Torqueville's and Stowe's perception of race-relations furing Essay

Torqueville's and Stowe's perception of race-relations furing Pre-civil War Era - Essay Example So from the sociological theorist’s perspective, he has to carefully deplore the practice of slavery after a thorough examination of its role in the country’s economy, culture and politics. Therefore, Tocqueville’s stance about slavery seems to be often confusing and critical, though his statements i.e. â€Å"I am moved at the spectacle of man's degradation by man, and I hope to see the day when the law will grant equal civil liberty to all the inhabitants of the same empire†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Tocqueville 45), â€Å"An old and sincere friend of America, I am uneasy at seeing Slavery retard her progress†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Tocqueville 56) seem to be an anti-racist’s proclamation against the racism and the evil of slavery in American society. A deep sociopolitical and cultural assessment of the African-American minority in the racially segregated white society has convinced him to believe that the assimilation of the Negroes into the mainstream of the society, as o pposed to the American Indians, was almost impossible. Indeed Tocqueville’s prediction of the African Americans future has been summarized in the following lines: If I were called upon to predict the future, I should say that the abolition of slavery in the South will in the common course of things, increase the repugnance of the white population for the blacks. I base this opinion upon the analogous observation I have already made in the North. I have remarked that the white inhabitants of the North avoid the Negroes with increasing care in proportion as the legal barriers of separation are removed by the legislature; and why should not the same result take place in the South? (Tocqueville 68) At this point, Stowe vehemently opposes Tocqueville’s belief. For her, since Christianity, being the religion of the majority of American society, is very much incompatible with the perpetuating inhumanity of slavery, it could lapse the divide between the races and bring them on the same platform of humanity. But Stowe has failed to address how a community, which has been detached from the age-old traditions and culture, would assimilate into a culture which has been an oppressive reality so far. Possibly her faith in Christianity’s as well as humanity’s ability to dispense the socio-cultural gap between the communities provokes her to depict Uncle Tom as a devout Christian and a man, driven by humanity, who could risk his life for the sake of a white girl Eva. Further Stowe’s faith in Christianity’s ability to repel the evil of slavery is expressed in Mrs. Bird’s speech: â€Å"I don’t know anything about politics, but I can read my Bible; and there I see that I must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the desolate; and that Bible I mean to follow.† (Stowe 78) Though Stowe’s prediction of a race-blind society upon the basis of Christian humanity seems to be a fallacy, it was a powerhouse of moral strength for the abolitionist to wither the brutal tyranny from the white people’s part and to free the black people to take any course of assimilation they might choose. Obviously, the Civil War, the Reconstruction and the

