Focusing Question: Should modern-day white Americans have a sense of “white guilt?”
Thesis: No one should feel guilty solely on the basis of their skin color.
Summary of Monroy’s Article: In her guest editorial for International Voice, Emily Monroy takes on the subject of “white guilt.” She defines the term as “the guilt that whites, particularly white liberals, feel about racism, imperialism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.” This guilt specifically applies to slavery in America. Monroy claims that she has experienced “white guilt” many times over the course of her life, and she gives two examples of this guilt, both experienced while in interracial relationships. During the first incident, she felt she was purposefully being put on a “white guilt trip” and responded with anger at the idea that she is supposed to feel responsible for the past. However, the second time, with another boyfriend, she claims that the guilt came as a result of realizing how different their opportunities in life had been simply because of their skin color; she somehow felt like the cause of the problem. This second experience didn’t anger Monroy, but left her feeling extremely guilty.
Even though she has experienced this phenomenon, Monroy in no way accepts this idea to be true. She makes a note that not everyone blindly accepts this idea, yet many times white Americans will not vocally reject his idea for fear of being branded a racist. They do not speak up because they believe their defense might comes off as “awkward and defensive” and they don’t want to step on someone’s toes who holds a different opinion. She claims that far too many white people are being “guilted” daily simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy concludes that modern-day white people should not feel guilty for any of the wrongs in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era simply because they are white. Yet, she also maintains that white people should recognize that their skin color gives them privileges that non-white people do not have.
Summary of Steele’s Article: In his essay “The Age of White Guilt: and The Disappearance of the Black Individual” Shelby Steele discusses the identity of black Americans and the effect “white guilt” has had on this identity. Steele’s argument asserts that as long as black Americans accept the products of “white guilt,” they will never truly be free. He claims that black Americans have bought into the whole idea of “white guilt” even more so than white Americans. Steele calls this “the greatest miscalculation in black American history.” He believes that black people are selling themselves short by living off of the “guilt offerings” of white society. Steele maintains that as the repression of racism ended after the Civil Rights Movement, black people began to repress themselves by continually demanding that white Americans make amends and make things righ. As time went on and “equality” reigned, black people were more repressed than ever in the cycle of “white guilt.”
Steele describes this “guilt cycle” as the following: white Americans, feeling guilty about past wrongs, try to make amends by offering assistance (jobs, grants, education, etc.) to those who were oppressed. Black Americans, feeling like they’re owed something because of past repression, accept these amends and, years later, have become used to having things based solely on the color of their skin. Now, in the present day, when it black people feel are not getting “what they deserve,” they play on the guilt of white people until white Americans concede and pass more legislation that will benefit black Americans. It must be noted that these benefits are not based on any sort of merit, but on skin color. This is the exact thing Steele is arguing against. He condemns this “white guilt cycle.” Steele calls it “the stigmatization of Whites and American institutions with the sin of racism.” This stigma, he maintains, forces white Americans to perpetually prove that they aren’t racist by continually denouncing racism by way of government programs. The heart of Steele’s argument against white guilt is summed in his own words: “We Blacks have fallen into a group identity that has absolutely no other purpose than to collect the fruits of white guilt.”
Analysis of Texts: Clearly, both Monroy and Steele condemn the agent of “white guilt” as it operates in today’s society. The problem starts with the use of the term “guilt.” This term holds negative connotations amongst Americans. Most Americans associate guilt as a result of doing something wrong. Understanding this, it is clear that the term “white guilt” insinuates that white people have something to feel bad about. It does not have to be stated that no one should feel any sort of guilt simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy and Steele tackle the issue of “white guilt” from different angles, yet by considering both people’s views, one can have a more complete understanding of the situation. Monroy focuses on the effects felt by white Americans, while Steele focuses on how it has effected black Americans. It is interesting to note that each author’s argument is dependent on the other’s. Without the other side, the cycle would cease to exist.
It is also interesting to see how each author chooses to end his/her article. Monroy concludes simply by asserting that no one should feel guilty simply because of the color of their skin. Steele ends with a challenge to both black and white Americans. He encourages white Americans to let go of these feelings of guilt about the past. He challenges black Americans to stop this cycle by refusing to take any part of the “fruits of guilt” and by living proudly as full, free, and self-made individuals. I believe that it is certainly a slippery slope whenever something as benign as skin color takes precedence over such things as merit. It serves no one when the actions taken and programs initiated to help people are rooted in guilt.
Surprising New View: We should be motivated to help those around us, not based on the color of their skin, but based on their need.
Completed Essay 6 “White Guilt”
Jill Robinson’s short story BLACKout focused on the consequences of reparations to black Americans. The reparations bill is called “The Guilt Bill.” It was finally passed due to an overwhelming amount of guilt felt by white legislators. Although this story is fiction, the topic of “white guilt” is a relevant issue in our world today. “Proponents of ‘white guilt’ explain that while whites may not necessarily be racist on an individual level, they live in a racist society that automatically grants them certain advantages at the expense of other people” (Monroy). In this essay, I will explore the topic of “white guilt.” I will try to answer the question “Should modern-day white Americans have a sense of ‘white guilt?’ I recently discovered two articles on this topic written by two very different people: Emily Monroy, a white Canadian woman, and Shelby Steele, a black American man. These two authors approach this subject in different ways and shed light on different areas of the subject.
In her guest editorial for International Voice, Emily Monroy takes on the subject of “white guilt.” She defines the term as “the guilt that whites, particularly white liberals, feel about racism, imperialism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.” This guilt specifically applies to slavery in America. Monroy claims that she has experienced “white guilt” many times over the course of her life, and she gives two examples of this guilt, both experienced while in interracial relationships. During the first incident, she felt she was purposefully being put on a “white guilt trip” and responded with anger at the idea that she is supposed to feel responsible for the past. However, the second time, with another boyfriend, she claims that the guilt came as a result of realizing how different their opportunities in life had been simply because of their skin color; she somehow felt like the cause of the problem. This second experience didn’t anger Monroy, but left her feeling extremely guilty.
Even though she has experienced this phenomenon, Monroy in no way accepts this idea to be true. She makes a note that not everyone blindly accepts this idea, yet many times white Americans will not vocally reject his idea for fear of being branded a racist. They do not speak up because they believe their defense might comes off as “awkward and defensive” and they don’t want to step on someone’s toes who holds a different opinion. She claims that far too many white people are being “guilted” daily simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy concludes that modern-day white people should not feel guilty for any of the wrongs in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era simply because they are white. Yet, she also maintains that white people should recognize that their skin color gives them privileges that non-white people do not have. Let us now look at Steele’s article.
In his essay “The Age of White Guilt: and The Disappearance of the Black Individual” Shelby Steele discusses the identity of black Americans and the effect “white guilt” has had on this identity. Steele’s argument asserts that as long as black Americans accept the products of “white guilt,” they will never truly be free. He claims that black Americans have bought into the whole idea of “white guilt” even more so than white Americans. Steele calls this “the greatest miscalculation in black American history.” He believes that black people are selling themselves short by living off of the “guilt offerings” of white society. Steele maintains that as the repression of racism ended after the Civil Rights Movement, black people began to repress themselves by continually demanding that white Americans make amends and make things right. As time went on and “equality” reigned, black people were more repressed than ever in the cycle of “white guilt.” Steele describes this “guilt cycle” as the following: white Americans, feeling guilty about past wrongs, try to make amends by offering assistance (jobs, grants, education, etc.) to those who were oppressed. Black Americans, feeling like they’re owed something because of past repression, accept these amends and, years later, have become used to having things based solely on the color of their skin.
Now, in the present day, when it black people feel are not getting “what they deserve,” they play on the guilt of white people until white Americans concede and pass more legislation that will benefit black Americans. It must be noted that these benefits are not based on any sort of merit, but on skin color. This is the exact thing Steele is arguing against. He condemns this “white guilt cycle.” Steele calls it “the stigmatization of Whites and American institutions with the sin of racism.” This stigma, he maintains, forces white Americans to perpetually prove that they aren’t racist by continually denouncing racism by way of government programs. The heart of Steele’s argument against white guilt is summed in his own words: “We Blacks have fallen into a group identity that has absolutely no other purpose than to collect the fruits of white guilt.” Knowing all this, what should our response be?
Clearly, both Monroy and Steele condemn the agent of “white guilt” as it operates in today’s society. The problem starts with the use of the term “guilt.” This term holds negative connotations amongst Americans. Most Americans associate guilt as a result of doing something wrong. Understanding this, it is clear that the term “white guilt” insinuates that white people have something to feel bad about. It does not have to be stated that no one should feel any sort of guilt simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy and Steele tackle the issue of “white guilt” from different angles, yet by considering both people’s views, one can have a more complete understanding of the situation.
Monroy focuses on the effects felt by white Americans, while Steele focuses on how it has effected black Americans. It is interesting to note that each author’s argument is dependent on the other’s. Without the other side, the cycle would cease to exist. It is also interesting to see how each author chooses to end his/her article. Monroy concludes simply by asserting that no one should feel guilty simply because of the color of their skin. Steele ends with a challenge to both black and white Americans. He encourages white Americans to let go of these feelings of guilt about the past. He challenges black Americans to stop this cycle by refusing to take any part of the “fruits of guilt” and by living proudly as full, free, and self-made individuals.
I believe that it is certainly a slippery slope whenever something as benign as skin color takes precedence over such things as merit. It serves no one when the actions taken and programs initiated to help people are rooted in guilt. We should be motivated to help those around us, not based on the color of their skin, but based on their need.
Works Cited
“BLACKout.” Charles Johnson. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Sheree R. Thomas.Time Warner Book Group, New York. 2005. 232-242.
Monroy, Emily. “White Guilt.” Interracial Voice. Retrieved on November 12, 2007. http://www.webcom.com/intvoice/emily7.html
Steele, Shelby. “The Age of White Guilt: And The Disappearance of The Black Individual.” The Center for Individual Rights. Retrieved on November 12, 2007. http://www.cir-usa.org/articles/156.html
Constance J. McGlasker 16 November 2007 EH 468-101 Dr. Alford
Sweet Dreams
When I think about sweet dreams, what instantly comes to mind is a pair of my pajama bottoms that says “Sweet Dreams” in navy blue letters, with a pink background, stars, white clouds, and a yellow banana-shaped moon. Also, when I think of sweet dreams, I imagine a picture of a baby sleep on a bed of clouds. The words that come to mind are love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, meekness, serenity, tranquility, calmness, quietness, silence, wellness, and happiness. Fairy tales also come to mind when I think about sweet dreams because they always have happy endings. One example is the classic fairy tale Cinderella storytelling how she came from rough beginnings, but the latter part of her life was filled with happiness when she married her Prince Charming. There is a song by Cinderella titled “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, and it goes like this. “A dream is a wish your heart makes When you're fast asleep In dreams you lose your heartaches Whatever you wish for, you keep Have faith in your dreams and someday Your rainbow will come smiling thru No matter how your heart is grieving If you keep on believing The dream that you wish will come true” (Cinderella Lyrics). Every girl or woman who dreams of marrying Mr. Right wants to have their Cinderella moment where they meet Prince Charming hoping that he will sweep them off of their feet. Some women are fortunate to have married their Prince Charming who treats them like a queen. Unfortunately, others get involved with someone whom they thought would sweep them off of their feet; disappointment sets in as they realize that this man was just using or abusing them. There is a song by Mary J. Blige titled “A Dream”, and it says this. “A dream A simple fantasy That I Wish was reality That you Come knocking at my door And we Relive this dream once more” (Mary). There is another part of the song that says, “The day you left You said you would return Just when you couldn't promise That you needed some time alone You said you'd love me And someday our love would be I couldn't understand it I thought we were both happy” (Mary). Yes, there are dreams we have that are just merely fantasies, fairy tales, and picture-perfect, but there are dreams that we can truly make a reality. In “Sweet Dreams”, Charles Johnson ironically describes how dreams can become nightmares. There is a statement made that says, “Those who dream more always pay more.” (Thomas 247) This is true because when authors aspire to write a book, it costs them possibly thousands of dollars to get the book published, promoted, and advertised. Entrepreneurs take risks in making their businesses a success. Sometimes failure precedes success. You can be rejected as a writer ten times in an attempt to having your works published. Next thing happens is the publication of your book. This happened to Tracy Daniels, a USA student and author of the book In the Midst of It All. When I interviewed her for a book review, she gave her testimony about how she was rejected ten times by different publishing companies, but today her books are sold on Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles.com. If we follow our dreams, we can save ourselves many nightmares. For example, there are people who feel like failures in life, which can be a nightmare in that aspect because they have not accomplished their dreams, goals, and aspirations, in life. Some have died young and old without having the opportunity of accomplishing their dreams. Others feel like it is too late to accomplish these things because they are middle-aged adults. Late is better than never. It is never too late to follow your dreams, whether that dream is publishing a book, starting your own business, marriage, home ownership, or whatever it is.
Works Cited
"Cinderella Lyrics - a Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/adreamisawishyourheartmakes.htm. 2002. 16 Nov. 2007 http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/adreamisawishyourheartmakes.htm.
Erica White 11/19/07 Essay 6 Jesus Christ in Texas Focusing Question: How can a country be so hypocritical, yet they call themselves Christians? I chose two text to help me get an answer to this question. In class we discussed “Jesus Christ in Texas” by W.E.B. DuBois, and it will be one of the essay’s I will use to respond to the question. The other text I will be using is a spiritual which came from a book called “The Spirituals and the Blues” by James H. Cone. Both of these text discussed how Jesus was the outlet to pain. The two text showed it didn’t matter what color you were or what your lifestyle was, because you always turned to Jesus Christ for that spiritual guidance. In “The Spirituals and the Blues” by Cone, I was able to see from the spiritual that the pain was deep and they were calling on Jesus for some release. “Black Folks believed that Jesus Christ could save them from the oppression of slavery because of his death and resurrection.” Blacks seem to relate more to Jesus due to the beaten, rejection, and dehumanizing acts he had encountered just as them. One spiritual that caught my eye and related well with DuBois’ “Jesus Christ in Texas” stated: Oh, dey whupped him up de hill, up de hill, up de hill, Oh, dey whupped him up de hill, up de hill, up de hill, an’ he never said a mumblin’ word, He jes’ hung down his head an’ he cried. Oh, dey crowned him wid a thorny crown, thorny crown, crown o’ thorns, Well, dey nailed him to de cross, to de cross, to de cross, Well, dey pierced him in de side, in de side, in de side, Well, de blood came twinklin’ down, an’ he never said a mumblin word, Den he hung down his head an’ he died. This spiritual was inspired by the crucifixion of Jesus, and his death was a symbol of slaves suffering and difficulties. They knew the agony of rejection and pain of hanging from a tree. Slaves never felt alone, they always felt like Jesus was with them. In “Jesus Christ in Texas” by DuBois, a spiritual connection was noticed. Even though there was this spiritual connection throughout the essay, the voice of hypocrites lived in it also. The stranger was given respect even though he was Black, but why him and not other slaves? The Whites seem to look at him with an in-depth spiritual connection. He had a sense of Jesus within him. Even though he was respected, some of the White characters still felt the need to be afraid of him because he was Black. In another part of the essay the wife at the barn was shown to be a hypocrite also. When the stranger asked her “ You love your neighbor as yourself” and she replied “ but they are niggers!” Remind you she had just said “there are none I hate, none at all.” The last part DuBois touched on was the convict and the beaten and lynching of him. He was blamed for attacking the woman but he didn’t. Just as Jesus, he had no chance to say a word in defense. Lynching was a ritual and it was done with people gathering as if they were watching a performance on a stage. This act is how blacks were able to connect so deeply with Jesus, because he too had endured this same type of suffering. The Whites during this era manipulated religion and Blacks allowed themselves to be manipulated to survive. To answer the focusing question “How can a country be so hypocritical, yet they call themselves Christians,” I have concluded that Whites would believe the things they said and did by twisting the words in the Bible to comply with their actions. White people during slavery believed in God and his word, yet they killed and mistreated slaves like it was ok to do so. That seems to be very hypocritical. People go to church and speak his words, but when they leave church their actions don’t agree with the things they say. Slavery was justified by a scripture out of the Bible. I’m not sure if anyone realizes this, but Sunday morning “church time” is the most segregated time of the day and week.
Thesis Statement: Euthanasia is a tricky subject and must be handled with great care. While its practice should not be abused, its use can relieve the pain and suffering of many terminally ill individuals.
Summary of Mosley’s Work: In the story Whispers in the Dark by Walter Mosley the topic of euthanasia or mercy killing is tackled late on in the work. The story centers on an apparently genius child named Ptolemy Bent, or Popo for short. His mother passed away and his father had abandoned him so he went to live with his grandmother, Misty and his ex con uncle Chilly. It is clearly evident that Popo exhibits behavior that points to his being a highly gifted child. At the age of 30 months he is able to read from the newspaper and he can sense when a thunderstorm is approaching from smelling the air. When he turns four, he begins to reassemble old radios and hook them to computers so that he can record transmissions in number form for study. Popo’s aunt Hazel has witnessed his behavior and calls the Board of Education to get them to test Popo and send him to the city to receive high quality education. Chilly and Misty do not want to lose Popo and know that if they had the money that they could get Popo a proper education at home. Chilly travels away from home to get the money, when he returns he informs the family that he has sold his eyes, a nerve from his spine, and his manhood to science for the money. With the money, tutors are hired and Popo receives his million-dollar education. Later in life, Misty and Chilly are getting closer to death and are not doing all to well. Popo tells them that God wants to meet them, he hooks them up to a machine he has made and “sends their souls to God.” He is arrested for the euthanasia of his uncle and grandmother and sentenced to prison.
Summary of Zimmerman’s Text:
Sloan Zimmerman is a supporter of the use of euthanasia for terminally ill and suffering patients. Zimmerman states that there are several reasons why people argue against euthanasia and he discredits those arguments with his own beliefs. First he states that if people are afraid of the abuse of euthanasia by doctors that there could be mandated conditions that are made legal to ensure that it is used properly. He says that there could be an apparatus constructed so that the person in need could actually begin the process themselves, therefore relieving any other person from guilt or blame. Also he says that if a patient who was requesting euthanasia was not of sound mind that they would not be granted the right, but instead would be treated for their depression. Zimmerman’s next point is one of religious beliefs. He states that the main reason people oppose euthanasia is because it goes against what they believe from a religious standpoint. The view that any form of suicide is wrong and that we should accept life gratefully and preserve it for God’s honor makes it hard for religious affiliated people to see euthanasia for what it is; a truly beneficial aide for dying and suffering people. He states that we live in a country where we choose whether or not we believe and live by religious principles and it is illegal to force someone to live by your religious ideals, therefore the religious aspect of this argument should not be credited at all. Overall, Zimmerman believes that if used correctly, euthanasia could help save dying people from suffering needlessly.
