Module 6- Racism shouldn't be an issue in this day.

Throughout the history of the United States, African Americans have struggled. They were taken from their home country and forced to work for foreign men in a foreign country speaking a foreign language. While it is completely inhumane, it has been over for years and the blacks were not the first to be treated so badly, but they seem to be the ones hanging onto it the most. Today there is still racism, and in fact, thanks to affirmative action, the African American community is having their chance to get back at the white people. I don’t believe that people should hold grudges for generations. If someone has wronged you personally you may be entitled, but if one person owned your great great great great great grandparents, I don’t believe it entitles you to feel hatred towards an entire race- many of whom didn‘t own slaves in the first place. From my experience most white people don’t feel any prejudice and really don’t care about color, but African Americans do. When they were slaves they created private communities and stressed them. When they were freed and were restricted from home ownership they furthered those communities. But today, and in the last 50 years (that’s at least two generations), and in a time that changes so exponentially and has so much to offer and so many new and innovative ideas, those segregated communities aren’t necessary but they continue. I’m speaking candidly, but because generation after generation chose to stay in the life they lead (and some cases they have no choice) it still shouldn’t warrant prejudice over people who can be just as unfortunate. The percentage of blacks in poverty may be high, but whites still make up he majority of poor citizens. It shouldn’t be about race, it should be about class. The middle class is diminishing and blacks are worried about unfair racial treatment- life isn’t fair and these days (with very few exceptions) it’s got nothing to do with race, just money.

If you go back far enough in time, everyone has been treated unfairly. The Egyptians used slaves to build their pyramids. Christians and Jews both remember how Moses freed the slaves and remember that, but aren’t bitter about it. Instead it represents hope and perseverance rewarded. The Jews alone have had hardships to face since anyone can remember. While some may say they’re bitter and there are a lot of jokes, they have certainly not let stereotypes and prejudice keep them from excelling in the economy and living their lives. (Their last major ordeal was barely 60 years ago.. More recent than major slavery problems). The Jews were forced from country to country around Europe and the Middle East. They were actually told to go back to Israel by Europeans. The Chinese weren’t allowed to immigrate to the United States again until the 1960’s either. Japanese were kept in Internment camps in the 20th century. The United States has treated all people unfairly, it wasn’t just blacks. Only the elite are safe…er. The British created taxes and quartering for the colonies before the revolution, so even the American’s were prosecuted. Many Irish died during the Potato Famine and, while the rivalry with England is about as heated today as the United States and France (not very), they were treated very badly and thought of as incredibly inferior. All countries have battled and discriminated against one another since the beginning of time over land and religions. In 1847, a conference of African Americans declared, “… it is emphatically our battle; no one else can fight it for us…” (Zinn, 137). It’s true that they were the ones persecuted but its not true that they should fight it alone. What can they truly expect to accomplish without the help of others? There needed to be acceptance and allowance among all people for any rights to be accomplished.

Abolishing slavery had nothing to do with rights or prejudices. It was all about money- as everything is with white people. Lincoln, who is known for freeing the slaves and an upholder of morality, was prejudice. He believed slavery was wrong but refused to accept them as equals. He signed the Emancipation Proclamation only when it was politically advantageous (Zinn, 140), just at Kennedy did in the 1960’s with the Civil Rights Act. It’s also not entirely fair to discriminate on the grounds someone nearly 200 years ago was racist. It was normal in that time and they were raised like that. In today’s world, inheriting prejudice is wrong. There is no reason for it. If you hate an entire race it’s based on stereotypes and not validity. Just because my car was hit twice and both times it was by a Chinese woman doesn’t give me the right to say all Chinese women are bad drivers. (I’ve never really been hit! Thank God) As obvious as that is, it’s the same thing with black and white prejudice, it’s just on the same home ground unlike prejudice with any other country. W.E.B. Du Bois realized that something larger than racial issues was happening in America during the late 19th century and it was happening not just to poor blacks, but to poor whites as well. All of us were soon to become slaves of, and still are very much today, of capitalism (Zinn, 154). The point is, is that it seems a shame for there to be still so much prejudice in the world, especially in the United States. The country was founded by immigrants, you would think they would be a little more open. America was the last country to really get into slavery and the last to stop it. America continues to press it’s own ideology onto other countries despite how futile it seems to be and how bad our actual country is doing. France had their takeover of the world, did well and lost. England also had theirs but now they too have come to terms with reality and matured. I read an article (about a year ago so it may have happened) but Australia was considering leaving British rule and the Queen simply said they could vote and if that was what they decided that is how it would be. She was proud to be their queen and did the best she could for them. It was very dignified. It’s nice to see huge powers settle down. The world shouldn’t be a hostile place anymore. There is too much technological and social advances. I would expect by now petty fighting would be done with. Our leader should be mature enough to decide things civilly.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood the power of peaceful action. It takes courage and it takes patience, something that is hard to come by in these days. He wanted equality and fairness. He wanted what was right, which shouldn’t be much to ask…
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream"



MLK’s speech: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/special/mlk/king/speeches.html

Module 5- A Woman's Role

Utopian socialist Charles Fournier said that the progress of civilization depended on the progress of women: (quote and pg 92). That being true, it explains how the world we live in today came to be how it is not all that it could be. Women were, and still are in some cases today, seen as inferior to men. They are more of a commodity than a person. I don’t know exactly where or when the inequality began but I can imagine how it may have happened. In most cultures the men hunt for food while women prepare the food, while also raising the children and taking care of the house and families. In some cultures they realize the work the women do and respect it while western cultures look down on it and ignore how much effort it takes. It is easy to see how women could have fallen into their roles. Women carry the children to term and must nurse the child and so naturally it makes sense to raise them. Since they then are already watching the children, it makes sense to also watch the house and perhaps animals and other family members, women do have that maternal instinct.