The Unspoken Laws Essay Example for Free

The Unspoken Laws Essay The conceptualization of sexual, religious, and gendered borders has served to write the human standard of living and the societal roles that we have incorporated into our culture to accept as the social norm. These unspoken laws are the architecture to our socio-cultural environment. These laws represent the cement that has carefully bonded the male-female heteronormative gender role, the pre-inclined human morality given by religion, and sexual identity to be something that is easily definable by the masses. Arturo Islas in The Rain God defines Mexican culture by creating characters that exemplify and embody the stereotypes and the figurative borders of sexuality, religion, and gender. Throughout The Rain God Arturo Islas tells the story of the Angel family- a family made up of strong characters such as Miguel Grande and Mama Chona. Both Miguel Grande and Mama Chona strongly embody the female-male gender role while personifying the cultural borders that Miguel Chico encounters as he develops into an adult. Miguel Grande illustrates machismo as he is described as the traditional patriarch of the Angel Family. Mama Chona takes on the matriarch role that holds the Angel Family together all the while as she is conflicted to accept the Indigenous and Chicano identities that make her whole. Maria- the nursemaid is a symbol for the religious freedom Miguel Chico grows up searching for. She herself strays off Roman Catholicism and becomes a Seventh Day Adventist. Maria’s influences of another form of thinking impacts Miguel Chico as he furthers into interpreting the reality encircling his childhood. Arturo Islas carefully constructs the matriarch role in Hispanic culture as Mama Chona. Her character is a clear example of the generational struggle faced by Mother Chonas alike of other Mexican Families living in the Southwest Texas/ Mexico border seeking out lead their kin out of the â€Å"bad† life. Miguel Chico reminiscing over a family picture in his desk area describes, â€Å"Mama Chona is wearing a black ankle-length dress with a white lace collar and he is in a short-sleeved light colored summer suit with short pantsthe camera has captured them in flight from one world to the next.† (Islas, 3-4). This quote expatiates the generational gap faced between the Angel family and Miguel Chico. Narratively, it also serves as foreshadowing for Miguel Chico straining off the â€Å"correct† path, that is not staying and submitting to the very literal and figurative geographical borders of religion, sex, and gender found in the Southwest. Miguel Chico does this by earning his acceptance to a prestigious University, moving to San Fransisco, and becoming the free thinking individual that he is by heart. With traditional catholic point of views and a ridged sense of what sexuality is Miguel Grande refuses to accept any other form of raising his child, other than the one he’s been conditioned to accept throughout his lifetime. â€Å"‘Apologize to your father for playing with dolls,’ Juanita said to Miguel Chico. He did not understand why he needed to say he was sorry. When his father was not there, his mother permitted him to play with them.† (Islas, 16) Miguel Chico is the queer child who questions religion and the male role that is placed on him by his social environment. Arturo Islas crafts these polar identities to express the very literal border of culture and sexuality that Miguel Chico encounters and battles with as he matures into an adult. Whilst growing up nursemaid Maria attempts to instill the morals and allegories of a religious context into Miguel Chico. Although, Miguel Chico receives the religious barrage from both ends of the spectrum- the mother and the nursemaid, Miguel Chico questions the validity of the information he waveringly accepts at the time. â€Å"Miguel Chico learned that when he asked Maria a difficult question she would remain silent, then choose a biblical passage that illustrated the terrible power of God the Fathers wrath.† (Islas, 17). Moreover, Maria explores another branch of Christianity by being a Seventh Day Adventist, her influences of denying another religion impacts Miguel Chico and in the end lends to his rejection of religion over all, as he sees the influence of another interpretation of â€Å"truth†. Furthermore, as Miguel Chico walks through the journey of adulthood he becomes more aware of the social and personal constraints the borders of religion, sex, and gender present to his growth as an individual though throughout this time he accepts that he is a determinable extension of them both, Maria- the nursemaid and Mother Chona the Angel Familys Matriarch. â€Å"the way a seed continues to be part of a plant after it has assumed its own form which does not at all resemble its origin, but which nevertheless, is determined by it. He had survived severe pruning and wondered if human beings, unlike plants can water themselves.† (Islas, 25-26). Throughout the passage Miguel Chico asserts his independence from all the borders introduced by his family, the border that his persona has been forced to fit in in consequence of a socially accepted mold. Later in The Rain God it is learned that Mama Chona becomes ill. At this time Miguel Chico visits and is confronted with questions concerning his sexuality and relationship status, more significantly by his cousins. It is strange to them that he is neither married, nor in a stable relationship with a woman. Despite the suspicion behind his sexuality he verifies the value he has for knowledge. He conjures up the idea that perhaps he had survived the plucking of his personal growth to tell the stories of people similar to Maria and Mother Chona. Conclusively, Miguel Chico ascertains that he in fact does have a long way to go throughout his journey of self-discovery, along the way he pieces together the identity that makes him whole. These pieces all influenced by the characters in his life, significantly, Mother Chona and Maria. He accepts the fact he alike Mother Chona prefers to disregard facts to assume motives, although unlike Maria, Miguel Chico longed to look at persons and their motives separately from an â€Å"earthly, rather than otherworldly, point of view† (Islas, 28). Miguel Chicos future is undetermined at this point and he is okay with that reality but he now is comfortable with the concept that he does not have to live in the haziness of the garden he has been rooted to be part of. Miguel Chico can stray off the pre-determined path given to him and still be his own after appreciating the soil that nurtured him into the free thinking individual that he is. Works Cited Islas, Arturo. The Rain God: A Desert Tale. Palo Alto: Alexandrian, 1984. Print.