Synthesis of texts:
While Mosley writes in the end of his story that Popo is condemned to prison for his acts, I do not feel that he is condemning the act of euthanasia. When Popo performs the act on his uncle and his grandmother it is made out to seem like a good thing with both Chilly and Misty feeling beautiful and free. Perhaps in the story Popo really is hearing messages from God, and perhaps he did send their souls to God when he euthanized them, either way he still in fact killed them. Though Mosley writes about the act of their euthanasia in a peaceful way, as if it was a good thing that saved Chilly and Misty from needless suffering, the end of the story paints a different view; the one that people in the real world seem to hold about euthanasia. People say that it is murder and it should be punishable by imprisonment. Mosley and Zimmerman show two different views on the subject. Mosley shows the repercussions of one such action while Zimmerman tells of the many benefits of legalizing it Zimmerman shows are more idealistic view of euthanasia, while Mosley shows the real life consequences. Zimmerman states that it could end senseless suffering, and that it could prevent the patient from losing millions of dollars in treatment so that they could instead pass on the money to their loved ones. There is only one thing that Zimmerman could say about Mosley’s text; he could argue that Chilly and Misty were not aware of Popo’s intentions and they did not know that they were about to be killed. This is one of Zimmerman’s key beliefs; the euthanasia has to be requested by the patient with full knowledge of what this means. Perhaps these two did have some knowledge of what was going to happen, but this is not clear. There is only one-way in this world that you can meet God, and that is by dying. Whatever their knowledge of the subject, they were not scared of the experiment and they both seemed quite pleased and at ease when it happened. Though Chilly and Misty seemed to benefit from the procedure, and it may have stopped their suffering, it was still wrong because the two did not request it and perhaps did not have a clear knowledge of what was about to happen. This type of procedure should not be in the hands of the caregiver, but in the hands of the patient.
New View: Euthanasia is a risky and astoundingly controversial subject. Though the thought of killing someone or oneself for that matter is not a pleasing topic, I think that in some situations, under the right circumstances, it is ok. If their were legalized methods and regulations for euthanasia, I think that it would be beneficial and it could stop years of senseless suffering.
Works Cited
Mosley, Walter. “Whispers in the Dark.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 162-182.
Zimmerman, Sloan. "Euthanasia: The Right Choice for Some." Religious Tolerance. 22 Nov 2005. Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance. 16 Nov 2007
Completed Paper: Bridget Whalen November 18, 2007
Euthanasia is a tricky subject and must be handled with great care. While its practice should not be abused, its use can relieve the pain and suffering of many terminally ill individuals. In the story Whispers in the Dark by Walter Mosley the topic of euthanasia or mercy killing is tackled late on in the work. The story centers on an apparently genius child named Ptolemy Bent, or Popo for short. His mother passed away and his father had abandoned him so he went to live with his grandmother, Misty and his ex con uncle Chilly. It is clearly evident that Popo exhibits behavior that points to his being a highly gifted child. At the age of 30 months he is able to read from the newspaper and he can sense when a thunderstorm is approaching from smelling the air. When he turns four, he begins to reassemble old radios and hook them to computers so that he can record transmissions in number form for study. Popo’s aunt Hazel has witnessed his behavior and calls the Board of Education to get them to test Popo and send him to the city to receive high quality education. Chilly and Misty do not want to lose Popo and know that if they had the money that they could get Popo a proper education at home. Chilly travels away from home to get the money, when he returns he informs the family that he has sold his eyes, a nerve from his spine, and his manhood to science for the money. With the money, tutors are hired and Popo receives his million-dollar education. Later in life, Misty and Chilly are getting closer to death and are not doing all to well. Popo tells them that God wants to meet them, he hooks them up to a machine he has made and “sends their souls to God.” He is arrested for the euthanasia of his uncle and grandmother and sentenced to prison. Sloan Zimmerman is a supporter of the use of euthanasia for terminally ill and suffering patients. Zimmerman states that there are several reasons why people argue against euthanasia and he discredits those arguments with his own beliefs. First he states that if people are afraid of the abuse of euthanasia by doctors that there could be mandated conditions that are made legal to ensure that it is used properly. He says that there could be an apparatus constructed so that the person in need could actually begin the process themselves, therefore relieving any other person from guilt or blame. Also he says that if a patient who was requesting euthanasia was not of sound mind that they would not be granted the right, but instead would be treated for their depression. Zimmerman’s next point is one of religious beliefs. He states that the main reason people oppose euthanasia is because it goes against what they believe from a religious standpoint. The view that any form of suicide is wrong and that we should accept life gratefully and preserve it for God’s honor makes it hard for religious affiliated people to see euthanasia for what it is; a truly beneficial aide for dying and suffering people. He states that we live in a country where we choose whether or not we believe and live by religious principles and it is illegal to force someone to live by your religious ideals, therefore the religious aspect of this argument should not be credited at all. Overall, Zimmerman believes that if used correctly, euthanasia could help save dying people from suffering needlessly. While Mosley writes in the end of his story that Popo is condemned to prison for his acts, I do not feel that he is condemning the act of euthanasia. When Popo performs the act on his uncle and his grandmother it is made out to seem like a good thing with both Chilly and Misty feeling beautiful and free. Perhaps in the story Popo really is hearing messages from God, and perhaps he did send their souls to God when he euthanized them, either way he still in fact killed them. Though Mosley writes about the act of their euthanasia in a peaceful way, as if it was a good thing that saved Chilly and Misty from needless suffering, the end of the story paints a different view; the one that people in the real world seem to hold about euthanasia. People say that it is murder and it should be punishable by imprisonment. Mosley and Zimmerman show two different views on the subject. Mosley shows the repercussions of one such action while Zimmerman tells of the many benefits of legalizing it Zimmerman shows are more idealistic view of euthanasia, while Mosley shows the real life consequences. Zimmerman states that it could end senseless suffering, and that it could prevent the patient from losing millions of dollars in treatment so that they could instead pass on the money to their loved ones. There is only one thing that Zimmerman could say about Mosley’s text; he could argue that Chilly and Misty were not aware of Popo’s intentions and they did not know that they were about to be killed. This is one of Zimmerman’s key beliefs; the euthanasia has to be requested by the patient with full knowledge of what this means. Perhaps these two did have some knowledge of what was going to happen, but this is not clear. There is only one-way in this world that you can meet God, and that is by dying. Whatever their knowledge of the subject, they were not scared of the experiment and they both seemed quite pleased and at ease when it happened. Though Chilly and Misty seemed to benefit from the procedure, and it may have stopped their suffering, it was still wrong because the two did not request it and perhaps did not have a clear knowledge of what was about to happen. This type of procedure should not be in the hands of the caregiver, but in the hands of the patient. Euthanasia is a risky and astoundingly controversial subject. Though the thought of killing someone or oneself for that matter is not a pleasing topic, I think that in some situations, under the right circumstances, it is ok. If their were legalized methods and regulations for euthanasia, I think that it would be beneficial and it could stop years of senseless suffering.
Works Cited
Mosley, Walter. “Whispers in the Dark.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 162-182.
Zimmerman, Sloan. "Euthanasia: The Right Choice for Some." Religious Tolerance. 22 Nov 2005. Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance. 16 Nov 2007
Focusing Question: What exactly is the difference in the juvenile and adult law process? Thesis Statement: The juvenile law process is set up mainly to teach and influence the youth rather than prosecute them. 500 word summary: Juvenile law deals with crimes committed by children. The maximum age varies from state to state, but the maximum age for a juvenile offender is usually seventeen. In the state of Alabama, a juvenile who is 16+ must be charged directly in adult court if performed any of the serious felonies. Governmental bodies, including the federal government, states, and cities, prosecute all types of crimes committed by children, from traffic violations to felonies like rape and murder. Children involved in juvenile court matters have many of the same rights their parents would have if they were accused of a crime. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to cross-examine witnesses against them, and the right to be represented by an attorney. Juveniles often have additional rights, in most states, juvenile court records are not open to the public, but are sealed, so that no one will be able to learn about a juvenile record. When an adult is charged with a crime, he or she is brought into court in order to determine first, if he or she committed a crime, and second, the appropriate punishment. Juvenile court has, at least in theory, a somewhat different emphasis. The purpose of juvenile court is not so much to punish young offenders, as it is to reform them. If a juvenile is found to have committed a crime, he or she is not "convicted," but "adjudicated." If a juvenile is incarcerated for his or her actions, he or she will not necessarily serve the same amount of jail time as an adult convicted of the same offense. Most states require juvenile offenders to be released from custody when they become adults. If a juvenile is adjudged to be guilty of a crime, he or she may receive probation, have a fine imposed, be ordered to perform community service, be ordered to make restitution or pay back the losses caused by the criminal acts, or be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile correctional facility. An experienced juvenile defense attorney can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a deal that provides for the least severe punishment or, if no deal is worked out, the defense lawyer can zealously represent the defendant in court, attempting to prove to the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove that the child committed a crime. All lawyers involved in the juvenile justice process, whether they are prosecuting or defending, must adhere to a complex set of rules of procedure to ensure a fair trial. Although juvenile court is often less formal than adult court, the procedures are still complicated. Because of this complicated procedure, only lawyers experienced in juvenile law can effectively navigate the intricacies of the juvenile justice system on behalf of the accused. Defense lawyers should become involved in the matter as early as possible, usually even before a child is questioned by the police.
My grandmother had an old saying when I was growing up. She always said, “Don’t worry what people say about you, because my God in heaven knows your name.” I have always tried to remember that as I have become older and wiser. W.E.B. Du Bois tells an age-old story with a twist in the 1920’s. In Jesus Christ in Texas, we encounter Jesus Christ walking amongst people and granting guidance along the way. The power of religion pays a key role in this piece. Growing up, religion was instilled to be a saving grace and a resolution for things that go wrong in our lives. Religion gave faith even when enduring wrath. The bible is central to Black Church culture. Slaves, as members of the "invisible institution," and later, freed persons in the organized Black Church, redacted scripture based on their own experiences. These scriptural interpretations became the point of departure for songs, prayers, sermons, behavioral rituals and values Biblical text, especially when presented during sermons, helps socialize African Americans concerning other pursuits. Black religious music forms evolved from scripture. Scholars debate the point of origination and intent of early spirituals or "sorrow songs" (Du Bois 1953[1996]), but agree that they too represent scriptural redaction based on the African American experience. Lincoln and Mamiya (1990) contend that spirituals grew out of call-and-response dynamics between the slave preacher and congregation, became a distinctive form of worship during revivals, and generally reflect an other-worldly theology. Other scholars suggest that symbolism in spirituals encouraged liberative efforts on the part of the oppressed and served as a coping mechanism and rallying cry during the Civil Rights movement. African-American poetry gave guidance and a sense of peace to generations of people. They conveyed emotion and helped to purify things going wrong in the world. Langston Hughes wrote many poems and in one of his poems, he tells of a man talking to a mule. Me and the Mule
My old mule, He's gota grin on his face. He's been a mule so long He's forgotten about his race. I'm like that old mule -- Black -- and don't give a damn! You got to take me Like I am.
Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the titans of twentieth-century African American literature. She introduced black myth and legend and gave insight on the world through her eyes. She was a twentieth-century visionary who infused her work with the customs and folk traditions of the black American South. One of the most significant occurrences in America during the 20th century was the rise of African-American writers to the forefront of literature. Documenting their views on American culture and its tragic and glorious history, African-American writers' contributions reflected their struggle for equality and paved the way into a brighter future for their country. In Hurston's finest novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the protagonist Janie Crawford must reject the racist and sexist definitions society would impose on her. As her knowledge of her culture deepens, she gains the wisdom and strength to claim her voice and her self. Many vibrant voices speak through the novel; some seek to silence Janie, while others inspire her. Hurston writes the oral culture brilliantly. “Words walking without masters” is an apt metaphor for both the novel's folk speech and its singular prose.
Work Cite Black Church culture and community action. Author: Sandra L. Barnes. Source: Social Forces 84.2 (Dec 2005): p967 (28).
Poem by Langston Hughes http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/poetry/hughes_langston.html
Information about Zora Neale Hurston http://www.answers.com/topic/zora-neale-hurston-2
Focusing Question: Why are Black Americans expected to take away the White mans burden?
Thesis: In both texts, Whipping Boy and Jesus Christ in Texas, the main characters take on the role of a Christ-like figure.
200-250 wd Summary: In Pam Nole’s, the Whipping Boy, Dexter, the main character, unwillingly takes on the role of the “whipping boy”. In medieval times the prince or princess had a friend or servant who received their lashings for them. The royalty did not feel physical pain, but did feel the guilt for their sins. In this story, Dexter is expected to remove the pain from his loved ones and his community. His girlfriend Tamika does not understand his role and his Aunt June is his mentor figure who pushes and coaches him. She pressures and consuls him on his journey from a street drug dealer to a hero-like symbol who removes the problems of the people in the community. Dexter was destined to become the Shamen, feeling everyone’s pain and removing it from them. Originally, his cousin and dead male relatives had carried this burden, but after their bodies turned into mushy goo, it became his turn to remove the “blue meanies.” His Aunt, while his caregiver and his mentor, pushed the responsibility on him using guilt. Dexter unwillingly took this role and the story ended with him removing pain from his girlfriend. When he was done she no longer remembered who he was, and all he felt was rage.
200-250 wd Summary: In W.E.B. Du Bois’s Jesus Christ in Texas, a Christ like figure appears over and over again among the townspeople of Texas. The story begins with men discussing the entrapment of convicts and how their punishment should be harsher. The stranger, Christ-like figure, steps forward and interjects. The men find him interesting and invite him home for dinner. When the stranger enters the home, the servant delivering tea bows to him and the child climbs into his lap. The woman of the home is embarrassed and wishes he would leave before her guests arrive. When the guests arrive, they mistake the stranger for a servant. However, one man swears they have met before. The stranger leaves and meets an escaped convict in the woods. He tells him to steal no more and releases him from his chains. Later on the stranger meets a woman, who shares her intimate details of hers and her neighbors life’s. The stranger says love thy neighbor as thyself. The escaped convict unintentionally runs into the woman and the town’s people think he is attempting to rape her. Frightened she runs inside her home while the town lynches the man from a nearby tree. The story ends with the woman hearing “This day you shalt be with me in paradise.”
500 wd analysis: In both texts, Whipping Boy and Jesus Christ in Texas, there is a Christ-like figure that saves and removes the pain and suffering from people. I think the purpose of each text is for the reader to realize their own sins and to take responsibility for them and then to ask for forgiveness and repent. The Christ-like figure in the Whipping Boy, takes on the role of Christ unwillingly and is filled with anger not love for the people that he is helping. The Christ-like figure in Jesus Christ in Texas seems to be more at ease and at peace with himself and the people he is helping. It seems natural for him to guide and help people. He understands all people sin, but encourages them to repent and do the morally right thing. Both of the characters symbolically represent Christ, but in Whipping Boy Dexter does not want the responsibility, and in Jesus Christ in Texas, the character is Christ. I think the intended audience for both of these works is everyone because everyone should try to do what is morally right if they intend on going to heaven. The genre for both texts is science fiction, and I think the appeal can reach and touch everyone who reads the stories because everyone sins and makes mistakes. Pam Noles’ seems to think that acting like Christ is very difficult, but she does seem to believe that one man can remove all of are pain and suffering. Dexter does not want to take on the power and healing of Christ and he if filled with hate and rage. I agree with Dexter in this story. Why should the Black man be expected to take the burden away from suffering people and take on the White man’s burden? I think that people should be held accountable for their own actions and that there does not need to be a middle man, only the individual and Christ. No man can do what Christ did and still does, which is remove the pain and suffering of the individual. Through Christ people can gain peace and wisdom and understanding. People are filled with love not hate, like Dexter feels. W.E.B. Du Bois believes that Christ is real and walking amongst us. In his story, the Texas town’s people are practicing ritualistic violence, meaning that it’s a community ritual and therefore accepted and not questioned. Since the religion and violence has been manipulated the White’s causing the harm can sleep better at night without a guilty conscience. Community violence has become a ritual that encompasses the entire town and so everyone must be a part of it and participate. Therefore even when people know something is morally wrong, they remain silent due to fear and acting out from their community. The Christ-like figure that passes through the town does not influence everyone, but the people who choose to listen and allow him in are affected greatly. Their eyes are opened and their sins are revealed, but with this revelation forgiveness and salvation can and will come.
Risky Discovery: I realized that people are responsible for their own actions. Non one should be expected to take on everyone’s burden, only Christ can do this. The Black man should not be expected to take on the White man’s burden and it is not acceptable for religion to be manipulated within a community.
Works Cited: Noles, Pam. Whipping Boy. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc,2004.
Bois, Du W. E. B. , Jesus Christ In Texas. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc, 2004
1) Focusing Question: What are the consequences of dreaming? 2) Thesis: Dreams can cost a person a lot not only in money but in self esteem and relationships. 3a) The story “Sweet Dreams” follows a character who has been audited by the Department of Dream Revenue. The person said to be “you” already knows why he is being audited and is very nervous about the meeting. When “you” arrives to meet the auditor he faces a man he concludes, after analyzing him, to be an okay guy. Sensing the anxiousness the auditor tells him not to worry and everything will be okay. However the reader soon finds out that is not the case. “You” owes The Department of Dream Revenue lots of money that he does not have. The reader learns that taxes are put on the dreams of the people and they have to pay for their nightly dreams as well as day dreams. The story goes on to elaborate on the cost of the dreams and the total amount the character has to pay. Feeling worst than he did when he came in the character asks the auditor if he dreams and the auditor replies, “Dream? Oh, no, I can’t afford it” (Johnson, 248). The author of the story has given the reader a story to make one think. Everyone has or have had a dream for there life. What if dreams really were taxed? How many people could afford to hold on to their dream? 3b)In an excerpt from her book Life Shift: Let Go and Live Your Dream , Aleta St. James tells the story of a woman names Celine who always dreamed of being a professional dancer. Even as a child Celina wanted to be a dancer and strived to be the best at it. All the while she was doing what she could to make her aspirations come true her mother did not approve. When Celina was sixteen she became a chorus girl in a Broadway show. It hurt her s much that her mother would never come see her perform that she started getting anxiety attacks when she would audition. She thought if her mother did not accept what she wanted to become who would. Soon the anxiety and worry became to much for her so she stopped dancing. Years past and she always felt that something was missing from her life. At 40 she wanted to dance again and wrote to the Aleta St. James who in turn talked to a dance instructor she was friends with. Celine started dance classes again with a push from St James and was able to live her dreams once again. Following her dream cost Celine her relationship with her mother. That then caused her to lose self esteem in her self and her dancing. Even after giving up dancing she still thought about it a lot. 4)Puting the two text together, I decided to explore in what ways following your dreams may be tough but in the end it is worth it. After reading Sweet Dreams I was so impressed with the way the story was written. What if my dreams were taxed, what if I had to pay alot of money just to imagine what my life ould be like if I accomplished those dreams. That really woke me up to how precious having dreams really are. It's funny because you can sit around with friends all day and talk about your dreams and soon all of you are day dreaming about the life you will live. All of us would be taxed if the story was a true one. What really got to me was that it did not seem like it could not happen. We find do many loop holes and ridiculous things when it comes to the government and laws that were passed and that are still being passed today. I wanted to take that and put it with a story of someone who followed their dreams but gave up because what it was costing them to keep doing do. I wanted a story that showed although it cost so much to pursue your dream it all was woth it in the end and that is when I found Celine's story through Life Shift: Let Go and Live Your Dreams. I wanted to show that their are so many things that may hold one back but finally being able to break through all of that would pay off. Just like if I had to pay for my dream it would be worth it. So synthesizing these two text together seemed to give me my new view. 5)New View: Fighting the oppression of your dreams enables a person to cherish that dream more.
