Afro-Native American Awareness

I have always been interested in the Native American culture but I had never really been given the opportunity to recieve information about them aside from the "Thanksgiving story" and the story of Pocahontas. I feel that the media and history books do not give Native Americans justice in terms of making people aware of who they are. I am glad I was given the opportunity to only learn about pure Native Americans but also about Afro-Native Americans. I know for a fact that not nearly enough people are aware of Afro-Native Americans as there should be.

The video above is video of photos that display the beauty of Afro-Native Americans. I encourage anyone to take the time and press play because the Native American music in the background evoked such emotion in me. I could tell by listening that Native Americans and Africans have a very similar form of musicality and praise. I was absolutely beautiful to listen to. The Native American Culture is so incredibly beautiful.

The untold story of Afro-Native Americans is one of such depth that I plan to continue to learn about them in the future because I truly do believe that they go unnoticed entirely too often. No one should be invisible. Most definitely an entire community should not go unnoticed. I will take it upon myself to spread the word of their existence and all of the wonderful contributions they have made to this country.

Works Cited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3STQNJez4_Q

My Afro-Latino Connection

The video above is a video that displays a list of Afro-Latinos. I really like this video because it shows all of the famous Afro-Latinos that embrace their culture. They love who they are and embrace being both Black and Latino. I find Afro-Latinos to be especially intriguing because growing up and especially now I am at Howard University everyone thinks that I look and sound like I am from the Caribbean or some Latin-American country. I use to not understand how people could ask me that because I clearly look black but that was because I had never before really entertained the idea that there are Latinos that look just like me. I had to remember the fact that the slave trade did not only effect the United States and that in fact more Africans were dropped in Latin America and in the Caribbean than were left in North America.

When I visited Puerto Rico this past summer, I soon realized how easily I blended in there and how many people thought my family and myself were Afro-Puerto Rican. At the time, it felt very enticing and even now it seems like a very exciting culture to be apart of but after my semester learning about Afro-Latinos I have learned that they face many obstacles, especially in search of self-discovery. Being a member of two such distinct and beautiful cultures can take a toll on someone. I am truly just captivated with the idea because I love both African culture and Latino culture.

Works Cited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt38MbNcw0I

How much does Justice cost?

“Polly Gentry's skin is black. But she says she is an Indian. A black Indian. For generations, a little-known chapter of America's racial history shows, she and other descendants of escaped slaves have been members of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Even on the tribal council, descendants of slaves have sat alongside descendants of native people.  Until last summer. Then, in the middle of a bitter legal battle over $56 million in federal funds, Seminoles with native blood voted to strip the people who call themselves black Seminoles of tribal membership. Suddenly, Ms. Gentry said, ‘My skin makes a difference.’("Black Seminoles”)." When I read this article, I could not believe how upset I got at the fact that the Blood Seminoles would not accept the Black Seminoles because of a settlement. I was upset at how easily injustice could be bought.

I may be slightly biased because I feel that although African Americans were enslaved for hundreds of years, we have yet to see any type of reparation for our people being uprooted and forced to live as property. I think that it is unfair for us to receive absolutely nothing and for the Blood Seminoles to receive such a bountiful amount and then in my opinion be too greedy to share it with their fellow Black Seminoles. I also really do not buy the Blood Seminoles reasoning for excluding the Black Seminoles. I believe that they are just money hungry and have allowed the money to blind them from the years have solidarity they had shared with the Black Seminoles prior to the money settlement. I agree with the Black Seminoles when they claim that the Blood Seminoles are now acting not only out of greed but also out of racism. Like most discrimination, the discrimination faced by the Black Seminoles by the Blood Seminoles in stemmed in racism and intolerance. I also think that it is absolutely outrageous that the Blood Seminoles have not only excluded them from compensation but they have also excluded them from the Tribe and from other Tribal rights and activities. I only agree with the Blood Seminoles when it comes to the issue of the Government being too involved with Tribal affairs because I do believe that the Government should never be too involved in personal and community affairs. It just really is not the U.S. Governments place but I do believe that the lawsuit in question is extremely appropriate for the injustice being seen within the Seminole Tribe. And I am sure by now it is clear that I do not agree with Susan Miller’s view of Black Seminoles because I believe that they do exist and should therefore be included in the compensation settlement.

The video above is about the history of Black Seminoles. The information shared in this video touches on the fact that Africans were one of the earliest people to be in Central Florida. They lived as Freedman alongside the Seminoles for years and became apart of different tribes as Black Seminoles.

