Thursday, April 8, 2010
Equality in America?
Has Langston Hughes' dream of equality in this country become reality? Or does racism still exist in this country? Consider your own experiences as well as the documentary we saw in giving your response. Don't forget that you should write at least 100 words, use correct grammar and spelling, and respond to things others have said without repeating them.
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40 comments:
First Comment baby. Ok, so I would say that racism is still alive in the country even if the black's got equal rights. Stereotypes in particular play a huge role in the racism going on in America. A black person is looked at as a criminal and up to no good to many people even without knowing them. This stereotype has caused, I think, a much higher percentage of black's to be in jail than white people. One person in the movie said that white people are out to get the black person. I don't agree with that, but I do believe that there is still racism towards African Americans in America primarily through stereotypes.
I completely agree with everything Jeff said. Racism still happens in this country. I see a lot of people just making small jokes and having stereotypes towards black people. People will claim they are not racist but still say these jokes and have stereotypes and they don't realize that these things they say really affects other peoples opinion about African Americans, and it also affects African Americans. But sometimes i feel that African Americans fulfill these stereotypes and this hurts their race even more than it is already affected in this day in age. Also sometimes African Americans don't do anything to change their races name and give people a better outlook on them.
Has Langston Hughes' dream of equality has become a reality in some ways. African American people are accepted in society, today compared to how it was when Langston was growing up. But on the other hand racism still exists in this county. No matter what there will be a racist person only because it could be their own opinion. People today will judge African Americans because of the stereotypical view on a black person. But at the same time there is equality, our own president is black, which shows times have changed. I think his dream has partially come true.
I agree with Annie, Emily, and Jeff, but racism and inequality doesn't just go towards African Americans. Sure we do still have stereotypes to African Americans, but don't we have them towards Latin Americans, Asian Americans and immigrants? I do think that for the most part racist definitely not as nasty as it was, but it still does exist in this country, and sadly, I still think it will. I really do hate to think that way, but while mainly society can be accepting, there will always be a few bigots who will be racist. This is Stephen
I agree with Annie and Jeff. I believe that there is still racism today. It was not as bad at it was in Langston huges days, but it is still there.People do not think racism is sill here because they think a small joke does not hurt anyone. The reality is it is still hurts, blacks do get affected by this every day and it hurts them.Racism may not only affect black people. Racims can go twords so many more different types of people. We can see it every day at school, work or even just walking the streets. Racism has become a problem in the world today, and it is not fair because we all should be treated equally.
I completely agree with Annie and Alexa. Although people may not think that they are doing harm by just making small racist jokes with their friends, they are. They claim that they are not racist but the truth is that they are whether they like it or not. It does not matter what the joke is or who it is against, making fun of someone because of their race is racism. Also, we not only hear racism in jokes but also on t-shirts, on TV, and in the movies and the sad thing is that people laugh at them. They think it is okay because it is in the media but that does not make it good and it only makes it worse. Fortunately, this problem is nowhere near as bad as it was in Hughes’ time but it is still present.
I agree with Jenn and Annie. Many people in the United States believe that rasism has vanished and that America is an ideal, strong country. However, racism unintentionally comes up in many people's lives pretty often. It comes up on t.v shows, and kids sometimes will joke about race which could be considered racism under many circumstances. There are others that are still racist about African Americans, or other races different from their own. Another issue is that the sterotypical African American is involved with bad activites, or is not smart. This allows those people to constrict themselves to that stereotype, and it becomes a comfortable living style for them because it does not take much effort or thinking. Overall, I believe that America is far from viewing everyone as equal.
I agree with Annie, and Jeff on how racism is still around. On the other hand, from my own experiences and watching others being treated poorly by race, it is clear the Langston Hughes' dream of equality has only become a reality to an extent. Stereotypes and judgments are still made by race severely. Although Langston Hughes mostly talked about inequality between people of black and white, I think the real situation to look at is the grey areas that no one really looks at. For example, now a days a lot of people are treated unequally for their appearance an addition to race. New stereotypes have been made for what 'group' a certain person belongs to depending on how you dress or what you do in your free time. In middle schools and high schools there's always the 'nerds', 'preps', 'jocks', 'goths', and so on. People are alienated or looked down upon by what group they belong to. So not only by race but, by what 'group' or stereotype you belong to there is still no full equality in, America.