paper:
When I was little I wanted to a super hero. I laugh about it now because most little girls wanted to be singers, actresses, teachers, mothers, and etc. I did not want any of that. Most of my playmates were boys so we played games where we would be the Ninja Turtles. They always made me be April O’Neal and it would piss me off. One day I was so sick of being April O Neal because she always got kidnapped. I wanted to fight. I told the boys that were playing with to let me be one of the Ninja Turtles and they looked at me as though I was crazy. My brother laughed and said, “Wanda you can’t be a Ninja Turtle because they are boys. Have you seen any girl Ninja Turtles?” Of course I had not so I went home and decided to play by myself. Those boys shot down my dream of being a Ninja Turtle. Thinking about it now of course a person could not really be a Ninja Turtle but that is the dream I had when I was little. I did not want to give up on that dream at that time so it cost me my playmates. Just like in the story “Sweet Dreams” by Charles Johnson dreams cost a lot; not only in money but friends and self esteem as well. The story “Sweet Dreams” follows a character who has been audited by the Department of Dream Revenue. The person said to be “you” already knows why he is being audited and is very nervous about the meeting. When “you” arrives to meet the auditor he faces a man he concludes, after analyzing him, to be an okay guy. Sensing the anxiousness the auditor tells him not to worry and everything will be okay. However the reader soon finds out that is not the case. “You” owes The Department of Dream Revenue lots of money that he does not have. The reader learns that taxes are put on the dreams of the people and they have to pay for their nightly dreams as well as day dreams. The story goes on to elaborate on the cost of the dreams and the total amount the character has to pay. Feeling worst than he did when he came in the character asks the auditor if he dreams and the auditor replies, “Dream? Oh, no, I can’t afford it” (Johnson, 248). The author of the story has given the reader a story to make one think. Everyone has or have had a dream for there life. What if dreams really were taxed? How many people could afford to hold on to their dream? In a way, dreams are taxed. Following your dreams can be stressful for you. Things like college loans, ridiculous amounts of homework, and sleepless nights are the norm for a lot of college students who have dreams for themselves. There are those who have to give up on their dreams because either they can not afford the stress, time, and money it cost or lose faith in themselves. In an excerpt from her book Life Shift: Let Go and Live Your Dream , Aleta St. James tells the story of a woman named Celine who always dreamed of being a professional dancer. Even as a child Celina wanted to be a dancer and strived to be the best at it. All the while she was doing what she could to make her aspirations come true her mother did not approve. When Celina was sixteen she became a chorus girl in a Broadway show. It hurt her so much that her mother would never come see her perform that she started getting anxiety attacks when she would audition. She thought if her mother did not accept what she wanted to become who would. Soon the anxiety and worry became to much for her so she stopped dancing. Years passed and she always felt that something was missing from her life. At 40 she wanted to dance again and wrote to Aleta St. James who in turn talked to a dance instructor she was friends with. Celine started dance classes again with a push from St James and was able to live her dreams once again. Following her dream cost Celine her relationship with her mother. That then caused her to lose self esteem in her self and her dancing. Even after giving up dancing she still thought about it a lot. There are many people like Celine who are told that can not do this or that because of how they look and where they came from. Many youth today give up on their dreams for those reasons and many others. Dreams fail because of the oppression put on an individual by society or themselves. Dreams may cost a lot but the feeling of accomplishing them after fighting through the negativity has to feel good. Giving up without a second thought as to what ones life could be like after finding a way through that oppression seems meaningless. The oppression should help you fight more for that dream but sadly there are many that fall by the wayside. Doing what you dreamed of doing for so long is one of the greatest accomplishments for a person no matter how long it takes. Without dreams, ambitions, goals we all could be that person sitting on the stoop talking with the same friends that told us we could not do it. Thinking to ourselves about what could have been.
Works Cited
Johnson, Charles. “Sweet Dreams.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R. Thomas. New York: Warner Books., 2004. 248.
St. James, Aleta. Living Your Dream: Celine‘s Neglected Dream. MSNBC. December 18, 2005. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10506834/page/3/
Focusing Question: How does misinterpretation play a part in the lives of people, and how does it affect their relationships with others? Also, With misinterpretation bringing hate and greed and power, where are the good people? Will we ever live in a time of world peace and love?
Thesis: Misinterpretation only comes from listening to what others have to say without studying the material, or self-misinterpretation. Many people are convinced by those who use misinterpretation, but are still trying to do right. While misinterpretation can hinder the individual from grasping a peaceful worldly outlook, seeing and recognizing these flaws should not warrant action by those who see it. We may never live in a world of peace, but we shouldn’t judge and force others to believe and practice what we believe, we should love them and their differences.
Story: “Jesus Christ in Texas”, W.E. B. Du Bois. In this story the main character is Jesus. We see him weaving in and out of people’s lives. He tells the people to love their neighbors as themselves when they are racist. And tells a man who has escaped from jail to not steal again and lifts his chains. The story ends when the escaped convict runs down the path of the house Chist is at. He is speaking with the farmlady who he has just told to love her neighbors, to which she replies, “but they’re n….” A classic example of how people can get moral systems twisted. She wants to love her neighbors but has been taught that these people aren’t even human, I guess, and so they don’t apply to the teachings in her bible. The story ends with Christ hanging in the yard, Dying for these peoples sins, again.
Surprising new view: We can’t change the world, but realizing these things is more important. We can change “our” worlds by doing what we can to help others in our communities.
It’s a scary world, but there are still good people. There are still people who want to help, to make a difference. It gives me hope when I see it: People helping people for unselfish reasons. I wish it were universal. Maybe one day it can be. I’ve been thinking, lately, of the different ways our moral systems are interpreted to fit our situations. I grew up in a family of preachers and great men of the church. I can remember being around eight or nine, and listening to my grandfather preach. He was fantastic, still is. I would watch in amazement as the people laughed and smiled, hung on every word, were lifted up as his voice grew louder and clapped and praised as he brought home the lesson. I remember seeing his face after church, the proud look. Not pride in himself, but pride in what God could do through him. A saint. The strength of the Christian church lies in its message. The message is what fills the seats. The message also sheds light on what the church itself believes about the Bible. Churches are divided up based on how people interpret the Bible. History shows us many scary periods where misinterpretation was used as a tool for controlling people. Just with Christianity we have the Crusades and the Holocaust. During the Crusades, Christians were fighting over the holy land. They were killing other people in the name of the Son of God who preached peace. Killing in the name of a religion whose 6th commandment is Thou Shall Not Murder. They were using parts of the Old Testament such as “An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”, and forgetting that Jesus said, “Turn the other cheek”. All to protect the Holy Land from Muslims. They weren’t even successful and then said that it was ok to be unsuccessful because of prophesies, but they should keep on fighting until it was time for the next set of prophesies to show them coming back out on top. I can’t imagine being twenty-five during the crusades. I would be fighting. I would be fighting over a system of morals. I would probably be full-hearted too. It was before the days of internet and globalization. I wouldn’t have the means to learn about the two sides and decide an opinion. I wouldn’t have the freedom to stay home and not fight. All over misinterpretation. With the Holocaust, Hitler devised a plan to answer the Jewish question in Germany. This, to me, is the ultimate example of misinterpretation. The Nazi cross was a twisted Christian cross. Hitler thought that he was ridding the world of Jews who were trying to hatch an evil plan to take over the world. He based many of his speeches on works written by Martin Luther, who was the “great reformer” who brought about the protestant movement, but continued to write anti-Semitic papers. Hitler thought he was doing a great deed for the Christian world and its followers. But he was killing people. Killing people when the Bible says not to kill people. It is crazy to me that he ever had followers, but there were actually people who agreed, and believed what he was saying, and so went along with it. Maybe it is human nature to twist and tear morals in different directions. After all, if it is interpretable, who doesn’t want to hear it interpreted the way they feel? It just gets scary, to me, when people will believe what someone else’s interpretation without reading the information. There is a power in interpretation. So with a system of morals that is interpretable by any, who read it to mean whatever they want, where are the good people? In “Jesus Christ in Texas”, by W.E.B. Du Bois, the good person is Jesus. In His dealing with the white woman just before being hanged, we see how people can feel that they know what is right, and still be shaded toward believing something they were taught by people (probably fellow followers) instead of the religion they follow. So, do I think there will ever be a time when we have world peace and a humanistic world love? No. I don’t think it matters though. As long as there are tyrants and monopolies and wars and greed and all of these other things that affect humans, there will be just enough people who really want to help, want to love, regardless of who they are helping and loving. There are still good people here. There will always be.
Work Cited:
"Jesus Christ in Texas". W.E.B. Du Bois. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Sheree R. Thomas.Time Warner Book Group, New York. 2005. 95-104.
Whipping Boy, a novel by Pan Noles, tells the tale of Dexter, a man reluctant to take on his role as the neighborhood “whipping boy” after the death of his cousin. The story opens with Dexter carrying the body of his cousin – the former whipping boy, or “voodoo man” – to the top of an abandoned apartment tower. After hiding the body, he tries to return to his life as a minor drug dealer on the streets. However, Dexter’s destiny lies in the whipping boy role, and his refusal to take up the responsibility causes others to suffer as violence erupts through the community. It is only when he stops running from his destiny and accepts his role as whipping boy that the community is able to heal itself once more.
Wallis text analysis:
The origins of neo-shamanism, described as “’a spiritual path for personal empowerment’ utilizing altered states of consciousness and the shaman’s worldview,” begin in 18th century ethnographic texts discussing the religious practices of indigenous peoples. (Wallis 41-42) Neo-shamanism is often viewed as a spiritual path that anyone, regardless of ethnicity, can choose for themselves. However, the shaman’s role in traditional shamanic societies is usually viewed as one in which “the spirits chose the shaman, not the other way around,” thus causing the role to be viewed with fear and hesitation. (Wallis 42) Shamans in traditional indigenous societies are often viewed as “wounded healers” because they bear the spiritual burdens of those they are charged with leading. (Wallis 43) These “[s]piritual leaders teach the people because it is their responsibility to pass what they have learned from their elders to the younger generations.” (Wallis 45)
Hubbard text analysis:
The shamanic worldview is that of the interconnected “web of life”. “The web of life is an ancient idea that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnection of all living forms, and this view of the natural world characterizes pre-industrial or hunter-gatherer societies in which shamanism is more likely to be found.” (Hubbard 27) All species are viewed as different points within the web and each point is connected to the others by invisible strands. “If a web is sufficiently damaged, then it will cease to function as a web, and even elements that were not previously damaged may no longer be able to function without input or support from the damaged elements.” (Hubbard 27)
Peters, Prince-Williams text analysis:
“The initial crisis experience of the shaman has been likened to almost every psychopathology, including schizophrenia, and its final outcome, personality formation, has been called ‘a controlled hysterical dissociation’ supported by the community.” (Peters 397-398) Essentially, the shaman is a socially recognized “sick man,” but he is “not only a sick man, [but] he is above all a sick man who has been cured” (Peters 398) or, as Wallis describes, “a wounded healer.” “The ‘rapport’ between shaman and audience is typically one of mutual involvement and communicative interaction,” (Peters 401) unlike the dissociative trance-like state Noles describes for Dexter.
Synthesis:
Noles creates a neoshamanistic character in Dexter who exhibits much of the hallmarks from traditional shamanic cultures that would mark him as the shaman, or spiritual leader, of his community. Dexter is understandably frightened by his perceived destiny to become the new “whipping boy” after his cousin dies and leaves the community without spiritual guidance. While others, including his aunt, view his role as positive and necessary, Dexter tries to outrun his fate by shirking his responsibility and returning to his life as a small-time drug dealer. However, the shaman’s role in traditional shamanic societies is usually viewed as one in which “the spirits chose the shaman, not the other way around.” (Wallis 42) Dexter cannot escape his intended role as his community’s shaman, or whipping boy.
Noles plays on the shamanic worldview of the interconnected “web of life.” “The web of life is an ancient idea that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnection of all living forms, and this view of the natural world characterizes pre-industrial or hunter-gatherer societies in which shamanism is more likely to be found.” (Hubbard 27) All species are viewed as different points within the web and each point is connected to the others by invisible strands. “If a web is sufficiently damaged, then it will cease to function as a web, and even elements that were not previously damaged may no longer be able to function without input or support from the damaged elements.” (Hubbard 27) Because Dexter refuses to accept his place in the community, the community begins to suffer and violence erupts. The community is only able to heal itself once he stops running from his destiny and takes up the role as whipping boy.
The origins of neo-shamanism, described as “’a spiritual path for personal empowerment’ utilizing altered states of consciousness and the shaman’s worldview,” begin in 18th century ethnographic texts discussing the religious practices of indigenous peoples. (Wallis 41-42) Neo-shamanism is often viewed as a spiritual path that anyone, regardless of ethnicity, can choose for themselves. Shamans in these traditional indigenous societies are often viewed as “wounded healers” because they bear the spiritual burdens of those they are charged with leading. (Wallis 43) These “[s]piritual leaders teach the people because it is their responsibility to pass what they have learned from their elders to the younger generations.” (Wallis 45) Noles hints that the way in which this responsibility is passed from one whipping boy to the other is through the ingestion of the previous whipping boy’s brain matter:
“He swallowed rather than chewed; partly out of a need to consume real food after such a very long time, but mostly because he didn’t want to feel the soft mash of flesh between his teeth and have to wonder if the meat came from the guts of a pig or the head of a man.” (Noles 148)
Dexter’s aunt feeds him this mixture after he returns home and appears to be serious ill. This illness strongly resembles the initial sickness often associated with the choosing of a new shaman. “The initial crisis experience of the shaman has been likened to almost every psychopathology, including schizophrenia, and its final outcome, personality formation, has been called ‘a controlled hysterical dissociation’ supported by the community.” (Peters 397-398) Essentially, the shaman is a socially recognized “sick man,” but he is “above all a sick man who has been cured” (Peters 398) or, as Wallis describes, “a wounded healer.” “The ‘rapport’ between shaman and audience is typically one of mutual involvement and communicative interaction,” (Peters 401) unlike the dissociative trance-like state Noles describes for Dexter.
Surprising new theory:
Whipping Boy, the story, can be viewed as an urging to return to a more spiritually based community. The similarities between Noles’ “whipping boy” and the traditional role of a shaman within indigenous societies are far too close to be labeled as coincidence. The whipping boy’s role is vital to the welfare of the community and it is the community which suffers when that role is vacant. Even though he resists the call, Dexter ultimately has no choice by to accept his responsibility and by filling the spiritual leadership role, he is able to heal himself and his community by repairing the “web of life.”
Completed Essay
The Whipping Boy and The Neoshaman
Noles creates a neoshamanistic character in Dexter who exhibits much of the hallmarks from traditional shamanic cultures that would mark him as the shaman, or spiritual leader, of his community. Dexter is understandably frightened by his perceived destiny to become the new “whipping boy” after his cousin dies and leaves the community without spiritual guidance. While others, including his aunt, view his role as positive and necessary, Dexter tries to outrun his fate by shirking his responsibility and returning to his life as a minor drug dealer. However, the shaman’s role in traditional shamanic societies is usually viewed as one in which “the spirits chose the shaman, not the other way around.” (Wallis 42) Dexter cannot escape his intended role as his community’s shaman, or whipping boy.
Noles plays on the shamanic worldview of the interconnected “web of life.” “The web of life is an ancient idea that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnection of all living forms, and this view of the natural world characterizes pre-industrial or hunter-gatherer societies in which shamanism is more likely to be found.” (Hubbard 27) All species are viewed as different points within the web and each point is connected to the others by invisible strands. “If a web is sufficiently damaged, then it will cease to function as a web, and even elements that were not previously damaged may no longer be able to function without input or support from the damaged elements.” (Hubbard 27) Because Dexter refuses to accept his place in the community, the community begins to suffer and violence erupts. The community is only able to heal itself once he stops running from his destiny and takes up the role as whipping boy.
The origins of neo-shamanism, described as “’a spiritual path for personal empowerment’ utilizing altered states of consciousness and the shaman’s worldview,” begin in 18th century ethnographic texts discussing the religious practices of indigenous peoples. (Wallis 41-42) Neo-shamanism is often viewed as a spiritual path that anyone, regardless of ethnicity, can choose for themselves. Shamans in these traditional indigenous societies are often viewed as “wounded healers” because they bear the spiritual burdens of those they are charged with leading. (Wallis 43) These “[s]piritual leaders teach the people because it is their responsibility to pass what they have learned from their elders to the younger generations.” (Wallis 45) Noles hints that the way in which this responsibility is passed from one whipping boy to the other is through the ingestion of the previous whipping boy’s brain matter:
“He swallowed rather than chewed; partly out of a need to consume real food after such a very long time, but mostly because he didn’t want to feel the soft mash of flesh between his teeth and have to wonder if the meat came from the guts of a pig or the head of a man.” (Noles 148)
Dexter’s aunt feeds him this mixture after he returns home and appears to be serious ill. This illness strongly resembles the initial sickness often associated with the choosing of a new shaman. “The initial crisis experience of the shaman has been likened to almost every psychopathology, including schizophrenia, and its final outcome, personality formation, has been called ‘a controlled hysterical dissociation’ supported by the community.” (Peters 397-398) Essentially, the shaman is a socially recognized “sick man,” but he is “above all a sick man who has been cured” (Peters 398) or, as Wallis describes, “a wounded healer.” “The ‘rapport’ between shaman and audience is typically one of mutual involvement and communicative interaction,” (Peters 401) unlike the dissociative trance-like state Noles describes for Dexter.
Whipping Boy, the story, can be viewed as an urging to return to a more spiritually based community. The similarities between Noles’ “whipping boy” and the traditional role of a shaman within indigenous societies are far too close to be labeled as coincidence. The whipping boy’s role is vital to the welfare of the community and it is the community which suffers when that role is vacant. Even though he resists the call, Dexter ultimately has no choice by to accept his responsibility and by filling the spiritual leadership role, he is able to heal himself and his community by repairing the “web of life.”
Works Cited
Hubbard, Timothy L. “Some Correspondences and Similarities of Shamanism and Cognitive Science: Interconnectedness, Extension of Meaning, and Attribution of Mental States.” Anthropology of Consciousness. Vol. 13, No. 2. 2002.
Noles, Pam. “The Whipping Boy.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Sheree R. Thomas, Ed. Warner: New York. 2004.
Peters, Larry G. and Douglass Price-Williams. “Towards an Experiential Analysis of Shamanism.” American Ethnologist. Vol. 7, No. 3. August 1980.
Wallis, Robert J. “Altered States, Confliction Cultures: Shamans, Neo-shamans and Academics.” Anthropology of Consciousness. Vol. 10, No. 2. 1999.
What are the Effects of Ritualistic Violence and the Power of Religion on Race Relations?
Thesis:
The rituals and feelings involved in these actions of violence have left a negative impact concerning race relations among the world today.
