The Last Word

African American studies has opened my eyes to a variety of topics that I had never touched in any of the other curriculums I have studied here at the University of Oklahoma. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to go to a university that offers many diverse classes in order to create more well rounded students. I feel that African American studies classes, along with other cultural enriching classes, are essential to every students core curriculum. By taking said classes, students are able to broaden their horizons and learn more about a culture that otherwise, they may have never learned about.
African American studies has truly changed the way I view the African American experience in today’s world. Throughout the class, I received so much vital information that ranged from historical figures all the way to contemporary issues( African Americans in the media). What I really appreciated about the class was the range of topics that we covered. I really enjoyed learning about the history of the African American race. I never knew that the slave trade extended so much further than the civil war era here in the US. Moreover, it was interesting to cover topics that often are not discussed in everyday conversation. For instance, I had never openly discussed the “N word” with Black students before. I was truly intrigued to hear so many opinions that matched my own. It may sound close minded, but I had always figured that Black people were generally not offended by the word as long as it was used among confidants. But because of this class and further inspection of racially charged topics, I learned that that was not the case at all. You cannot make assumptions about an individual regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin and so on.
Furthermore, we discussed issues concerning African Americans in media. This topic was particularly interesting to me since I am an advertising major. These issues are vital to my investigations in ad research, as I will be creating media messages that must speak to a wide ranging audience. By discussing African Americans in media, I was able to recognize some of the common stereotypes that I grew up with all my life. The media, unbeknownst to me, had saturated my perception of what African Americans are and what their attitudes encompass. Because of these media structured images of the Black family, I was unable to form my own opinions and bought into a pre-packaged notion of what the Black race was about. I am thankful that I had this class to clarify a lot of the misconceptions that I had.
As a minority, I feel a very strong kinship with others who have endured the setbacks of an often times, prejudiced society. African American studies helped deepen my understanding of race and how it is socially constructed. I have always believed that cultural enriching programs are essential for future generations to live in peace and harmony. It is up to ourselves to learn more, to crave the knowledge that ultimately will help us become more accepting people in our daily lives. With the election of President Obama, we have already made huge strides in battling racism. As we are the first “global” generation, I feel that my peers and I have worked hard to blur boundaries that have been so deeply rooted in our American history. Although the battle may not be won, I feel that I have made my own small contribution by taking this African American studies class. I have always felt that knowledge is power and thus have made sure to continue my education. It is because of classes like this, that students can look beyond their own sense of self, to a different culture, with which they can learn and grow from.

HIV/AIDS EXTRA CREDIT

Tuesday night's extra credit opportunity was an eye opening presentation that told the harsh reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America. Guiding Right, a federally funded HIV education and prevention program
Gave a presentation on basic statistics, preventative measures and the social effects of this epidemic.
I was very interested in this topic simply because I had never received a seminar over the information. I had heard about HIV/AIDS but had never researched what the disease was comprised of.
The seminar began with shocking statistics that revealed that the HIV epidemic is reaching the United States. Every 9 ½ minutes, another person is infected with HIV. We discussed issues that dealt with how disproportionately the African American race is affected. Although African Americans only comprise 13% of the US population, over half of the HIV cases effect African Americans. This statistic shocked me, especially since the number of HIV cases are increasing everyday. Next, we discussed how HIV/AIDS is portrayed (or rather, not portrayed) in the mass media today. Several examples were taken that account for merely the story of someone infected with AIDS. However, they never told the back story of how the HIV virus was contracted. It is this reason that media should be held somewhat responsible for not spreading the word about this awful virus. We later discussed the repercussions of this deadly virus that is spreading silently through the youth of the US. It is imperative that we create more educational programs to inform others who may not know that this epidemic is spreading rapidly and can affect anyone for the rest of their life.
After this seminar, I have definitely been changed as a student. I feel that I have a bigger obligation to my peers to inform them about this epidemic and how they can protect themselves. Also, my political views have changed a bit. I am now a bigger proponent for sex education in public schools since I never had this safe sex education and therefore never knew about HIV/AIDS. I think it’s absolutely necessary that we teach kids about the possible problems that may arise after they become sexually active. Also, it gave me a call to arms to advocate informing everybody about how this disease does not just plague the African American race and that it is not the “gay white man’s disease”. This disease is a problem for everybody, not only those who are infected, but for those who care about them and wish to not spread this epidemic.

