How the Sweet Home Manages to Program - Essay Example

1) Using sources in the library, find a text of an actual slave narrative or first-hand account written during one of these eras (16th century-1865).In a 1-2-page paper, point out some of the significant similarities and differences between the text you found and one of the novels we read. Based on the accounts randomly scanned featuring narratives of different negro slaves across trading states, just like the ones Beloved seems to find needless in mentioning often, slave traffic was prevalent during the 16th-1800s. As if with commodities under natural occurrence of selling and purchasing, dealings entirely ignored any consultation to the humanitarian aspect of trade considering each slave’s basic inalienable rights as humans, at least. A recount by a certain Taylor Jackson for instance, told of his own 1938 ordeal in the Nigger Traders Yard for three months, witnessing black slaves getting auctioned off in a normal process of being picked as the bidding chose. On a micro-level of evaluating, however, as modeled in the novel through Paul D who receives equivalent meanness when the schoolteacher determines to have him sold at a fixed value, there consequently arises a piercing realization of manhood, independence, and dignity taken off the fundamental self which comes between statistical scales that listed slaves of commerce on record like non-living objects. To some, due perhaps to diverse probability of looking at common experience, it came rather less harsh despite the presence of whipping overseers up and about the place. An interview with an Arkansas captive named Nellie James revealed what was otherwise seldom type of master, with James stating that hers was reasonably kind to all his subjects and that her husband shared a proportional sentiment at the time their freedom from being held as a property was declared in youth. Sethe, on the other hand, meets up the instant when she draws in further consciousness on how the Sweet Home manages to program their situations such that the menial laborers would be far from taking offense of them. Such discovery that grants proof to the schoolteacher’s inhumane treatment makes her taste repugnance especially on coming to fully discern that she is not in control of her life and children in the plantation. A few other narratives showed having undertaken parallel idea of reaching this much sensibility where most had gone mad at thinking of a way to escape. There were also those who claimed knowing slave women, ranging from mere acquaintance to close relatives, who did not get proper marriage or family life, only sometimes a status of having either a couple of short-lived relationships or none at all. As in Sethe’s case in Sweet Home, a choice of partner can be made among fellow inhabitants. She is made to believe wedlock possibility as well while enslaved but then, it only took a limited span of time for Halle Suggs to assume the position of being her husband. In the narrative too were slave folks who couldn’t help expanding members of their families as that of Aunt Virginia Bell of Louisiana whose father had lived with two families, the first originating from his hometown whereas the second formed in the state to which he was transported during exchange of masters after the bidding, much like the account on Baby Suggs who bore eight children by six different fathers. (2) Using internet resources, find a photograph from the period taken between 1945 and 1960. Your photo can be of an individual person, or of a scene somewhere of several people or things. In a short essay, explain why this photograph best captures the ideas and themes of the eras that were most important to African-American communities. In May 17, 1957 at the Prayer Pilgrimage of Freedom in Washington D.C., Mahalia Jackson sang her blues to the rhythm of secular music she highly considered as a fleeting cure for grievance as well as a unique contribution to civil rights movement. The core of her image is vivid with heart-felt involvement, one that evidently welled up an utmost desire to be paid heed on with an immeasurable plea. The woman’s grin is characteristic of the freed who made it through an excruciating transition and beamed upon the rest of solitude as to reinforce unspeakable hopes for rights yet to possess redemption. A peaceful stance which appeared to enhance the look in her closed eyes is symbolic of the collective freedom which most Afro-Americans at the time had loved to be commenced with and delivered into after dying and enduring long-term risks of slavery and oppression. Depending on how each individual or group perceived their nature in response to the inferior treatment of the higher rank, at one aspect, a black culture may exemplify through this picture a form of autonomous freedom achieved by the process of alleviation from an old sense of self. At this stage, spiritual transformation may be held in regard as a chief source of therapy or strength to radiate tranquility and fulfillment on the external. On another, it may come into a typical perspective that sufficiently understood the sole necessity of being able to voice out or express in lyrical speech or gesture the yearning for a more open space, to at least get rid of either emotional or mental torment, besides physical abuse, brought by intense occupation of whites whose dominion and politics led to deprivation of civil rights and discrimination by color. Even more importantly, the lady’s image captures a theme perpetuating continuity of courage to overcome old fears and confront the present and yet unknown ones as established by most Afro-American cultures which sought vehicle, rather than ends, in politics so that tides could be turned against it and the white oppressors who generally celebrated its existence at their privilege and terms. Out of the several forms accepted for freedom during Reconstruction and throughout the notable movement for rights by virtue of citizenship in American history, the chosen autonomy of liberation essential for black communities had become inclined to claim ownership of freedom in its secular nature. Though the logical result of emancipation and the proper goal of Reconstruction for many were set on a vision of independent, self-sustaining black citizens, capable of determining their own destinies, the cluster of ideas and impulses of which, in the struggle to gain triumph over free-labor, deflected to another consequence of ‘possessive individualism’. Mahalia, in her overall countenance and projection, highlighted in her performance such avenue in that era as, in liberal tradition patterned after Exodus model, a causality aimed at personal, spiritual quest. To an intimate level, the latter is anticipated to surpass or drive to lowest forms the progressive afflictions, thereby placing the body in an entity substantially absent from the deliverance mind and soul-wise as may be depicted and experienced in the versatility