Denielle Alexander

Web Reviews

Rosalinda Ortiz Essay Fall 2007 ‘Is It Better To Become A Part Of The Other Group?”

Rosalinda Ortiz’s essay focused on examples of assimilation through literacy and cultural adaptation to the dominant group. Ortiz’s simply poses the question “Is it Better to Become a Part of the Other Group?” The focus that I will concentrate within her essay is the minority group of African Americans. Ortiz shared solid examples on her thesis:

·        “There is nothing that could be undone for a slave that now has his eye open. Reading and writing does not seem to be an accomplishment, but a misery for a slave that cannot end his confinement.”

·        “In reality, he is aware that you cannot become one thing without changing who you were at one time.”

·        “The illiterate person becomes very vulnerable and weak, mentally.”

What I gathered from Ortiz’s essay is that assimilating, either by having literacy or adapting to the dominant culture, is an uncompromising situation. The ability to read and write will give an individual knowledge of their current conditions, and will have them unsatisfied with their lifestyle. Knowledge gives a person the power to want more out of life, to think for themselves, and to have control of their future. If an individual is unable to make these changes to improve their state of living, then a feeling of misery will make the person regret their literacy. When you assimilate into a dominant culture, you will leave behind your roots and the history that made you. The outcome of assimilation is the individual adapting to something new, only to be able to fit in with the rest of society. This can have a negative effect on a person. Your past history is what makes you an individual, and no one wants to lose their self while trying to be accustomed to a new life.

Kristen Hamon Essay Summer 2008 “Crucial Conversation: Talking About Race and Ethnicity through Immigrant/Minority Narratives”

Kristin Hamon’s essay described some of the issues that immigrants endured in reaching the American Dream either by influence from their family or by choice. She wants to uncover the reasons why most Americans do not discuss or teach students the topic of immigration. Hamon also points out the differences between cultures and the immigrants’ quest to America.

·        “America being a nation ‘founded’ by immigrants, seems comfortable in celebrating only the positive attributes of the American Dream and revels in the notion that ‘anyone’ can find happiness in the US.

·        “Teaching tolerance will only encourage our children to be more politically correct and to grow increasingly frightened of talking about the obvious difference that occur among the multiple American narratives.”

·        “Any story that mirrors the pilgrims’ flight to America in search of freedom, only reestablishes the hope and trust in the United States.”

While reading this essay, I learned different points of view that I never would have thought of before. Most of what I have read in my short lifetime about immigration has a lot to do with the biased views that America is great, it gives others more freedom, and the opportunities are endless. The cultural change and assimilation is hardly ever discussed in mainstream lectures or classrooms. People think by discussing the negative components of immigrant’s assimilation, it will create an uncomfortable atmosphere. In reality, the conversation of these issues needs to be addressed so we can learn the hardships that immigrants go through when leaving their homeland and traveling to the Unites States. This topic gives Americans a better understanding of the difficulties of what the immigrants left behind, and how they have to adapt to fit our society.

Keith Vyvial Essay Summer 2008 “What Is The American Dream?”

Keith Vyvial’s essay “What is the American Dream?” discussed how the Dream is the backbone of the United States culture. Between immigrants, minorities and the dominant culture, the purpose of the American Dream is interpreted differently and can have many meanings. Vyvial includes several narratives to support his thesis on how the search for the American Dream can have a different impact on people:

·        “For many immigrants, America represents an ideal dream of a better life, happily assimilating into the dominate culture. Other immigrants may feel forced, refusing to leave assimilate and throw away their own heritage.”

Vyvial seems to say that American’s assume that the American Dream is befitting for everyone, or everyone should want to be a part of this Dream. Some citizens may have this cocky attitude that being American can give you economic, cultural and educational opportunities that others would not have experienced if they stayed in their home country. Life may be considerably better by seeking the American Dream in the US, but it could be at the negative expense and cost for the immigrant of the immigrants’ identity.

Research Posts

The topic of my research post is ‘The Color Code’ amongst African American women. There has always been a debate on light skinned versus dark skinned within the African American community. The questions that I decided to focus on are: “How the historical affects of the ‘Color Code’ has affected the present generation of African American women?” And lastly “How can the ‘Color code’ affect African American women in how they view themselves, such as their self esteem?

