The Role Of Society In Men We Reaped By Jesmyn Ward

Did you know, “men and women talk differently because they are raised in something like two different cultures: a male culture from which young men learn to speak like men and a female culture in which young women learn to speak like women?”(Cooper and MacDonald 9). Well, not actually from two separate cultures, but the idea of men and women being opposites as pointed out in the opening. Deborah Tannen has made her theory that a male culture and female culture each exist, very popular with the human population and has written an extensive book on her theory.

One of the most unique things about New Orleans particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries where this image is derived from was race and racism. People were excluded or included, considered inferior or superior based on the race they belonged to. To this end, Indians, and African Americans were classified on the lower end of the race totem pole while whites were seen as superior. Furthermore, one’s stance in society or occupation was determined by their race. The whites were majorly businessmen and land owners presiding over big farms that they owned. The blacks and the Indians were mostly peasants ‘owned’ by the white people and forced to work on the farms of the white people against their will owing to the fact that they were imported from their original residences as slaves (Appleby, Eileen and Neva 18). It is, therefore, clear that race and racism played a significant role in helping define New Orleans as we know it today. Bringing racism to the fore provides a platform upon which it can be alleviated to help

Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, uses a lot of pathos while speaking to the New Orleans people on how to make New Orleans better in his Chocolate City speech. Nagin appeals to people’s emotions by mentioning Hurricane Katrina. He says “now you might think that’s one Katrina post-stress disorder.” The hurricane was a huge loss for everyone in the city. It put people in a lot of stress when they lost their homes and the city was badly damaged. By mentioning Katrina, he is pulling everyone into one boat because it is something that the majority of people living in New Orleans experienced. Later on in his speech, Nagin address black-on-black crime. He says, “Why do our young men hate each so much that they look their brother in the face and

In today’s American society, being born black is often life threatening and comes with many struggles and fears. The author Brent Staples visibly demonstrates the presence of black men, in his article “Black Men and Public Spaces”. Staples illustrates to the readers how black men attempt to live their lives as normal as possible, but are unable to because of the fear society has of them. Brent Staples attests to the turbulent lives black men face in society, from their childhood to an adult age. Staples is able to demonstrate the various issues black men face in society with the use of logos, ethos, and pathos.

To engage a large audience, Staples appeals to readers with his use to two different points of views throughout the essay: societal views and black views. Staples tries to connect with the readers by giving examples of unconscious thoughts that run through the minds of most people when in the same situation as the “white women.” In his opening sentence, Staples calls the women a “victim.” In her own eyes, she herself was “victim” due to the influence of generalized stereotypes presented in our culture. She becomes quick to judge based on Staples appearance: his skin tone. Because of his color, his every action becomes nothing but threats and anxiety on the women. “She casted a back worried glance. To her, the youngish black- broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair, both hands shoved into the pockets of a

When putting together historical accounts, historians can run into a lot of problems trying to discover the truth about an event. These problems stem from the fact that history was not often recorded from multiple or impartial sources, so as a result, historians often have to read in between the lines to decipher the facts about a historical event. One particular problem that historians will run into is the issue of gendering. Gendering is when an event is examined with an understanding of how gender can influence all aspects of a society, and in turn, historical events (Abina, p. 163-64). This problem was especially relevant to Trevor Getz and Liz Clarke as they assembled the graphic history of Abina Mansah in Abina and the Important Men. The story revolves around a young woman in the Gold Coast in 1876 bringing a man who had enslaved her to court. In this story, gender is the underlying driving force for many of the events that take place, and can be seen even in parts of the story that were created by the authors. Gendered issues can sometimes be subtle, as they are often unspoken aspects of society, reinforced by cultural norms and behaviors. As a result, gendering was the most important problem faced when constructing this narrative, because gender relations add a series of nuances to social interactions that are easy to overlook despite the deep impacts they can create.

“All told, seven people were killed, and more than two dozen were injured” (Hunter). This is very unfortunate because it took a tragedy for politicians to stop blaming the “negro” population; however, politicians did not take the blame. Policians portrayed an image of understanding and action when in reality it was a little too late; their neglect resulted in fatal consequences. Housing reform was now the main goal in order to stabilize this crippled community. However, this late housing reform after the tragedy in 1936 led to urban decay of the Seventh Ward; many were migrating out of the Seventh Ward in search for housing elsewhere. Turmoil in the city led to an uninhabitable location, leaving the once booming black Seventh Ward as an abandoned parking lot and a memory of what it once

African Americans, among their families, and their communities find themselves in an unceasing battle for survival in a world that has previously, and to this day, brought many hardships and sufferings. Although America has succeeded in abolishing slavery, there are still aspects of racism and economic segregation that occur within residential areas. This being said, many individuals of the African American race become primary targets and victims to devastating economic and social disadvantages. The articles, "Survival and Death in New Orleans: An Empirical Look at the Human Impact of Katrina" written by Patrick Sharkey and "African American Men and the Prison Industrial Complex" by Earl Smith and Angela J. Hattery similarly bring attention to the social injustices that African Americans are forced to endure while offering two different scenarios; the predominantly black communities affected by Hurricane Katrina and mass incarceration of African American men for the selling and abuse of illicit drugs.

