African American Essay Essay Example for Free

African American Essay Essay African American literature is captivating, powerful, spiritual, and emotional. The recurring theme is slavery but there are others such as inequality among sexes and races, injustice, resentment, and the strong belief in religion. These pieces of literature have been told by the individuals who went through the experience of slavery such as Frederick Douglass and others, like Jamaica Kincaid who have a passion for writing. The writers who experienced slavery themselves had differing views of their experience and relationship with their master. These pieces of literature share the pain, strength, heartache and will to go that each of these individuals experienced. The first reading is, To My Old Master, by Jourdan Anderson. This piece of literature is Anderson’s response to a letter he has received from his old master. It is a compelling story about how terrible and bad the Whites treated the African Americans. The master want’s Anderson and his family to come back and work for him. He reminds the master about how poorly they were treated while working for him. Anderson states, â€Å"Although you shot at me twice before I left you, I did not want to hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living. † (1865, p. 15). Anderson tells the master that he is making money and his family is living and doing well. He even expresses that his children are receiving an education now. It is very apparent to the reader that Anderson’s wife does not want to return and work for the master. â€Å"Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. † (1865, p. 16). Anderson remembers how horribly the woman and girls were treated, and he will never allow his daughters to go through that experience. â€Å"I would stay here and starve- and die, if it come to that- than to have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. † (1865, p. 16) The end of the story the reader still feels Anderson’s resentment and bitterness toward the master. The next story and the one piece I enjoyed the most is, â€Å"White Folks Treated Us Good† by Marriah Hines. Hines states, â€Å"My white people treated us decent. † (p. 32). She goes onto further explain how her master feed, dressed, and kept them well. Hines explains how terrible master’s treated other slaves. â€Å"Some unfortunate individuals practically have nothing to eat. Why, the way their owners treated them was disgraceful treated them like felines and canines† (Hines, p. 32). Hines sounds fortunate and lucky to have worked for her master. The master gave the slaves Sunday off to rest and even allowed them to attend Church. Unlike other slaves Hines was never raped, beaten, or treated in a physical horrible way. The compelling part of this piece occured when the slaves were allowed to leave; most of them choose to stay. â€Å"Most of us stayed right there and raised our own crops. † (p. 34). Hines knew of her freedom but believed in her loyalty to her master and his family. The master provided her with assistance and support. A rare occurrence to read an African American piece of literature that speaks of a master in a positive and respectful manner. This master was a different man of his time. He did not take advantage of his slaves or treat them in a horrendous manner. This master used his slaves to care and run his property but treated them with respect and dignity, they deserved. Hines went onto, marry Benjamin F. Hines and give birth to five children. The last piece of literature is, â€Å"If We Must Die† by Claude McKay. This poem is about how horribly and disgusting Whites treated African Americans. It is written about the race riots in 1919. It describes the strength of the African Americans standing up to the Whites even if it ultimately meant dying. McKay states, â€Å"Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack, pressed to the wall, dying but fighting back! † (p. 378). This poem exemplifies the bravery and the will to fight for what is right otherwise these people would have been beaten and killed for the rest of their lives. There will always be a presence of racism in the world and specifically in the United States of America. Still today African Americans are treated equally as Whites. Although we as a country have come a very long way there is still work to be done. The more we educate people the less we will experience ignorance. The hate and the idea of inferiority will slow diminish if people become educated. I can end proudly stating that I am married to a Black man and we have two beautiful daughters, and I give an enormous amount of respect to those who fought for what was right. References Anderson, J. (1865). To my old master. In I. Reed (Ed. ), African American Literature. Abrief introduction and anthology (pp. 15-16). New York: The Longman LiteraryMosaic Series. [serial online]. December 2005;36(4):299-323. Available from:Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed May 23, 2011. Hines, M. (n. d. ). My white folks treated us good. In I. Reed (Ed. ), African Americanliterature. A brief introduction and anthology (pp. 21-25). New York: TheLongman Literary Mosaic Series. [serial online]. December 2005;36(4):299-323. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed May 21,2011. McKay, C. (n. d. ). If we must die. In I. Reed (Ed. ), African American literature. Abriefintroduction and anthology (pp. 378). New York: The Longman LiterarySeries[serial online]. December 2005;36(4):299-323. Available from: AcademicSearchComplete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed Dec, 2011.