and sensation of music and religion alike among the Afro-American subjects. (3) Using the library’s resources, browse through some of the editions of some of the important African-American scholarly and activist journals and magazines from the 1970s. Write a one-page response to some of the information you find there. How do the articles and statements you find shape your perception of the 1970s era in African-American culture. Use specific quotes from articles you find to illustrate your points. In Antidote, J.H. Clarke encourages the proposition that the issue with color would not find resolution unless the black are adequately competitive and equipped by virtue of rights, freedom and power which occur exceedingly abundant on the white side. Power, in particular whatever the established rights are, seems to be a self-sufficient necessity with which to claim other valuable causes. Saying that “Black people will have to realize that in the kind of world we live in, being black and beautiful means very little unless we are also black and powerful” entails ascertaining doubts and reassessing major actions done in Afro-American history, both group and individual, that had by far considerably turned fates to achieve the nature of freedom that affords them equality and unspoken privilege just as those comprised in their white counterparts. With this ground and perceiving the bulk of traditions by which the black people are distinguished, it feels to a certain extent that the power has been acquired in a way that attains for them a unique and vast culture rich with values that deepen with time and experience altogether. Prominently manifested through soulful music of various types and exotic rhythm, art, literature, social statements, and lifestyles in general, the black culture has not ceased having a special worth that enables the world to grasp the kind of intelligence possessed by their sensational culture. By norm, Afro-American individuals may be seen to not merely pay respect to their culture during the 1970s but every time they do, we continuously sense truth and engage in understanding that their level of conviction to it is built based on painful intricate roots of wisdom through the course of history. This condition is, in a way or another, implied in a view that W.E.B. Du Bois chose to see more positively regarding segregation from the white American society when he stated: “Instead of letting this segregation remain largely a matter of chance and unplanned development, and allowing its objects and results to rest in the hands of the white majority or in the accidents of the situation, it would make the segregation a matter of careful thought and intelligent planning on the part of Negroes.” As a result herewith, there prospers a culture that consists in an individual with an embedded norm of greater sensibility of being in touch with the inner self which eventually renders capable the perception of a flexible empowering change within social and political climates. (4) Using the MLA database, find an article on one of the books we have read so far in class. Write a one-page summary of the article. Your summary should identify the central thesis of the essay and the basic structure, claims, and interpretations used to support that thesis. In his simple composition which attempted to analyze Octavia Butler’s Kindred, the author readily took off to stress the privilege of being white which both Kevin and Rufus equally possess. From this pivotal reference evolved gradual assessment of whose side deserved rightful advantage as measured with respect to Dana’s fated character swung between cares and misfortune. Apparently, the introduction was a little over straightforward it could almost be identified as a portion of the body since the contents flowing from one subject on to the next hold equal relevance when there normally ought to have distinct development and turning phase. The composition yields to a conclusion which through the body, had affirmed revelation of itself contradictory to similarities that were rather imperceptible until after the central thesis was mentioned in the introduction. The novel’s assessment claims emphasis that white dominance may flexibly work its way to power and chosen advantages thereafter. At Kevin’s end, that is merely to gain control of circumstances that are most likely to draw in favorable relations and life with Dana so he resolved to scheme with his wife to go about master-slave setting so as to repel suspicions of others for them entertaining illegal interracial marriage. To Rufus, however, affection is but a device to front with his objective of satisfying urges via force which he was completely aware to be intrinsically attributed with his bundle of special allotment for having the color of superiority. The writer’s mode of compare-contrast style sounds unnecessarily more informative than enthusiastic as he got too less detailed on portions which ought to fill in some elaboration. Certain points essential for transition sequence to explore conflict were forgone and bear no more anticipated surprise to deserve acclaim for the author’s critic of the novel. It was as if the article tried to limit the novel’s context based mostly on the two other figures that shape Dana’s character where significant actions were owed to them more than to the female protagonist’s response to episodes of recovery with contributing factors by elements of the pre-civil war period in Maryland. Clearly, the analysis got redundant around the roles that Kevin and Rufus portray in Dana’s life, leaving an impression that the former does the saving act while the latter behaves otherwise to create the complicated turning. There’s real essence in emerging Kevin to have overcome deep personal struggles, deciding for the common good and using the benefit of his race to pay high regard for his cause with Dana, the analyst nevertheless could have listed down specifics of redressing slavery issue in the plantation making a huge atmosphere. Evaluation of Dana’s coping with the torment here may find justice according to how the writer positions Kevin and his ability to adapt to the current reality regardless of getting accustomed to the past in their time travel. Bibliography Arkansas Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves. 1936-1938: Vol. 2. Part IV. Texas Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves. 1936-1938: Vol. 16. Part I. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. New York: Knopf, 1988. King, Richard H. Civil Rights and the Idea of Freedom. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. Civil Rights Era. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9.html. Clarke, John Henrik. “Antidote: Black Power.” Black World Oct. 1970: p. 4. Ofari, Earl. “W.E.B. Du Bois and Black Power.” Black World Aug. 1970: p. 27. blueydqt22. “Analysis of Octavia Butler’s Kindred.” www.echeat.com/essay. 22 July 2006. Web. 30 July 2010. Read More