African American Dream Dehumanization

The founding father, Thomas Jefferson, is known for his intellect and historical impact. Credited as the lead author of the Declaration of Independence and an opposer of slavery, his views on the black race originally came as a shock to me. In “Thomas Jefferson on the African Race,” Jefferson states that in order to compare the races they must be tested in America by the white standard. In doing this, Jefferson cements whiteness as default and perpetuates an ideology that has not been overturned to this day.

Tabula rasa means “blank slate” and in reference to African-American history it is the belief that slaves in the Americas had no history, religion, or culture. Westerners were conditioned to assume that Africans came to the America’s with the purposed to be cleansed, molded, and shaped, into civilized beings. Docility was believed to be a common trait amongst slaves, it was the belief that since slaves were blank slates, they were easily manageable and teachable, that they were obedient and eager to please. Whereas it was believed that all ties were severed from African when a slave crossed the middle passage, African-American culture and traditions make that a difficult argument to justify. Through African-American music, such as slave spirituals and gospel, slave spirituality, and slave folk tales, the idea of slaves being blank slates and the idea that slaves were docile are challenged.

Many slaves have escaped through the course of history, each pursuing freedom in various ways. While some were successful, others ended in failure and were punished severely. Some made it through pure luck while others went through careful planning.

In Basil Davidson’s video, “Different but Equal”, Davidson examines ancient Africa, and how Africans were perceived in ancient and modern times. Davidson discusses pre-colonized Africa and its history, and how racism prevailed in the past and in modern day. By discussing early civilizations, as well as modern day perspectives, Davidson allows the viewer to have expansive information on how individuals view Africans and their culture.

One way that slavery dulled those in its grip was the constant fear of physical violence. Their masters could hurt or kill them at any moment and there’s nothing they could do. Dana explains how whippings were

In the late-nineteen century, the term new imperialism became an element of politics implemented by many European powers to impose their supremacy around the globe. Between 1870 and 1914, as a result of the Great Depression (1873-1879), imperialistic powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium, constructed colonies and protectorates in Asia and Africa in order to exploit their resources and their labor . In 1880, France and Britain led European nations in the “scramble of Africa,” which divided the continent from 1880 to 1914. After the king of Belgium Leopold II conquered most of the Congo River with the excuse of promoting Christianity and civilization, other European nations caught “African fever.” As a result of the Berlin Conference (1884-1885), to which Africans were not invited, the imperialist competition in sub-Saharan Africa began . Consequently, violence became an element implemented by all European nations to retain control and subdue the population. However, in Leopold II’s Congo Free State the levels of violence and brutality were excessively high. As a protest against the cruelty and abuses conducted by the Belgian troops, Edward Morel, a British journalist and socialist, wrote “The Black Man’s Burden” in 1903. In this document, the author condemned the conditions of African people in Belgian Congo, reconnecting them to the presence of European

The 1920s was a time of great change. From fashion to politics, this period is known as one of the most explosive decades in American history. After WWI, America became one of the world’s most formidable superpowers. The rise to power prompted the 1920s to become a decade of evolution for women’s rights, African American’s rights, and consumerism.

On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered a speech to the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society. In order to persuade his audience of the evils of slavery and the hypocrisy of the Fourth of July, Douglass utilizes emotional appeal, strong diction, and figurative language.

Yet with power your are able to entitle yourself giving a voice to those who follow and support your ethics and ideological views. In slavery the suppression of a slave had began with dehumanization and the deprivation of education in order to embed fear among them. Fear and disobedience can be represented as the inhibitor and suppressor of power, as it pertains to hold value to the other. Furthermore, without fear there will always be disobedience, however with fear, disobedience no longer stands. Throughout the era of slavery, torture and maltreatment were used to instill fear into slaves that rebel or show resistance. In the “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, on page 19 Douglass quotes “Mr. Gore was a grave man, and, though a young man, he indulged in no jokes, said no funny words, seldom smiled. His words were in perfect keeping with his looks, and his looks were in perfect keeping with his words. Overseers will sometimes indulge in a witty word, even with the slaves; not so with Mr. Gore. He spoke but to command, and commanded but to be obeyed; he dealt sparingly with his words, and bountifully with his whip, never using the former where the latter would answer as well. When he whipped, he seemed to do so from a sense of duty, and feared no consequences. He did nothing reluctantly, no matter how disagreeable; always at his

Throughout my education career was taught that the history of America began with Christopher Columbus. However, in high school learned that the history of America began way before 1492. The history of America started in the B.C. time period with Native Americans cultivating crops, creating burial sites, maintaining pueblos, and hunting. Women gathered food and did the farming while men did the hunting. Then the tragedy of the European disease called smallpox spread, killing many Native Americans. In addition, the Europeans killed many Native Americans and took over their land.

Throughout history of the United States of America from as early back as it is available African American have suffered terribly at the hands of their white counterpart. According to history.com website “the continent of Africa was deprived of its most valuable resource – its healthiest and ablest men and women.” Unfortunately for them their status changes as they now take on a name role – Slaves”. (history.com) Marcus Mosiah Garvey a Jamaican born and Jamaica first National Hero stated that "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." I hold dear to me Garvey doctrine and philosophy and believe that it is not only possible but it can be done as he stated “up, you might race, accomplish what you will.” (afrobella). Civil rights activist faced insuperable obstacles, hardship, and in many instances death in order to try bring an end to socio-economic and racial equality; maybe not as ubiquitous but still exist today. Many American civil rights movement leaders were inspired by Garveyism such as Martin Luther King and the nation of Islam.

History…Complex…Distasteful are all words that would describe the terrifying phenomenon known as slavery. While we as a country would like to believe that America was built on the concept of “freedom for all”; the early 1600’s would prove to a completely different notion for many of our country’s men, woman, and children. Encyclopedia Britannica defines slavery as a “sociology condition in which one human being was owned by another” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015). Can you imagine being ripped from your family, without warning? The act of slavery brought about abundant despair, great heartache, and death for millions across the United States. Perhaps that is an inconceivable idea for most; however, that very uncertainty is what slaves

Living long, healthy lives is a massive focus of many Americans today, while on the contrary, focusing on happiness does not truly bring happiness to one 's life. Experiencing other emotions such as sadness, fear, and anger are as important in life as happiness. In the article “Don’t Worry, Be Gloomy” author Susan David states, “While it is certainly not healthy to constantly stew in negative emotions, there are some positive things that sadness, anger, guilt or fear can do” (126). David gives five reasons bad news can be good news: Helps form arguments; Improves memory; Encourages perseverance; Ups generosity; and Boosts ability to reason. These five reasons will further one 's knowledge on how good news and bad news truly affects himself

American slavery has always been a topic people believe as brutal, cruel, inhumane, and horrible. To many people, slavery wasn’t a lifestyle, it was a job. As we know, slavery officially ended in 1865, but do we really know the purpose behind slavery? One aspect about slavery is that we really don’t know the purpose of slavery. The purpose of slavery was to serve, labor, pleasure and greed.

African Americans received no respect for decades and decades. No matter if you were old or young, man or a woman. Martin Luther King Jr. was an inspirational speaker sticking up for what was right. While dealing with the same disrespect all Negroes were receiving. King spoke out his hopes and wishes for the world, hoping to change the ways of many. King helped people understand by using persuasive and inspiring words, which people eventually listened to. King brought himself and African American the right to freedom of speech.