Summary of Du Bois’ Article:
Ritualistic violence is a huge issue in W.E.B. DuBois’, Jesus Christ in Texas. As we were told in class, for the white culture the Bible says Black people are the descendants of Ham and it its okay to kill them. The Whites found comfort in ritualistic violence by using the Bible to justify their actions. Just as Whites used the Bible as a tool during this time to harness Blacks in America, Blacks used the Bible as a tool in slavery for escape. Blacks realized that if they put their faith in the Bible they could endure anything to get to heaven. Freedom would eventually be theirs because of their savior. In this story, the savior figure brings joy to everyone that is Black, however, if there is anyone outside of the Black race willing to listen the savior figure brings joy to him or her also. A good example of this is the savior coming to the house of the little girl. She found comfort in being around him and accepted him. However, the old woman was just the opposite. Her actions and beliefs were contradictory when spoke of how church going he was and then responded she did not love everyone. Her reasoning was because some of her neighbors were “niggers.” That does not fit into GOD’s view. Because the power of religion was not as strong as the idea of one race suppressing another at that moment, a runaway slave lost his life. The runaway slave was lynched and the slave’s quarters were burned. All of these things show signs of ritualistic violence. When the woman came toward the body she said, “Despised and rejected of men.” At this point, the woman realized the body was that of Christ as she viewed him on the cross.
Summary of Nole’s Article:
Pam Noles’ essay, Whipping Boy, also focuses on the power of religion. In this essay, Dexter can be viewed as a savior because he is forced to carry on everyone else’s problems just as GOD. Dexter is more like a shaman because he feels everyone’s pain. All men have evil inside of them so a voodoo man is needed to take the evil out. In the Bible, prayer is needed in order for the cleansing of sins. The main point of this story is that no matter where Blacks go things will get bad. In my opinion that is true. However, life is what you make of it and the same goes for either race.
Analysis of Texts:
Both texts review the connection between the power of religion and the cleansing of sins. In both stories, there is a cleansing of sins needed in order to provide a sense of ease. In Nole’s essay if the pork is eaten then the demon is eaten, however in Du Bois’ essay burning signifies cleansing.
Surprising New View:
If people always think things will be bad for their race based on previous events life will never get better. Although ritualistic violence may not be as prevalent today as it was, it still exists and needs to end. Unless people begin to step up, speak out for what they believe in, and make an effort to move forward, race relations will never improve and White Guilt will forever flourish throughout the Americas.
Completed Essay:
Ritualistic Violence, Power of Religion, and their Effects on Race Relations There has been ritualistic violence throughout the existence of man. Lynchings, burning at the stake, death by electrocution and firing squad have all been examples of hatred encompassing the whole community. Although some of these violent acts have been thought justified by acts of punishment they are still wrong. White Americans and Black Americans have had issues with race relations ever since the ending of the Civil War. Lynching was prevalent and became associated with the idea of one race ruling over another. At that time the suppression of one race over another was economically and politically correct. Burnings and castrations or stabbings were also apart of the ritual. As we learned in class, after the violence there must be a cleansing period. The burnings symbolized a cleansing of the conscious. These rituals show a glimpse into how religion even affected negative events. Why were these lynchings performed as though they were exorcisms expelling demons, referring to the Blacks, from the Earth? Why were Blacks even perceived as though they were some type of alien or demon? The rituals and feelings involved in these actions of violence have left a negative impact concerning race relations among the world today. Ritualistic violence is a huge issue in W.E.B. DuBois’, Jesus Christ in Texas. As we were told in class, for the white culture the Bible says Black people are the descendants of Ham and it its okay to kill them. The Whites found comfort in ritualistic violence by using the Bible to justify their actions. Just as Whites used the Bible as a tool during this time to harness Blacks in America, Blacks used the Bible as a tool in slavery for escape. Blacks realized that if they put their faith in the Bible they could endure anything to get to heaven. Freedom would eventually be theirs because of their savior. In this story, the savior figure brings joy to everyone that is Black, however, if there is anyone outside of the Black race willing to listen the savior figure brings joy to him or her also. A good example of this is the savior coming to the house of the little girl. She found comfort in being around him and accepted him. However, the old woman was just the opposite. Her actions and beliefs were contradictory when spoke of how church going he was and then responded she did not love everyone. Her reasoning was because some of her neighbors were “niggers.” That does not fit into GOD’s view. Because the power of religion was not as strong as the idea of one race suppressing another at that moment, a runaway slave lost his life. The runaway slave was lynched and the slave’s quarters were burned. All of these things show signs of ritualistic violence. When the woman came toward the body she said, “Despised and rejected of men.” At this point, the woman realized the body was that of Christ as she viewed him on the cross. Pam Noles’ essay, Whipping Boy, also focuses on the power of religion. In this essay, Dexter can be viewed as a savior because he is forced to carry on everyone else’s problems just as GOD. Dexter is more like a shaman because he feels everyone’s pain. All men have evil inside of them so a voodoo man is needed to take the evil out. In the Bible, prayer is needed in order for the cleansing of sins. The main point of this story is that no matter where Blacks go things will get bad. In my opinion that is true. However, life is what you make of it and the same goes for either race. If people always think things will be bad for their race based on previous events life will never get better. Although ritualistic violence may not be as prevalent today as it was, it still exists and needs to end. Unless people begin to step up, speak out for what they believe in, and make an effort to move forward, race relations will never improve and White Guilt will forever flourish throughout the Americas.
Works Cited
Noles, Pam. Whipping Boy. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc,2004.
Bois, Du W. E. B. , Jesus Christ In Texas. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc, 2004
Is it possible to do the wrong thing, but with good intentions?
Thesis Statement
In Walter Mosley and Pam Noles’ essay, each character was doing something bad, but with good reason. In Whispers in the Dark, Ptolemy killed his grandmother and uncle to save them, while in Whipping Boy Dexter felt guilt throughout the entire essay.
Summary of the Mosley’s Text
The story begins with Ptolemy as a child. His family believes he is exceptionally smart, so they want him to take the IQ test. To do this you must have a lot of money. Ptolemy begins using his criminal mind during this stage in his life. He believes he can get the money from peoples information on the computer. He gained access to World Bank International. Once he proved it could be done, he stopped. Ptolemy then went to the radio and heard God speak through the radio waves. Chill decided to go away for a while. When he came back, an ambulance escorted Chill. He had given his eyes, legs, and other parts to help pay for Ptolemy’s safety. Chill came home with $six million. He was in bad shape, and he would not last long. Ptolemy knew that Chill and his grandmother were dying, so he decided to do an experiment on both of them. They both died that night, and Ptolemy knew he did the right thing. No more suffering for either one of them, he thought.
Summary of Noles’ Text
This story begins with Dexter carrying a large bag, with a body in it, to the top floor of the tower. Dexter was very nervous and scared he would be caught. A month later the police found the body. No one knew what happened or how it happened, but a crimes scene investigation was underway. Her family has physically abused Dexter’s girlfriend, Tamika. No one does anything about it. Dexter’s Aunt June takes care of him, but, she only ends up hurting him. Dexter and Aunt June have a falling out about what the purpose of a black man is. She said that if the white man took responsibility for all of his mistakes, his back would break. She kicked Dexter out of the apartment, and Dexter went down hill. He began to do hard drugs and partying. He could not stop. Tamika found him and convinced him to go home and eat. Once Dexter began to come to, he started hearing voices, voices of the past. Tamika left, and he realized what he has done.
Analysis of text
In conclusion, I have given the reasons both characters in both stories committed a crime for good reason. Ptolemy performed a mercy killing on his grandmother and uncle because both were suffering. He knew it was illegal, but it was what was best for both his grandmother and uncle. Dexter hid his cousin in the top floor of the tower. I do no think he killed him, I think someone else killed him and that is why Dexter is considered the whipping boy. Except, this time instead of getting whipped, he had to hide a murder.
Statement of Risky or Surprising New View
Always help one another, and continue to do the right thing. That is what I have always been taught. My question is when does the right thing become the wring thing? People always say to tell the truth, no matter what; however, most people only tell part of the truth. Everyone is scared of hurting someone or their feelings, so you tell them what they want to hear. Ptolemy and Dexter, however, did what they were taught, no matter what the consequence.
Completed Essay
Is it possible to do the wrong thing, but with good intentions? In Walter Mosley and Pam Noles’ essay, each character was doing something bad, but with good reason. In Whispers in the Dark, Ptolemy killed his grandmother and uncle to save them, while in Whipping Boy Dexter felt guilt throughout the entire essay.
The story begins with Ptolemy as a child. His family believes he is exceptionally smart, so they want him to take the IQ test. To do this you must have a lot of money. Ptolemy begins using his criminal mind during this stage in his life. He believes he can get the money from peoples information on the computer. He gained access to World Bank International. Once he proved it could be done, he stopped. Ptolemy then went to the radio and heard God speak through the radio waves. Chill decided to go away for a while. When he came back, an ambulance escorted Chill. He had given his eyes, legs, and other parts to help pay for Ptolemy’s safety. Chill came home with $six million. He was in bad shape, and he would not last long. Ptolemy knew that Chill and his grandmother were dying, so he decided to do an experiment on both of them. They both died that night, and Ptolemy knew he did the right thing. No more suffering for either one of them, he thought.
This story begins with Dexter carrying a large bag, with a body in it, to the top floor of the tower. Dexter was very nervous and scared he would be caught. A month later the police found the body. No one knew what happened or how it happened, but a crimes scene investigation was underway. Her family has physically abused Dexter’s girlfriend, Tamika. No one does anything about it. Dexter’s Aunt June takes care of him, but, she only ends up hurting him. Dexter and Aunt June have a falling out about what the purpose of a black man is. She said that if the white man took responsibility for all of his mistakes, his back would break. She kicked Dexter out of the apartment, and Dexter went down hill. He began to do hard drugs and partying. He could not stop. Tamika found him and convinced him to go home and eat. Once Dexter began to come to, he started hearing voices, voices of the past. Tamika left, and he realized what he has done.
In conclusion, I have given the reasons both characters in both stories committed a crime for good reason. Ptolemy performed a mercy killing on his grandmother and uncle because both were suffering. He knew it was illegal, but it was what was best for both his grandmother and uncle. Dexter hid his cousin in the top floor of the tower. I do no think he killed him, I think someone else killed him and that is why Dexter is considered the whipping boy. Except, this time instead of getting whipped, he had to hide a murder. Always help one another, and continue to do the right thing. That is what I have always been taught. My question is when does the right thing become the wring thing? People always say to tell the truth, no matter what; however, most people only tell part of the truth. Everyone is scared of hurting someone or their feelings, so you tell them what they want to hear. Ptolemy and Dexter, however, did what they were taught, no matter what the consequence.
Works Cited
Mosley, Walter. “Whispers in the Dark.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 162-182.
Noles, Pam. “Whipping Boy”. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books Inc, 2004.
Focusing Question: What exactly is the difference in the juvenile and adult law process? Thesis Statement: The juvenile law process is set up mainly to teach and influence the youth rather than prosecute them. 500 word summary: Juvenile law deals with crimes committed by children. The maximum age varies from state to state, but the maximum age for a juvenile offender is usually seventeen. In the state of Alabama, a juvenile who is 16+ must be charged directly in adult court if performed any of the serious felonies. Governmental bodies, including the federal government, states, and cities, prosecute all types of crimes committed by children, from traffic violations to felonies like rape and murder. Children involved in juvenile court matters have many of the same rights their parents would have if they were accused of a crime. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to cross-examine witnesses against them, and the right to be represented by an attorney. Juveniles often have additional rights, in most states, juvenile court records are not open to the public, but are sealed, so that no one will be able to learn about a juvenile record. When an adult is charged with a crime, he or she is brought into court in order to determine first, if he or she committed a crime, and second, the appropriate punishment. Juvenile court has, at least in theory, a somewhat different emphasis. The purpose of juvenile court is not so much to punish young offenders, as it is to reform them. If a juvenile is found to have committed a crime, he or she is not "convicted," but "adjudicated." If a juvenile is incarcerated for his or her actions, he or she will not necessarily serve the same amount of jail time as an adult convicted of the same offense. Most states require juvenile offenders to be released from custody when they become adults. If a juvenile is adjudged to be guilty of a crime, he or she may receive probation, have a fine imposed, be ordered to perform community service, be ordered to make restitution or pay back the losses caused by the criminal acts, or be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile correctional facility. An experienced juvenile defense attorney can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a deal that provides for the least severe punishment or, if no deal is worked out, the defense lawyer can zealously represent the defendant in court, attempting to prove to the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove that the child committed a crime. All lawyers involved in the juvenile justice process, whether they are prosecuting or defending, must adhere to a complex set of rules of procedure to ensure a fair trial. Although juvenile court is often less formal than adult court, the procedures are still complicated. Because of this complicated procedure, only lawyers experienced in juvenile law can effectively navigate the intricacies of the juvenile justice system on behalf of the accused. Defense lawyers should become involved in the matter as early as possible, usually even before a child is questioned by the police.
Jennifer Tosch EH 498 Mr. Alford Focusing Question:
What is nationality and who decides what race belongs to what nationality?
Thesis:
Each of the characters has a different struggle to overcome that can change their lives for the better.
Summary of Whispers in the Dark
Whispers in the Dark is a story about a very intelligent four year old name Ptolemy, his Uncle Chill, his grandmother, and his nurse. In this story, Chill is trying to protect Ptolemy from being taken away. Chill’s cousin Hazel thinks that Ptolemy belongs somewhere else because of how intelligent he is. Chill feels that the best place for him is at home with his family trying to learn. Chill tells Ptolemy that they need money to keep him from being taken away and sent off. Ptolemy tries to crack into a banks network to get the money. At this point, Chill decides that he needs to leave the country to make some money, in reality he is in Panama City selling various organs for money. He ends up making six million dollars. When he returns, Ptolemy decides that God wants to speak with his Uncle and Grandma. Ptolemy was arrested and tried for the euthanasia killing of his Uncle and Grandma.
Summary of BlackOUT
This story begins in a train station in Harlem. People are all congratulating each other because the reparations bill, S9821, has passed. The bill is supposed to compensate American citizens of African descent for slave labor. The bill has many stipulations. In order for someone to be eligible for the money, their parents and grandparents have to be American-born. The bill became known as the “Guilt Bill: American-born descendants of black African slaves. Nigel, the main character has an idea, and decides he needs to start over. At the immigration office, when asked for his nationality, Nigel responds with “None”.
Analysis:
In each of the stories, BlackOUT and Whispers in the Dark, each of the main characters overcomes some struggles that will eventually better themselves or those around them. In Whispers in the Dark, both Ptolemy and Chill are trying to better things for those around them. Chill is trying to take care of Ptolemy and make sure that he has a good life and that he is taken care of, so he sacrifices himself for this. As a way to help Chill, Ptolemy tries to free him and his grandmother by sending them to talk to God. By sending them to talk to God though the irony is that he sets them free, and then ends up institutionalized which is the last thing his Uncle wanted for him. In BlackOUT, Nigel is trying to make a better life for himself. He wants a life without race or any other status stigma to hold him back. He tries to start over claiming no nationality for himself at the immigration offices. Both of these stories make some reference to the dark side of things. The dark side in both of these stories is the outcome of Ptolemy’s life after he tries to help his family and end their pain. The dark side of the other story is when Nigel is faced with having to chose his nationality, and giving up his friends and girlfriend.
Risky Question:
Why is race and nationality so important to so many people? After reading both of these stories, it has been made apparent that these people went to extreme lengths to make a better life for themselves because of the way that society looked at them and their race and nationality.
Works Cited:
Mosley, Walter. Whispers in the Dark. Dark Matter, Reading the Bones. ed. Sherre R. Thomas. New York: Warner Brothers Inc, 2004.
Robinson, Jill. BlackOut. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. ed. Sherre R. Thomas. New York: Warner Brothers Inc, 2004.
For Constance: Your conclusion is very motivating. I like how you were able to synthesize something positive from a gloomy story like “Sweet Dreams.”
For Erica: I like how you found the relationship between the abuse of slaves and the crucifixion. Your conclusion was very interesting, making me want to read more.
For Bridget: Kudos on choosing such a controversial topic to write about. You presented both sides of the issue very well.
For Lauren: You did a good job on distinguishing between juvenile and adult law.
For Sanavieai: Very informative and well-written essay.
For Kathryn: I enjoyed your bold conclusion that religion should not be tainted in order to suit anyone’s agenda. Great essay.
For LaWanda: Great conclusion. I enjoyed the way you showcased the important role personal responsibility plays in any individual’s life.
For Kennon: I initially thought the essay would end on a negative note, but your conclusion was surprisingly uplifting.
For Jeannie: Your spotlight on neo-shamanism was very interesting and informative. You did a great job of synthesizing the texts, and your conclusion is very thought-provoking.
For Kirsten: Very bold conclusion.
For Whitney: You did a good job showcasing just how blurry the line between right and wrong can be. It’s all about motives.
For Jennifer: Great question at the end of your essay. I would have enjoyed to know your point of view about the issue.
Felicia: I agree that no one advances when get gives a person moyivation to help another. Your articles reminded me of something I read where they say a lot of people will date other races because of the guilt they feel for being prejudice.
Constance: I loved that you used the song from Cinderella. It really does fit with the essay, very good job. Your paper was vey great.
Erica: I found that it's not only whites that twist the bible to mean something, a lot of other races do it as well. Great Job
Bridget: I always love reading your new ideas because they are so thought provoking. I might not agree with some pf them but they still make a person think. Good Job
Lauren: Good job describing juvenile law. Your essay was interesting to read
Sanavieai: Zora Neale Hurston has been one of my favorite authors since I even started reading. One of the first stories I read by myself was "All God's Children Got Wings" with my grandmother. It was a great idea to use her in your essay. Great job as usual.
Kathryn: I enjoyed your essay and the way you just told it like it was without sugar coating anything. When reading your essay "White Man's Burden" by Richard Kipling popped in my head. It states the exact opposite of what you are saying. Great essay.
Kennon: I loved the part about your grandfather, it brought a really good feeling. I agree people use the bible to fit what they believe and the sad part is some people buy into it without researching for themselves.
Jeannie: I always enjoy reading you essays. This one was very interesting to read as well. The texts you chose were really good choices.
Kirsten: It suprises me even now how people could interpret the bible in so many different ways and for so many different things. Some good and some bad but they always find a verse or chapter to back them up. Good job.
For Whitney: Very interesting essay. The first thing that popped in my head was Robin Hood. There are people that do bad things to feed there families, put themselves or their children through school, or pay their bills. They do not see any other way. Good essay
For Jennifer: Great question. Why is race so important? I have my view on the subject, but I agree with Felicia that reading your thoughts would have been very interesting.
18 comments:
Felicia Hall
Essay 6
White Guilt
Focusing Question:
Should modern-day white Americans have a sense of “white guilt?”
Thesis:
No one should feel guilty solely on the basis of their skin color.
Summary of Monroy’s Article:
In her guest editorial for International Voice, Emily Monroy takes on the subject of “white guilt.” She defines the term as “the guilt that whites, particularly white liberals, feel about racism, imperialism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.” This guilt specifically applies to slavery in America. Monroy claims that she has experienced “white guilt” many times over the course of her life, and she gives two examples of this guilt, both experienced while in interracial relationships. During the first incident, she felt she was purposefully being put on a “white guilt trip” and responded with anger at the idea that she is supposed to feel responsible for the past. However, the second time, with another boyfriend, she claims that the guilt came as a result of realizing how different their opportunities in life had been simply because of their skin color; she somehow felt like the cause of the problem. This second experience didn’t anger Monroy, but left her feeling extremely guilty.
