Leroi Jones book, 'Blues People: Negro Music in White America' offers insight into jazz and blues in American social, musical, economic, and cultural history. ... In tracing the music, he brilliantly illuminates the influence of African Americans on American culture and history. ... One of the early figures in the white negro phenomenon was jazz musician Mezz Mezzrow, an American Jew born in 1899 who had declared himself a "voluntary Negro" by the 1920's. ... Yet, despite critic's efforts to remove jazz from its African American origins, it remains an accomplishment not ...

• Word Count: 530
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Early depiction of African Americans in Hollywood According to From Slavery to Freedom African Americans were "outraged " when the movie Birth of a Nation was introduced to America. ... Mammy stereotypes did not just stop in the early 20's 30's or 40's, Mammy stereotypes are still infused in television shows and film to date. In the early 70's a comedy TV series called Maude portrayed a wisecracking maid Florida Evans. The mother, Florida Evans," played by actress Esther Rolle appearance represented the typical "Mammy " that had been depicted since the early 20's. ... ...

• Word Count: 1272
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The two clearly split economic systems did not only affect whites, but also other subordinate racial groups as well; for example, black Americans' suffering under slavery, Native Americans' forcible removal, and Mexican Americans' experience of discrimination all have a lot to do with it. ... Native Americans were actually not given many choices. ... At that time, many Americans believed in manifest destiny that American was destined to expand across and occupy all territories that now constitute the continental United States. ... In sum, the early 19th century history was a hi...

• Word Count: 1187
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"Nigger and Nigga is arguably the most consequential social insult in American history, at the same time, words that remind African Americans of tragic American experiences," said by Randall Kennedy in his book title, "nigger." ... Peace in the early 1800's. ... The new usage of the word was popularized by "gansta rap," music that celebrated West Coast gang violence, during the early 1990's. ... This is a blatant slap in the face for black America; ironically black America is to blame. ... That's why I propose the solution that schools teach students more about black history. ...

• Word Count: 1650
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In conjecture with the attitudes on racial separation in America, South Africa was taking a radically opposite stance towards segregation with plans to further separate the races while in America the the seedlings of a civil rights movement began to take root. ... America essentially put on a facade of backing South Africa and after internal pressure from black American and liberals alike, America began to sever ties. ... In early 1966, an even more important conference was held, sponsored by the Consultative Council on the South Africa, which was based in New York and closely closely tied to ...

• Word Count: 3701
• Approx Pages: 15
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Here we will consider hip-hops role in racial authenticity and its history of social empowerment for African-Americans, its role as a fundamental source of positive racial socialization for black youths and in what ways its elements can be utilized in classroom and therapeutic settings involving urban youth. ... With much of their history wiped away strategically, African-Americans have leaned heavily on a combination of music, spoken word and storytelling to hold on to their antiquity since chattel slavery. ... The emergence of Gil Scott Heron and the Last Poets in the early 70s, as well as...

• Word Count: 1971
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The history of the United States corresponds with the history of basketball. ... One of the most famous court cases in history, Plessey v. ... Pioneering teams (known as fives for their starting five players) and athletes help shaped the early days of basketball and helped pave the way for progress in other areas of black life. ... Many Black athletes, including women, help change the path of American history. ... " During the Reconstruction Era, African American leaders arose and sought to change America and their views on blacks. ...

• Word Count: 2290
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Although the United States may desire to move towards mature liberalism, social and economic inequalities prevent the upward mobility needed to shift America from a stage of early liberalism. ... Because the United States has not achieved mature liberalism, it remains in early liberalism. Siedentop defines this form of liberal capitalism, "Early liberalism. ... As this gap remains, America relics in early liberalism. ... This occurred twice in America's history, most notably during the Post war glory days, and between 1995-98. ...

• Word Count: 1662
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

During the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, many leaders and activists emerged with a common goal of gaining equality and civil rights for African Americans in the United States. Of these African American leaders, Booker T. ... In this address, he introduces his theory, stating that "it is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top" (History Matters). ... He understands that African Americans cannot be blamed completely for where they stand and that the nation, as a whole, is responsible for the wronging of the African American race throughout the his...

• Word Count: 1189
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

African-Americans had to endure such harsh treatment, but how can any criteria be established by which to grant reparations. ... In this paper, I will discuss my views on the reparations for African Americans. ... It was this same attitude that the early European missionaries took with Africa; that they are not capable of dealing with their own problems and situations. ... A similar situation with African Americans is with that of "Afro-centric history" (Asante, 174); many suggest that perhaps we ought to provide black student with their own curriculum, such as to instill in them a sense ...

• Word Count: 1457
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The history of racial disparity in the Criminal Justice System in the U.S has been longstanding. ... Racist interests trying to create causality between the Civil Rights Movement and an increase in crime is yet another early example of the issue of race being inextricably linked to crime and thus the Criminal Justice System. In earlier times, courtrooms in many jurisdictions were comprised of all white decision makers. ... Many may feel that the United States has overcome its racist history; on the contrary the legacies of colonialism, slavery and racism still affect our policies and practice...

• Word Count: 1374
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

One idea behind affirmative action is that it compensates for the huge disadvantage African American people have in America, which is that their entire culture is rooted in slavery and for most of their history here, they did not have basic rights. Due to this history, black people are still often subject to discrimination on a daily basis, which is why affirmative action can be reassuring for them. ... Racial discrimination was wrong in America's brutal history of slavery, just as it is wrong today. ... In this situation, it seems that the upside" of being African American appeared to ...