Re-Post: Media Portrayals

1.
a.3/25/2009-Kill Bill
b. Movie
c. from personal movie collection
d. Image of black mother and daughter who are alone…. There is no indication of a father figure but that he might have left her to raise the child alone. (Vivica A. Fox)
e. Positive: the image shows a very strong bond between the mother and daughter without much emphasis on the absent father figure

2.
a.3/25/2009-Family Matters
b. Television
c. ABC Family
d. A Black family of six has an annoying neighbor, Steve Urkel who repeatedly brings mischief to the family. The family is portrayed as being close knit and has a live in grandmother and aunt. Although it is a sitcom, the family deals with many serious race issues. In this episode, specifically, Laura deals with racial slurs that are spray painted on her locker at her high school. The family convenes and helps Laura cope with racism and comforts her in her time of confusion.
e. Positive: the family is portrayed as being very close knit and to share a very close kinship with each of the other members of the family. The family comes together to overcome trials and issues that are directly related to being an African American.

3.
a.3/27/2009-Akeelah and the Bee
b. Movie
c. In class
d. A young Black girl in Crenshaw Los Angeles faces struggles as she decides to compete in a school spelling bee, later advancing to next levels. As the movies progresses, there are many references to her father, who was a very educated man. The typical stereotype of the “leaving Black father” is completely reversed in this film. Akeelah is very bonded with her father and even talks to him as if he could hear her. Furthermore, the family image depicted is very positive since the family is shown sitting down to dinner and maintaining close relationships with one another.
e. Positive: it reverses many stereotypes that depicts African American fathers.

4.
a. The First Family-3/24/2009
b. Internet Article
c. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/politics/21family.html
d. The Obama’s are a groundbreaking image that shatters the stereotypical “broken” African American family. The successes of this family are for the entire world to see. With President Obama’s election, the African American family took a step into the spotlight and replaced the old image of “White America”. The Obama family is truly inspiring and serves to discount many of the negative stereotypes of African American families. For example, President Obama is the first Black president, educated and well spoken. Michelle Obama is an attractive, brilliant Black woman who might be nearly as powerful as her husband.
e. Positive

5.
a. Home Depot Ad
b. Magazine Advertisement
c. EBONY- April Issue 2009
d. The ad depicts a young Black mother playing with her daughter in the kitchen. There is no father in the ad. I found this image to be slightly negative since it was very obvious that the Advertisers only wanted the mother and daughter. It could have been just as easy to include the father in this ad to make it appear as more of a complete family depiction. Instead, the father was omitted, perpetuating many negative stereotypes that surround African American fathers.
e. Negative

6.
a. The Secret Life of Bees
b. Novel
c. Sue Monk Kidd
d. the book details the journey of a young white girl who runs away from her home. She soon finds herself in a house full of Black women who generously take her in. Although they are at first skeptical of the strange young girl who showed up on their doorstep, the women take her in and nurture her. The book depicts this family of women to be very understanding and caring. Although there are no men, the women carry on fine making their own money and creating their own happiness for themselves. The novel depicts Black women to be the strongest part of the African American family structure.
e. Positive

The media is a central component to how we perceive our social constructions. If we buy into the many stereotypes that are presented in television, books, newspapers and other media, we might not get the entire truth. We must remind ourselves to not rely on these sources to make decisions for us, but to guide us in curiosity. WE must be curious enough to research for ourselves in order to understand our world and the differences that derive from race and culture.