Works Cited

Black Seminoles. Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OZWVlqP13E



Bound by History and Silenced by Culture: Domestic Violence in Afro-Latinas

Individuals are defined by culture and culture is defined by history. “Domestic violence a pattern of physical, psychological or sexual abuse, threats, intimidation, isolation or economic coercion used by one person to exert power and control over another person in the context of an intimate relationship.” Domestic violence is a consistently devastating issue that faces both men and women of every background, but it is increasingly prevalent in Latin communities. Latina victims face unique barriers when it comes to their ability to seek help in domestic violence situations, resulting in a more complex issue. The complexity of the domestic violence situations seen in Latinas is a result of their history and culture. The perpetuation of domestic violence in Latin communities because of their particular history and culture needs to end.

The video above is about a brave woman named Asela who after being married for 11 years and abused for the last 2 years decided to leave her husband and find help from the LAA.

Latinas’ roots make it difficult for them to find the available resources needed for them to remove themselves from domestic violence situations.The cardinal rule of Latinas is to keep their families together, that is what they are meant to do as mothers and wives. In their culture, Latina women have a duty to be presentable. They must have a presentable home, a presentable appearance, and a presentable family life. “A strong sense of culture keeps Latinas from “betraying” long-standing values. Those who step outside of these norms, shame not only themselves but also their parents, grandparents, etc. Latino family obligations always come first no matter what personal animosities may exist” (“Latinas”).

Many abusers claim that it really is not their fault. They claim that the battered women provoked their behavior causing them to lose control and resulting in them having no choice but to abuse their women. Those who are not opposed to domestic violence like to make it known that women should know their place, stay in line, and not disobey their men. If women choose to step out of line and disobey their men, then men should be able to take it upon themselves to put their women back into place. Domestic violence offenders and those who support them like to victimize the abusers and incriminate those abused. There is no excuse for abuse. If a man gets angry, he should find another way to release his anger. If a man is drunk or high, he still should possess enough common sense to not physically or verbally abuse his women. “Because of these factors- the language barrier, the lack of resources, the threat of deportation for some and misinformation about legal rights Latinas often become isolated. These women fear being hurt by the very authorities charged with protecting their well-being. Communities must develop culturally sensitive solutions to violence in Latino families and find effective ways to reach this growing segment of the population” (“Latinas”). Latinas need to become educated of their rights and the Latina culture needs to become more supportive of these sensitive but serious situations. Latinas should never feel bound by their history or silenced by their culture when their well-being is at high risk. “A spirit of stress and struggles characterizes a woman” (Womanhood pg. 240) but her strength in adversity defines her.

Works Cited

Cruz-Janzen, Marta I. "Latinegras." Revelations: An Anthology of Expository Essays by and about Blacks. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Pub., 2010. Print.

"Domestic Violence in the Hispanic Community." Safe Harbor, Inc. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. <http://safeharborsc.org/blog/domestic-violence-in-the-hispanic-community/>.

"Domestic Violence Online Support Group." The Excuses Abusers Use to Blame You. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. <http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/domestic-violence-discussions/general-support/2017739-the-excuses-abusers-use-to-blame-you>.

McDougald, Elise J. "The Task of Negro Womanhood." Revelations: An Anthology of Expository Essays by and about Blacks. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Pub., 2010. Print.

"Mujeres Latinas En Acción." Mujeres Latinas En Acción. Web. 09 Mar. 2012. <http://www.mujereslatinasenaccion.org/>.5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlH_qoMHimo

Economic Sociology: Fueling Mainstream Racism

Erving Goffman once stated, “society is an insane asylum run by inmates” and what motivates society is the concept of economic status. This “asylum” is built on a foundation of standards set by the economy of a country. The idea of Economic Sociology is never more apparent than when analyzing mass media production, especially in the film industry. Sociology and economy are the primary factors why common stereotypes of African Americans in the film industry are so frequently accepted because they unfortunately fuel the fire of misconceptions viewed in the media. Society should no longer accept the misrepresentation of African Americans in mainstream film production.

This misrepresentation of African Americans in mainstream film production has been perpetuated a society that seems to find these stereotypical characters to be entertaining and a film industry that finds them to be profitable. The economic motivation behind the entertainment industry is partially to blame for the popularity of offensive stereotypes in the mass media. Apparently, stereotypes sell. This unfortunate yet apparent truth can be dated back to its origins “Blackface” entertainment. Which was the initial perpetuation of racist images and negative perception of the African American community worldwide.

“Every immigrant group was stereotyped on the music hall stage during the 19th Century, but the history of prejudice, hostility, and ignorance towards black people has insured a unique longevity to the stereotypes. White America's conceptions of Black entertainers were shaped by minstrelsy's mocking caricatures and for over one hundred years the belief that Blacks were racially and socially inferior was fostered by legions of both white and black performers in blackface” (“Blackface”).