I disagree with Jeff, i believe that in in the United States today, people generally have equal rights based on race. It is true that some people make jokes about racial stereotypes, but this does not affect their opportunities to get jobs or get ahead in society. Also, programs such as Affirmative Action more than makes up for things such as people making jokes. When African Americans have an advantage in the admission of certain Universities, the claim of being discriminated against does not seem very valid. I doubt anyone in a community like ours would make racially biased statements publicly. Even if they do, being honest about their opinion would not actually hurt the rights of minorities.
this is jeff yao
I agree with Jeff, racism in our country still exists today. We might not be completely rude and arrogant to the black people, but there is still that line separating the whites and blacks no matter what we do about it. Black are more likely to get in trouble than a white person, and that still hasn’t changed to this day, Jeff is right black people are more likely to end up in jail, or juvinal detention than a white person would be. Even though we work really hard to have a change in how the blacks are viewed it is harder to have it happen.
This is Ashley.
Of course racism still exists. Racism exists as actively as any other form of inter-human contempt. Racism, sexism, and homophobia all reflect the human impulse to aggressively oppose different dispositions. For political and historical reasons, racism is especially apparent in modern society, as could be seen in the in-class documentary. But it could also be seen that people publicly disapprove of racism. By this token, racism is revealed to be a simple two-sided issue.
I agree with Emily when she says that “African American people are accepted in society, today compared to how it was when Langston was growing up”. As far as rights go African Americans are equal or even have an advantage considering what Jeff said with Affirmative Action. As seen in the documentary in class stereo-types are all that those kids live up to. By law African Americans have equal rights to all other citizens of the U.S. but the real problem is the mind set of the people. Racism is the general opinion of a person or family, since most likely families pass there values and judgments down. But there is no way to change how a person thinks, so racism will always in some form be around, all things considering I believe we have made large amounts of progress going from segregation to jokes.
I agree with what Jeff has said. I believe that there still is racism in this country. There is a lot of stereotyping in the United States and people are blind to see that. Even though I think that there is some racism in the country I also think that we have come a long way since the Harlem Renaissance. Lots of African Americans are much more successful than a lot of White families. Those families have worked hard to make it that way. Also a lot of whites and blacks are socializing much more and there is not a lot of segregation anymore.
Here is the issue: there will always be that one person who dislikes another just because that person is different. That being said, obviously racism still exists. Supporting the idea (similarly to above comments) that most "jokes" or stereotypes we have of black people portray them as criminals. While this is not always the case, it seems to become the predominant idea due to mass media. In theory, blacks are equal with white Americans. In actual practice, blacks are looked down upon by white superiors because there is such a negative connection.
I agree with the general opinion that there is still racism in this country. There is, of course, less than there was, especially when compared to racism at the time of Langston Hughes. We have made huge advancements in the fight against racism. It is much more controlled, and far less common than it was. I believe that there will always be racism in this country, due to its history. We now have equal rights, for all races and ethincities in this country. Racism is a two-sided battle, in that it is not just white-on-black. As they said in the documentary,there is white-on-black, black-on-white-, and even black-on-black. this is not an issue that can simply be resolved by white Americans changing their attitude, it takes the whole country.
I would not say that Langston's dream for equality has come true, but there has been improvement for the black's of society. Not as much as hoped for. I would agree with Jeff in that sense that stereotypes play a large role in how people react in society. People may not get hired for certain jobs because of their race. Black people are also putting down white people as whites do to black so its not necesarily something that only white people do.
I agree with Jeff and Annie. Although racism has vastly improved in America, it is still a big issue in this day and age. Like Annie said, people who claim they are not racist, still make jokes and have sterotypes of what African Americans do and how they may act. Racism is all around us, in the media, magizines etc and I dont think by any means that this country is at all equal. I also agree with Hailey, because of the sterotype many african americans are limiting themselves to there full potential. And becuase of the sterotype of blacks being stupid and trouble makers, they are taking the easy way out and letting the stereotype become a reality for some instead of fighting against it.
I agree with what almost everyone is saying about how racism has improved but does still exist. Anywhere you go, you can see people making racist comments or just the separation between different people. Most African Americans or any other race besides Caucasian have some type of disadvantage to anything they try and do because of Americas rough past. Yesterday when I was shopping, something happened and the African American woman claimed everything was racism because the store manager assisting her was white who somehow disrespected her. Langston Hughes' dream of equality in this country has somewhat become reality but not as much as I believe it should have.