The Harlem Renaissance influenced the American culture greatly. The Harlem Renaissance was one of the first movements that created an opportunity for the White culture to appreciate the Black culture. For example, the Jazz movement came forth from the Harlem renaissance. Jazz and blues musicians such emerged to create black culture integration into the white culture. In particular, provided the Black race awareness of the racial and socioeconomic problems of Black.
Moreover, the civil rights movement was the movement in which Blacks empowered themselves to fight for social and economic equality in America. Essentially, it was attempt to successfully integrate the Black race into the incredible White dominated social structure.
In 1955, a young man by the name of Emmett Till was found brutally beaten, shot in the head and thrown in a river near Money, Mississippi. The 14-year-old boy from Chicago, Illinois made a pass at a white woman in a store. When the White men of the town heard wind of this, they made strides to kill the young boy. However, the boy’s death was not in vain, as it was one of the events that sparked the beginning of the Civil Right’s movement. The tragedy of the boy’s death brought together civil right’s activists all over. Before this African American studies class, I had never heard of this tragic event. I was very saddened that such an event ever occurred. However, this history is the sad reality of the American past. Although the history is gruesome, it is important that we continue to learn about these events in order to gain a better understanding of what the civil rights movement was and how it affects our daily lives today.
The SNCC was established in the 1960’s as the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. Originally, this committee was set up fro sit-in’s and freedom rides. However, as the 1970’s drew closer, the committee changed their names to the Student National Coordinating Committee in order to satisfy the changing environment of the civil right’s movement. Since the climate of the civil right’s movement was changing from non-violent protests to more violent tactics, the committee changed their philosophies to match the volatile environment of the movement.

Privileges

For this assignment, it was easier for me to notice the privileges of the white man. As a Hispanic female, I face gender and racial misconceptions every single day. Below is my list of privileges that are experienced every day by either men or someone of a different race of mine.

1) A white male can be assured to be taken seriously at a car dealership/ auto repair shop, where as a woman might just be there with her “dad” or a “boyfriend”
2) I might have difficulty finding a Latino history class where as African American studies and Native American histories are offered.
3)People might find it strange when I walk into a bank and make a deposit for a $1,000 dollars. This would most certainly be different if I was a man.
4)I can use the same hair care products offered for white people where as African Americans might have more difficulty finding an acceptable selection.
5)A male gets to keep his last name while society might find it strange if a woman does not want to take his last name after marriage.
6)Successful white members of a society are the norm while a Hispanic female might get labeled as a “success story”.
7)The White race has always seen their history in textbooks while Hispanics, Blacks and Native American’s have always had to ask about theirs.
8) White man never “invaded” the New World; However, Hispanics who wish to come to the United States today are considered “invading”.
9) Males are allowed to swear, where as if a woman were to, it would be considered crude and un-lady like.
10) Males can play the field until they are older and get hip labels such as “bachelor” or “playboy”, where as if a woman were to do this, she would be labeled as “spinster” “cougar” or “old-maid”.
11)White people have the privilege of always speaking their native tongue everyday while others of a different race may not have such an opportunity.
12) Because I have an opinion, I am labeled as a “pistol” or a “sassy” female. A man would simply be considered “strong willed”.
13) Males can be bad drivers without it being accredited to their gender. If I make a mistake while driving it’s because “women don’t know how to drive”.
14) Males are supposed to play sports. If women play too many sports, she may be considered “butch” or a lesbian.
15)The only holiday many White People may know about my race is Cinco de Mayo (NO! It is not Mexican Independence Day!), while I know most of the holidays and meanings of their culture.
16)It may be hard for a Black or White person to name a famous Latino political activist, while it would be very easy for me to name several leaders of their races.
17) If a woman speaks out for her gender she might be considered “militant” or a “raging feminist”. On the other hand, a man might be considered “a man’s man” or macho.
18)Because I might have more liberal ideas, it is because I am young, inexperienced or economically challenged.
19)A white male might only have to prove himself once, where as a Black or Hispanic man might have to prove himself twice so that his shortcomings are not attributed to his race.
20) Whites are expected to know only English, whereas a Hispanic who might not know Spanish is not considered "Hispanic enough".

Writing this list evoked a lot of thought these past couple of days. There are many privileges that I experience everyday that I may not have realized yet. However, as time passes I will study myself more closely.

Questions.Reflections

1. The NAACP served to bring together the struggle to overcome the many issues that plagued African Americans. After the end of slavery, many Blacks were on the receiving end of harsh treatment as well as malicious acts of hate. The NAACP formed in order to promote justice among all colored races. By working primarily through legal actions, the NAACP has made great strides in becoming a large proponent of Black rights. For example, the NAACP has been behind many court cases that have had dynamic effects for Black rights ( Brown vs. Board of Education, Guinn vs. United States….etc).

2. Specifically, the Oklahoma NAACP made news in a landmark case that admitted the first African American into the law school here at the University of Oklahoma. In 1948, the NAACP’s case Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma forced integration on the University of Oklahoma Law School. Just two years later in 1950, the NAACP struck again in a case of segregation that was ruled by the Supreme Court as illegal. This ruling ended all segregation at the University of Oklahoma and a huge victory for African Americans all around.