“Blackface” entertainment, very similar to the stereotypical characters seen today, has established a divide between races that is frequently portrayed in mainstream film. The film industry is profiting on society’s modern form of mental and social segregation. The film industry’s prolific success has come at the expense of the African American community for far too long. Bottom line, the misrepresentations of African Americans is an economic investment of great magnitude and has been a major part of the lucrative business that is the film industry. There needs to come a point when profit is no longer allowed to be the driving force of injustice in the media.

The video above is the trailer to Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family. I believe that this was one of the most over the top movies I have ever seen. It amplified stereotypes to a level that I could not even laugh at. All I could think was how absolutely ridiculous he made us look in some odd form of entertainment. I actually am I fan of Tyler Perry and some of his films but this one was just too much.

Others would argue that the stereotypes of African Americans in the film industry are justifiable. They claim that “Stereotypes are not inherently a bad thing. In fact, they can be quite helpful in understanding a complex society in which nothing stays the same” (“What’s wrong”). Supporters of the misrepresentations of African Americans in mainstream film claim that the depictions seen in the media are accurate. They claim that these stereotypes are commonly seen and perpetuated by African American individuals in the community.

The entire African American community is not one that can be thought of narrowly and economic promise should not be allowed to perpetuate such an injustice. If we can better understand society’s motive to enable and the mass media’s economic depth in the involvement to this unfortunate form of “entertainment,” then we can find a solution to produce more accurate entertainment.

Works Cited

Blackface! - The History of Racist Blackface Stereotypes. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://black-face.com/>.

"Mass Media and Racism." Yale University. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://yale.edu/ypq/articles/oct99/oct99b.html>.

"Stereotypes and Prejudices." Holocaust Cybrary Remembering the Stories of the Survivors - Remember.org. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://remember.org/guide/History.root.stereotypes.html>.

"Top 10 Racial Stereotypes | Top 10 Lists | TopTenz.net." Top 10 Lists - Top Ten Lists - TopTenz.net. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-racial-stereotypes.php>.

"What’s Wrong With A Stereotype? | Clutch Magazine." Clutch Magazine: Fashion.beauty.life.culture. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2009/06/whats-wrong-with-a-stereotype/>.

"Why Are Stereotypes so Entertaining? | Psychology Today." Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness Find a Therapist. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sex-drugs-and-boredom/201004/why-are-stereotypes-so-entertaining>.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJlfqMDJaPQ

How to Win a War

What is the easiest way to win a war? Some would consider the divide and conquer tactic most effective. Those who exercise this strategy would break up alliances to ease the process of attacking an enemy. No stranger to this tactic, outnumbered European powers put Africans and Native Americans against each other to subdue their combined power. Although the black and red peoples were divided over two centuries ago, separation between them still exists. For this reason, many people participate in the discussion of whether or not Native Americans should allow people of both African and Native descent to be members of their tribe. Critics like Sarita Cannon would say that Afro-Native Americans should be granted tribal membership for the simple fact that they possess Native blood, but others like Orlando Tom and Leona Begay believe that Afro-Native Americans do not possess enough Native American blood for induction (Cannon). Ultimately, undeniable historical parallels, psychological impairments, and cultural benefits show why Afro-Native Americans should not be excluded from the Native American community.

The short video above is about certain famous individuals that are Afro-Native American such as Tina Turner, Frederick Douglass, and Langston Hughes. The video also highlights the fact that Afro-Native Americans are a people that few are aware of and that denial of their existence is a big part of that. Some Native American tribes refuse to except Afro-Native Americns into their communities forcing the idea of them to "disappear."

Native American communities should not exclude Afro-Native Americans because this exclusion sustains harmful racist ideals. The fury surrounding 1997's Afro-Native American Miss Navajo Nation shows that some Native Americans find affiliation with their European counterparts more desirable than that of their African counterparts. According to Sarita Cannon’s Authenticating the Black Indian Body, “it seems that mixedblood [sic] Miss Navajo Nation have been crowned in the past without incident, as long as their blood mixture did not include African heritage” (Cannon). The desire to severe ties with Africans commemorates a belief that is the central motivator of racism, the idea that groups can be viewed as either superior or inferior to one another. In most cases, like that of Miss Cody, Caucasian is seen as superior and African is seen as inferior. The Clark Doll Experiment shows how the ideas of racial superiority and inferiority may impinge on healthy cognitive development. In this experiment, psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark asked black children to choose which doll they though was the better doll. Though the dolls were identical in every aspect but skin color, the black children thought the fairest doll was nicer (Abagond). Even in contemporary doll experiments, results show that children tend to favor the Caucasian doll. If the Native American community continues to perpetuate racist ideas of superiority and inferiority, the group will end up being one of the sources of psychological impairment in current and future generations. The Native American community should not only refrain from excluding Afro-Native Americans to avoid being a hindrance to healthy cognitive development, but also to reap the benefits of culture.

