Anne Moody’s memoir, ‘Coming of Age in Mississippi’ recounts the author’s experiences of growing up in the South during the age of racial segregation. From childhood through college Moody found herself in lots of situations and events that were presented to a black child growing up in the South during this time period. Instead of accepting the murals of society during this time period, Moody was able to use these different encounters to understand the concept of racism and the confines it set on citizen relations in Mississippi during the age of racial segregation. After college, Moody becomes a part of the Civil Rights movement, when she decides to join several socially unsatisfied citizens in the process of inequality. Moody was the kind of person that always, starting at a young age thought differently than the average southerner during segregation. She wondered why whites were able to live in big white homes while their children skated, rode bikes and played on expensive playhouses.
In the book, Moody explains when she first became aware of the murals and confines that had been established in Mississippi during the age of racial segregation. After becoming good friends with the white children who played in front of her house, she was quickly about to find out first hand that the attitude and mindset installed into the citizens in Mississippi residents wouldn’t allow them to accept this kind of relationship among black and whites.
Moody elaborates on a childhood experience in which her and her family were walking in the movies and saw Katie and Bill (children of the whites that owned the furniture store), along with their parents. Happy and excited to see one another they ran to greet eachother. Then proceeding to sit with one another when suddenly Moody’s mother rushes in and snatches her from the seat. Moody said that ‘…when we got outside, we stood there crying, and we could hear the white children crying inside the white lobby.’(33) This incident showed children unaware of the custom of segregation. It was the adults that enforced the custom of segregation that the children had not understood yet. Moody continues to say that ‘I had never really thought of them as white before. Now all of a sudden they were white, and their whiteness made them better than me. I now realized that not only were they better than me because they were white, but everything they owned and everything connected with them were better than what was available.’(34) Now she had, from this incident realized that the color of a person’s skin during this time period was a major factor in why she wasn’t able to enjoy the same luxuries as white children growing up in the South fighting the restrictions and customs of society.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Working together to accomplish somthing great
After reading President Roosevelt’s address to the commonwealth club in 1932, I was unable to forget one particular idea that he discusses. He said that “ Sometimes my friends, particularly in years such as these, the hand of discouragement falls upon us…This is the mood of depression, of dire and weary depression. But then,” he continued saying that “we look around us in America, and everything tells us that we are wrong. America is new. It is the process of change and development”(par. 4-5). What I found interesting in this statement by Roosevelt was the manner in which he used the term depression. On one hand, he used the term depression to express the economic struggle that America was going through during this time period. He also used the word to address the emotional state of the people.
Roosevelt talked about how in earlier times it was easier for people to overcome the struggles that they faced as a society. People could either find a new place to live and farm or they could be employed out to someone in need of assistance. Roosevelt said that “Depressions could, and did, come and go; but they could not alter the fundamental fact that most of the people lived partly by selling their labor and partly by extracting their livelihood from the soil, so that starvation and dislocation were practically impossible.” The statement further more demonstrates the amount of significance crops were during the time of depression. Roosevelt continues to say that “Traditionally, when a depression came a new section of land was opened in west; and even our temporary misfortune served our manifest destiny”(page 3 par 5). This statement shows how the people took the good from the bad. Some individuals saw the depression as somewhat a process of opportunity.
Once Roosevelt got further into his speech he was able to elaborate more on the notion of disappearing opportunity. He said that:
A glance at the situation today only too clearly indicates that equality of opportunity as we known it no longer exists. Our industrial plant is built; the problem just now is whether under existing conditions it is not overbuilt. Our last frontier has long since been reached, and there is practically no more free land. More than half of our people do not live on the farms or on lands and cannot derive a living by cultivating their own property. (page 4 par 2)
This statement illustrates how there is a lack of land a goods available. He feels as though Americans, no longer have all the opportunities that they experienced in previous times of depression.
Roosevelt leaves the commonwealth club but not before addressing the club with words of motivation and encouragement. “…failure is not an American habit; and in the strength of great hope we must all shoulder our common load” (page 6 par 6). This statement so little but powerful, shows the amount of pride that Roosevelt had in the American society.