Even though she has experienced this phenomenon, Monroy in no way accepts this idea to be true. She makes a note that not everyone blindly accepts this idea, yet many times white Americans will not vocally reject his idea for fear of being branded a racist. They do not speak up because they believe their defense might comes off as “awkward and defensive” and they don’t want to step on someone’s toes who holds a different opinion. She claims that far too many white people are being “guilted” daily simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy concludes that modern-day white people should not feel guilty for any of the wrongs in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era simply because they are white. Yet, she also maintains that white people should recognize that their skin color gives them privileges that non-white people do not have.
Summary of Steele’s Article:
In his essay “The Age of White Guilt: and The Disappearance of the Black Individual” Shelby Steele discusses the identity of black Americans and the effect “white guilt” has had on this identity. Steele’s argument asserts that as long as black Americans accept the products of “white guilt,” they will never truly be free. He claims that black Americans have bought into the whole idea of “white guilt” even more so than white Americans. Steele calls this “the greatest miscalculation in black American history.” He believes that black people are selling themselves short by living off of the “guilt offerings” of white society. Steele maintains that as the repression of racism ended after the Civil Rights Movement, black people began to repress themselves by continually demanding that white Americans make amends and make things righ. As time went on and “equality” reigned, black people were more repressed than ever in the cycle of “white guilt.”
Steele describes this “guilt cycle” as the following: white Americans, feeling guilty about past wrongs, try to make amends by offering assistance (jobs, grants, education, etc.) to those who were oppressed. Black Americans, feeling like they’re owed something because of past repression, accept these amends and, years later, have become used to having things based solely on the color of their skin.
Now, in the present day, when it black people feel are not getting “what they deserve,” they play on the guilt of white people until white Americans concede and pass more legislation that will benefit black Americans. It must be noted that these benefits are not based on any sort of merit, but on skin color. This is the exact thing Steele is arguing against. He condemns this “white guilt cycle.” Steele calls it “the stigmatization of Whites and American institutions with the sin of racism.” This stigma, he maintains, forces white Americans to perpetually prove that they aren’t racist by continually denouncing racism by way of government programs. The heart of Steele’s argument against white guilt is summed in his own words: “We Blacks have fallen into a group identity that has absolutely no other purpose than to collect the fruits of white guilt.”
Analysis of Texts:
Clearly, both Monroy and Steele condemn the agent of “white guilt” as it operates in today’s society. The problem starts with the use of the term “guilt.” This term holds negative connotations amongst Americans. Most Americans associate guilt as a result of doing something wrong. Understanding this, it is clear that the term “white guilt” insinuates that white people have something to feel bad about. It does not have to be stated that no one should feel any sort of guilt simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy and Steele tackle the issue of “white guilt” from different angles, yet by considering both people’s views, one can have a more complete understanding of the situation.
Monroy focuses on the effects felt by white Americans, while Steele focuses on how it has effected black Americans. It is interesting to note that each author’s argument is dependent on the other’s. Without the other side, the cycle would cease to exist.
It is also interesting to see how each author chooses to end his/her article. Monroy concludes simply by asserting that no one should feel guilty simply because of the color of their skin. Steele ends with a challenge to both black and white Americans. He encourages white Americans to let go of these feelings of guilt about the past. He challenges black Americans to stop this cycle by refusing to take any part of the “fruits of guilt” and by living proudly as full, free, and self-made individuals.
I believe that it is certainly a slippery slope whenever something as benign as skin color takes precedence over such things as merit. It serves no one when the actions taken and programs initiated to help people are rooted in guilt.
Surprising New View:
We should be motivated to help those around us, not based on the color of their skin, but based on their need.
Completed Essay 6
“White Guilt”
Jill Robinson’s short story BLACKout focused on the consequences of reparations to black Americans. The reparations bill is called “The Guilt Bill.” It was finally passed due to an overwhelming amount of guilt felt by white legislators. Although this story is fiction, the topic of “white guilt” is a relevant issue in our world today. “Proponents of ‘white guilt’ explain that while whites may not necessarily be racist on an individual level, they live in a racist society that automatically grants them certain advantages at the expense of other people” (Monroy). In this essay, I will explore the topic of “white guilt.” I will try to answer the question “Should modern-day white Americans have a sense of ‘white guilt?’ I recently discovered two articles on this topic written by two very different people: Emily Monroy, a white Canadian woman, and Shelby Steele, a black American man. These two authors approach this subject in different ways and shed light on different areas of the subject.
In her guest editorial for International Voice, Emily Monroy takes on the subject of “white guilt.” She defines the term as “the guilt that whites, particularly white liberals, feel about racism, imperialism, colonialism, and other forms of oppression.” This guilt specifically applies to slavery in America. Monroy claims that she has experienced “white guilt” many times over the course of her life, and she gives two examples of this guilt, both experienced while in interracial relationships. During the first incident, she felt she was purposefully being put on a “white guilt trip” and responded with anger at the idea that she is supposed to feel responsible for the past. However, the second time, with another boyfriend, she claims that the guilt came as a result of realizing how different their opportunities in life had been simply because of their skin color; she somehow felt like the cause of the problem. This second experience didn’t anger Monroy, but left her feeling extremely guilty.
Even though she has experienced this phenomenon, Monroy in no way accepts this idea to be true. She makes a note that not everyone blindly accepts this idea, yet many times white Americans will not vocally reject his idea for fear of being branded a racist. They do not speak up because they believe their defense might comes off as “awkward and defensive” and they don’t want to step on someone’s toes who holds a different opinion. She claims that far too many white people are being “guilted” daily simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy concludes that modern-day white people should not feel guilty for any of the wrongs in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era simply because they are white. Yet, she also maintains that white people should recognize that their skin color gives them privileges that non-white people do not have. Let us now look at Steele’s article.
In his essay “The Age of White Guilt: and The Disappearance of the Black Individual” Shelby Steele discusses the identity of black Americans and the effect “white guilt” has had on this identity. Steele’s argument asserts that as long as black Americans accept the products of “white guilt,” they will never truly be free. He claims that black Americans have bought into the whole idea of “white guilt” even more so than white Americans. Steele calls this “the greatest miscalculation in black American history.” He believes that black people are selling themselves short by living off of the “guilt offerings” of white society. Steele maintains that as the repression of racism ended after the Civil Rights Movement, black people began to repress themselves by continually demanding that white Americans make amends and make things right. As time went on and “equality” reigned, black people were more repressed than ever in the cycle of “white guilt.” Steele describes this “guilt cycle” as the following: white Americans, feeling guilty about past wrongs, try to make amends by offering assistance (jobs, grants, education, etc.) to those who were oppressed. Black Americans, feeling like they’re owed something because of past repression, accept these amends and, years later, have become used to having things based solely on the color of their skin.
Now, in the present day, when it black people feel are not getting “what they deserve,” they play on the guilt of white people until white Americans concede and pass more legislation that will benefit black Americans. It must be noted that these benefits are not based on any sort of merit, but on skin color. This is the exact thing Steele is arguing against. He condemns this “white guilt cycle.” Steele calls it “the stigmatization of Whites and American institutions with the sin of racism.” This stigma, he maintains, forces white Americans to perpetually prove that they aren’t racist by continually denouncing racism by way of government programs. The heart of Steele’s argument against white guilt is summed in his own words: “We Blacks have fallen into a group identity that has absolutely no other purpose than to collect the fruits of white guilt.” Knowing all this, what should our response be?
Clearly, both Monroy and Steele condemn the agent of “white guilt” as it operates in today’s society. The problem starts with the use of the term “guilt.” This term holds negative connotations amongst Americans. Most Americans associate guilt as a result of doing something wrong. Understanding this, it is clear that the term “white guilt” insinuates that white people have something to feel bad about. It does not have to be stated that no one should feel any sort of guilt simply because of the color of their skin. Monroy and Steele tackle the issue of “white guilt” from different angles, yet by considering both people’s views, one can have a more complete understanding of the situation.
Monroy focuses on the effects felt by white Americans, while Steele focuses on how it has effected black Americans. It is interesting to note that each author’s argument is dependent on the other’s. Without the other side, the cycle would cease to exist. It is also interesting to see how each author chooses to end his/her article. Monroy concludes simply by asserting that no one should feel guilty simply because of the color of their skin. Steele ends with a challenge to both black and white Americans. He encourages white Americans to let go of these feelings of guilt about the past. He challenges black Americans to stop this cycle by refusing to take any part of the “fruits of guilt” and by living proudly as full, free, and self-made individuals.
I believe that it is certainly a slippery slope whenever something as benign as skin color takes precedence over such things as merit. It serves no one when the actions taken and programs initiated to help people are rooted in guilt. We should be motivated to help those around us, not based on the color of their skin, but based on their need.
Works Cited
“BLACKout.” Charles Johnson. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Sheree R. Thomas.Time Warner Book Group, New York. 2005. 232-242.
Monroy, Emily. “White Guilt.” Interracial Voice. Retrieved on November 12, 2007. http://www.webcom.com/intvoice/emily7.html
Steele, Shelby. “The Age of White Guilt: And The Disappearance of The Black Individual.” The Center for Individual Rights. Retrieved on November 12, 2007. http://www.cir-usa.org/articles/156.html
Constance J. McGlasker
16 November 2007
EH 468-101
Dr. Alford
Sweet Dreams
When I think about sweet dreams, what instantly comes to mind is a pair of my pajama bottoms that says “Sweet Dreams” in navy blue letters, with a pink background, stars, white clouds, and a yellow banana-shaped moon. Also, when I think of sweet dreams, I imagine a picture of a baby sleep on a bed of clouds. The words that come to mind are love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, meekness, serenity, tranquility, calmness, quietness, silence, wellness, and happiness. Fairy tales also come to mind when I think about sweet dreams because they always have happy endings.
One example is the classic fairy tale Cinderella storytelling how she came from rough beginnings, but the latter part of her life was filled with happiness when she married her Prince Charming. There is a song by Cinderella titled “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, and it goes like this.
“A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true” (Cinderella Lyrics).
Every girl or woman who dreams of marrying Mr. Right wants to have their Cinderella moment where they meet Prince Charming hoping that he will sweep them off of their feet. Some women are fortunate to have married their Prince Charming who treats them like a queen. Unfortunately, others get involved with someone whom they thought would sweep them off of their feet; disappointment sets in as they realize that this man was just using or abusing them. There is a song by Mary J. Blige titled “A Dream”, and it says this.
“A dream
A simple fantasy
That I
Wish was reality
That you
Come knocking at my door
And we
Relive this dream once more” (Mary).
There is another part of the song that says,
“The day you left
You said you would return
Just when you couldn't promise
That you needed some time alone
You said you'd love me
And someday our love would be
I couldn't understand it
I thought we were both happy” (Mary).
Yes, there are dreams we have that are just merely fantasies, fairy tales, and picture-perfect, but there are dreams that we can truly make a reality. In “Sweet Dreams”, Charles Johnson ironically describes how dreams can become nightmares. There is a statement made that says, “Those who dream more always pay more.” (Thomas 247) This is true because when authors aspire to write a book, it costs them possibly thousands of dollars to get the book published, promoted, and advertised. Entrepreneurs take risks in making their businesses a success. Sometimes failure precedes success.
You can be rejected as a writer ten times in an attempt to having your works published. Next thing happens is the publication of your book. This happened to Tracy Daniels, a USA student and author of the book In the Midst of It All. When I interviewed her for a book review, she gave her testimony about how she was rejected ten times by different publishing companies, but today her books are sold on Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles.com.
If we follow our dreams, we can save ourselves many nightmares. For example, there are people who feel like failures in life, which can be a nightmare in that aspect because they have not accomplished their dreams, goals, and aspirations, in life. Some have died young and old without having the opportunity of accomplishing their dreams. Others feel like it is too late to accomplish these things because they are middle-aged adults. Late is better than never. It is never too late to follow your dreams, whether that dream is publishing a book, starting your own business, marriage, home ownership, or whatever it is.
Works Cited
"Cinderella Lyrics - a Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes."
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/adreamisawishyourheartmakes.htm. 2002. 16 Nov. 2007 http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/adreamisawishyourheartmakes.htm.
"Mary J. Blige-a Dream Lyrics." http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/A-Dream-
lyrics-Mary-J-Blige/99551E601C58FE9E4825689D002A24E3. 2000. 16 Nov.
2007 http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/A-Dream-lyrics-Mary-J-
Blige/99551E601C58FE9E4825689D002A24E3.
Thomas, Sheree R. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. New York: Warner Books, 2004.
243-248.
Erica White
11/19/07
Essay 6
Jesus Christ in Texas
Focusing Question: How can a country be so hypocritical, yet they call themselves Christians?
I chose two text to help me get an answer to this question. In class we discussed “Jesus Christ in Texas” by W.E.B. DuBois, and it will be one of the essay’s I will use to respond to the question. The other text I will be using is a spiritual which came from a book called “The Spirituals and the Blues” by James H. Cone. Both of these text discussed how Jesus was the outlet to pain. The two text showed it didn’t matter what color you were or what your lifestyle was, because you always turned to Jesus Christ for that spiritual guidance.
In “The Spirituals and the Blues” by Cone, I was able to see from the spiritual that the pain was deep and they were calling on Jesus for some release. “Black Folks believed that Jesus Christ could save them from the oppression of slavery because of his death and resurrection.” Blacks seem to relate more to Jesus due to the beaten, rejection, and dehumanizing acts he had encountered just as them. One spiritual that caught my eye and related well with DuBois’ “Jesus Christ in Texas” stated:
Oh, dey whupped him up de hill, up de hill, up de hill,
Oh, dey whupped him up de hill, up de hill, up de hill, an’ he never said a mumblin’ word,
He jes’ hung down his head an’ he cried.
Oh, dey crowned him wid a thorny crown, thorny crown, crown o’ thorns,
Well, dey nailed him to de cross, to de cross, to de cross,
Well, dey pierced him in de side, in de side, in de side,
Well, de blood came twinklin’ down, an’ he never said a mumblin word,
Den he hung down his head an’ he died.
This spiritual was inspired by the crucifixion of Jesus, and his death was a symbol of slaves suffering and difficulties. They knew the agony of rejection and pain of hanging from a tree. Slaves never felt alone, they always felt like Jesus was with them.
In “Jesus Christ in Texas” by DuBois, a spiritual connection was noticed. Even though there was this spiritual connection throughout the essay, the voice of hypocrites lived in it also. The stranger was given respect even though he was Black, but why him and not other slaves? The Whites seem to look at him with an in-depth spiritual connection. He had a sense of Jesus within him. Even though he was respected, some of the White characters still felt the need to be afraid of him because he was Black. In another part of the essay the wife at the barn was shown to be a hypocrite also. When the stranger asked her “ You love your neighbor as yourself” and she replied “ but they are niggers!” Remind you she had just said “there are none I hate, none at all.” The last part DuBois touched on was the convict and the beaten and lynching of him. He was blamed for attacking the woman but he didn’t. Just as Jesus, he had no chance to say a word in defense. Lynching was a ritual and it was done with people gathering as if they were watching a performance on a stage. This act is how blacks were able to connect so deeply with Jesus, because he too had endured this same type of suffering. The Whites during this era manipulated religion and Blacks allowed themselves to be manipulated to survive.
To answer the focusing question “How can a country be so hypocritical, yet they call themselves Christians,” I have concluded that Whites would believe the things they said and did by twisting the words in the Bible to comply with their actions. White people during slavery believed in God and his word, yet they killed and mistreated slaves like it was ok to do so. That seems to be very hypocritical. People go to church and speak his words, but when they leave church their actions don’t agree with the things they say. Slavery was justified by a scripture out of the Bible. I’m not sure if anyone realizes this, but Sunday morning “church time” is the most segregated time of the day and week.
Bridget Whalen
November 18, 2007
Focusing Question:
Is euthanasia right or wrong?
Thesis Statement:
Euthanasia is a tricky subject and must be handled with great care. While its practice should not be abused, its use can relieve the pain and suffering of many terminally ill individuals.
Summary of Mosley’s Work:
In the story Whispers in the Dark by Walter Mosley the topic of euthanasia or mercy killing is tackled late on in the work. The story centers on an apparently genius child named Ptolemy Bent, or Popo for short. His mother passed away and his father had abandoned him so he went to live with his grandmother, Misty and his ex con uncle Chilly. It is clearly evident that Popo exhibits behavior that points to his being a highly gifted child. At the age of 30 months he is able to read from the newspaper and he can sense when a thunderstorm is approaching from smelling the air. When he turns four, he begins to reassemble old radios and hook them to computers so that he can record transmissions in number form for study. Popo’s aunt Hazel has witnessed his behavior and calls the Board of Education to get them to test Popo and send him to the city to receive high quality education. Chilly and Misty do not want to lose Popo and know that if they had the money that they could get Popo a proper education at home. Chilly travels away from home to get the money, when he returns he informs the family that he has sold his eyes, a nerve from his spine, and his manhood to science for the money. With the money, tutors are hired and Popo receives his million-dollar education. Later in life, Misty and Chilly are getting closer to death and are not doing all to well. Popo tells them that God wants to meet them, he hooks them up to a machine he has made and “sends their souls to God.” He is arrested for the euthanasia of his uncle and grandmother and sentenced to prison.
Summary of Zimmerman’s Text:
Sloan Zimmerman is a supporter of the use of euthanasia for terminally ill and suffering patients. Zimmerman states that there are several reasons why people argue against euthanasia and he discredits those arguments with his own beliefs. First he states that if people are afraid of the abuse of euthanasia by doctors that there could be mandated conditions that are made legal to ensure that it is used properly. He says that there could be an apparatus constructed so that the person in need could actually begin the process themselves, therefore relieving any other person from guilt or blame. Also he says that if a patient who was requesting euthanasia was not of sound mind that they would not be granted the right, but instead would be treated for their depression. Zimmerman’s next point is one of religious beliefs. He states that the main reason people oppose euthanasia is because it goes against what they believe from a religious standpoint. The view that any form of suicide is wrong and that we should accept life gratefully and preserve it for God’s honor makes it hard for religious affiliated people to see euthanasia for what it is; a truly beneficial aide for dying and suffering people. He states that we live in a country where we choose whether or not we believe and live by religious principles and it is illegal to force someone to live by your religious ideals, therefore the religious aspect of this argument should not be credited at all. Overall, Zimmerman believes that if used correctly, euthanasia could help save dying people from suffering needlessly.