Works Cited

"Abagond." Abagond. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Tiya Miles, "Preface: Eadng Out of the Same Pot?" in Crossing Waters, Crossing Worlds: The African Diaspora in Indian Country, edited by Tiya Miles and Sharon P. Holland (Duke University Press, 2006), xv.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_txH0HJMIYU

Struggle to be yourself

Afro-Latinos and Afro-Native Americans seem to have many issues when it comes to their identity and when it comes to what and who they can identify with. Many of them feel like if they choose to identify more to one then they are neglecting the other. Problems also arise when people from either culture do not accept people who are of both cultures. Being denied by both of your cultures can leave a person feeling very alone and bitter. They can also develop negative views of people in these cultures.

In Black and Latino,Roberto Santiago spoke of the injustices and discrimination he faced as a young Afro-Latino. He wrote "'There is no way that you can be black and Puerto Rican at the same time.' What? Despite the many times I've heard this over the years, that statement still perplexes me. I am both and always have been ("Black and Latino")." Despite people always trying to tell Roberto Santiago who he was and who he was not, Roberto knew that he was in fact both Black and Puerto Rican. His younger years were very rough on him but at time went on he did not allow for the narrow minds of otherwise to dictate his life or define him. I applaud the courage and determination it took for him to reach that level of self-discovery because I know it could not have been easy. His Aunt had even told him "Roberto, don't worry. Even if---no matter what you do---black people in this country don't, you can always depend on white people to treat you like a black ("Black and Latino"). I think those words are so powerful because it's true that as long as you like you are of color, you will be treated as a person of color by white people.

 Marta I. Cruz-Janzen wrote in Latinegras that "Latinegras represent the mirrors that most Latinos would like to shatter because they reflect the blackness Latinos don't want to see in themselves ('Latinegras")." This is just another example in the perpetuation of discrimination which fuels the fire of identity struggles. Instead of viewing members of African descent as family, they treat them as social pariahs...making it so difficult for Afro-Latinos to feel like they belong.

Works Cited



Cruz-Janzen, Marta I. "Latinegras." Revelations: An Anthology of Expository Essays by and about Blacks. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Pub., 2010. 299-311. Print.

Santiago, Roberto. "Black and Latino." Revelations: An Anthology of Expository Essays by and about Blacks. 189-90. Print.

The Untold Story: Baseball

The video above is about a story we should all be familiar with. This is the story of the segregation and integration of baseball. Before attending a class focused on Afro-Latinos, I had been very aware of how segregated sports, especially, baseball was. I had learned about the discrimination of African Americans and how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. But the untold story of America's favorite pastime is that Latino baseball players were experiencing similar struggles with a lot less publicity.

In fact, according to Left Out by Adrian Burgos Jr., there needs to be a revision when it comes to baseball's racial history. Too frequently stories are told about baseball's history that minimizes the impact and contributions of Afro-Latinos.

"The lack of recognition black Latinos receive as contributors to, and

beneficiaries of, the legacy of black baseball reveals how lines have been

drawn within popular understandings and within the historical literature ("Left Out")."

I feel that this is such a sad reality because people of color are constantly being swept under the wrong as if the struggles that they overcame is not of importance to the progress of their people. I had never even thought about the fact that Afro-Latinos were a huge part of desegregation in regards to professional sports. But apparently, Latinos had been integrated into Major League Baseball even before African Americans or more specifically Jackie Robinson. I personally am sick and tired of people of color being overlooked when they are the reason much of history we study today is what it is.

"Among those left out, Buck O’Neil drew the most notice. O’Neil’s endearing personality, homespun storytelling style, and tireless work on behalf of the Negro Leagues helped spark a revival of popular interest in black baseball history. His lack of bitterness made him the symbol of the Negro Leagues for countless Americans and assuaged the guilt of many about the national pastime’s Jim Crow past ("Left Out")."

Works Cited

Burgos, Adrian Jr.. "Left Out: Afro-Latinos, Black Baseball, and the Revision of Baseball’s Racial History." Social Text 98 • Vol. 27, No. 1 • Spring 2009. Duke University Press, 2009. Web. 7 May 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZHP0w5DgxQ

http://what-the-hall.info/pix/oneil.jpg



How do you authenticate race?