American History X Essay -- essays research papers fc

American History X   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Will racism ever come to an end or will its path go on infinitely? For the most part, the majority of people respect those who are different either in color, race, and/or heritage; however, there are those few that hold bigoted views towards people who are different than they are. The movie American History X by Tony Kaye displays an example of people who hold bigoted views. Derek, a Neo-Nazi leader, must contend with his actions relating to his past racist views and actions. This powerful movie explores its characters thoroughly and gives reasons why people become so callous and turn towards a racist group. It also exposes insight to problems that plague America when it comes to racism in everyday life, from schoolyards to basketball courts. All together American History X presents its watchers with an impressive theme that makes everyone who watches it take a step back and just say, â€Å"WOW!†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The main characters are two brothers, Derek and Danny, and the way they became involved with the Neo-Nazist’s ideas are different, yet the same. Derek the older of the two by five years, is first influenced by his late father. One night at the dinner table they discussed what he was reading in English and Derek told him Native Son. The dad had never heard of it and so Derek explained that it was black history month and so they were reading a book by a black author. His father did not like that very much and angrily talked that with affirmative action, and other such things, blacks were taking away from what was already established by whites. When a black drug dealer shot his dad when he 601 2 was fighting a fire on duty as a firefighter, Derek blamed â€Å"blacks, brown, yellows, its all their fault† and that lead him down a dark path. Disgruntled and confused, Derek became a leading member in a Neo-Nazi group, which he called the D.O.C. Danny, his young brother, watched, listened, and breathed every word Derek spoke. He too bought into the world of hatred. During the time Derek spent in jail for killing three black burglars, Danny tried to do everything possible so his brother would respect him when he got out. But the time in jail transformed Derek. He rethought his whole life when his former black principal visited him in jail to ask, â€Å"Has anything you’ve done made your life better?† (Kaye). ... ... others more easily (McDougal). Hate itself takes up a lot of energy. All that wasted energy could be channeled into other areas that are more rewarding such as helping others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For an explanation unknown to anyone, some people are inclined to hating others. Motives may perhaps be because they are insecure of who they are, feel threaten by someone, or an explanation which no one has. The movie explains a major reason why people hate is because they want to blame someone else for their misfortunes. It is always nice to put the responsibility on somebody else’s shoulders. Hopefully in a near future people can begin to comprehend how foolish it is to hate all the time, and then start to love. Works Cited:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  . Impersonal Interview. 4 March 2000. Hron, John. â€Å"What does our future hold?† 10 March 2000. Available http://users.powernet.co.uk/orion/nazicnt.htm . Movie discussion. 10 March 2000.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  . Movie discussion. 10 March 2000. Suall, Irwin. Skinhead International : A Worldwide Survey of Neo-Nazi Skinheads. Berlin. Anti-Defamation League of Bnai. April 1995 . Impersonal Interview. 4 March 2000.