My research post will be broken into two parts. My first question will be addressed in the first research post. It will give me an understanding on the mental and psychological states produced by the “Color Code” and the affects of present generation of 20^th century African American women. My second research post will further help me understand the “Color Code” and the affects of the mental and psychological states that African American women may have.

Midterm 2010 Essay “African American Women and their Journey for Equality”

Being an African American Woman, some would think I would have a personal insight on my gender and race. Truthfully, my modern day actions have been manifested from the African slaves in history. While studying African American women in class, I learned so much that is quite new to me. Even though everyone comes from different backgrounds, cultures and social classes, African American Women face the triple threat: being a minority, being a woman and pushing through the glass ceiling. In the case of the black woman, the traditional African American Dream has some slight variance. Even though we are all supposed to be created equal, and a minority race is supposed to stick together, the average black woman is still unequal to the black man. Some of the respects and social opportunities that a black man receives are great in abundance when compared to the African American Woman. The Dream of a black woman is to establish independence, be successful, and be able to achieve the same amount of respect as the African American Man.

While analyzing Objective 3A: To compare and contrast the dominant ‘American Dream’ narrative” some of the African American Dreams are similar across the spectrum. What makes the African American Dream different from the traditional American Dream is a sense of hope, progression and equality, rather than monetary success and materialistic value. In reading Dr. King’s speech “I Have a Dream” he effectively describes the Dream of the minority culture. His Southern Baptist tone and the power within his spoken words makes the poem monumental. The “I Have a Dream” speech, speaks heavily on the equality of all men: “black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Even though Dr. King uses the word men, he ultimately means women too. Women are included in mankind, and African American Women also share the same struggles with black men. Some of the struggles include the fight to eliminate racism, having social and civil rights, and to be equal to the dominant culture. The Dream is for equality, and equality can never be achieved if there is a gender division and discrimination within the minority race. African American men and women must work together to overcome the struggles which the dominant race imposes.

African American Women sometimes have a defense mechanism to protect them against society, which pushes them to be strong and be the backbone of the family. In the narrative of Linda Brent, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, she discusses in detail the importance of her grandmother. Her grandmother has a heavy influence on Brent’s Dream in the quest for her and her children to be free. Brent places so much emphasis on how her grandmother fights hard to escape to freedom in the North and to purchase her children out of slavery. Brent writes “I never dreamed I was a piece of merchandise, trusted to them for safe keeping, and liable to be demanded of them at any moment.” By having a motherly influence in her life, Brent knows she is more than property. She is raised with the belief system that she is meant to be free and not owned as a lifeless object.  The road for progression and change starts with a Dream. Having some hope can give an individual faith that “change” is possible, and also gives them reasons to endure life under harsh conditions. In the author’s upbringing, values were embedded in her thinking and way of life. Brent feels the overwhelming struggle of protecting her family and providing them with a better future, so she falls into the role of being the foundation and backbone, while trying to make her Dream a reality.

In the novel, Song of Solomon Toni Morrison creates a different depiction of an African American woman. The women in her novel are very content in their domestic state and inequality to men. Their Dreams are dependent on men and consist of playing a more traditional role of being a wife and mother. Establishing independence and being equal to the opposite sex does not appeal to them.  Current lifestyles of the daughters Corinthians and Magalene are also influenced by their mother Ruth. Even Milkman respects the same idea: “Milkman looked at his sisters. He had never been able to really distinguish them (or their roles) from his mother.” (78) Ruth is a submissive stay –at- home mom. She lacks the aspiration of wanting to be independent and having the same social rights as her husband. These are attributes and values that Ruth has imposed on both of her daughters. Instead of them wanting to have their own identify, they settle into their Dream of being married with children. Mothers and motherly figures have an influential impact on women and how they will become in the future. A woman sees how they are supposed to be as an adult by looking at the woman who influences her the most. Yes, some women do break the cycle in their daughters and branch off into a different direction, but the majority of all women instill the same values and Dreams, as their historical family past.

By being an African American woman, I must also push my Dreams into a reality. This motivation within me will set the example for my future daughter and other women that I encounter.  Each of these texts has shown examples of African American women proclaiming their own Dreams. Spreading knowledge to future generations and educating them on the importance of having a Dream is needed for our black women. As time goes by, positive examples need to be shown by women within the community and progression needs to be put in motion our future.