In "In the Kitchen," Henry Louis Gates Jr. illustrates how social acceptance changed his appearance a as young Afro-American, while in "On Being Black and Middle Class," Shelby Steele contests that social status and race cannot be related. Although these essays cover somewhat different topics, they both come to the same conclusions about society's ideals, and how they effect people and they way in which they identify themselves. To survive in the world people have to conform to society and society also has to conform to the individual. There is an extent to the how much an individual has to undergo in order to be accepted by society.
Gates feels that because of society's high standards, he, along with many other Afro-Americans, changed their appearance in order to conform to society and have more of a Caucasian look. Blacks during the 50's and 60's felt that if they had straight hair like that of Caucasian's, they would be more readily accepted by society. Gates described the various processes developed by many blacks in great detail. He included the processes used by well, known celebrities that were developed in order to conform to the idea that whites were superior. When Gates was growing up, it was thought that straight hair gave people a cleaner appearance. Therefore, most blacks went to great lengths to achieve that clean, sleek look. Because all they wanted was to be socially acceptable, blacks gave up their own identities to achieve this goal, which is too much of a sacrifice. In actuality, a society is not defined by race, gender, religious, or sexual preferences, but rather it is based on the unification of a community on the basis of economic and social status. Therefore, people should not feel the need to change their appearance as a means to conform to society.
Steele also concluded that society effects the way people identify themselves, but in a slightly different way than Gates.
Grandma's kitchen was a place I could go to eat her delicious homemade food. ... Each time I walked into her kitchen, I was reminded of a 1960's kitchen. ... Grandma's kitchen had smells that lingered throughout the house. ... Grandma's kitchen was a place I could call home. ... Grandma's kitchen will always hold a special place in my heart....
As I smell the aroma of well-made food, feel a warm sensation; I realize I am in my kitchen. ... There have been countless good memories while being in my most favorite place, my kitchen. ... I have had many water fights in my kitchen while using the sink. ... It is well worth it to be in the presence of my wonderful kitchen. ... I know that there are other kitchens out there that might resemble my lovely kitchen, but I know that no other kitchen will be as profound as mine. ...
Hells Kitchen In this essay I will be exploring Hell's Kitchen as it relates to the book Hell's kitchen, written by William Carlos Williams. ... Reports of criminal homicide from the late nineteenth century only supply a minimal idea of the daily life in Hell's Kitchen. ... Hell's Kitchen was troubled by violence and general disorder from an early point in its history as depicted in William Carlos Williams story. ... Over the years, Hell's Kitchen has learned to temper its wild instincts and curve it's brutal past somewhat. ... Hell's Kitchen lies between ...
Once of the biggest things I remember quite vividly is my Grandma's kitchen and memories that took place in that kitchen. ... The memories that were made in my Grandma's kitchen were made from deep sorrow and great happiness. ... Food that was made in that kitchen and conversations that were made in that kitchen were what brought my family so close together. I remember my Grandma's kitchen, more than any other room throughout my whole entire childhood. ... My grandma displayed these things while in the kitchen, showing love through food and conversation....
The kitchen table constantly takes on different roles. ... At the kitchen table, parents instruct their children on the proper ways to behave at a kitchen table, skills which will serve them for the rest of their lives. Essentially, the kitchen table is a place where many children grow up. ... In this scenario, the kitchen table is a place of kinship and bonding. ... As Tita cooks away her misfortunes, she finds comfort in the kitchen. ...
When my dad and I arrived at Home Depot, with no idea of what kind of flooring we wanted for our kitchen, we thought about my mother's favorite colors, which happen to be her sorority colors. ... My mother wanted a new kitchen floor; the stick tile is what it is called. She wanted a new look for the kitchen. ... My mother almost fainted; because her kitchen was about to float off into the living room. ...
Their pizza brands consist of Digiorno, Tombstone, California Pizza Kitchen and Jack's. ... Their pizza brands are: California pizza kitchen, Digiorno, Tombstone and Jack's, and they offer pizza for a wide range of markets. ... California pizza kitchen is more directed towards women, while Jack's are directed towards lower income families' on-the-go - Digiorno: Family (2+), higher income, busy lifestyles - Tombstone: Family (2+), mainstream, busy lifestyles - California Pizza Kitchen: Women, upscale, higher income - Jack's: Families (2+), lower income, busy lif...
"What's That Smell in the Kitchen?" ... Marge Piercy had a specific idea in mind when she wrote the poem entitled, "What's That Smell in the Kitchen?" ... The poem "What's that Smell in the Kitchen?" ... Piercy successfully gets this point across in her poem, "What's that Smell in the Kitchen," with the use of the literary devices such as symbolism and metaphors. ...
The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan The novel, The Kitchen God's Wife is a true-life story told in flashbacks, by a mother (Winnie) to her daughter (Pearl). She relates the incidents that had occurred in her life when she was in China. The story begins with the memories of a six-year...