Roosevelt talked about how in earlier times it was easier for people to overcome the struggles that they faced as a society. People could either find a new place to live and farm or they could be employed out to someone in need of assistance. Roosevelt said that “Depressions could, and did, come and go; but they could not alter the fundamental fact that most of the people lived partly by selling their labor and partly by extracting their livelihood from the soil, so that starvation and dislocation were practically impossible.” The statement further more demonstrates the amount of significance crops were during the time of depression. Roosevelt continues to say that “Traditionally, when a depression came a new section of land was opened in west; and even our temporary misfortune served our manifest destiny”(page 3 par 5). This statement shows how the people took the good from the bad. Some individuals saw the depression as somewhat a process of opportunity.
Once Roosevelt got further into his speech he was able to elaborate more on the notion of disappearing opportunity. He said that:
A glance at the situation today only too clearly indicates that equality of opportunity as we known it no longer exists. Our industrial plant is built; the problem just now is whether under existing conditions it is not overbuilt. Our last frontier has long since been reached, and there is practically no more free land. More than half of our people do not live on the farms or on lands and cannot derive a living by cultivating their own property. (page 4 par 2)
This statement illustrates how there is a lack of land a goods available. He feels as though Americans, no longer have all the opportunities that they experienced in previous times of depression.
Roosevelt leaves the commonwealth club but not before addressing the club with words of motivation and encouragement. “…failure is not an American habit; and in the strength of great hope we must all shoulder our common load” (page 6 par 6). This statement so little but powerful, shows the amount of pride that Roosevelt had in the American society.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Paper 2 Draft
In the period of Jim Crow laws, African Americans founded a vibrant culture of art music and learning which helped to counter the dehumanizing and oppressive perceptions of white America.
The Jim Crow laws were established by the whites with power in order to keep blacks from getting a sense of equality. During the 20th century white people was unaware and unappreciative of the black culture. Blacks and whites during this time period only interacted on a superficial level. This kept the two sides from getting to know on another and also seeing each other as equal and human. Of course, we know that black were seen as human. But in this in particular case I use the term human to show how whites saw blacks as different.
During this time, the African American community was expanding from the south into Northern and Midwestern cities. New jobs and opportunities allowed for the upswing of the African American culture. Within the middle class artist and writers were finally getting the opportunity to express themselves emotionally. The community was able to expand because of the new opportunities available to African Americans. Better jobs, lead to better financial situations for the black community. This gave blacks the time to enjoy some of the luxuries in life, such as music making and art. This gave blacks the chance to finally express themselves and there culture.
Once the African American community established a solid middle class identity, they were free to peruse explorations in the unusual arts, including painting, drawing and photography. James Van Der Zee was a well known black photographer who’s pictures captured the pride and dignity of the black community. Showing whites without words that they indeed do enjoy some of the same luxuries.
Jazz was a form of music that the black community worshiped. It was a way in which blacks could showcase their intelligence and independence. It was a complex and difficult style of music, which impressed the white community. Jazz was truly created and raised in the streets of Harlem. The popularity of jazz transcended from traditional race relations, causing whites to travel to attend concerts in all black communities. Artist such as Duke Ellington and Billie Holladay used jazz to raise awareness of the on going injustices and difficulties of a racist America.
The black community during this time period felt as though education was the tool to success. That a smart and confident black African American can accomplish great things. One of the first well known black scholars was the ex-slave and well respected author Fredrick Douglas. In an article titled Introduction to the reason why the colored American is not in the world’s Columbian exposition, Fredrick discussed the importance towards the black community by saying “What the Negro has to do then, is to cultivate a courageous and cheerful spirit, use philosophy and exercise patience. He must embrace every avenue open to him for the acquisition of wealth. Douglas was encouraging his people to maintain a positive attitude and improve their lives through education.
The Jim Crow laws were established by the whites with power in order to keep blacks from getting a sense of equality. During the 20th century white people was unaware and unappreciative of the black culture. Blacks and whites during this time period only interacted on a superficial level. This kept the two sides from getting to know on another and also seeing each other as equal and human. Of course, we know that black were seen as human. But in this in particular case I use the term human to show how whites saw blacks as different.
