that beset seaports and dangers that they must undergo, Brun i notes. He shows that even land armies can arrive unexpectedly, therefore fleets by way of sea would be even more dangerous (28a). He also looks back on past cities that met their demise due to being set on the sea (28a). It might be useful for buying and selling products (27b); but Florence is distant enough from the coast to be entirely free from all the difficulties that proximity to the sea carries with it, yet near enough to seaports so that it is not at all deprived of the use of the sea (28b). All in all, Florences geographic location is seen as an amazing asset by Bruni, and he truly believes that this is one of the qualities that makes Florence the greatest city in the world. If Christopher Columbus Returned To The New EssayIn conclusion, Bruni has full confidence that once this magnificent and splendid city is seen, it dispels all doubts about its greatness and converts former disbelievers to the truth (27a). There are obviously many reasons why Florence is a wonderful city, but according to Pitti and Dati there is nothing about the city as amazing as Bruni makes it out to be. Bruni never truly speaks of the combination of misfortuneswars, internal upheavals, pestilence, faminewhich seriously damaged the economy (Brucker 13). Pitti and Dati were not writing for the sole reason of praising Florence, but they also do not go out of their way to mention its many qualities. Unfortunately, Bruni never writes directly about money or business, whereas most of what Pitti and Dati write about are only those subjects. Overall, Bruni offers a much different perspective of Florence in his Panegyric to the City of Florence, than the views Pitti and Dati offer in the ir diaries. Bibliography:

The issue of whether there was a cultural revolution during Essay Example For Students

The issue of whether there was a cultural revolution during Essay They did not to any extent replace the existing religious institutions in society, and so could not be described as revolutionary movements. The most they may have achieved is to have contributed to the trend of people turning away from the traditional church based beliefs, an ongoing tendency throughout the past 70 years. The sixties also saw innovations in art, with bold new artists who conflicted with traditional expectations and values. Cultural art might be defined as the traditional standards of that which dates back to Greek and Roman traditions, of representation, and decorative styles. We will write a custom essay on The issue of whether there was a cultural revolution during specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Rothko contravened these traditions through work such as the Seagram Murals by audacious use of colour, to create abstract paintings with malicious intentions to disturb and unsettle the observer. Rothko was not the first painter to experiment with emotion and mood in paintings. Van Goghs The All Night Cafi , Arles aimed to express the terrible passions of humanity by means of reds and greens. The idea that tone could be conveyed by other manners than simply the objects pictured was an ongoing idea explored by artists from around the beginning of the nineteenth century. Sylvester identifies Rothkos work alongside this tradition of reconciliation of Apollo and Dionysus forms of art, part of a long tradition in artistic styles. Warhol was one of a number of so called pop artists disliked by Rothko, who also created pioneering works during the sixties. He used a new medium of silkscreen which did contain images, although presented in an unusual fashion. The images were particularly evocative of current events, using carefully treated photographic images. In some ways it is less counter-cultural than Rothkos work, as it does retain many techniques which have been used for the past centuries. It is evocative of the sixties, and used innovative methods, but these methods have led to questions as to whether it can be classified as art at all. The period since the sixties has often been characterized as post-modern some critics claiming that nonconformist art is no longer relevant to present art culture. It does seem that perception and treatment of artistic works did change. The changes within art were largely to do with monetary reasons. Rothko experienced conflict between monetary value and artistic value, whereas as the pop art culture of artists such as Warhol allowed art to be available to mass consumerism. Art in the sixties is demonstrative of counter culture activities of the time, and underwent big changes in its treatment, still very much evident today. However as in other areas, there was not a revolution, in that the old methods were not totally abandoned or disregarded, but the sixties were very important to artistic development. The sixties were a turbulent period, of mixed values and cultures. This may have been due to a number of factors, such as the increase in standards of living, the distress of the Vietnam War and exposure to different cultures. Many aspects of the sixties have remained to date, but Roszaks counter-culture that would see systems of logic and objectivity overthrown by emotional abilities never occurred. Much of the Cultural Revolution was a myth, society evolves constantly, and although the sixties saw a high degree of cataclysm, the basic tenets of cultural society have remained unchanged. Bibliography Open University 2004, A103 An Introduction to the Humanities, Block 6, The Open University, Milton Keynes.Open University 2004, A103 An Introduction to the Humanities, Resource Book 4, The Open University, Milton Keynes. http://www. aaas. org/aboutaaas/ http://www-gap. dcs. st-and. ac. uk/~history/Mathematicians/Einstein. html http://www. greenpeace. org/international_en/extra/? item_id=4265forward_source_anchor=Our%20Missionforward_destination_anchor=%2finternational%2faboutus%2f Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our University Degree Anthropology section.