Christopher R. Browning’s “Ordinary Men” chronicles the rise and fall of the Reserve Police Battalion 101. The battalion was one of several units that took part in the Final Solution to the Jewish Question while in Poland. The men of Reserve Police Battalion 101, and other units were comprised of ordinary men, from ordinary backgrounds living under the Third Reich. Browning’s premise for the book is very unique, instead of focusing on number of victims, it examines the mindset of how ordinary men, became cold-hearted killers under Nazi Germany during World War II. Christopher Browning’s “Ordinary Men” presents a very strong case that the men who made up the Reserve Police Battalion 101 were indeed ordinary men from ordinary background, and

: Chapter 1, Making Sense of the World Differently, was extremely stimulating and eye-opening. It made me sit back and reflect on some things in my life. The parts that captivated me the most, was the sections on The Rarity of Sociological Mindfulness and Continuing Conversation. I agree with Schwalbe’s points that society values money and status, while issues with society are sort of swept under the rug. We live in the United States of America, one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the World, it seems as though we are drifting further apart, rather than coming together. For example, racism in the United States has always been an underlying issue. With every police killing of an African American, follows news coverage, societal outrage,

Loyalty is a casualty of the Gaddafi regime in In the Country of Men. Discuss.

From 1969 to 2011, dictator Muammar el-Gaddafi forced the people of Libya to live under an authoritarian regime, one of which their individual voices were subdued and their lives greatly oppressed by the single enduring voice of their ruler. The danger of opposing such a voice was made inevitable, and considered to be a sign of betrayal for the ones who dared. In The Country of Men by Hisham Matar addresses how ‘living under an authoritarian regime poses risks to adults and their families who want democracy’ by demonstrating what it is like to live in a place where government exercises extreme control over its people and what the consequences of wanting democracy are for the people who are secretly fighting for

Also, the community was alienated and isolated from interacting with other sections of the city. They lived in poor housing conditions. Gangs, guns, crime, destruction, and drugs surrounded the neighborhood. There was no investment in the schools or the children of the community. The community was not in harmony with each other. Through stratification, political discrimination occurred, based on their wealth and social, economic status. Residents of the city lacked purpose which brought on depression. There is no identity among the citizens. Oppression, discrimination, and unjust treatment are just a few issues that plagued the community. Researchers Williams and Kristin (2010) states historically, trauma is the result of stressful events that overwhelms an individual ability to cope with stressors and life events. African Americans suffered from multiple injuries as a result of slavery, racism, and discrimination.

A lethal duel between Major von Crampas and Baron von Instetten had taken place in the seaside resort of Kessin in Eastern Pomerania, resulting in the death of the major (Fontane “Chapter 29”). The duel occurred as a result of the Major having a love affair with the Baron’s wife six years ago, and was revealed through the previous love letters that had been discovered in the wife’s sewing table. Wüllersdorf, a lawyer and friend to the Baron, was immediately summoned to deliver the challenge of the duel and to act as a second in the affair (Fontane “Chapter 27”). Dueling had become a common practice in Germany, much to the point that it questions whether this practice is an act of one’s vengeance or simply an influence

The feeling of coming home has always brought a smile to everyone’s faces. Whether it be from away from school or being gone for months due to deployment. But, the sense of coming home has changed for a local college student: Adam Freivogel. Some people come home to a family being there to welcome them, but as for Adam he comes home to an empty household with little to no responsibilities. As if once in his life, he has a sense of freedom. His sense of coming again is different to the story “Coming Home Again” by Chang-Rae Lee for the fact that once the main character came home, he had many responsibilities to take over as his mom was getting sick. While in the story he was the oldest, Adam happens to be the youngest also meaning most of the responsibilities went over to his older brother. Also in contrast, the gender roles have changed whereas in the story took over, while today society is set up in the way where the daughter usually takes the motherly duty. “Being a Man" by Paul Theroux also gives reasons for gender roles that help understand how they have changed. In contrast with the story and society today, society has changed gender roles and who may take charge when one is in fact; coming home again.