During this time, the African American community was expanding from the south into Northern and Midwestern cities. New jobs and opportunities allowed for the upswing of the African American culture. Within the middle class artist and writers were finally getting the opportunity to express themselves emotionally. The community was able to expand because of the new opportunities available to African Americans. Better jobs, lead to better financial situations for the black community. This gave blacks the time to enjoy some of the luxuries in life, such as music making and art. This gave blacks the chance to finally express themselves and there culture.
Once the African American community established a solid middle class identity, they were free to peruse explorations in the unusual arts, including painting, drawing and photography. James Van Der Zee was a well known black photographer who’s pictures captured the pride and dignity of the black community. Showing whites without words that they indeed do enjoy some of the same luxuries.
Jazz was a form of music that the black community worshiped. It was a way in which blacks could showcase their intelligence and independence. It was a complex and difficult style of music, which impressed the white community. Jazz was truly created and raised in the streets of Harlem. The popularity of jazz transcended from traditional race relations, causing whites to travel to attend concerts in all black communities. Artist such as Duke Ellington and Billie Holladay used jazz to raise awareness of the on going injustices and difficulties of a racist America.
The black community during this time period felt as though education was the tool to success. That a smart and confident black African American can accomplish great things. One of the first well known black scholars was the ex-slave and well respected author Fredrick Douglas. In an article titled Introduction to the reason why the colored American is not in the world’s Columbian exposition, Fredrick discussed the importance towards the black community by saying “What the Negro has to do then, is to cultivate a courageous and cheerful spirit, use philosophy and exercise patience. He must embrace every avenue open to him for the acquisition of wealth. Douglas was encouraging his people to maintain a positive attitude and improve their lives through education.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
This weekend was a rather historical moment in society as we all may have been aware. I, as a student attending the University of George Washington had the opportunity to fully take advantage of what was going on in the Washington area. Early this morning me and one of my teammates thought that it would be rather memorable if we walked down to the monument and stood side by side with millions of people all supporting Obama.
I knew there was going to be lots of people attending this event but I still didn't imagine a group as large as the one near the monument. Looking around I noticed lots of people selling products. Some examples of things being sold were T-shirts with Obama's face, posters, magazines and coffee mugs. I found it rather significant that out of all the people in attendence there weren't that many altercations between one another. They really did choose a nice day to swear in the president! lolol There were several people who tried to fight through the weather conditions, causing several individuals to seek medical treatment.
Over the past few days I spent time following the inauguration on Fox, looking for some aspects of myth-making displayed. One of the aspects of myth-making that I noticed was innoculation. The parade was supposed to start at 2:15 but didn't really start until 3:45. This may have been because the luncheon took longer than expected. There were only around 350 thousand individuals allowed to attend the parade. The news reporters mentioned that people had to choose between coming to the paradeor attending the swearing in of President Obama. Once the parade started the news reporters kept mentioning how well it turned out despite having to wait a little while extra in bad weather conditions. Another aspect of myth-making that I noticed on Fox was indentification. Fox kept on talking about how now that Obama is the new president, racism is over, that now we are equal when in actuality this is only the foundation to what's needed, that there is so much more work that needs to be done.
I knew there was going to be lots of people attending this event but I still didn't imagine a group as large as the one near the monument. Looking around I noticed lots of people selling products. Some examples of things being sold were T-shirts with Obama's face, posters, magazines and coffee mugs. I found it rather significant that out of all the people in attendence there weren't that many altercations between one another. They really did choose a nice day to swear in the president! lolol There were several people who tried to fight through the weather conditions, causing several individuals to seek medical treatment.
Over the past few days I spent time following the inauguration on Fox, looking for some aspects of myth-making displayed. One of the aspects of myth-making that I noticed was innoculation. The parade was supposed to start at 2:15 but didn't really start until 3:45. This may have been because the luncheon took longer than expected. There were only around 350 thousand individuals allowed to attend the parade. The news reporters mentioned that people had to choose between coming to the paradeor attending the swearing in of President Obama. Once the parade started the news reporters kept mentioning how well it turned out despite having to wait a little while extra in bad weather conditions. Another aspect of myth-making that I noticed on Fox was indentification. Fox kept on talking about how now that Obama is the new president, racism is over, that now we are equal when in actuality this is only the foundation to what's needed, that there is so much more work that needs to be done.
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