Stereotyping Girls Who Drive Trucks :: Sociology

Stereotyping Girls Who Drive Trucks There is nothing more thrilling to me than being a girl who drives a truck. The sense of power you get almost makes up for the harassment. Driving a truck as a female automatically places you in one of two categories, whether they're true or not. You are either the cute lil' thang in Daddy's big pick-up, or you are a bull dike. Don't worry; there are ways to tell which category you're in. Should you be the cute lil' thang, you might be a little chunky or just plain little. You cannot however, be fat. One probably wouldn't want to be very tall either. Your pants should always be really tight, and skirts should be really short. These should always be worn with really small shirts. It should be noted that just tight or short, etc. is not accepted. "Really" must precede any adjectives. You should also thoroughly enjoy being called "sugar," and "darlin'" by mechanics trying to rip you off. Your truck must be really big and new. Even ridiculously big, and you should have trouble driving it (or at least give the appearance of such). Acrylic nails are big with this group, but not too long, and always maintained. The best advice is to imagine this group the cheerleaders of the road workers. The second group of lady pickup drivers is a substantially less desirable category. To be in this group, you need to be either skinny or fat. There is no in between. The hair should be worn in a ponytail or braid; a buzz cut is also acceptable. The lady mullet makes an occasional appearance as well. Cowboy hats (not the cute kind) and roper boots are good, and a big belt with lots of keys. If this is too much, a t-shirt and khaki shorts work too, as long as you promise to wear ankle socks and sandals. You truck should never be 4-wheel

Advertisement Creates Artificial Needs

Advertising a product is the medium of introducing to customers, therby increasing the product sales. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. I agree with both statements that advertising of new products improves our lives to some extent and at the same time people are encouraged to buy things they really do not need.These days people are daily seeing advertisements of products in Televisions, Week-end magazines and even in some newspapers. These advertisements give us a rough idea about the new product, how it looks like, its new features and even prices also. Sometimes they prompt us to buy those products. Standards of people's life improves due to these advertisements. Say for example by seeing an advertisement of a new microwave or toaster oven, we are tempted to buy the product, which will be helpful to us.We will enjoy its usage. Many people are even b uying the products on the internet by seeing the advertisements. Also that if we want to know something about a product, we can't directly go to the shop and enquire about it. Advertisement provides means of dissemination of information for health and social issues as well as for products. Only producers gained through the process of advertising their products. Advertising manipulates us to buy things we don't need by playing on our emotions.It creates artificial needs. Sometimes they create confusion in the minds of people which brand of the product to buy. This is why The content of advertising has long been subjected to much criticism. With the advertisement of proucts on cigarettes, alcoholic products, poeple are tempted buy them, which will harm their health. So what I conclude is adverstisement of product is a good idea which encourages people to buy when in they are in actual need of the product.