I am who I am. I am a black young woman. And I am sure that if I ever decided to trace my family tree, I would find that African descent is not my only lineage, but that discovery would not make me any less black or any less of anything else I could be. In Authenticating Race by Sarita Cannon, there is an ongoing  tug-a-war in the fight to prove that Afro-Native Americans are in fact Native Americans and should be included in their culture.

"In the past several years, cross-cultural dialogue between Blacks and Indians has

arisen in publics spaces throughout the United States, such as the 1998 conference ""Eadng

Out of the Same Pot': Relating Black and Native Histories" at Dartmouth

College, which was co-organized by Tiya Miles, a Assistant Professor of

American Culture, Afroamerican & African Studies, Native American Studies

at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. But interactions between African and Nadves

in the Americas were not always characterized by harmony and cooperation ("Authenticating Race").

Although, African Americans and Native Americans have gotten along in the pass because of their similar struggles under tyranny, they continue to perpetuate segregation and discrimination. I believe the reason Native Americans do not want to be affiliated with African Americans or Afro-Native Americans is because of the negative social stigma that is in association with African Americans. African Americans are treated as second class citizens and have countless negative stereotypes. A part of me can understand why Native Americans want "blood proof" in order for the Afro-Native Americans to accpet their membership into their tribe. But I also think it is wrong to prevent someone from trying to embrace their own culture.

Above is an image of Native Americans working among African Americans. This was why they began to interact and "interbreed." Since the days of slavery, there has been the existence of Afro- Native Americans. Being an Afro-Native American is just as valid as being an African American or Native American and should be accepted as such.

Works Cited

Tiya Miles, "Preface: Eadng Out of the Same Pot?" in Crossing Waters, Crossing Worlds: The African Diaspora in Indian Country, edited by Tiya Miles and Sharon P. Holland (Duke University Press, 2006), xv.

 http://www.freewebs.com/black-legacy/UNDERGROUND-RR.jpg

Overview: Change of Pace

Introduction: I have decided to add posts about what I have learned this entire semester in terms of Afro-Latinos and Afro-Native Americans. Before I took this course, I really had not ever given much thought to the fact Afro-Latinos and Afro-Native Americans are such a huge reality in the African American community as a whole. I became surprised when I discovered connections between all three cultures, and I will expand on those similarities in my other posts. I have learned that we are all so much more intertwined than we think or choose to accept. This blog is my view and interpretation of my fascination of these cultures. It is my reasons for finding their history and people to be so captivating. This semester I was able to really appreciate the experience of being of mixed culture. And to be able to appreciate that it is okay to embrace both or all of them. It is okay to be both Black and Latino or to be both Black and Native American. I happen to believe that it is a beautiful thing to embrace all of who you are.

The video above is a short video of Zoe Saldana at the 2011 Latin Grammys. Zoe Saldana is a known Afro-Latina actress that has always made it known that she is of both African and Latin descent. In this video, she briefly voices the pride she has in being a Latina and how honored she is to be apart of the 2011 Latin Grammys.

Works Cited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6-td1O7cUI

Argument Fallacies

An argument should be valid in order for it so carry much weight. If an fallacy is found in an argument, it makes it hard for it to be very convicing. Below is a link to a list of Argument Fallacies.

http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/skeptic/arguments.html

Evaluation, Ethical, or Proposal Argument

What is an evaluation argument?

"An evaluation argument tries to convince the reader that the criteria that a writer uses to evaluate a situation are the appropriate criteria, and therefore, that the writer's evaluation of a situation is an accurate one."

What is an ethical argument?

http://www.freewebs.com/thinkingstraight/Ethics.htm

What is a proposal argument?

"Proposal arguments are extended arguments, made because the author wants something to be changed or wants to stop something from being changed. Usually, the hope is that others have something to gain if the problem is solved or at least made a little bit better."

Resemblance Arguments

"Resemblance argument essays are essays based on comparisons. The purpose of a resemblance argument essay is to explain why X is or is not like Y. The X is usually solid while the Y is more typically an opinion. The best topics have multiple causes and effects or pros and cons and are not solely based on opinion."

Read more: How to Write a Resemblance Argument Essay | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5749288_write-resemblance-argument-essay.html#ixzz1tVhzBc5q

What is a Categorical Argument?

"A categorical argument is a type of argument that occurs when a given X belongs in category Y. There are two kinds of these categorical arguments: simple categorical argument where the writer and audience agrees on the meaning of the term Y and definitional argument where the meaning of the term Y is controversial."

What is a Definitional Argument?