The Poverty and Obesity Epidemic Essay -- Poor, Obesity

In the United States, as of 2001, 34% of the population was overweight. (Townsend) Overweight and obesity would seem to be problems associated with the United State’s wealth and more than sufficient food supply. Much attention in recent years has been paid to people becoming more physically fit and changing their diets to become healthier. Gastric bypass surgery has become a popular choice for people trying to overcome extreme obesity. The operation limits â€Å"food intake by creating a narrow passage from the upper part of the stomach into the larger lower part, reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold and slowing the passage of food through the stomach.† (NIDDK) The presence of this emphasis on health and nutrition would seem to be the solution to our nation’s obesity problem. However of the population with moderate food insecurity, 52% were overweight. (Townsend) Food insecurity exists when the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain. Over half of the United State’s population with a threat of hunger is overweight. Why would obesity be more prevalent amongst this group of people with fewer resources? Dieting and surgery do not address the problems of the economic groups with the most severe weight and nutrition problems. Surgery is expensive, and people with limited resources are not likely to buy expensive health foods when there are cheaper alternatives that satisfy hunger. The â€Å"Dollar Menu† at McDonald’s is certainly less expensive than preparing a wellbalanced meal. Another reason for obesity in lower income groups is a theory called the â€Å"food stamp cycle† hypothesis. Food stamps and most paych... ...urity and Obesity in Rural Women http://ruralwomenshealth.psu.edu/s05_colson-cbove.html Task Force for the Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty. Community with Children and the Poor. Nashville, Tennessee: Cokesbury, 2003. Townsend, Marilyn S., Janet Peerson, Bradley Love, cheryl Achterberg, and Suzanne P. Murphy (2001). â€Å"Food Insecurity is Positively Related to Overweight in Women.† Journal of Nutrition, 131, 1738-1745. The American Society for Nutritional Sciences. http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/131/6/1738 U.S. Conference of Mayors – Seduxho USA. Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2004. 3-5,42 http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/hungersurvey/2004/onlinereport/HungerAndHomelessness Report2004.pdf Weil, Andrew. Eating Well for Optimum Health. New York: Random House, 2000. Willet, Walter C. Eat Drink and Be Healthy. New york: Simon & Schuster, 2001.

All Saints – Retail Environment

My Favourite Retail Environment: All Saints Before you enter the shop, All Saints have set their tone. Headless mannequins hang on chains, enclosed by dark grey walls; the window display at the front of the shop is bleak yet the simple nature portrays the beauty of the garments. The surrounding windows are tinted, therefore you can see out but not in; this gives the shop an exclusive feeling, contributing to the individual style of the clothes and the high price tags.The building is the main feature of All Saints which sets it apart from other high street shops; it’s a converted bank, however it’s been renovated to look and feel like a church, this view is gained from entry as you step through the huge wooden doors. The ceilings are high, the arches, pillars and cornices are incredible, the tiled floor is amazing, and the centre of the store has a beautiful round ceiling mural with a balcony surrounding and a trio of gold, goblet type ornaments.The shop is very gothic i n style and having every wall painted a dark grey colour contributes the styling of the clothes and the mood the shop puts you in; it’s like a fantasy world where the Victorian era meets modern Soho or downtown New York. Lighting in the store consists of spotlights on the ceiling pointing down at each fixture or display of clothing; this provides great contrast to the blandness of the colours and also highlights the garments beauty.The spotlights also contribute to the exclusive, almost celebrity feeling as they transform the store into a kind of set, depicting a story, as would be done in a movie. There is a hanging cruciform, created from very bright, stark naked bulbs. This creates a very artistic and creative view and a rock ‘n’ roll feel within the store, allowing the consumer to really understand the innovative and conceptual brand they are purchasing from.The theme of crosses is continued throughout the store and also features on the giant iron crest outsi de the store. The fixtures on the wall are created to be in the shape of a cross and the ends of each arm have a small cross logo. The fixtures are like scaffolding and the display cabinets are giant old wooden tables or big heavy draws and cupboards with huge locks and chains. The displays are incredible with huge butcher style hooks, warehouse style chains and metal, old head neck dummies ripping at the seams and skull candles.The store has depressive modern music playing in a relaxed manner, contributing to the contemporary feel and making the shopping experience more pleasant. There is no ‘perfumed’ smell to the store; yet it has a kind of musk which smells like old vs new. All Saints’ staff is incredibly attentive and great at selling in a non-pushy manner. Overall the store is very open plan; the distressed feel and glamour meets grunge cool is inspiring and that is what makes ‘All Saints’ my favourite retail environment.

The Civil Rights Of American Citizens - 1325 Words

POLICE BRUTALITY Has the civil rights of American citizens been forgotten? Even though some people believe that the criminal justice system was made for the protection of citizens and are protecting our rights. The criminal justice system needs to be reformed due to the abuse of civil rights because of the death of innocent citizens, effects on the lives of children, and the misconducted investigations set those officers who committed the crime free. The criminal justice system needs to be reformed, because too many unarmed citizens are losing their life to law enforcements and those responsible are not being prosecuted properly. Cincinnati police beat black man to death, â€Å" An unarmed black man was fatally beaten by six police officers†¦show more content†¦She was taken to the Waller County Jail; three days later, she was found in her cell dead from what officials called suicide. Both the FBI and the Texas Rangers launched investigations trying to find out what happened. The trooper asks, â€Å"You mind putting out your cigarette please?† And Ms. Bland says, â€Å"Well, I’m in my car – why do I have to put out my cigarette?† The next part: â€Å"Step out of the car.† Ms. Bland says, â€Å"You do not have the right.† He interrupts – â€Å"I do have the right, step out of the car or I will remove you.† Does he have the right, first, to order her to step out of t he car, and second, to actually physically remove her from the car? Ms. Bland says, â€Å"I refuse to talk to you other than to identify myself.† â€Å"I’m gonna yank you out of here,† is what the trooper says next. Not only is the officer disrespecting the rights of citizen but he is also threatening her and trying to remove here out of her own vehicle without a probable cause†,(Fanning).Officers need to learn to recognize the influence of socially sanctioned hatred, â€Å"Every year, thousands of people in the OSCE area are victims of violent manifestations of intolerance. Individuals are threatened, insulted and attacked because of their perceived affiliation with a group that shares a particular characteristic, such as â€Å"race†, language, religion or any other similar aspect. Cemeteries, religious buildings and memorials are desecrated because they are identified with one or more of