Summary Of The Fourth Of July By Audre Lorde

The fact that prejudice prevents us from seeing the good that lies beyond a person’s appearance, religion or race is represented to a great extent in The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. The novel is set in 1930s Germany during the times of rising anti-Semitism when Adolf Hitler, the leader of the ruling Nazi Party put his discriminatory ideologies into practice and began persecuting people of the Jewish race. This persecution is known as the Holocaust in which 17 million Jews were killed by the Nazi Party who described them as a shame upon Germany even though over 100,000 Jews fought for the country in WW1. The Book Thief is riddled with examples of racial prejudice whether it’s when a Jewish shopkeeper is beaten in the name of German patriotism or when the character of

Although the text, Women: Images and Realities a Multicultural Anthology, has done a wonderful job of showcasing the diversity of women’s experiences, I find Beverly Daniel Tatum’s work “Defining Racism: “Can We Talk?”” to be the most striking. In the essay, Tatum describes how she (and many other feminists) define racism and who can and cannot be racist. Tatum argues that there are important distinctions between prejudice and racism, wherein racism is defined as a ‘system of advantage based on race” or more precisely “prejudice plus power” (388). Through multiple examples Tatum illustrates that if one accepts and uses her definition of racism then only White people (the group of people who ‘dominate’ society) are racist because “people of

The tale “The Loons” illustrates how racism exists in the guise of good intentions, intolerance and stereotyping. When Vanessa's

The controversy surrounding race and racism has continued prosperous for years and will continue for years to come. However, racism has deeper implications than what appears on the surface. As shown in the literary works below, misrepresentation of minority populations and unfair judgment due to popular stereotypes instigate racism that can lead to conflicts in identity.

According to Essed (1991), the everyday experiences of racism and racist practice involve those routine activities perceived by the majority to be normal and neutral, yet these putdowns and demotions are negatively experienced by minority women and men as a violation of their dignity and humanity. Essed (2002) also points out that everyday racism is entrenched within mainstream institutions so that patterns of dominance are largely invisible to those in power and passively tolerated by the majority. Finally, she argues that it’s not the actions per se that determine whether racism is at play; instead it’s about the contexts that define acts as racist. Everyday racism is subsequently defined (Essed 1991, 5) as a process in which (a) socialized

     In “The Fourth of July,” the need of belonging to a society is displayed. Lorde stated, “This wasn’t right or fair! Hadn’t I written poems about Bataan and freedom and democracy for all? (Lorde 204) Lorde’s family was told that couldn’t eat in an ice cream shop because of their color in the one place that has stood for freedom and equality for the last two hundred and twenty-five years, our nations capitol. Lorde’s family was basically treated like they were foreigners because of their color.

One of the key themes in the book ‘Dougy’ is that children are not born racist. Racism is clearly stated throughout ‘Dougy’ from the start to the end. It is clear that in the world we live in today, we are still fighting racism too. During the text ‘Dougy’,

Perhaps one of the most disgusting accusations one can receive today is “You’re racist!” However as disturbing as racism is, it is just one of the many mediums in which people use to control others. Whether the motive is race, religion, nationality, financial standing, or even gender, in every society, certain groups of people have always been oppressed. The culprit of seemingly unnecessary and ignorant oppression is human nature itself. Humans will always experience the need to feel superior, and for that reason, similar connections can be made among those people living under oppression thousands of miles and centuries apart from each other. “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright, “Sweat” by Zora Neale

Racism and racial stereotypes have existed throughout human history. The radical belief associated by thinking the skin color, language, or a person’s nationality is the reason that someone is one way or another has become extremely detrimental to society. Throughout human existence it has sparked tension between groups of people and ultimately influenced wars and even caused slavery. Racism in America dates back to when Native Americans were often attacked, relocated, and assimilated into European culture. Since then, racism within the states has grown to include various other cultures as well. In the essays by Brent Staples, Bharati Mukherjee, and Manuel Munoz, they discuss the various causes as well as the effects that racial stereotyping can place on a victim and the stigma it leaves behind for the society to witness.

Racism is a learned behavior; humans do not choose to be it but have it forced upon them from the second they come into this world. Written by David Margolick, “Elizabeth and Hazel” is a book which explores how racism has affected the life of two women captured in a historical photograph, one white, one black and in the end, friends.

There are numerous songs written during the War, perhaps none is as strongly identified with the Union cause today as Julia Ward Howe's stirring The Battle Hymn of the Republic. For over 138 years this song has been a fixture in patriotic programs and is still sung in schools and churches across the nation.”Battle Hymn of the Republic”, performed by Frank C. Stanley, Elise Stevenson, and a mixed quartet in 1908. The “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, also known as “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” outside of the United States, is a song by American writer Julia Ward Howe using the music from the song “John Brown's Body.” Julia Ward Howe was an American poet and author, best known for writing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." She was also an advocate

Claudia Rankine analyze racism to its core, bringing to surface that miniscule event are just as problematic as televised one. Her words are beautifully brutal, striking up emotions for anyone that reads it. As readers we are taken through a journey from past to present events of racial incidents experienced by different genders and ages. Above all, Claudia provides a strong indication that racism is far from over.

When Lorde was in high school, she experienced indifference but she refused to name what she felt. She ignored the racism and prejudice as long as she could. She decided to join a click which was known as Branded. Though the group was all white, they never discussed their race or their gender. They were

It doesn’t take long to figure out that race and ethnicity issues continue to affect America - a quick glance at the news will show the latest riot, hate crime, or police brutality incident. This centuries old struggle has given rise to a number of literary works on the topic, many of which take a different approach to the issue. W.E.B. Du Bois, for instance, published the work The Souls of Black Folk in 1903, arguing for blacks’ right to equality in a horrifically segregated society. In these essays, Du Bois coined the term “double-consciousness,” wherein those with black skin must view the world both from their own perspective, and from the perspective of the predominately white society. The short story Recitatif by Toni Morrison explores this concept through the removal of the characters’ races, and the film Do the Right Thing, directed by Spike Lee, tells a story to demonstrate it. While the former shows double-consciousness through the usage of ambiguity, the latter almost directly references the concept. Taken together, these two sources argue a multi-faceted version double-consciousness, wherein society alienates the characters in ways that go beyond just the color of one’s skin.

Since childhood, we all have been taught that “racism is bad” and should be avoided at all costs. We have been told that “everyone is a child of God and we are all created equal.” In fact, Americans are praised for the so-called equality they possess. However, renowned author Toni Morrison sheds light on the sheltered and unspoken truth that everyone—to some extent—is racist. “Home” is a reflective essay in which Morrison explains that her triumphs against racist ideologies are evident throughout her various novels (“Home” 3). In Morrison’s first novel, The Bluest Eye, instead of establishing a home where race does not matter—a home which she dreams of in her essay—she creates just the opposite (3). In this novel, by using direct