"Definitional arguments are essays whereby you begin with your introduction of your theme, then for each body paragraph establish your points of view or reasonings, followed by detailing the evidence, proof, or facts that support your view or reasonings. This can be the thoughts of icons, matter in books, etc. Then you write a conclusion. Beware you own personal beliefs if you can't find support for them, or it becomes too flimsy and impact on the reader is lost."

What is a Causal Argument?

"These arguments examine the underlying cause for any particular situation or argument. A causal argument analyzes in depth what causes a trend, event, or phenomenon."

Extra Credit: Literary Events

"Fighting Funny: The African American Satiric Tradition" was such an interesting event to aattend because when I think of satire the first thing I think of is making fun of social norms and politics but intellectual showing how absurd they really are and I believe that during this literary event I realized that this being done in the African American community is both harmful and harmless. Many people (black or otherwise) use satire to poke fun at African American people and although it is seen as entertainment, I do not find it to be funny. In my opinion, an example of satire would include Tyler Perry's "Madea." Tyler Perry is very talented but in most of his movies especially thosse that include his most famous character, Madea, it seems he succumbs to stereotypes that are viewed as hilarious and known for have very high entertainment value despite the offensive aspects.

Extra Credit: Exceptional Women in August Wilson's Plays

"In celebration of "Women's History Month," there will be a stimulating discussion on "The Exceptional Women in August Wilson's Plays." The program will be led by The August Wilson Society Multi-Disciplinary Class. Distinguished panelists include Dr. Sandra Shannon (Director), Professor Kim James Bey, Dr. Almez Zewde, Dr. Gregory Carr, Dr Mbye Cham, Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, Dr. Dana Williams, Dr. Alonzo Crawford, Dr. Jules Harrell, Dr. Terry Adams-Fuller, Dr. Tony Randolph, Professor Joe Selmon, and Celia C. Daniel (Embedded Librarian). The event is presented by the Africana Film/Discussion Series (Reference Department/Founders Library)"

I really enjoyed seeing scences and listening to several monologues by August Wilson because they were absolutely inspiring and beautiful pieces about the struggle and plight of African American people. I would love to attend another event similar to this one because it allowed for my eyes to be opened and focused on such important historical struggles.

Extra Credit: Precious Knowledge

A documentary that interweaves the stories of students in the Mexican American Studies Program at Tucson High School. While 48 percent of Mexican American students currently drop out of high school, Tucson High's Mexican American Studies Program has become a national model of educational success, with on average, 93 percent of enrolled students graduating from high school. The filmmakers spent an entire year in the classroom filming this innovative social justice curriculum, documenting the transformative impact on students who become engaged, informed, and active in their communities. Precious Knowledge is timely as the nation turns its focus toward a wave of anti-immigration legislation. Along with their harsh anti-immigrant stance, Arizona lawmakers abolished Ethnic Studies classes. The film provides an insider's perspective to a historic battle over civil rights as the student leaders in Tucson High fight to save their classes.

Trailer: http://www.preciousknowledgefilm.com/

Very powerful and touching story. It really had me intrigued and enticed. Definitely had me really thinking.

Extra Credit Blog: Afro-Latin@ Film: Invisibility and Presence

Our annual Re-Defining African American Convening examines the limitations of the nomenclature assigned to people of African descent in America. Currently, the term "African American" is used specifically as a designation for Black people born in the United States whose forefathers and mothers were brought here via the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Given the recent increase of Latino, Caribbean and continental African immigrant populations to the U.S., we examine how do these new Americans of African descent identify and negotiate space within the traditional "American Dream." Over the past several years, Re-Defining has attempted to dissect language, identity and shared realities of Blacks and Latinos in the U.S. This year, Diasporan artists, scholars and activists will analyze this new national reality and its implications for civil and human rights, and cultural solidarity in the 21st century. Panelists will discuss ways in which their own specific cultural identities are translated within an American context and how power can be utilized cooperatively in an African Diasporan framework.
http://vimeo.com/36745694

Extra Credit: Afro-Hispanic Institute and Afro-Hispanic Review

In recognition of Black History Month, the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Howard University  hosted a Roundtable entitled "Afro-Hispanic Institute and Afro-Hispanic Review: 30 Years of Pioneering Black Studies" to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Afro-Hispanic Review. This event took place in the Gallery Lounge of the Blackburn Center at Howard University.The celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Afro-Hispanic Review, the leading journal on Hispanophone Africana Studies, aimed to point out the critical and pioneering role of Howard University and the Department of World Languages and Cultures in promoting a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage and cultures of people of African descent. Dr. Ian Smart, a co-founder of Afro-Hispanic Review, delivered the keynote address. The Roundtable participants included Drs. Shirley Jackson, University of District of Columbia, Annette Dunzo and James J. Davis, Howard University.