Blanche of Castile, Queen of France

Blanche of Castile, Queen of France Dates: March 4, 1188 - November 12, 1252 Known for: Queen of France, 1223-1226; Queen Mother 1226-1252regent of France 1226-1234 and 1248-1252queen consort of King Louis VIII of Francemother of King Louis IX of France (St. Louis) Also known as: Blanche De Castille, Blanca De Castilla About Blanche of Castile:Â   In 1200, the French and English kings, Philip Augustus and John, signed a treaty which gave a daughter of Johns sister, Eleanor, Queen of Castile, as bride to Philips heir, Louis. Johns mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, traveled to Spain to look over her two granddaughters, daughters of Eleanor of England and King Alfonso VIII. She decided that the younger, Blanche, was more suited for the marriage than the year-older Urraca. Eleanor of Aquitaine returned with the 12-year-old Blanche, who was married to the 13-year-old Louis. Blanche as Queen Accounts of the time indicate that Blanche loved her husband. She delivered twelve children, five of whom lived to adulthood. In 1223, Philip died, and Louis and Blanche were crowned. Louis went to southern France as part of the first Albigensian crusade, to suppress the Cathari, a heretical sect that had become popular in that area. Louis died of dysentery which he contracted on the trip back. His last order was to appoint Blanche of Castile as the guardian of Louis IX, their remaining children, and the kingdom. Mother of the King Blanche had her oldest surviving son crowned as Louis IX on November 29, 1226. She put down a revolt, reconciling (in a story with chivalric tones) with Count Thibault, one of the rebels. Henry III supported the rebelling barons, and Blanches leadership, with the help of Count Thibault, put down that revolt as well. She also took action against ecclesiastical authorities and a group of rioting university students. Blanche of Castile continued in a strong role even after Louis 1234 marriage, taking an active role in selecting his bride, Marguerite of Provence. Granted dower lands in Artois as part of the original treaty that brought her to her marriage, Blanche was able to trade those lands for ones closer to Louis court in Paris. Blanche used some of her dower income to pay dowries for poor girls, and to fund religious houses. Regent When Louis and his three brothers all went on crusade to the Holy Land, Louis selected his mother, at age 60, to be regent. The crusade went badly: Robert of Artois was killed, King Louis captured, and his very pregnant Queen Marguerite and, then, her child, had to seek safety in Damietta and Acre. Louis raised his own ransom, and decided to send his surviving two brothers home while remaining in the Holy Land. Blanche, during her regency, backed an ill-fated shepherds crusade, and had to order the destruction of the resulting movement. Death of Blanche Blanche of Castile died in November, 1252, with Louis and Marguerite still in the Holy Land, not to return until 1254. Louis never accepted Marguerite as the strong advisor his mother had been, despite Marguerites efforts in that direction. Blanches daughter, Isabel (1225 - 1270) was later recognized as Saint Isabel of France. She founded the Abbey of Longchamp, connected with the Franciscans and Poor Clares. Marriage, Children husband: Louis VIII of France (married 1200)children who survived to adulthood (of 12):1214: Louis IX, fifth child, first to survive1216: Robert, Count of ArtoisAlphonse of PoitiersSaint Isabel of FranceCharles of Anjou (Charles I of Sicily) Ancestors Father: Alfonso VIII of CastileMother: Eleanor, Queen of Castile (also known as Eleanor of England)Eleanor was the daughter of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine

Answer Questions Example

Answer Questions Example Answer Questions – Coursework Example Anthropology Observational Analysis: Option Chimpanzees just like all sets of living organisms embrace specific behaviors that help them adapt to their environments. One outstanding behavior that I have observed is their copulatory success, which is normally high and results into a substantial number of progeny. Primate behavioral ecologists have overtime reaffirmed the opinion that too many offspring routinely harm other primates within the group, for they are normally forced to search for better living conditions because of limited resources. The ecologists attribute the copulatory success of chimpanzees to the fact that they can easily access their mates given the large social groups within which they reside. Option 2 In the past, chimpanzees used to walk on four legs, while current research has pointed towards the fact that a considerable percentage of chimpanzees have begun embracing bipedalism (University of California). Researchers have attributed the need to walk on two legs to natural selection and the need to adapt, as quadrupeds burn numerous calories, hence their cells wear out and die faster while bipedalism provides chimpanzees with the platform to use their calories prudently. Point Make-up optionsQuestion 1: Primatology The submissive and dominant behavior portrayed by apes in the movie Rise of the Planet of Apes is undeniably accurate, as corroborated by research carried out by Yerkes Primate Center researchers and published by the National Academy of Sciences. The investigators argued that apes reside in complex and tightly woven societies, and use gestures to convey countless messages including for compromise and obedience. Consequently, they reaffirmed that the only way through which apes would manage to exist such amicably was by being submissive.Question 5: Biological Anthropologyi. The perpetrator in the case cannot be identified using the standard DNA tests essentially because the key suspects are identical twins, who developed from a so litary fertilized egg, hence have nearly undistinguishable genomes. ii. For the prosecutors to tell the identical twins apart, they will have to carry out the ultra-deep, which is a next generation sequencing procedure that takes closer look at the genetic base pairs. This procedure is likely to work, as it depends on mutations that take place unsystematically in the course of development and it is exceptionally improbable that both twins will go through mutations at a single location. Works-CitedUniversity of California- Davis. Why Humans Walk on Two Legs. Science Daily. Science Daily 2007, July 20. Accessible at: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070720111226.htm.