Synthesis of texts:
While Mosley writes in the end of his story that Popo is condemned to prison for his acts, I do not feel that he is condemning the act of euthanasia. When Popo performs the act on his uncle and his grandmother it is made out to seem like a good thing with both Chilly and Misty feeling beautiful and free. Perhaps in the story Popo really is hearing messages from God, and perhaps he did send their souls to God when he euthanized them, either way he still in fact killed them. Though Mosley writes about the act of their euthanasia in a peaceful way, as if it was a good thing that saved Chilly and Misty from needless suffering, the end of the story paints a different view; the one that people in the real world seem to hold about euthanasia. People say that it is murder and it should be punishable by imprisonment. Mosley and Zimmerman show two different views on the subject. Mosley shows the repercussions of one such action while Zimmerman tells of the many benefits of legalizing it Zimmerman shows are more idealistic view of euthanasia, while Mosley shows the real life consequences. Zimmerman states that it could end senseless suffering, and that it could prevent the patient from losing millions of dollars in treatment so that they could instead pass on the money to their loved ones. There is only one thing that Zimmerman could say about Mosley’s text; he could argue that Chilly and Misty were not aware of Popo’s intentions and they did not know that they were about to be killed. This is one of Zimmerman’s key beliefs; the euthanasia has to be requested by the patient with full knowledge of what this means. Perhaps these two did have some knowledge of what was going to happen, but this is not clear. There is only one-way in this world that you can meet God, and that is by dying. Whatever their knowledge of the subject, they were not scared of the experiment and they both seemed quite pleased and at ease when it happened. Though Chilly and Misty seemed to benefit from the procedure, and it may have stopped their suffering, it was still wrong because the two did not request it and perhaps did not have a clear knowledge of what was about to happen. This type of procedure should not be in the hands of the caregiver, but in the hands of the patient.
New View:
Euthanasia is a risky and astoundingly controversial subject. Though the thought of killing someone or oneself for that matter is not a pleasing topic, I think that in some situations, under the right circumstances, it is ok. If their were legalized methods and regulations for euthanasia, I think that it would be beneficial and it could stop years of senseless suffering.
Works Cited
Mosley, Walter. “Whispers in the Dark.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 162-182.
Zimmerman, Sloan. "Euthanasia: The Right Choice for Some." Religious Tolerance. 22 Nov 2005. Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance. 16 Nov 2007
Completed Paper:
Bridget Whalen
November 18, 2007
Euthanasia is a tricky subject and must be handled with great care. While its practice should not be abused, its use can relieve the pain and suffering of many terminally ill individuals.
In the story Whispers in the Dark by Walter Mosley the topic of euthanasia or mercy killing is tackled late on in the work. The story centers on an apparently genius child named Ptolemy Bent, or Popo for short. His mother passed away and his father had abandoned him so he went to live with his grandmother, Misty and his ex con uncle Chilly. It is clearly evident that Popo exhibits behavior that points to his being a highly gifted child. At the age of 30 months he is able to read from the newspaper and he can sense when a thunderstorm is approaching from smelling the air. When he turns four, he begins to reassemble old radios and hook them to computers so that he can record transmissions in number form for study. Popo’s aunt Hazel has witnessed his behavior and calls the Board of Education to get them to test Popo and send him to the city to receive high quality education. Chilly and Misty do not want to lose Popo and know that if they had the money that they could get Popo a proper education at home. Chilly travels away from home to get the money, when he returns he informs the family that he has sold his eyes, a nerve from his spine, and his manhood to science for the money. With the money, tutors are hired and Popo receives his million-dollar education. Later in life, Misty and Chilly are getting closer to death and are not doing all to well. Popo tells them that God wants to meet them, he hooks them up to a machine he has made and “sends their souls to God.” He is arrested for the euthanasia of his uncle and grandmother and sentenced to prison.
Sloan Zimmerman is a supporter of the use of euthanasia for terminally ill and suffering patients. Zimmerman states that there are several reasons why people argue against euthanasia and he discredits those arguments with his own beliefs. First he states that if people are afraid of the abuse of euthanasia by doctors that there could be mandated conditions that are made legal to ensure that it is used properly. He says that there could be an apparatus constructed so that the person in need could actually begin the process themselves, therefore relieving any other person from guilt or blame. Also he says that if a patient who was requesting euthanasia was not of sound mind that they would not be granted the right, but instead would be treated for their depression. Zimmerman’s next point is one of religious beliefs. He states that the main reason people oppose euthanasia is because it goes against what they believe from a religious standpoint. The view that any form of suicide is wrong and that we should accept life gratefully and preserve it for God’s honor makes it hard for religious affiliated people to see euthanasia for what it is; a truly beneficial aide for dying and suffering people. He states that we live in a country where we choose whether or not we believe and live by religious principles and it is illegal to force someone to live by your religious ideals, therefore the religious aspect of this argument should not be credited at all. Overall, Zimmerman believes that if used correctly, euthanasia could help save dying people from suffering needlessly.
While Mosley writes in the end of his story that Popo is condemned to prison for his acts, I do not feel that he is condemning the act of euthanasia. When Popo performs the act on his uncle and his grandmother it is made out to seem like a good thing with both Chilly and Misty feeling beautiful and free. Perhaps in the story Popo really is hearing messages from God, and perhaps he did send their souls to God when he euthanized them, either way he still in fact killed them. Though Mosley writes about the act of their euthanasia in a peaceful way, as if it was a good thing that saved Chilly and Misty from needless suffering, the end of the story paints a different view; the one that people in the real world seem to hold about euthanasia. People say that it is murder and it should be punishable by imprisonment. Mosley and Zimmerman show two different views on the subject. Mosley shows the repercussions of one such action while Zimmerman tells of the many benefits of legalizing it Zimmerman shows are more idealistic view of euthanasia, while Mosley shows the real life consequences. Zimmerman states that it could end senseless suffering, and that it could prevent the patient from losing millions of dollars in treatment so that they could instead pass on the money to their loved ones. There is only one thing that Zimmerman could say about Mosley’s text; he could argue that Chilly and Misty were not aware of Popo’s intentions and they did not know that they were about to be killed. This is one of Zimmerman’s key beliefs; the euthanasia has to be requested by the patient with full knowledge of what this means. Perhaps these two did have some knowledge of what was going to happen, but this is not clear. There is only one-way in this world that you can meet God, and that is by dying. Whatever their knowledge of the subject, they were not scared of the experiment and they both seemed quite pleased and at ease when it happened. Though Chilly and Misty seemed to benefit from the procedure, and it may have stopped their suffering, it was still wrong because the two did not request it and perhaps did not have a clear knowledge of what was about to happen. This type of procedure should not be in the hands of the caregiver, but in the hands of the patient.
Euthanasia is a risky and astoundingly controversial subject. Though the thought of killing someone or oneself for that matter is not a pleasing topic, I think that in some situations, under the right circumstances, it is ok. If their were legalized methods and regulations for euthanasia, I think that it would be beneficial and it could stop years of senseless suffering.
Works Cited
Mosley, Walter. “Whispers in the Dark.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 162-182.
Zimmerman, Sloan. "Euthanasia: The Right Choice for Some." Religious Tolerance. 22 Nov 2005. Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance. 16 Nov 2007
Lauren Broussard
J00418074
6th paper
Focusing Question:
What exactly is the difference in the juvenile and adult law process?
Thesis Statement:
The juvenile law process is set up mainly to teach and influence the youth rather than prosecute them.
500 word summary:
Juvenile law deals with crimes committed by children. The maximum age varies from state to state, but the maximum age for a juvenile offender is usually seventeen. In the state of Alabama, a juvenile who is 16+ must be charged directly in adult court if performed any of the serious felonies. Governmental bodies, including the federal government, states, and cities, prosecute all types of crimes committed by children, from traffic violations to felonies like rape and murder.
Children involved in juvenile court matters have many of the same rights their parents would have if they were accused of a crime. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to cross-examine witnesses against them, and the right to be represented by an attorney. Juveniles often have additional rights, in most states, juvenile court records are not open to the public, but are sealed, so that no one will be able to learn about a juvenile record.
When an adult is charged with a crime, he or she is brought into court in order to determine first, if he or she committed a crime, and second, the appropriate punishment. Juvenile court has, at least in theory, a somewhat different emphasis.
The purpose of juvenile court is not so much to punish young offenders, as it is to reform them. If a juvenile is found to have committed a crime, he or she is not "convicted," but "adjudicated." If a juvenile is incarcerated for his or her actions, he or she will not necessarily serve the same amount of jail time as an adult convicted of the same offense. Most states require juvenile offenders to be released from custody when they become adults. If a juvenile is adjudged to be guilty of a crime, he or she may receive probation, have a fine imposed, be ordered to perform community service, be ordered to make restitution or pay back the losses caused by the criminal acts, or be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile correctional facility. An experienced juvenile defense attorney can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a deal that provides for the least severe punishment or, if no deal is worked out, the defense lawyer can zealously represent the defendant in court, attempting to prove to the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove that the child committed a crime. All lawyers involved in the juvenile justice process, whether they are prosecuting or defending, must adhere to a complex set of rules of procedure to ensure a fair trial. Although juvenile court is often less formal than adult court, the procedures are still complicated. Because of this complicated procedure, only lawyers experienced in juvenile law can effectively navigate the intricacies of the juvenile justice system on behalf of the accused. Defense lawyers should become involved in the matter as early as possible, usually even before a child is questioned by the police.
Sanavieai Brazeal
Nov.2007
My grandmother had an old saying when I was growing up. She always said, “Don’t worry what people say about you, because my God in heaven knows your name.” I have always tried to remember that as I have become older and wiser. W.E.B. Du Bois tells an age-old story with a twist in the 1920’s. In Jesus Christ in Texas, we encounter Jesus Christ walking amongst people and granting guidance along the way. The power of religion pays a key role in this piece.
Growing up, religion was instilled to be a saving grace and a resolution for things that go wrong in our lives. Religion gave faith even when enduring wrath. The bible is central to Black Church culture. Slaves, as members of the "invisible institution," and later, freed persons in the organized Black Church, redacted scripture based on their own experiences. These scriptural interpretations became the point of departure for songs, prayers, sermons, behavioral rituals and values Biblical text, especially when presented during sermons, helps socialize African Americans concerning other pursuits. Black religious music forms evolved from scripture.
Scholars debate the point of origination and intent of early spirituals or "sorrow songs" (Du Bois 1953[1996]), but agree that they too represent scriptural redaction based on the African American experience. Lincoln and Mamiya (1990) contend that spirituals grew out of call-and-response dynamics between the slave preacher and congregation, became a distinctive form of worship during revivals, and generally reflect an other-worldly theology. Other scholars suggest that symbolism in spirituals encouraged liberative efforts on the part of the oppressed and served as a coping mechanism and rallying cry during the Civil Rights movement.
African-American poetry gave guidance and a sense of peace to generations of people. They conveyed emotion and helped to purify things going wrong in the world. Langston Hughes wrote many poems and in one of his poems, he tells of a man talking to a mule.
Me and the Mule
My old mule,
He's gota grin on his face.
He's been a mule so long
He's forgotten about his race.
I'm like that old mule --
Black -- and don't give a damn!
You got to take me
Like I am.
Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the titans of twentieth-century African American literature. She introduced black myth and legend and gave insight on the world through her eyes. She was a twentieth-century visionary who infused her work with the customs and folk traditions of the black American South. One of the most significant occurrences in America during the 20th century was the rise of African-American writers to the forefront of literature.
Documenting their views on American culture and its tragic and glorious history, African-American writers' contributions reflected their struggle for equality and paved the way into a brighter future for their country. In Hurston's finest novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the protagonist Janie Crawford must reject the racist and sexist definitions society would impose on her. As her knowledge of her culture deepens, she gains the wisdom and strength to claim her voice and her self. Many vibrant voices speak through the novel; some seek to silence Janie, while others inspire her. Hurston writes the oral culture brilliantly. “Words walking without masters” is an apt metaphor for both the novel's folk speech and its singular prose.
Work Cite
Black Church culture and community action.
Author: Sandra L. Barnes.
Source: Social Forces 84.2 (Dec 2005): p967 (28).
Poem by Langston Hughes
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/poetry/hughes_langston.html
Information about Zora Neale Hurston
http://www.answers.com/topic/zora-neale-hurston-2
Kathryn Garikes
EH 498 101
November 18, 2007
Focusing Question:
Why are Black Americans expected to take away the White mans burden?
Thesis:
In both texts, Whipping Boy and Jesus Christ in Texas, the main characters take on the role of a Christ-like figure.
200-250 wd Summary:
In Pam Nole’s, the Whipping Boy, Dexter, the main character, unwillingly takes on the role of the “whipping boy”. In medieval times the prince or princess had a friend or servant who received their lashings for them. The royalty did not feel physical pain, but did feel the guilt for their sins. In this story, Dexter is expected to remove the pain from his loved ones and his community. His girlfriend Tamika does not understand his role and his Aunt June is his mentor figure who pushes and coaches him. She pressures and consuls him on his journey from a street drug dealer to a hero-like symbol who removes the problems of the people in the community. Dexter was destined to become the Shamen, feeling everyone’s pain and removing it from them. Originally, his cousin and dead male relatives had carried this burden, but after their bodies turned into mushy goo, it became his turn to remove the “blue meanies.” His Aunt, while his caregiver and his mentor, pushed the responsibility on him using guilt. Dexter unwillingly took this role and the story ended with him removing pain from his girlfriend. When he was done she no longer remembered who he was, and all he felt was rage.
200-250 wd Summary:
In W.E.B. Du Bois’s Jesus Christ in Texas, a Christ like figure appears over and over again among the townspeople of Texas. The story begins with men discussing the entrapment of convicts and how their punishment should be harsher. The stranger, Christ-like figure, steps forward and interjects. The men find him interesting and invite him home for dinner. When the stranger enters the home, the servant delivering tea bows to him and the child climbs into his lap. The woman of the home is embarrassed and wishes he would leave before her guests arrive. When the guests arrive, they mistake the stranger for a servant. However, one man swears they have met before. The stranger leaves and meets an escaped convict in the woods. He tells him to steal no more and releases him from his chains. Later on the stranger meets a woman, who shares her intimate details of hers and her neighbors life’s. The stranger says love thy neighbor as thyself. The escaped convict unintentionally runs into the woman and the town’s people think he is attempting to rape her. Frightened she runs inside her home while the town lynches the man from a nearby tree. The story ends with the woman hearing “This day you shalt be with me in paradise.”
500 wd analysis:
In both texts, Whipping Boy and Jesus Christ in Texas, there is a Christ-like figure that saves and removes the pain and suffering from people. I think the purpose of each text is for the reader to realize their own sins and to take responsibility for them and then to ask for forgiveness and repent. The Christ-like figure in the Whipping Boy, takes on the role of Christ unwillingly and is filled with anger not love for the people that he is helping. The Christ-like figure in Jesus Christ in Texas seems to be more at ease and at peace with himself and the people he is helping. It seems natural for him to guide and help people. He understands all people sin, but encourages them to repent and do the morally right thing. Both of the characters symbolically represent Christ, but in Whipping Boy Dexter does not want the responsibility, and in Jesus Christ in Texas, the character is Christ. I think the intended audience for both of these works is everyone because everyone should try to do what is morally right if they intend on going to heaven. The genre for both texts is science fiction, and I think the appeal can reach and touch everyone who reads the stories because everyone sins and makes mistakes. Pam Noles’ seems to think that acting like Christ is very difficult, but she does seem to believe that one man can remove all of are pain and suffering. Dexter does not want to take on the power and healing of Christ and he if filled with hate and rage. I agree with Dexter in this story. Why should the Black man be expected to take the burden away from suffering people and take on the White man’s burden? I think that people should be held accountable for their own actions and that there does not need to be a middle man, only the individual and Christ. No man can do what Christ did and still does, which is remove the pain and suffering of the individual. Through Christ people can gain peace and wisdom and understanding. People are filled with love not hate, like Dexter feels. W.E.B. Du Bois believes that Christ is real and walking amongst us. In his story, the Texas town’s people are practicing ritualistic violence, meaning that it’s a community ritual and therefore accepted and not questioned. Since the religion and violence has been manipulated the White’s causing the harm can sleep better at night without a guilty conscience. Community violence has become a ritual that encompasses the entire town and so everyone must be a part of it and participate. Therefore even when people know something is morally wrong, they remain silent due to fear and acting out from their community. The Christ-like figure that passes through the town does not influence everyone, but the people who choose to listen and allow him in are affected greatly. Their eyes are opened and their sins are revealed, but with this revelation forgiveness and salvation can and will come.
Risky Discovery:
I realized that people are responsible for their own actions. Non one should be expected to take on everyone’s burden, only Christ can do this. The Black man should not be expected to take on the White man’s burden and it is not acceptable for religion to be manipulated within a community.
Works Cited:
Noles, Pam. Whipping Boy. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc,2004.
Bois, Du W. E. B. , Jesus Christ In Texas. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc, 2004
LaWanda Jones
1) Focusing Question: What are the consequences of dreaming?
2) Thesis: Dreams can cost a person a lot not only in money but in self esteem and relationships.
3a) The story “Sweet Dreams” follows a character who has been audited by the Department of Dream Revenue. The person said to be “you” already knows why he is being audited and is very nervous about the meeting. When “you” arrives to meet the auditor he faces a man he concludes, after analyzing him, to be an okay guy. Sensing the anxiousness the auditor tells him not to worry and everything will be okay. However the reader soon finds out that is not the case. “You” owes The Department of Dream Revenue lots of money that he does not have. The reader learns that taxes are put on the dreams of the people and they have to pay for their nightly dreams as well as day dreams. The story goes on to elaborate on the cost of the dreams and the total amount the character has to pay. Feeling worst than he did when he came in the character asks the auditor if he dreams and the auditor replies, “Dream? Oh, no, I can’t afford it” (Johnson, 248). The author of the story has given the reader a story to make one think. Everyone has or have had a dream for there life. What if dreams really were taxed? How many people could afford to hold on to their dream?
3b)In an excerpt from her book Life Shift: Let Go and Live Your Dream , Aleta St. James tells the story of a woman names Celine who always dreamed of being a professional dancer. Even as a child Celina wanted to be a dancer and strived to be the best at it. All the while she was doing what she could to make her aspirations come true her mother did not approve. When Celina was sixteen she became a chorus girl in a Broadway show. It hurt her s much that her mother would never come see her perform that she started getting anxiety attacks when she would audition. She thought if her mother did not accept what she wanted to become who would. Soon the anxiety and worry became to much for her so she stopped dancing. Years past and she always felt that something was missing from her life. At 40 she wanted to dance again and wrote to the Aleta St. James who in turn talked to a dance instructor she was friends with. Celine started dance classes again with a push from St James and was able to live her dreams once again. Following her dream cost Celine her relationship with her mother. That then caused her to lose self esteem in her self and her dancing. Even after giving up dancing she still thought about it a lot.
4)Puting the two text together, I decided to explore in what ways following your dreams may be tough but in the end it is worth it. After reading Sweet Dreams I was so impressed with the way the story was written. What if my dreams were taxed, what if I had to pay alot of money just to imagine what my life ould be like if I accomplished those dreams. That really woke me up to how precious having dreams really are. It's funny because you can sit around with friends all day and talk about your dreams and soon all of you are day dreaming about the life you will live. All of us would be taxed if the story was a true one. What really got to me was that it did not seem like it could not happen. We find do many loop holes and ridiculous things when it comes to the government and laws that were passed and that are still being passed today. I wanted to take that and put it with a story of someone who followed their dreams but gave up because what it was costing them to keep doing do. I wanted a story that showed although it cost so much to pursue your dream it all was woth it in the end and that is when I found Celine's story through Life Shift: Let Go and Live Your Dreams. I wanted to show that their are so many things that may hold one back but finally being able to break through all of that would pay off. Just like if I had to pay for my dream it would be worth it. So synthesizing these two text together seemed to give me my new view.