Controversy of Afro-Latinos in baseball

"According to a USA today article, black Latinos now make up 38% of Major League Baseball players vs only 8% of African-American baseball players.African-American center fielder, Torii Hunter made a comment during a USA Today's round table on the state of baseball, that MLB uses dark-skinned players (he won't even refer to them as black) from countries like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to give an appearance that it has more African-Americans playing the game than it really does. He refers to these black Latino ball players as impostors.
To make black Latinos scapegoats as part of a big conspiracy is not the answer to the problem of getting more African-Americans back into the sport of baseball.Torii's Hunter's exact words were: As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us. It's like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when I can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?' ... I'm telling you, it's sad.
Just because a black person speaks another language and comes from another country doesn't disqualify him as a member of the African diaspora.What's sad is not the theory of why MLB would want to pay less for an Afro-Latino player than a home-grown African-American player; I think he is making a good point here. What is sad is his obvious lack of knowledge of black history. The black race does not start and end in the United States. Just because a black person speaks another language and comes from another country doesn't disqualify him as a member of the African diaspora.
What is sad is his obvious lack of knowledge of black history. The black race does not start and end in the United States."

Visual Argument

Above is a visual argument in opposition to abortion. Visual arguments surround us in life and online. In our daily lives, we are frequently confronted by advertising with very little linguistic content that is still highly persuasive. The Internet is a medium that relies on words and images working together to make meaning. Internet users must be particularly savvy consumers to understand how they are being persuaded by Web pages' linguistic and visual components. Internet users who are unable to detect how they are being swayed by visual rhetoric are still susceptible to this influence.

Racism in mass media

" Mass media have played and will continue to play a crucial role in the way white Americans perceive African-Americans. As a result of the overwhelming media focus on crime, drug use, gang violence, and other forms of anti-social behavior among African-Americans, the media have fostered a distorted and pernicious public perception of African-Americans.The history of African-Americans is a centuries old struggle against oppression and discrimination. The media have played a key role in perpetuating the effects of this historical oppression and in contributing to African-Americans' continuing status as second-class citizens. As a result, white America has suffered from a deep uncertainty as to who African-Americans really are. Despite this racial divide, something indisputably American about African-Americans has raised doubts about the white man's value system. Indeed, it has also aroused the troubling suspicion that whatever else the true American is, he is also somehow black."

I am personally embarrassed by how African Americans are so ill-portrayed in the mass media. So many filmmakers conform to social stereotypes as to appeal to a wide audience of ignorantly blind individuals that think being close-minded is an entertaining concept. It is truly appalling to believe that people can be so simple as put an entire group of individual people into to a confined box. I think that a African American filmmaker that I happen to respect falls into this categorical trap sometimes without realizing that he is attracting people. Tyler Perry is sadly enabling the perpetuation of African American demise in mass media. I would love for more mainstream entertainment executives to take it upon themselves to change this view. This very askewed view of African American culture. Instead of taking few true experiences and making them seem to fit the entire African American community.

Works Cited
"Mass Media and Racism." Yale University. Web. 06 Feb. 2012. .

Extra Credit Blog

Pariah is a underground type film about a young woman named Alike. Alike is a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents and younger sister in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood, and she is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the support of her best friend Laura, Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, she strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and tenacity -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, but always moving forward. I found this film to be a unique coming of age film; one not commonly seen in mainstream cinema. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it because I felt that her story was portrayed beautifully. I believe that her story is similar to what many young adults go through everyday. This film was a success in my eyes because it was relatable and touching. Alike is not black or lesbian. Alike is black and lesbian.

Stuart Hall -- What is This 'Black' in Black Popular Culture?

"Within modern countires, there faces a batte of class and culture. Among these battles lies the struggle of cultural hegemony. It is this displacement of postmodernity -- the deep and ambiviliant fascination with difference -- that cultural hegemony is displacing. While the process of hegemony never results in absolutes, in terms of victory or defeat, it is not without sides gaining dominance. The power of relations in culture is always shifting, as if maliable; constantly seeking to define and exert itself within the cultural hierarchy. One example of this process is present within the realm of black popular culture. This, like all cultures, makes the effort to make a distinct effort deconstruct what popular is and instead focus on what the term 'popular' represents." Culture is what makes up a person. Culture is something you can not run away from because it is a universal reality. People try to claim that they can assign people culture and that just from that assignment they know everything about that person. But just like culture makes up a person, it is not all a person is. "In the paper, Hall makes the argument that, 'The struggle must be, instead, to replace the 'or' with the potentiality or the possibility of an 'and.' That is the logic of coupling rather than the logic of a binary opposition. You can be black and British... The moment the signifier 'black' is torn from its historical, cultural, and political embedding and lodged in a biologically constituted racial category, we valorize, by inversion, the very ground of the racism we are trying to deconstruct' (291)."