While I don't think that racism has been completely erased from society and is marginally apparent, I do think that Langston Hughes would be proud of the progressive effort and "succes"(maybe?)that has shifted America's views towards racism in a positive way. I think that the major change in racism today in relation to racism in the past, is that today it is more discreet since it is both illegal and frowned upon. African Americans do, however, have equal oppurtunities in terms of employment and for the most part, education.
I agree with Jeff Yao. Despite the fact that many Americans look down upon blacks, blacks are handed a lot more by the government and society than whites or asian americans. It is easier for them to get jobs and get admitted into college. People will always be racist to one another in every country. But the only way the United States government could be called racist is against whites and asians. I believe Langston Hughes would be disappointed not only at the assumptions and stereotypes. But even more at the statistics. I think it would be embarrassing to him that despite the more than equal opportunities blacks have been given 1 in 4 black men will go to prison in their lifetime. Or that even though in many cases it is easier for blacks to get a job due to quotas 19.5% of males 16-29 are unemployed. I also believe if Martin Luther King were alive today he would be embarrassed over the statistics and not try to blame other races.
I think Americans are not only stereotypical towards blacks, but other races as well and other people who are different. I feel like even though everyone has equal rights, people don't treat everyone equally. This is not something that can be controlled by the government. I think that it is human nature or has at least become human nature to make fun of or stereotype againist people different than you or your community in most countries in the world. Like Annie said, people maybe not in front them, but none the less will make fun of those who are different. I do believe it is unaviodable though that we have definetly made some progress as a country for the 1950s.
I agree with those who have said that racism is still present in the United States, and that stereotypes is one of the many reasons of this ongoing ideal of racial oppression. The stereotypes of people force others not to judge the person, but their appearance. So if one wore all black, he is classed as a Goth and ect. I also agree that racism is not as big of a problem as it was in the past. Past encounters with racism make people either more accepting of even more prejudiced. People have learned from past errors and have tried to make sure they never happen again. Some statistics turn people away from meeting new people that are different than they are. I also agree that all the school yard jokes and gags that have anything to do with racism is counter-productive to Hughes' dream. So although Americans have tried to improve racism, it is still present in our community.
I agree with what Jeff and Annie said. I think that racism is still in this country but people just aren't as aware of it as they used to be. I think that the stereotypes of African Americans is what causes the most racism, and the media is keeping this sterotype around longer then it should be. I also think that sometimes the African Americans do not try to change this stereotype. I agree with Emily on the fact that people have accepted African Americans into our society.
I want to add, ashed thanks but I personally think that Asian Americans are not discriminated against. I come from a Chinese American immigrant family and I do not really notice any racial bias that is directed against us.
I agree with most people that there is still racism in this country. Having said that i believe it is getting much better each and every day. Ever since Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus the Racism towards african americans has gone down a great deal every year. Just recently we elected the first African American president. I think equality is present but there is still racial tension. Some people are racist but not many of them act differently in a negative way because of some ones race. I also do not agree that the media is racist. The Media uasully consisted of a very diverse group of people to begin with and they are uasully only retelling a story that has happened. The only racism I personally see are jokes people make to feed certain stereotypes.
I agree with the first three comments. Even though American society has come very far and African Americans are treated more equally now compared to the time that Langston Hughes talks about, there is still racism in this country. In the south there are still lynchings and most black people are looked at as trouble or the first one to blame if something bad happens. Therefore, I believe that Langston Hughes' deram of equality in America has not completely come ture. Some parts of the country still need to realize that the color of someone's skin should not define who they are. I see racism as a challenge that our entire country should be to determined to put to rest.
I agree with Jeff when he says that racism is still alive in the United States. Stereo types play a huge roll in this and I feel like we go along with it as young children. We don’t feel like were hurting anybody when we actually are and were giving in to society.
The media has an image it wants to set up still that African Americans are still bad and all other categories of minorities are still making our country a worse place. I don’t believe that. We should all be equal and viewed the same without having to worry about what other people think be hind your back.
I agree with Jeff's point that racisim is still very prominent in our society today. I do believe that we have come a long way since Langston Hughes' time, but we still have not completely outruled racism, and I do not believe will. There are always going to be people who have warped opinions on other people, but if they do they should keep them to themselves. I think that Langston Hughes' dream to outlaw racism all together was a very bold and powerful one, but it is unrealistic.
I agree with Ed in that Lanston Hughes' dream of equality has not become true in modern day society. Lanston is very smart for coming up with this great dream but unfortunately, his brilliant dream has to face reality. The media really emphasizes racism towards blacks especially in movies. The common stereotype of blacks is that they are assumed as drug dealers and are just people one should stay away from. Basically, racism is an opinion that the law cannot control and can only enforce to a certain extent.