5)New View: Fighting the oppression of your dreams enables a person to cherish that dream more.
paper:
When I was little I wanted to a super hero. I laugh about it now because most little girls wanted to be singers, actresses, teachers, mothers, and etc. I did not want any of that. Most of my playmates were boys so we played games where we would be the Ninja Turtles. They always made me be April O’Neal and it would piss me off. One day I was so sick of being April O Neal because she always got kidnapped. I wanted to fight. I told the boys that were playing with to let me be one of the Ninja Turtles and they looked at me as though I was crazy. My brother laughed and said, “Wanda you can’t be a Ninja Turtle because they are boys. Have you seen any girl Ninja Turtles?” Of course I had not so I went home and decided to play by myself. Those boys shot down my dream of being a Ninja Turtle. Thinking about it now of course a person could not really be a Ninja Turtle but that is the dream I had when I was little. I did not want to give up on that dream at that time so it cost me my playmates. Just like in the story “Sweet Dreams” by Charles Johnson dreams cost a lot; not only in money but friends and self esteem as well.
The story “Sweet Dreams” follows a character who has been audited by the Department of Dream Revenue. The person said to be “you” already knows why he is being audited and is very nervous about the meeting. When “you” arrives to meet the auditor he faces a man he concludes, after analyzing him, to be an okay guy. Sensing the anxiousness the auditor tells him not to worry and everything will be okay. However the reader soon finds out that is not the case. “You” owes The Department of Dream Revenue lots of money that he does not have. The reader learns that taxes are put on the dreams of the people and they have to pay for their nightly dreams as well as day dreams. The story goes on to elaborate on the cost of the dreams and the total amount the character has to pay. Feeling worst than he did when he came in the character asks the auditor if he dreams and the auditor replies, “Dream? Oh, no, I can’t afford it” (Johnson, 248).
The author of the story has given the reader a story to make one think. Everyone has or have had a dream for there life. What if dreams really were taxed? How many people could afford to hold on to their dream? In a way, dreams are taxed. Following your dreams can be stressful for you. Things like college loans, ridiculous amounts of homework, and sleepless nights are the norm for a lot of college students who have dreams for themselves. There are those who have to give up on their dreams because either they can not afford the stress, time, and money it cost or lose faith in themselves.
In an excerpt from her book Life Shift: Let Go and Live Your Dream , Aleta St. James tells the story of a woman named Celine who always dreamed of being a professional dancer. Even as a child Celina wanted to be a dancer and strived to be the best at it. All the while she was doing what she could to make her aspirations come true her mother did not approve. When Celina was sixteen she became a chorus girl in a Broadway show. It hurt her so much that her mother would never come see her perform that she started getting anxiety attacks when she would audition. She thought if her mother did not accept what she wanted to become who would. Soon the anxiety and worry became to much for her so she stopped dancing. Years passed and she always felt that something was missing from her life. At 40 she wanted to dance again and wrote to Aleta St. James who in turn talked to a dance instructor she was friends with. Celine started dance classes again with a push from St James and was able to live her dreams once again.
Following her dream cost Celine her relationship with her mother. That then caused her to lose self esteem in her self and her dancing. Even after giving up dancing she still thought about it a lot. There are many people like Celine who are told that can not do this or that because of how they look and where they came from. Many youth today give up on their dreams for those reasons and many others.
Dreams fail because of the oppression put on an individual by society or themselves. Dreams may cost a lot but the feeling of accomplishing them after fighting through the negativity has to feel good. Giving up without a second thought as to what ones life could be like after finding a way through that oppression seems meaningless. The oppression should help you fight more for that dream but sadly there are many that fall by the wayside. Doing what you dreamed of doing for so long is one of the greatest accomplishments for a person no matter how long it takes. Without dreams, ambitions, goals we all could be that person sitting on the stoop talking with the same friends that told us we could not do it. Thinking to ourselves about what could have been.
Works Cited
Johnson, Charles. “Sweet Dreams.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones.
Ed. Sheree R. Thomas. New York: Warner Books., 2004. 248.
St. James, Aleta. Living Your Dream: Celine‘s Neglected Dream.
MSNBC. December 18, 2005. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10506834/page/3/
Focusing Question: How does misinterpretation play a part in the lives of people, and how does it affect their relationships with others? Also, With misinterpretation bringing hate and greed and power, where are the good people? Will we ever live in a time of world peace and love?
Thesis: Misinterpretation only comes from listening to what others have to say without studying the material, or self-misinterpretation. Many people are convinced by those who use misinterpretation, but are still trying to do right. While misinterpretation can hinder the individual from grasping a peaceful worldly outlook, seeing and recognizing these flaws should not warrant action by those who see it. We may never live in a world of peace, but we shouldn’t judge and force others to believe and practice what we believe, we should love them and their differences.
Story: “Jesus Christ in Texas”, W.E. B. Du Bois.
In this story the main character is Jesus. We see him weaving in and out of people’s lives. He tells the people to love their neighbors as themselves when they are racist. And tells a man who has escaped from jail to not steal again and lifts his chains. The story ends when the escaped convict runs down the path of the house Chist is at. He is speaking with the farmlady who he has just told to love her neighbors, to which she replies, “but they’re n….” A classic example of how people can get moral systems twisted. She wants to love her neighbors but has been taught that these people aren’t even human, I guess, and so they don’t apply to the teachings in her bible. The story ends with Christ hanging in the yard, Dying for these peoples sins, again.
Surprising new view: We can’t change the world, but realizing these things is more important. We can change “our” worlds by doing what we can to help others in our communities.
It’s a scary world, but there are still good people. There are still people who want to help, to make a difference. It gives me hope when I see it: People helping people for unselfish reasons. I wish it were universal. Maybe one day it can be.
I’ve been thinking, lately, of the different ways our moral systems are interpreted to fit our situations. I grew up in a family of preachers and great men of the church. I can remember being around eight or nine, and listening to my grandfather preach. He was fantastic, still is. I would watch in amazement as the people laughed and smiled, hung on every word, were lifted up as his voice grew louder and clapped and praised as he brought home the lesson. I remember seeing his face after church, the proud look. Not pride in himself, but pride in what God could do through him. A saint.
The strength of the Christian church lies in its message. The message is what fills the seats. The message also sheds light on what the church itself believes about the Bible. Churches are divided up based on how people interpret the Bible. History shows us many scary periods where misinterpretation was used as a tool for controlling people. Just with Christianity we have the Crusades and the Holocaust.
During the Crusades, Christians were fighting over the holy land. They were killing other people in the name of the Son of God who preached peace. Killing in the name of a religion whose 6th commandment is Thou Shall Not Murder. They were using parts of the Old Testament such as “An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”, and forgetting that Jesus said, “Turn the other cheek”. All to protect the Holy Land from Muslims. They weren’t even successful and then said that it was ok to be unsuccessful because of prophesies, but they should keep on fighting until it was time for the next set of prophesies to show them coming back out on top.
I can’t imagine being twenty-five during the crusades. I would be fighting. I would be fighting over a system of morals. I would probably be full-hearted too. It was before the days of internet and globalization. I wouldn’t have the means to learn about the two sides and decide an opinion. I wouldn’t have the freedom to stay home and not fight. All over misinterpretation.
With the Holocaust, Hitler devised a plan to answer the Jewish question in Germany. This, to me, is the ultimate example of misinterpretation. The Nazi cross was a twisted Christian cross. Hitler thought that he was ridding the world of Jews who were trying to hatch an evil plan to take over the world. He based many of his speeches on works written by Martin Luther, who was the “great reformer” who brought about the protestant movement, but continued to write anti-Semitic papers. Hitler thought he was doing a great deed for the Christian world and its followers. But he was killing people. Killing people when the Bible says not to kill people. It is crazy to me that he ever had followers, but there were actually people who agreed, and believed what he was saying, and so went along with it.
Maybe it is human nature to twist and tear morals in different directions. After all, if it is interpretable, who doesn’t want to hear it interpreted the way they feel? It just gets scary, to me, when people will believe what someone else’s interpretation without reading the information. There is a power in interpretation.
So with a system of morals that is interpretable by any, who read it to mean whatever they want, where are the good people? In “Jesus Christ in Texas”, by W.E.B. Du Bois, the good person is Jesus. In His dealing with the white woman just before being hanged, we see how people can feel that they know what is right, and still be shaded toward believing something they were taught by people (probably fellow followers) instead of the religion they follow.
So, do I think there will ever be a time when we have world peace and a humanistic world love? No. I don’t think it matters though. As long as there are tyrants and monopolies and wars and greed and all of these other things that affect humans, there will be just enough people who really want to help, want to love, regardless of who they are helping and loving. There are still good people here. There will always be.
Work Cited:
"Jesus Christ in Texas". W.E.B. Du Bois. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Sheree R. Thomas.Time Warner Book Group, New York. 2005. 95-104.
Jeannie K. Holmes
November 16, 2007
Essay #6
The Whipping Boy and The Neoshamanism
Noles’ text analysis:
Whipping Boy, a novel by Pan Noles, tells the tale of Dexter, a man reluctant to take on his role as the neighborhood “whipping boy” after the death of his cousin. The story opens with Dexter carrying the body of his cousin – the former whipping boy, or “voodoo man” – to the top of an abandoned apartment tower. After hiding the body, he tries to return to his life as a minor drug dealer on the streets. However, Dexter’s destiny lies in the whipping boy role, and his refusal to take up the responsibility causes others to suffer as violence erupts through the community. It is only when he stops running from his destiny and accepts his role as whipping boy that the community is able to heal itself once more.
Wallis text analysis:
The origins of neo-shamanism, described as “’a spiritual path for personal empowerment’ utilizing altered states of consciousness and the shaman’s worldview,” begin in 18th century ethnographic texts discussing the religious practices of indigenous peoples. (Wallis 41-42) Neo-shamanism is often viewed as a spiritual path that anyone, regardless of ethnicity, can choose for themselves. However, the shaman’s role in traditional shamanic societies is usually viewed as one in which “the spirits chose the shaman, not the other way around,” thus causing the role to be viewed with fear and hesitation. (Wallis 42) Shamans in traditional indigenous societies are often viewed as “wounded healers” because they bear the spiritual burdens of those they are charged with leading. (Wallis 43) These “[s]piritual leaders teach the people because it is their responsibility to pass what they have learned from their elders to the younger generations.” (Wallis 45)
Hubbard text analysis:
The shamanic worldview is that of the interconnected “web of life”. “The web of life is an ancient idea that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnection of all living forms, and this view of the natural world characterizes pre-industrial or hunter-gatherer societies in which shamanism is more likely to be found.” (Hubbard 27) All species are viewed as different points within the web and each point is connected to the others by invisible strands. “If a web is sufficiently damaged, then it will cease to function as a web, and even elements that were not previously damaged may no longer be able to function without input or support from the damaged elements.” (Hubbard 27)
Peters, Prince-Williams text analysis:
“The initial crisis experience of the shaman has been likened to almost every psychopathology, including schizophrenia, and its final outcome, personality formation, has been called ‘a controlled hysterical dissociation’ supported by the community.” (Peters 397-398) Essentially, the shaman is a socially recognized “sick man,” but he is “not only a sick man, [but] he is above all a sick man who has been cured” (Peters 398) or, as Wallis describes, “a wounded healer.” “The ‘rapport’ between shaman and audience is typically one of mutual involvement and communicative interaction,” (Peters 401) unlike the dissociative trance-like state Noles describes for Dexter.
Synthesis:
Noles creates a neoshamanistic character in Dexter who exhibits much of the hallmarks from traditional shamanic cultures that would mark him as the shaman, or spiritual leader, of his community. Dexter is understandably frightened by his perceived destiny to become the new “whipping boy” after his cousin dies and leaves the community without spiritual guidance. While others, including his aunt, view his role as positive and necessary, Dexter tries to outrun his fate by shirking his responsibility and returning to his life as a small-time drug dealer. However, the shaman’s role in traditional shamanic societies is usually viewed as one in which “the spirits chose the shaman, not the other way around.” (Wallis 42) Dexter cannot escape his intended role as his community’s shaman, or whipping boy.
Noles plays on the shamanic worldview of the interconnected “web of life.” “The web of life is an ancient idea that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnection of all living forms, and this view of the natural world characterizes pre-industrial or hunter-gatherer societies in which shamanism is more likely to be found.” (Hubbard 27) All species are viewed as different points within the web and each point is connected to the others by invisible strands. “If a web is sufficiently damaged, then it will cease to function as a web, and even elements that were not previously damaged may no longer be able to function without input or support from the damaged elements.” (Hubbard 27) Because Dexter refuses to accept his place in the community, the community begins to suffer and violence erupts. The community is only able to heal itself once he stops running from his destiny and takes up the role as whipping boy.
The origins of neo-shamanism, described as “’a spiritual path for personal empowerment’ utilizing altered states of consciousness and the shaman’s worldview,” begin in 18th century ethnographic texts discussing the religious practices of indigenous peoples. (Wallis 41-42) Neo-shamanism is often viewed as a spiritual path that anyone, regardless of ethnicity, can choose for themselves. Shamans in these traditional indigenous societies are often viewed as “wounded healers” because they bear the spiritual burdens of those they are charged with leading. (Wallis 43) These “[s]piritual leaders teach the people because it is their responsibility to pass what they have learned from their elders to the younger generations.” (Wallis 45)
Noles hints that the way in which this responsibility is passed from one whipping boy to the other is through the ingestion of the previous whipping boy’s brain matter:
“He swallowed rather than chewed; partly out of a need to consume real food after such a very long time, but mostly because he didn’t want to feel the soft mash of flesh between his teeth and have to wonder if the meat came from the guts of a pig or the head of a man.” (Noles 148)
Dexter’s aunt feeds him this mixture after he returns home and appears to be serious ill. This illness strongly resembles the initial sickness often associated with the choosing of a new shaman. “The initial crisis experience of the shaman has been likened to almost every psychopathology, including schizophrenia, and its final outcome, personality formation, has been called ‘a controlled hysterical dissociation’ supported by the community.” (Peters 397-398) Essentially, the shaman is a socially recognized “sick man,” but he is “above all a sick man who has been cured” (Peters 398) or, as Wallis describes, “a wounded healer.” “The ‘rapport’ between shaman and audience is typically one of mutual involvement and communicative interaction,” (Peters 401) unlike the dissociative trance-like state Noles describes for Dexter.
Surprising new theory:
Whipping Boy, the story, can be viewed as an urging to return to a more spiritually based community. The similarities between Noles’ “whipping boy” and the traditional role of a shaman within indigenous societies are far too close to be labeled as coincidence. The whipping boy’s role is vital to the welfare of the community and it is the community which suffers when that role is vacant. Even though he resists the call, Dexter ultimately has no choice by to accept his responsibility and by filling the spiritual leadership role, he is able to heal himself and his community by repairing the “web of life.”
Completed Essay
The Whipping Boy and The Neoshaman
Noles creates a neoshamanistic character in Dexter who exhibits much of the hallmarks from traditional shamanic cultures that would mark him as the shaman, or spiritual leader, of his community. Dexter is understandably frightened by his perceived destiny to become the new “whipping boy” after his cousin dies and leaves the community without spiritual guidance. While others, including his aunt, view his role as positive and necessary, Dexter tries to outrun his fate by shirking his responsibility and returning to his life as a minor drug dealer. However, the shaman’s role in traditional shamanic societies is usually viewed as one in which “the spirits chose the shaman, not the other way around.” (Wallis 42) Dexter cannot escape his intended role as his community’s shaman, or whipping boy.
Noles plays on the shamanic worldview of the interconnected “web of life.” “The web of life is an ancient idea that emphasizes the interdependence and interconnection of all living forms, and this view of the natural world characterizes pre-industrial or hunter-gatherer societies in which shamanism is more likely to be found.” (Hubbard 27) All species are viewed as different points within the web and each point is connected to the others by invisible strands. “If a web is sufficiently damaged, then it will cease to function as a web, and even elements that were not previously damaged may no longer be able to function without input or support from the damaged elements.” (Hubbard 27) Because Dexter refuses to accept his place in the community, the community begins to suffer and violence erupts. The community is only able to heal itself once he stops running from his destiny and takes up the role as whipping boy.
The origins of neo-shamanism, described as “’a spiritual path for personal empowerment’ utilizing altered states of consciousness and the shaman’s worldview,” begin in 18th century ethnographic texts discussing the religious practices of indigenous peoples. (Wallis 41-42) Neo-shamanism is often viewed as a spiritual path that anyone, regardless of ethnicity, can choose for themselves. Shamans in these traditional indigenous societies are often viewed as “wounded healers” because they bear the spiritual burdens of those they are charged with leading. (Wallis 43) These “[s]piritual leaders teach the people because it is their responsibility to pass what they have learned from their elders to the younger generations.” (Wallis 45)
Noles hints that the way in which this responsibility is passed from one whipping boy to the other is through the ingestion of the previous whipping boy’s brain matter:
“He swallowed rather than chewed; partly out of a need to consume real food after such a very long time, but mostly because he didn’t want to feel the soft mash of flesh between his teeth and have to wonder if the meat came from the guts of a pig or the head of a man.” (Noles 148)
Dexter’s aunt feeds him this mixture after he returns home and appears to be serious ill. This illness strongly resembles the initial sickness often associated with the choosing of a new shaman. “The initial crisis experience of the shaman has been likened to almost every psychopathology, including schizophrenia, and its final outcome, personality formation, has been called ‘a controlled hysterical dissociation’ supported by the community.” (Peters 397-398) Essentially, the shaman is a socially recognized “sick man,” but he is “above all a sick man who has been cured” (Peters 398) or, as Wallis describes, “a wounded healer.” “The ‘rapport’ between shaman and audience is typically one of mutual involvement and communicative interaction,” (Peters 401) unlike the dissociative trance-like state Noles describes for Dexter.
Whipping Boy, the story, can be viewed as an urging to return to a more spiritually based community. The similarities between Noles’ “whipping boy” and the traditional role of a shaman within indigenous societies are far too close to be labeled as coincidence. The whipping boy’s role is vital to the welfare of the community and it is the community which suffers when that role is vacant. Even though he resists the call, Dexter ultimately has no choice by to accept his responsibility and by filling the spiritual leadership role, he is able to heal himself and his community by repairing the “web of life.”
Works Cited
Hubbard, Timothy L. “Some Correspondences and Similarities of Shamanism and Cognitive
Science: Interconnectedness, Extension of Meaning, and Attribution of Mental States.”
Anthropology of Consciousness. Vol. 13, No. 2. 2002.
Noles, Pam. “The Whipping Boy.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Sheree R. Thomas, Ed.
Warner: New York. 2004.
Peters, Larry G. and Douglass Price-Williams. “Towards an Experiential Analysis of
Shamanism.” American Ethnologist. Vol. 7, No. 3. August 1980.
Wallis, Robert J. “Altered States, Confliction Cultures: Shamans, Neo-shamans and Academics.” Anthropology of Consciousness. Vol. 10, No. 2. 1999.
Kirsten Altice
Essay 6
EH 468
Focusing Question:
What are the Effects of Ritualistic Violence and the Power of Religion on Race Relations?