Works Cited
"Stuart Hall -- What Is This 'Black' in Black Popular Culture?" Everyone Chill the Fuck Out... I GOT THIS! Web. 29 Jan. 2012. .

Rethinking Columbus

“Why rethink Christopher Columbus? Because the Columbus myth is basic to children’s beliefs about society. For many youngsters the tale of Columbus introduces them to a history of this country, even to history itself. The ‘discovery of America’ is children’s first curricular exposure to the encounter between two races. As such, a study of Columbus is really a study about us—how we think about each other, our country, and our relations with people around the world.” Everyone seems to believe Columbus discovered America but how could that be possible if there were already people inhabiting America. Historians so seldom give homage to the Native American Indians who have seemed to be neglected to fully be represented in history books and history lessons. I believe that The United States educational system tends to polish "history" as to fit their own standards and views. These views usually cater to a the domination of the "white man." "Rethinking Columbus offers teaching strategies and readings that teachers can use to help students consider perspectives that are too often silenced in the traditional curriculum. For example, in 30 years of teaching, virtually all my high school students had heard of the fellow who is said to have discovered America: Christopher Columbus. However, none had heard of the people who discovered Columbus: the Taínos of the Caribbean. That fact underscores the importance of teachers having the resources to offer a fuller history to their students. Further, it points out the importance of developing teaching materials that ask students to interrogate the official curriculum about what (and who) it remembers and what (and who) it ignores—and why?" I believe that "Rethinkin Columbus" is something that American history needs to seriously consider including in history books because if not, then America's future will be ill-informed about their own foundation. A house built on concrete is much more functional than one built on sand.

Works Cited
Bigelow, Bill. "Rethinking Columbus Banned in Tucson « Rethinking Schools Blog." Rethinking Schools Blog. Web. 22 Jan. 2012. .

Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands/La Frontera

"In her writing, Anzaldua uses a unique blend of eight languages, two variations of English and six of Spanish. In many ways, by writing in "Spanglish," Anzaldua creates a daunting task for the non-bilingual reader to decipher the full meaning of the text. However, there is irony in the mainstream reader's feeling of frustration and irritation. These are the very emotions Anzaldua has dealt with throughout her life, as she has struggled to communicate in a country where non-English speakers are shunned and punished. Language, clearly one of the borders Anzaldua addresses, is an essential feature to her writing. Her book is dedicated to being proud of one's heritage and to recognizing the many dimensions of her culture. One undeniable aspect of Anzalda's essays is her anger. Anzaldua uses Borderlands/La Frontera as an outlet for "venting her anger on all oppressors of people who are culturally or sexually different" (Fletcher, 171). For example, in Borderlands/La Frontera, Anzalda writes: Not me sold out my people but they me. Malinali Tenepat, or Malintzin, has become known as la Chingada - the fucked one. She has become the bad word that passes a dozen times a day from the lips of Chicanos. Whore, prostitute, the woman who sold out her people to the Spaniards are epithets Chicanos spit out with contempt (44). While this anger is justified, some critics feel her writing suffers as a result of what they perceive to be overtly strong emotions. Anzaldua's passion for these issues is obviously the fuel for her writings, and some readers may find she digresses into long fiery lectures rather than relying strictly on insight. Anzaldua's writing also consistently has an element of spirituality, and she adds a mystical nature to the very process of writing. To Anzaldua, writing was not an action, but a form of channeling voices and stories, and she attributed its power to a female deity. Of her spirituality, she writes in Borderlands: My spirituality I call spiritual mestizaje, so I think my philosophy is like philosophical mestizaje where I take from all different cultures -- for instance, from the cultures of Latin America, the people of color and also the Europeans (238)."

They say " America is a melting pot." And yet, so many people want to deny others of the opportunity to belong in the so-called "land of the free" but nothing comes without a price. Some individuals that are stuck between two cultures, if not given the chance to explore both, will lose theirselves. That unfortunately is a price some pay. You either choose your individuality or you choose to be a conformist. But conform to what? The norm? I have never seemed to fully understand what that is exactly. Why should you try to be like everyone else when you should aspire to be a better and more complete "YOU."

Works Cited
"Gloria Anzaldua." Voices From the Gaps : University of Minnesota. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. .