Civil Rights
The idea of equality in America comes from the Declaration
of Independence " all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness." It is one powerful word and can represent a lot. Everyone should be treated equally no matter what
color or race. Civil Rights are important to everyone no matter what color, race, and sex. People should not
be judged just by how we look or where we come from because it does not really make us who we are or what we
can become.
The significance of
Barack Obama's
presidency to the civil rights leaders of yesterday is a big change because he is
the first black president. The Declaration of Independence said everyone should be treated equal. The article points
out that 50 percent of black men don't graduate from high school which means there is still racism which lead to
many school dropouts and something has to be done about it because people are being judged everyday by their race,
the jobs we have. We have on the other hand achieved equality for man and women to have equal jobs and be treated
equally on the positions we take in life.
Not a lot has been done about racism because we can be walking down the
streets and we hear someone making a rude comment about someone for what race they are. It is very wrong to
make comments about someone we don't even know. America on the other hand still tries to put racism aside by creating
programs and funds to help join people together to learn about one another and to respect each other for we are.
America is the land on the free where we should not be looked at for where we come from. With Obama as President, we
might have us a better look at racism and being equal. Racism isn't only about the blacks but every nationality in the
world.
The Bill Cosby's Pound
Cake Speech has everything to do with our civil rights. First, we should learn and recognize
what should be done to make neighborhood and our schools a better place. Bill Cosby said "Where were you when he
was two? Where were you when he was twelve? Where were you when he was eighteen, and how come you don’t know he had
a pistol?" We all start to think after we hear this speech because it's true. Where were the parents when this was
all happening that parents had no clue what their child was doing or where they were. That is were something has to
be done because we feel as the need as kids to be free and doing what we please till something goes wrong and then it
opens our eyes that we have to do something about and fix the choices we decide to make because we have certain
obligations, things to do to maintain our civil rights.
If we were all equal by race sometimes that's not we are usually judged by it is usually by our skills that we have for example
in Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut. George who was really smart but had to wear a little radio in his ear because they didn't want
him to lose control of himself him. If were all equal there would be no competition who is smarter than anybody else.
Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. If it was like that then
what would we fight for? What would we compete for? George and his wife Hazel sat watching television and ballerinas
show on the screen and they would be dancing away. A buzzing loud sound would come to George's ear that makes him panic and
loss focus on what they were talking about. George and Hazel both forgot what they were watching because Hazel had a perfectly
average intelligence, which meant she couldn't think about anything except in short bursts. George, while his intelligence
was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. This made moments for the two of them awkward where they
would just sit and wonder what was going on. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter.
Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of
their brains. If everyone were equal that means the two of them would take off everything they had and dance to prove that handicapped
people should not just be judged for what they look like.
The early Forerunner poets each have their own point of view on equality. For example Langston Hughes point of view is that why
isn't everyone equal. Why aren't the blacks treated the same as the white. He makes me feel as I'm reading the poem
that a black man will never compare to a white man but the black man knows what he stands for and that he is a brave
soul. The poem I, TOO, SING AMERICA "I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen. When company comes,
But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong". But Sojourner Truth and the other had sees equality for women and how they
should all be treated equal white or black we are still women, we still work hard to get were we are in life and if one
women should be carried in carriages the black women should be to for example in the poem AIN'T I A WOMEN? "That man over there say
a woman needs to be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helped me into
carriages or over mud puddles or gives me a best place" WE WEAR THE MASK by Paul Lawrence Dunbar shows an example how the blacks
felt and what there reactions were "We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes, This debt we
pay to human guile With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, And mouth with myriad subtleties." The three poets show the true side
and there emotions on how they feel about equality.
Fifth, read the obituary of John Hope Franklin was a prolific scholar of African-American history who influenced the thinking about slavery. He died at the age
of 94. John Hope Franklin wanted people to realize what has been going on with slavery. He wanted people to see how they were treated and how it
really changes your mind on somethings that happen to us. Franklin was a very smart and educated man who wanted to make a difference Franklin
said “As a student of history, I have attempted to explain it historically, but that explanation has not been all that satisfactory.
That has left me no alternative but to use my knowledge of history, and whatever other knowledge and skills I have, to present the case
for change in keeping with the express purpose of attaining the promised goals of equality for all peoples.”
Obama believes in freedom and that every man and women should be treated equal not depending on there race. He wants freedom that's why
he became president to finally make peace. Give better education to students. Obama is not only black he is also a white man from his
fathers side. So he knows what its like to be on both sides of the fight for equality. Obama talks about hes wife who is black and represents
slavery and everything that the been threw. The hard times they faced always trying to be equal. Can Obama really create equality for everyone
for who they are not were they come from. Will we have peace atlast that we have a black president that represents freedom to everyone.
The Beer
Summit vs. Health Care Summit has everything to do with the argument against equality because when the professor got arrested
for making a racist comment its changed a lot it shows how people are really treated. Obama talking to him face to face realizes what has to be
done in order for this to stop. It also has a lot to do with him and making better decision and how to make our world an equal place. Obama
has a a lot set for us coming in the future were we will find peace with one another.
doodlepop16@hotmail.com
© Dijana Dzopalic 2010
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