During the 1900’s, society limited the rights of African Americans. Gwendolyn Brooks was a writer who experienced discrimination from the white population, and even African Americans who were fairer in complexion. She originally wrote about the oppression of African Americans, and their day-to-day struggles. Later on, she expanded her writings to include the struggles of African Americans everywhere. By the end of her life, she inspired thousands of young writers to write about things they’re passionate about. The impact Gwendolyn Brooks has on my life is incomparable to any other important figure I've studied. It's the steps that she took that made her a global leader and will impact my development as a global leader.
Rosa Parks impact the world during the civil right movement. She wanted to be removed from a seat on a bus on 1st, 1955. As the bus filled up as while asked her for her to give up her seat and move to the back. She refused and got arrested. This started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. After this was declared, african americans didn’t ride the bus again till the laws were changed in December 20th 1956.
Imagine having the influence to move and inspire people with the power of words. This is the power used by poets whose words, poetic techniques and actions engage the attention of a society while relating to a significant issue at their time in history.
Louisa May Alcott, best known as the author of Little Women, was an advocate of women’s rights and temperance. Published in 1868, Little Women follows the lives, loves and tribulations of three sisters growing up during American civil war. The independence of women is a major theme in Little Women. Since its publication the novel has constantly been read and remembered for its feminist spirit. Little Women examines the place of women in society by presenting the portraits of several very different but equally praiseworthy women. We experience their multifarious interpretations of femininity and we see a range of diverse possibilities for integrating women into the society.
Thesis/Central Idea: The three specific things about Zora Neale Hurston that makes her influential/admirable include being a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, an anthropologist, and an American writer regarding folklore.
Some know her as the First Lady of the United States and wife to Franklin D. Roosevelt; while others know her as a feminist who empowered others to stand up for what they believe. Despite controversies of what others perceived of Eleanor Roosevelt, she was truly a woman who understood her power and used it to reach and support others and to have a voice for those who lacked it. Although she had to overcome many difficulties and tribulations, historians state that; “it is difficult to overstate the impact of Eleanor Roosevelt of the history of the twenty-century women not only in America, but also the world and rank her the most significant First Lady and most influential American”
As stated by intellectual Joseph Wong, “influence is our inner ability to lift people up to our perspectives” (Young Ch. 6). Throughout history, numerous writers have utilized their ability to impact their readers to encourage their audience to follow the author’s principles and beliefs. Louisa May Alcott, born in Pennsylvania in 1832, was the type of writer to use her power to influence her lectors’ views on the topics and issues that she was passionate about. Alcott’s father, Amos Bronson Alcott, was a writer, lecturer, and educator, and her mother, Abba May, was a strong-willed and independent woman and bright educator. Her brilliant parents helped Alcott grow to be an intellectual, an independent female, and, as mentioned by Clark Moreland in one of his lectures, “…a dark headed, volatile, and energetic child” (“Lecture 3.4…”). After her parents fell into deep debt, Alcott began to work to support her family. She served as a seamstress, teacher, and, of course, a writer. As an open-minded individual, Alcott was an advocate of many causes and policies, and, through her compositions, she shared her beliefs to guide her readers towards integrating her ideals into their lives. For instance, in 1863, Alcott released her work “My Contraband,” first titled “The Brothers.” The piece featured a Civil War nurse, Faith Dane, in the Union side who was in charge of caring for a captured, dying Confederate captain and
Equal rights was what Lyndon B. Johnson spoke of in his letter to the speaker, the president and members of Congress. Along with his powerful message on equality, with his letter, came excellent rhetorical strategies that worked wonders when it came to captivating the reader. The way his first-person point of view explained his overall opinion on the subject could be capable of persuading his readers to feel the same way he once did. In addition to point of view, his use of process analysis may seem subtle to some , however, in reality, it is used perfectly as to subconsciously invade the reader’s thoughts. Lastly, the author’s style plays an important part in his literature because it separates his work from ny other.
The Harlem Renaissance was a period in the 1920s when African-American achievements in art, music, and literature flourished. This movement took place in Harlem, New York. During this time period, lots of influential African-American activist arose and aided in the Civil Rights Movement. The Harlem Renaissance helped to bring the African-American community together to form new ideological thinking, music, and literature. Among one of the many talented artists during this time was W.E.B DuBois. In my opinion, DuBois helped the African-American community become something more that what society's standard was of them. Also, he is one of the co-founders of the NAACP. Maya Angelou is one of the more modern Civil Rights Activist.
The story I chose to analyze is “Why I Live at the P.O.” by Eudora Welty. The author, Eudora Wetly, is originally from Mississippi from a prosperous family, she was born in 1909 and passed away in 2001.During her early days she worked at small places involved with writing until she launched her literary career. ‘Why I Live at the P.O’ is about sibling rivalry and favoritism among family. My thesis states that this story shows a good example of favoritism among families and good insight from the outcast.
History both nationally and internationally have been greatly impacted by significant and ordinary people such as Eleanor Roosevelt, through exercising both power and influence. Eleanor Roosevelt through her husband’s election to president gained considerable power and influence. She transformed the role of first lady, it was no longer about staying in the background but becoming active in political and social issues. Her championing of humanitarian causes such as women’s movement, human and civil rights demonstrates her impact on national and international history.
I will be writing about the Harlem Renaissance taking place in 1920’s New York. Specifically, I will be discussing the influence African American women have on art, music and literature during the Harlem renaissance. The argument of the paper will be identifying the importance of African American women participating in the Harlem Renaissance and how their participation has influenced modern day African American trends: showcasing media, literature and art. Another major point of my argument is how African American women developed after slavery and into the women of the Harlem Renaissance.
There were many problems in society that no one knew of until Eleanor Roosevelt brought them to light. “It’s easy to stand with the crowd. It takes courage to stand alone.” Mahatma Gandhi said. Eleanor decided to do what was right and help people instead of going along with what other people thought. Her rough childhood pushed her to help people that were oppressed. Eleanor especially knew what it was like to be ignored.
Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts. She gave women the right to vote in 1920. This became the 19th amendment guaranteed women the right to vote. She has done many things for women all around the world giving them the right to vote and making an impact on people showing they can accomplish anything that they put their mind to. This is Susan B. Anthony’s story that impacted many women around the world.
The Bostonians, by Henry James was a very interesting piece. James' underlying tone for the spiritualism and fascination is clearly a picture of the time when the piece was written. I thought that is played an important influence in his writing. Ruth Hall, by Fanny Fern is an unofficial biography of her own life as a women activist. One of the underlying issues that stand out in her novel is the way that she includes the lower-class women right along with the middle-class. This was not a common ideal shared by all women activists at this time. Both of these underlying issues in these books keep the reader interested it their works.