• Word Count: 2129
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Need to Believe In the late 18th century, a significant belief in the history of the world had arisen. ... America had also taken a bite from the forbidden fruit. ... Theories of racial history were transformed into theories of world history. ... During the early 19th century, America had become a financial powerhouse, dominated by whites. ... This event dealt with the genocide of the Native Americans. ...

• Word Count: 1439
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Harlem Renaissance showed the unique culture of African Americans and redefined African American expression. It began in the early 1920's where African American literature, art, music, and dance began to flourish in Harlem, a neighboorhood in New York City. ... Not only did the Harlem Renaissance transform African American identity and history, but it also transformed American culture in general. Never had so many Americans read the thoughts of African Americans and accepted the African American community's productions, expressions, and style. ... Their writing also defined the A...

• Word Count: 1369
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Slavery and the American Experience More than any other history of race relations in America, the struggle between white and black Americans is by the far the most complex and long standing. ... He suggested and reminded the black masses of "an earlier, less turbulent period, when obeying one's master was the answer to every black man's problems" (Bogle 7) Again dating back to the colonial period it was a common opinion that the black man was stupid. ... The Coon's comical antics proved to be a raging success in the minstrel shows and early films. ... Another grossly d...

• Word Count: 1938
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

She left too early to learn about quilting and sees her past as something holding her back from acquiring the freedom she wants. ... They show history from their point of view and they are a part of the common cultural heritage of African Americans, (Cash 31). ... She knows the real history of the quilts and how to make them. ... They were basically made from pieces of that history. ... In this way, Walker satirizes the rhetoric of the 60's and its Black consciousness and the way they distance themselves from the African American history, (Cowart 182). ...

• Word Count: 1911
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In an attempt to justify slavery, Americans constructed images and definitions of black that were sub-standard and inadequate. ... This is an absolute impossibility in our country, because just as America was founded on the backs of slaves it was also fed and nurtured by a strong adherence to capitalism. ... The American Dream, a dilemma in itself, would be even further complicated if everyone were simply given a piece without working for it. ... To compound our naturally competitive natures, Americans often impose various forms of contest into everyday life from a very early age. ... The...

• Word Count: 884
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the early 1900s, particularly in the 1920s, African-American literature, art, music, dance, and social commentary began to flourish in Harlem, a section of New York City. ... More than a literary movement, the Harlem Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression. ... The Harlem Renaissance transformed African-American identity and history, but it also transformed American culture in general. Thematic content included Africa as a source of inspiration, African-American history, folk idioms, including music and religion of the South, and...

• Word Count: 783
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The early 19th century in America was a time when the country was divided on the issue of slavery. ... David Walker conveyed his ideas by making charges against white Americans, which presents a potent argument at this time in the nations history. ... David Walker's sediments on white Americans in his writing Appeal were extreme. ... Walker argued that he could not find a page in history that reported the families of the Helots being torn apart and dragged across the country, as were the African slaves in America. ... In his work Appeal, Walker proved to the reader the intellectual capabi...

• Word Count: 839
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The early twentieth century was an era of business expansion and progressive reform in the United States. The Progressive era was a time of immense change in America and American society. ... By the early nineteen hundreds, many Americans (especially women) were demanding an end to child labor. ... In the early 1900's writers called muckrakers exposed many social and political injustices in the nation, while unmasking dishonesty in businesses. ... (Out of Many, 634) Ida Tarbell also brought about change, she wrote History of Standard Oil Company in 1904, were she exposed the practice...

• Word Count: 1668
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

When Americans traveled to Africa to buy its people they did so because African's had strong bodies that will provide the labor plantation owners needed to sustain the American economy. ... Some law officials tend to fear the African American race because they are ignorant when it comes to the logistics of crimes. They believe African American males from the ghetto are the wrong doers in this country and that is a result of the slave trade because, as mentioned earlier, the mental illness of racism has managed to trickle down over the generations. ... " I personally find that it wi...

• Word Count: 2862
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act warranted African American suffrage and for the first time in American history, Blacks were able to register to vote without legal contention. ... By exposing racial injustice and inequalities to the mass populace, civil rights leaders achieved what could perhaps not have been accomplished a few decades earlier: recognition. ... Covertly and in modern-day fashion, institutionalized racism would be exemplified through such methods as social studies curriculums which focus only on European American history and not the history ethnic groups. ... To this day, only po...

• Word Count: 1470
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Since the time of slavery, African American women have endured many hardships. ... Nineteenth and early 20th century sheet music, postcards, and advertisements document the narrow stereotyping of African-American women as mammies, earth mothers, and seducers. ... Earlier materials employ "humor" to exaggerate these stereotypes and to make statements about race relations and black life in general. ... Most popular images of African-American women were originally created by Anglo-Americans and intended for a white audience with buying power, which was largely female. ... The societal role...

• Word Count: 1267
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Harlem Renaissance was an African American cultural movement of the late 1920s and early 1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. ... "In the history of New York, the significance of the name Harlem has changed from Dutch to Irish to Jewish to Negro (Johnson, 1925)."" ... Literature of the Harlem Renaissance In the early 1920s, three works signaled the new creative African American energy in literature. ... With these early works as the foundation, three events between 1924 and 1926 launched the Harlem Renaissance. ... Audience of the Harlem Renaissance ...

• Word Count: 2619
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Langston Hughes boldly states that "African Americans' lives became significantly better because their lives were changed socially and politically, giving them more opportunities.... Ward believes "the Emancipation Proclamation stands as a monumental landmark in the advancement of liberty1" In contrast US history writes, "the search for equal rights was far from over with the passage of the 14th Amendment2" as the Supreme Court did nothing to ensure that the 14th Amendment, which stated that no "State [should] deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,...

• Word Count: 3529
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate