Dreams from My Father Essay

In 1971, William E. Cross, Jr., Ph.D., a Black psychologist and prominent researcher (specializing in Black psychology) developed a framework for assessing how black Americans come to understand what it means to be Black. Dr. Cross introduced his ideologies as the “Nigrescence Model of Racial Identity Development“. He asserts that every black American must undergo a series of identity stages to develop a healthy and balanced understanding of the Black experience and become well-rounded in our global society. This model encompasses five stages of identity development, which Dr. Cross emphasizes, must be performed in order to successfully accomplish this goal.

Throughout all of his writing, he talks about race and the desire of equality and how being segregated affected him as a human being. While he was in college, he was one of three black students in the school so he became really aware of the racism and discrimination. The current president stated "I noticed that there was nobody like me in the Sears, Roebuck Christmas catalog. . .and that Santa was a white man. I went into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror with all my senses and limbs seemingly intact, looking as I had always looked, and wondered if something was wrong with me" (Barack Obama). Because of the difference in color and the stigma against black people, he would wonder what was wrong with him and that later is one of his main issues that he addresses in his political

He is the first African American to in history to run on a major ticket. In the beginning of his campaign a lot of people questioned his authority and wanted to know could he handle the responsibilities of a president for such a big country. “ I want to know how deep is your love for the people, what kind of courage have you manifested in the stances that you have and what are you willing to sacrifice for. This is the fundamental question. I don’t care what color you are. You see, you can’t take black people for granted just cause your black”. (C.West) These questions just made Obama a much stronger person and he continued to fight.

In the beginning of his speech, Obama discusses his family and their past, how his grandfather served the United States and was a veteran of World War II. He speaks about the name that was given to him, Obama, as being African and how his parents felt that it isnt your name that takes you places and makes you who you are, it your character, strength, and personality. He also descibes his encounters with that he

Obama emphasizes the black community a lot more than any other community, along with, his speech was written after his former Reverend made racist comments. I, probably along with many others, may have taken this speech as a way for him not to look bad in the public eye.

Obama’s speech on race was a part of his campaign while he was running for the presidential election in 2009. He speaks to the American people with the purpose to gather them and with spirit of fellowship to creates a unity and patriotism. A unity where everyone stands together and in jointly could make the world a better place for everyone, no matter

Obama’s speech demonstrates certain points to engage the audience and to create a connection to emphasize its presence in the speech. One impactful technique he used is his anecdotes to prove his credibility to gain trust within the students. One anecdote that he clearly states is about African Americans are treated different decades ago and how certain races are not able to have the job they wanted, due to their skin tone. Furthermore, he adds his own research on this topic by explaining how “no blacks CEOs of Fortune 500 companies” (Mccaskill). This creates a sense of wisdom and satisfaction because, over time, society changed their views within people of color

James McBride can tell you firsthand about man verse racial identity. Journalizing his experience in his New York Times Bestseller novel the Color of Water simply outlined his struggles of finding who he was. His upbringing included a black father and a Jewish white mother. His background made it hard for him to understand why his home was different than others on the street. Although McBride experience shows an older outtake of racial identity, some may say this still is a problem today. Offspring feels the need to pick a race in society to succeed in the generation and it may be the step to understands them more. Notice in the subtitle of the book "A black Men tribute to his white mother" he label himself as just black as if there was a barrier between his mother and himself because the so different. Today we need to not let racial identity become a big part of our lives.

“My President Was Black” written by Ta-Nahesi Coates has many arguments between Coates and the former president Barack Obama. They both had many differences and similarities throughout this passage. Barack Obama is the only black man that could of have pulled of the job of being President in this racist “White America”. The reason why he pulled it off is because of his great personality, the way he sees the United States as a whole and his policies. I believe in this because in “ My President Was Black” there is many evidence that can prove my fact about Barack Obama.

Cross’ book Shades of black: diversity in African-American identity (1991) depicts a perceived metamorphous of black identity through five stages of development—his ideologies are now termed as the Nigrescence theory. In simple terms, this philosophy refers to the process of becoming Black. It also demonstrates daily struggles that the black community may have in developing a healthy personal identity. Over the years, many authors attempt to define what the word black means. Eventually, many came to begin using the politically acceptable term widely applied today to regard black people; that word is known as Negroes. As different historical events occurred, one being the black power revolution on the 1970’s the experience called for a fresh definition of the term negro. Blacks or Africans in America began to be more conscious of their identity and more aware of the differences separating them. This is the experience that Cross (1971) illustrates and is primarily referenced in his five-stage progress including: pre-encounter, encounter, immersion/emersion, internalization, and internalization-commitment. This book highlights some very vital topics relating to mental health, which has been carefully disregarded by other researchers. Nonetheless, it has strong affiliations to the black experience and can positively explain a more normal psychological behavior through logical and very thought provoking

black man fights against, constantly trying to identify himself. At the same time, black men have found approaches to detach from this narrow minded image that society has created for them including; sports, education and family. The black male struggles to gain his own identity because there is already a firm image created for them that the white man visualizes the black male and the expectations of the black male. However, it isn’t just the society that plays a role in the development of the black males identity, there is also the consideration of how black males are brought up or raised in their current lifestyle situations. For example, athletes,

The election of Barack Obama as the president of the United States surprised Americans as much as it did the world. The first African American and non-white to be in the White House, Barack Obama symbolized a major historical event, another step-forward toward racial equality in the history of America. Civil rights activists, experts in the racial conflict of the U.S., and many liberal citizens believed that Obama’s election means the realization of the ideas of black civil rights leaders, the completion of the Civil Rights Movement, the beginning of a post-racial society, and the downfall of

Obama for sure tries to locate truth in his personal experiences. Obama discusses the issue of race in America in a reasonable and logical manner, yet he also seems sincere, full of character, and is educated on the topic. Racism still exists, but it is most often in the subtleness and comfort of familiar spaces and or homes. Obama’s willingness to have an honest conversation on the subject of racism. Obama hoped to change America’s anger for racial issues and move forward, from the past. I think him wanting to share experiences of his own and others, shows us he's really wanting a change for

The election of President Obama marks the most noteworthy political accomplishment for African Americans in the United States during the post-civil rights revolution, thus bringing about a change in the country’s social and political landscape that was steeped in racial discrimination since the founding of this great nation. Because social and political conditions are subject to constant change, President Obama’s

The essence of the book is that it follows Obama's odyssey as a mixed race male as he becomes muddled and split along with his family - between two separate continents and cultures. Once I began to get deeper into the book, Barack Obama's life not only produces a great novel, it shows a lot about his integrity - revealing the real man before presidency. Telling the events that happened to him in great detail also displays his level of sincerity, Obama didn't fabricate anything, instead, he makes himself appealing and humane. As the reader, if we sense genuinely we can connect to the story even better, thus the story of his life became more interesting and enhanced our visions about Obama. Throughout the book, as he exposed his stories, his weaknesses, and his deepest, darkest secrets, enables the reader to relate to him - that we are all human and cope with the same corresponding