Men on the other hand, are tougher and have more upper body strength so, while the wife is at home caring for their children, the men would go out and find food for the family. Men simply developed larger testosterone driven egos and society seemed to have developed around them. Before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband and said, “Do not put such unlimited power in the hands of husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention are not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound to obey laws in which we have no voice of representation" (Zinn, 86). Women were never mentally inferior, they have only been conditioned into thinking so. They are raised as a stereotypical woman and married off to begin and take care of a new family. Especially in the days before the revolution in America, people lived that way and, as is the brilliant capitalistic scheme of today, most were too busy or resigned to their fortune to take the time and think about the why’s or how’s of their lives. Abigail Adams and many other women prove how intelligent and innovative they can be. Most commonly heard from in the 19th century were privileged white women who had enough status to speak freely (Zinn, 86). Women had biological characteristics different from men just as blacks had physical differences which made it easier for white men to discriminate and keep their control.

How women progressed over the recent years..

An 18th Century woman sewing. She's wearing very concealing clothes and a cover on her hair. It's a very proper scene for a woman of that time. She makes clothes, cook and takes care of the children but has no political say or a career.

Claude Monet, an impressionist painter from the 19th century, depicted a woman of the century. The clothing has become even more fashionable (as this is a higher class than the previous picture, the time period was changing and with it the want for goods was increasing). She is still very ladylike and covered. She also is wearing tighter clothes allowing for more features to be apparent and desired. Women begin even more committees in the 19th century and begin taking a role in politics were they were allowed or able to push their way in. Women's suffrage and rights were being fought for along with equality and the ability to be heard.

Once the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century really began taking effect and transforming lives, since the men were always gone at work it left the home to the women even more. It was becoming the 1950's stereotype that the home is the "woman's spere."

Even in the 1950's women retained their stereotypical roles, they're simply modernized. Shows like Leave it to Beaver idealized a mother who was beautiful and nuturing. She good cook and clean and do everything for everyone all in heels. Of course not all women were like that, but it was an image..

Unlike the puritan look of the 18th century and earlier, even everyday women were made to be more feminine, while before it was mainly high society. The culture itself was broading in the 20th century with female icons bursting with sex appeal such as Marilyn Monroe.

Women's roles in society have definitely progressed, but I think they've also been able to get their rights while still remaining women. A white man's image has never seemed to change much except for his clothes (of course I'm speaking very generally) but women have held the whole gammet of positions in society and life. I can't say I usually care much about women's rights and feminist activities but it interesting looking at their development and actions from a more social standpoint. I know I would never want to be a woman two hundred years ago.. I couldn't stand feeling so hopeless if my situation was bad. But it'd be very interesting to see what America would be like today if women were treated as equals from the start. If Abigail Adams is right then we'd be living in a completely different world and probably a safer more humane one.

Monet: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/art/19th/painting/cc_monet001.jpg

18th century woman: http://www.jimandellen.org/ellen/DuparcWomanKnitting.jpg

50’s woman: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFmtsaWJ3T3VlM0JHNGVsMm9xenlFU1EAAAACaWQKAXgAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg
Marilyn Monroe: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/24/43755058_1df8be22d6.jpg?v=0

Module 3- The Rise of Segregation and Individualism

Why is it that the richest 10% of our entire population own 85% of the global wealth while the poorest 50% own barely 1% (Brown)? Why do our leaders feel more inclined to lie and cheat for their own gains? Wouldn’t it be better to work on progressing in a more communal way?

White men in the 17th century were supposed to be good Christians and abide by God’s laws. The Bible taught that slavery was wrong but still men continued to do it. In order to justify their immoral practices, they decided that black people were not human beings but a form of animal (“Beginnng”). That is, of course, after having declared their actions justified because Africans weren’t Christians and needed to be shown the way. John Winthop, the Massachusetts Bay Colony governor in 1630 believed that “in all times some must be rich, some highe and eminent in power and dignite; others meane and in subjection” (Zinn, 38). Imperial countries would use any reason they could to appear justified in their actions. America wasn’t the only country to act like that, they weren’t the first, nor will they be the last. But they do seem to be the most strong-willed country and took the longest to abolish slavery in its entirety (just as they refuse to stop impeding on other countries today). British historian, Peter Fryer explains his view of racism and says it “is a largely defensive ideology- the weapon of a class who’s wealth, way of life, and power were under mounting attack” (“Beginning”). That ideology works on many levels and with many kinds of people, it doesn’t just have to be the wealthy. When someone is faced with the unknown and feel afraid or threatened by it they tend to immediately persecute and condemn instead of pausing to understand what it really is.