3. In many ways, the legal movement was a helpful tool along side sit in’s, the Montgomery Bus boycotts and other forms of protest. Specifically, the NAACP helped to gather a case for Brown vs. Board of Education. In this landmark case, Brown’s victory overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine that was implemented in Plessy vs. Ferguson. It was these landmark cases that created more leeway for Blacks to gain more civil rights. By creating these historical legal work, the NAACP helped pave the way for the Civil Right’s Laws that we now have today.

4. By creating such landmark litigation, the NAACP has changed the lives of African Americans today. Were it not for these court decisions, the African American race may still be at the feet of the white men. The NAACP shed light on a problem that was far stretching, and in some ways, it still is. However, the legal actions of the NAACP have changed the aesthetic of our society for the better. The African American experience is a much more agreeable way of living than it might have been in the 1800’s up until the 1950’s.

5. Reconstruction began after the Union defeated the South and won the Civil War. Not only was the war-torn country in need of a face life, but the social shambles that lay after the abolishment of slavery still needed to be addressed. While many legal implementations were initiated (for example, The Freedman’s Bureau, 13th, 14th & 15th amendments), the social stigma of former slaves followed African Americans for years. Not only that, but the all repressive government also overlooked former Black slaves when it came to disbursement of land. Essentially, without land, Blacks had no legal or economical power, as many were forced to return to their white owners to beg for work. The social implications after the civil war and the abolishment of slavery were far greater that the difficulty of passing laws to give equal rights to Blacks. Many people took matters into their own hands and simply refused to hire Blacks. The punishment for breaking said laws were not as strictly enforced as they should have been.

6. Today, the NAACP still works hard to fight for equal rights for Blacks. In 2007, the NAACP filed landmark lawsuits against the biggest sub prime rate mortgage companies amid the United States financial crisis. Moreover, they are major proponents for improving Black education as well as better funding for inner city schools.

7. After hearing our speakers, I believe that I have a better understanding of the history of the Black struggle. To me, I never understood that the Black population took on the mentality of “living a life of struggle” (especially in the 1960’s). After supplementing my reading with our speakers, I am truly amazed at the legal intricacies that have worked their ways into laws. The NAACP has truly changed the lives of so many Black citizens today. Learning about the Ada Sipuel case was especially rewarding since it happened right here in Oklahoma. It inspires me to know that somebody with drive and unwavering convictions was able to change the history of an entire race. I feel very rewarded to know that I am a part of that history just by participating in this African American Studies class.


Sources:

1)http://naacpriverside.wordpress.com/2007/07/14/today-the-naacp-filed-an-historic-lawsuit-against-mortgage-lenders-alleging-racial-discrimination/

2)http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NA001.html

3) http://www.africanaonline.com/orga_naacp.htm

4) Introduction to Black Studies, 160-168

Beyonce

As I have begun African American studies, I have begun to notice the vast influence that Black people have brought to America. It wasn’t that I didn’t recognize it, but I did not appreciate it on the same level that I do. In particular, Beyonce Knowles has captured my attention.
Beyonce is a not only a female, but also an African American icon. I have always admired Beyonce for the strong messages of empowerment that she sends to women all around. She is beautiful, strong, smart and dignified. She is one of the few idols that we can admire in Hollywood today.
Before I took African American studies, I never realized how important people like Beyonce are to not only important to the African American sector, but to a broad culture as a whole. As a Black female, Beyonce can show her sense of empowerment through her ability to overcome societal setbacks. As a Black woman, she has to overcome the prejudices that happen for both African Americans and females.
As a Hispanic woman, I realize daily struggles that result from racial and gender prejudices. It gives me hope to see an African American woman who has created so much positive energy within the African American population. Moreover, my respect for her as a female is just as abundant as gender inequality is a pressing issue as well.
It is very rewarding to see the Black community in a different light. It amazes me to know that 50 years go, African Americans were not even allowed to go to school with white citizens. Now, we have elected the first African American president. Beyonce Knowles is just one of the many success stories to come out of Black history. I am very excited to learn more about African American history and to see what other accomplishments African Americans have yet to achieve.