I agree with Hanna when she says, "racisim is still very prominent in our society today." Racism is still a big problem in the United States and I do not thikn it will ever go away. However, like a lot of people have said, we have come along way into trying to get rid of racism and have equality throughout. The movie Central High, clearly shows how at a school with both black and white students, there can be two separate schools inside. One with white students and the other with black ones. However, what showed me that things are getting better was that even with all the separation and differnt views at Central High School, a black student was president of the school and was able to achieve his dream and goal.
I agree with mostly what everyone has said, racism is still prevalent in the United States. The American (white) community has as a whole made stereotypes towards African Americans and the African American community as a whole has done the same. These acts may be considered "harmless" or "insignificant" but because of them, we have segregated our country in much the same way as the Jim Crow laws did in the 60's. I doubt if Hughes was alive today that he would believe the entirety of his dream came true.
Im seeing a lot of comments that propose ideas that I agree with. Particularly the one's by Lars and Hanna made the most sense to me because at Hughes' time stereotypes was all society was about and that was basically how all people were judged whether it was coming from a poor family, rich family, white family, or black family everyone was stereotyped but not all were bad. And as Hanna talks about how these stereotypes went on warping peoples opinions it was that which created the racism which we still see today and is very prominent in our society. This is why I do not believe that Hughes' dream came true because we see in the documentary that we watched how the Blacks in Central were treated terribly compared to the whites and it was all based on stereotypes making the black students think they were going to do bad in school and making that happen
After reading all the comments, there is not much I can add. I do agree with many people but in particular Hanna. I think that Langston Hughes dream of racism being resolved would have seemed almost impossible back then. Our country and the world have improved greatly on our racist’s opinions. It does not go without saying that there are still those people that are the opposite from open minded. There will always be a little racism here and there, it is very hard to avoid. People can be racist without even realizing it. My dad told me a story that one time he went to help some one being harassed and she was an African American. Another African American started heading over to where they were and my dad thought he was going to go after him but instead the black male went up to the person harassing the women and told him off. My dad is the least judgmental person I know and that day he learned that these stereotypical ideas of others could affect anyone. Eventually our world will accept everyone for who they are, it is just going to take a very long time.
Racism is still going on in this country every day even just through small comments people are being brought down. Every day people are brough down by stereotypes. I don't agree with Emily because I don't think Langston Hughes' dream of equility have come true. Even though people think the racism isn't that big of a deal anymore its still very present in society.
Racism is still alive in our country, and it is rooted in the stereotypes that people tend to have about other races. I agree with Katheryn’s outlook that even the least judgmental people are prone to judging based on these common stereotypes. The reason that these stereotypes still persist in our modern society is due to the fact that many of them are statistically backed. For example, African Americans tend to be statistically less successful in school than those of other races. Also, African Americans are statistically involved in more violence than those of other races. The reasons that these stereotypes are in some ways probable, in the case of African Americans, is their position on the racial ladder in our country. The fact that they started as slaves, put them at the bottom of this ladder, and once they were freed, they found their way into neighborhoods with poor education and difficulties threatening their survival. Due to this unfortunate position, many young people have poor role models as well. It will take time for more and more of these races prone to discrimination to overcome the misfortune that many of them face, due to their race’s original position in our society.
I agree with karole when she says that racism is more oriented around small comments, rather then a global mindet. In America, racism used to be one of the biggest problems we faced, we have since abolished this problem, but that is not to go without saying that racist people don't exist. Disregarding those extremes however, I think racism doesn't exist beyond racial profiling. An example of this is when a black male gets on a train, or elevator. I once had an experience similiar to this, where the women next to me on the elevator clutched her purse and became uneasy. Only by overcoming these racial profiles will we truly abolish Racism in America.
This is Preston Arthur LaLiberte
I agree with everyone, but especially Annie, Erin and Hanna, that racism still exists in this country and that Langston Hughes' dream wasn't realistic. Although racism has decreased significantly, I disagree with Katheryn and think that racism will never end. This is why Langston Hughes' dream of equality is so unreal is because it is nearly impossible to end racism. Equality isn't just based on being racist or not. I agree with Erin when she said that there is also inequality going on in school based on your social status. I also agree with Katheryn when she said that most of the time when people are being racist they don't realize it or mean it. How far we have come is very commendable, but no matter how hard we try, we will never put an end to inequality and racism.
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