I believe it was a mix of fear and of pride that contributed to such prejudices becoming what they are today. During this period of slavery rising and indentured servants diminishing, the lines between class distinctions were becoming more apparent. In fear of white indentured servants uprising with the black slaves, indentured servants were granted more rights and freedoms and blacks segregated even more. (Zinn, 38). Even in the 17th century, where America was supposed to be “the land of the free”, a middle class was established and furthered wealthy Americans’ ability to hold onto their wealth by making it harder for someone without substance to gain anything in life. (Zinn, 42).

Why is individualism so large a part of white society? The 17th century segregation and political control paved the way to a 20th century private accumulation state filled with suburbs and white picket fences. Socialist ideals and welfare programs have yet to succeed in a capitalistic world. Immigrants and blacks joined together in communities. They protected each other and helped each other. When a slave ran away, a master would be afraid to go after them for fear of confrontations with angry mobs. When slaves born in Africa were freed, they often joined other like communities, while slaves born in America, when freed, tended to set off on their own and fend for themselves (Zinn, 28). There’s something very separate about life in our egocentric America. Today voting turnout is extremely low. There is no universal anything, unlike western Europe. While the middle class is becoming almost an anti-class, it still makes up the largest percent of Americans… Americans who often struggle to stay on top of things in a country that has an ever increasing gap between the rich and poor. Americans are too worried about their own private lives to worry about the bigger picture… which may be exactly what those in control want.


~ “The Beginning of Racism.” March 24, 2007. http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=10965

~ Brown, David. “Richest tenth own 85% of world's assets.” December 6, 2006. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article661055.ece

Module 2- Spanish Influences of early America

"When Columbus and his sailors came ashore, carrying swords, speaking oddly, the Arawaks ran to greet them, brought them food, water, gifts...These Arawaks of the Bahama Islands were much like the Indians on the mainland, who were remarkable...for their hospitality, their belief in sharing"(Zinn, 3). It is very sad when you realize how our country was founded, but understandable when you think of how well it explains the way it is today. The natives were generous, innovative and open-minded people, the opposite of our celebrated founders. Columbus and his men were blind sighted by their greedy search for gold, by their desire for political power and property and by their strong sense of self-righteousness. The Indians weren’t unintelligent but they were a simpler people and couldn’t stand up to the cutthroat Spaniards with their advanced weaponry and influence.

The Spanish wanted gold, spices and slaves. It is remarkable how hypocritical all the explorers were, including the French, but excluding the English. The Spanish were the worst. They slaughtered thousands of natives, destroyed villages, mislead the Indians in their beliefs and spread unfamiliar sicknesses. Samuel Eliot Morrison sums it up in one word: Genocide (Zinn, 9). The Spanish continue to try to take over this “new” land and so do the French. The hypocritical part, is that while they clearly have no respect for the natives already there or their culture, they intermarried. In truth, there is nothing wrong with different races marrying each other, but for that time and that mentality, it is extremely surprising. Since these marriages were acceptable and increasingly common because of the lack of European women (Faragher, 46), it could raise the question of how things could have progressed if the British hadn’t so successfully taken over North America.

Driven from an animosity towards Spain, England advanced in claiming American territory for itself (Faragher, 50). They settled, but unlike the Spanish and French, felt it wasn’t right to mix with the Indians. They were a lesser people and the British were Godly citizens. When you think back to the major conflicts we’ve had in the United States, it’s obvious many of them have been based around race. For the last two hundred years equal rights has been an issue that has been sadly struggled over. Equality for women versus men is also a similar battle to race. The early Puritan settlers led an orderly lifestyle. There was subordination in the women but their roles were respected and important (Faragher, 70). Women were respected in a similar way in the Iroquois society. The women tended the children and the crops while the men hunted (Zinn, 15).

Power and money drive everything under the guise of “the greater good.” The Spanish Conquistadors’ actions in the Caribbean and Mexico speak volumes of that. They never took the opportunity the Indians offered for a new way of life and friendship. Instead they said they were ignorant and offered them as slaves to King Ferdinand (Faragher, 38). Columbus has already screwed up and found an unexpected land. He should have embraced his amazing new opportunity to learn about the natives and their land instead of destroying them.

My name is Deborah. I have been at DVC for three years, but it's not that bad considering I took some time off. I was wasting my time and money and, after a much needed break, came back with a decided major, Psychology. I found a new passion in it and have been doing much better in school. I have lived in Concord all my life and love the Bay Area. Right now I live with a friend I've had since I was five and it works nicely. I work full time at Wolf Camera in Alamo and, while I really love photography, I never really pursued it like I could have. I enjoy movies, music, dance and 19th century Russian novelists. I've been to the Bahamas and Cancun and can't wait until my next big trip, wherever it might be. Before this class is over I'll be turning 21 and celebrating with my family in Oregon. I hope to transfer next year to SF State and right now my life is mostly focused around school.. but I get out plenty and enjoy hanging out with friends.