Thesis:
The rituals and feelings involved in these actions of violence have left a negative impact concerning race relations among the world today.
Summary of Du Bois’ Article:
Ritualistic violence is a huge issue in W.E.B. DuBois’, Jesus Christ in Texas. As we were told in class, for the white culture the Bible says Black people are the descendants of Ham and it its okay to kill them. The Whites found comfort in ritualistic violence by using the Bible to justify their actions. Just as Whites used the Bible as a tool during this time to harness Blacks in America, Blacks used the Bible as a tool in slavery for escape. Blacks realized that if they put
their faith in the Bible they could endure anything to get to heaven. Freedom would eventually be theirs because of their savior. In this story, the savior figure brings joy to everyone that is Black, however, if there is anyone outside of the Black race willing to listen the savior figure brings joy to him or her also. A good example of this is the savior coming to the house of the little girl. She found comfort in being around him and accepted him. However, the old woman was just the opposite. Her actions and beliefs were contradictory when spoke of how church going he was and then responded she did not love everyone. Her reasoning was because some of her neighbors were “niggers.” That does not fit into GOD’s view. Because the power of religion was not as strong as the idea of one race suppressing another at that moment, a runaway slave lost his life. The runaway slave was lynched and the slave’s quarters were burned. All of these things show signs of ritualistic violence. When the woman came toward the body she said, “Despised and rejected of men.” At this point, the woman realized the body was that of Christ as she viewed him on the cross.
Summary of Nole’s Article:
Pam Noles’ essay, Whipping Boy, also focuses on the power of religion. In this essay, Dexter can be viewed as a savior because he is forced to carry on everyone else’s problems just as GOD. Dexter is more like a shaman because he feels everyone’s pain. All men have evil inside of them so a voodoo man is needed to take the evil out. In the Bible, prayer is needed in order for the cleansing of sins. The main point of this story is that no matter where Blacks go things will get bad. In my opinion that is true. However, life is what you make of it and the same goes for either race.
Analysis of Texts:
Both texts review the connection between the power of religion and the cleansing of sins. In both stories, there is a cleansing of sins needed in order to provide a sense of ease. In Nole’s essay if the pork is eaten then the demon is eaten, however in Du Bois’ essay burning signifies cleansing.
Surprising New View:
If people always think things will be bad for their race based on previous events life will never get better. Although ritualistic violence may not be as prevalent today as it was, it still exists and needs to end. Unless people begin to step up, speak out for what they believe in, and make an effort to move forward, race relations will never improve and White Guilt will forever flourish throughout the Americas.
Completed Essay:
Ritualistic Violence, Power of Religion, and their Effects on Race Relations
There has been ritualistic violence throughout the existence of man. Lynchings, burning at the stake, death by electrocution and firing squad have all been examples of hatred encompassing the whole community. Although some of these violent acts have been thought justified by acts of punishment they are still wrong. White Americans and Black Americans have had issues with race relations ever since the ending of the Civil War. Lynching was prevalent and became associated with the idea of one race ruling over another. At that time the suppression of one race over another was economically and politically correct. Burnings and castrations or stabbings were also apart of the ritual. As we learned in class, after the violence there must be a cleansing period. The burnings symbolized a cleansing of the conscious. These rituals show a glimpse into how religion even affected negative events. Why were these lynchings performed as though they were exorcisms expelling demons, referring to the Blacks, from the Earth? Why were Blacks even perceived as though they were some type of alien or demon? The rituals and feelings involved in these actions of violence have left a negative impact concerning race relations among the world today.
Ritualistic violence is a huge issue in W.E.B. DuBois’, Jesus Christ in Texas. As we were told in class, for the white culture the Bible says Black people are the descendants of Ham and it its okay to kill them. The Whites found comfort in ritualistic violence by using the Bible to justify their actions. Just as Whites used the Bible as a tool during this time to harness Blacks in America, Blacks used the Bible as a tool in slavery for escape. Blacks realized that if they put
their faith in the Bible they could endure anything to get to heaven. Freedom would eventually be theirs because of their savior. In this story, the savior figure brings joy to everyone that is Black, however, if there is anyone outside of the Black race willing to listen the savior figure brings joy to him or her also. A good example of this is the savior coming to the house of the little girl. She found comfort in being around him and accepted him. However, the old woman was just the opposite. Her actions and beliefs were contradictory when spoke of how church going he was and then responded she did not love everyone. Her reasoning was because some of her neighbors were “niggers.” That does not fit into GOD’s view. Because the power of religion was not as strong as the idea of one race suppressing another at that moment, a runaway slave lost his life. The runaway slave was lynched and the slave’s quarters were burned. All of these things show signs of ritualistic violence. When the woman came toward the body she said, “Despised and rejected of men.” At this point, the woman realized the body was that of Christ as she viewed him on the cross.
Pam Noles’ essay, Whipping Boy, also focuses on the power of religion. In this essay, Dexter can be viewed as a savior because he is forced to carry on everyone else’s problems just as GOD. Dexter is more like a shaman because he feels everyone’s pain. All men have evil inside of them so a voodoo man is needed to take the evil out. In the Bible, prayer is needed in order for the cleansing of sins. The main point of this story is that no matter where Blacks go things will get bad. In my opinion that is true. However, life is what you make of it and the same goes for either race.
If people always think things will be bad for their race based on previous events life will never get better. Although ritualistic violence may not be as prevalent today as it was, it still exists and needs to end. Unless people begin to step up, speak out for what they believe in, and make an effort to move forward, race relations will never improve and White Guilt will forever flourish throughout the Americas.
Works Cited
Noles, Pam. Whipping Boy. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc,2004.
Bois, Du W. E. B. , Jesus Christ In Texas. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. Warner Books Inc, 2004
Whitney Hubbert
Leading Question
Is it possible to do the wrong thing, but with good intentions?
Thesis Statement
In Walter Mosley and Pam Noles’ essay, each character was doing something bad, but with good reason. In Whispers in the Dark, Ptolemy killed his grandmother and uncle to save them, while in Whipping Boy Dexter felt guilt throughout the entire essay.
Summary of the Mosley’s Text
The story begins with Ptolemy as a child. His family believes he is exceptionally smart, so they want him to take the IQ test. To do this you must have a lot of money. Ptolemy begins using his criminal mind during this stage in his life. He believes he can get the money from peoples information on the computer. He gained access to World Bank International. Once he proved it could be done, he stopped. Ptolemy then went to the radio and heard God speak through the radio waves. Chill decided to go away for a while. When he came back, an ambulance escorted Chill. He had given his eyes, legs, and other parts to help pay for Ptolemy’s safety. Chill came home with $six million. He was in bad shape, and he would not last long. Ptolemy knew that Chill and his grandmother were dying, so he decided to do an experiment on both of them. They both died that night, and Ptolemy knew he did the right thing. No more suffering for either one of them, he thought.
Summary of Noles’ Text
This story begins with Dexter carrying a large bag, with a body in it, to the top floor of the tower. Dexter was very nervous and scared he would be caught. A month later the police found the body. No one knew what happened or how it happened, but a crimes scene investigation was underway. Her family has physically abused Dexter’s girlfriend, Tamika. No one does anything about it. Dexter’s Aunt June takes care of him, but, she only ends up hurting him. Dexter and Aunt June have a falling out about what the purpose of a black man is. She said that if the white man took responsibility for all of his mistakes, his back would break. She kicked Dexter out of the apartment, and Dexter went down hill. He began to do hard drugs and partying. He could not stop. Tamika found him and convinced him to go home and eat. Once Dexter began to come to, he started hearing voices, voices of the past. Tamika left, and he realized what he has done.
Analysis of text
In conclusion, I have given the reasons both characters in both stories committed a crime for good reason. Ptolemy performed a mercy killing on his grandmother and uncle because both were suffering. He knew it was illegal, but it was what was best for both his grandmother and uncle. Dexter hid his cousin in the top floor of the tower. I do no think he killed him, I think someone else killed him and that is why Dexter is considered the whipping boy. Except, this time instead of getting whipped, he had to hide a murder.
Statement of Risky or Surprising New View
Always help one another, and continue to do the right thing. That is what I have always been taught. My question is when does the right thing become the wring thing? People always say to tell the truth, no matter what; however, most people only tell part of the truth. Everyone is scared of hurting someone or their feelings, so you tell them what they want to hear. Ptolemy and Dexter, however, did what they were taught, no matter what the consequence.
Completed Essay
Is it possible to do the wrong thing, but with good intentions? In Walter Mosley and Pam Noles’ essay, each character was doing something bad, but with good reason. In Whispers in the Dark, Ptolemy killed his grandmother and uncle to save them, while in Whipping Boy Dexter felt guilt throughout the entire essay.
The story begins with Ptolemy as a child. His family believes he is exceptionally
smart, so they want him to take the IQ test. To do this you must have a lot of money. Ptolemy begins using his criminal mind during this stage in his life. He believes he can get the money from peoples information on the computer. He gained access to World Bank International. Once he proved it could be done, he stopped. Ptolemy then went to
the radio and heard God speak through the radio waves. Chill decided to go away for a while. When he came back, an ambulance escorted Chill. He had given his eyes, legs, and other parts to help pay for Ptolemy’s safety. Chill came home with $six million. He was in bad shape, and he would not last long. Ptolemy knew that Chill and his grandmother were dying, so he decided to do an experiment on both of them. They both died that night, and Ptolemy knew he did the right thing. No more suffering for either one of them, he thought.
This story begins with Dexter carrying a large bag, with a body in it, to the top floor of the tower. Dexter was very nervous and scared he would be caught. A month later the police found the body. No one knew what happened or how it happened, but a crimes scene investigation was underway. Her family has physically abused Dexter’s
girlfriend, Tamika. No one does anything about it. Dexter’s Aunt June takes care of him, but, she only ends up hurting him. Dexter and Aunt June have a falling out about what the purpose of a black man is. She said that if the white man took responsibility for all of his mistakes, his back would break. She kicked Dexter out of the apartment, and Dexter went down hill. He began to do hard drugs and partying. He could not stop. Tamika found him and convinced him to go home and eat. Once Dexter began to come to, he started hearing voices, voices of the past. Tamika left, and he realized what he has done.
In conclusion, I have given the reasons both characters in both stories committed a crime for good reason. Ptolemy performed a mercy killing on his grandmother and uncle because both were suffering. He knew it was illegal, but it was what was best for both his grandmother and uncle. Dexter hid his cousin in the top floor of the tower. I do
no think he killed him, I think someone else killed him and that is why Dexter is considered the whipping boy. Except, this time instead of getting whipped, he had to hide a murder. Always help one another, and continue to do the right thing. That is what I have always been taught. My question is when does the right thing become the wring thing? People always say to tell the truth, no matter what; however, most people only tell part of the truth. Everyone is scared of hurting someone or their feelings, so you tell them what they want to hear. Ptolemy and Dexter, however, did what they were taught, no matter what the consequence.
Works Cited
Mosley, Walter. “Whispers in the Dark.” Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books, 2004. 162-182.
Noles, Pam. “Whipping Boy”. Dark Matter: Reading the Bones. Ed. Sheree R Thomas. New York: Warner Books Inc, 2004.
Lauren Broussard
J00418074
6th paper
Focusing Question:
What exactly is the difference in the juvenile and adult law process?
Thesis Statement:
The juvenile law process is set up mainly to teach and influence the youth rather than prosecute them.
500 word summary:
Juvenile law deals with crimes committed by children. The maximum age varies from state to state, but the maximum age for a juvenile offender is usually seventeen. In the state of Alabama, a juvenile who is 16+ must be charged directly in adult court if performed any of the serious felonies. Governmental bodies, including the federal government, states, and cities, prosecute all types of crimes committed by children, from traffic violations to felonies like rape and murder.
Children involved in juvenile court matters have many of the same rights their parents would have if they were accused of a crime. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to cross-examine witnesses against them, and the right to be represented by an attorney. Juveniles often have additional rights, in most states, juvenile court records are not open to the public, but are sealed, so that no one will be able to learn about a juvenile record.
When an adult is charged with a crime, he or she is brought into court in order to determine first, if he or she committed a crime, and second, the appropriate punishment. Juvenile court has, at least in theory, a somewhat different emphasis.
The purpose of juvenile court is not so much to punish young offenders, as it is to reform them. If a juvenile is found to have committed a crime, he or she is not "convicted," but "adjudicated." If a juvenile is incarcerated for his or her actions, he or she will not necessarily serve the same amount of jail time as an adult convicted of the same offense. Most states require juvenile offenders to be released from custody when they become adults. If a juvenile is adjudged to be guilty of a crime, he or she may receive probation, have a fine imposed, be ordered to perform community service, be ordered to make restitution or pay back the losses caused by the criminal acts, or be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile correctional facility. An experienced juvenile defense attorney can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a deal that provides for the least severe punishment or, if no deal is worked out, the defense lawyer can zealously represent the defendant in court, attempting to prove to the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove that the child committed a crime. All lawyers involved in the juvenile justice process, whether they are prosecuting or defending, must adhere to a complex set of rules of procedure to ensure a fair trial. Although juvenile court is often less formal than adult court, the procedures are still complicated. Because of this complicated procedure, only lawyers experienced in juvenile law can effectively navigate the intricacies of the juvenile justice system on behalf of the accused. Defense lawyers should become involved in the matter as early as possible, usually even before a child is questioned by the police.
Jennifer Tosch
EH 498
Mr. Alford
Focusing Question:
What is nationality and who decides what race belongs to what nationality?
Thesis:
Each of the characters has a different struggle to overcome that can change their lives for the better.
Summary of Whispers in the Dark
Whispers in the Dark is a story about a very intelligent four year old name Ptolemy, his Uncle Chill, his grandmother, and his nurse. In this story, Chill is trying to protect Ptolemy from being taken away. Chill’s cousin Hazel thinks that Ptolemy belongs somewhere else because of how intelligent he is. Chill feels that the best place for him is at home with his family trying to learn. Chill tells Ptolemy that they need money to keep him from being taken away and sent off. Ptolemy tries to crack into a banks network to get the money. At this point, Chill decides that he needs to leave the country to make some money, in reality he is in Panama City selling various organs for money. He ends up making six million dollars. When he returns, Ptolemy decides that God wants to speak with his Uncle and Grandma. Ptolemy was arrested and tried for the euthanasia killing of his Uncle and Grandma.
Summary of BlackOUT
This story begins in a train station in Harlem. People are all congratulating each other because the reparations bill, S9821, has passed. The bill is supposed to compensate American citizens of African descent for slave labor. The bill has many stipulations. In order for someone to be eligible for the money, their parents and grandparents have to be American-born. The bill became known as the “Guilt Bill: American-born descendants of black African slaves. Nigel, the main character has an idea, and decides he needs to start over. At the immigration office, when asked for his nationality, Nigel responds with “None”.
Analysis:
In each of the stories, BlackOUT and Whispers in the Dark, each of the main characters overcomes some struggles that will eventually better themselves or those around them.
In Whispers in the Dark, both Ptolemy and Chill are trying to better things for those around them. Chill is trying to take care of Ptolemy and make sure that he has a good life and that he is taken care of, so he sacrifices himself for this. As a way to help Chill, Ptolemy tries to free him and his grandmother by sending them to talk to God. By sending them to talk to God though the irony is that he sets them free, and then ends up institutionalized which is the last thing his Uncle wanted for him.
In BlackOUT, Nigel is trying to make a better life for himself. He wants a life without race or any other status stigma to hold him back. He tries to start over claiming no nationality for himself at the immigration offices. Both of these stories make some reference to the dark side of things. The dark side in both of these stories is the outcome of Ptolemy’s life after he tries to help his family and end their pain. The dark side of the other story is when Nigel is faced with having to chose his nationality, and giving up his friends and girlfriend.
Risky Question:
Why is race and nationality so important to so many people? After reading both of these stories, it has been made apparent that these people went to extreme lengths to make a better life for themselves because of the way that society looked at them and their race and nationality.
Works Cited:
Mosley, Walter. Whispers in the Dark. Dark Matter, Reading the Bones. ed. Sherre R. Thomas. New York: Warner Brothers Inc, 2004.
Robinson, Jill. BlackOut. Dark Matters, Reading the Bones. ed. Sherre R. Thomas. New York: Warner Brothers Inc, 2004.
Felicia Hall’s Comments for Essay Six
For Constance:
Your conclusion is very motivating. I like how you were able to synthesize something positive from a gloomy story like “Sweet Dreams.”
For Erica:
I like how you found the relationship between the abuse of slaves and the crucifixion. Your conclusion was very interesting, making me want to read more.
For Bridget:
Kudos on choosing such a controversial topic to write about. You presented both sides of the issue very well.
For Lauren:
You did a good job on distinguishing between juvenile and adult law.
For Sanavieai:
Very informative and well-written essay.
For Kathryn:
I enjoyed your bold conclusion that religion should not be tainted in order to suit anyone’s agenda. Great essay.
For LaWanda:
Great conclusion. I enjoyed the way you showcased the important role personal responsibility plays in any individual’s life.
For Kennon:
I initially thought the essay would end on a negative note, but your conclusion was surprisingly uplifting.
For Jeannie:
Your spotlight on neo-shamanism was very interesting and informative. You did a great job of synthesizing the texts, and your conclusion is very thought-provoking.
For Kirsten:
Very bold conclusion.
For Whitney:
You did a good job showcasing just how blurry the line between right and wrong can be. It’s all about motives.
For Jennifer:
Great question at the end of your essay. I would have enjoyed to know your point of view about the issue.
LaWanda's Peer comments:
Felicia:
I agree that no one advances when get gives a person moyivation to help another. Your articles reminded me of something I read where they say a lot of people will date other races because of the guilt they feel for being prejudice.
Constance:
I loved that you used the song from Cinderella. It really does fit with the essay, very good job. Your paper was vey great.
Erica:
I found that it's not only whites that twist the bible to mean something, a lot of other races do it as well. Great Job
Bridget:
I always love reading your new ideas because they are so thought provoking. I might not agree with some pf them but they still make a person think. Good Job
Lauren: Good job describing juvenile law. Your essay was interesting to read
Sanavieai:
Zora Neale Hurston has been one of my favorite authors since I even started reading. One of the first stories I read by myself was "All God's Children Got Wings" with my grandmother. It was a great idea to use her in your essay. Great job as usual.
Kathryn:
I enjoyed your essay and the way you just told it like it was without sugar coating anything. When reading your essay "White Man's Burden" by Richard Kipling popped in my head. It states the exact opposite of what you are saying. Great essay.
Kennon:
I loved the part about your grandfather, it brought a really good feeling. I agree people use the bible to fit what they believe and the sad part is some people buy into it without researching for themselves.
Jeannie:
I always enjoy reading you essays. This one was very interesting to read as well. The texts you chose were really good choices.
Kirsten:
It suprises me even now how people could interpret the bible in so many different ways and for so many different things. Some good and some bad but they always find a verse or chapter to back them up. Good job.
For Whitney:
Very interesting essay. The first thing that popped in my head was Robin Hood. There are people that do bad things to feed there families, put themselves or their children through school, or pay their bills. They do not see any other way. Good essay
For Jennifer:
Great question. Why is race so important? I have my view on the subject, but I agree with Felicia that reading your thoughts would have been very interesting.
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