Welcome to the course blog! I am truly excited about teaching this course, and I hope that you find it to be an enlightening and enjoyable educational experience. As mentioned in class, we will be confronting some challenging issues, many of which might generate strong intellectual and emotional reactions. This blog serves as a mechanism for everyone to process these responses and to learn through engagement with others. Since none of us is as smart as all of us, we can gain further insights by taking in the ideas of our learning community members. While we may disagree on here, it is essential that we always demonstrate respect and maintain an open mind.
In order to participate, you will need to have an active Google or gmail account. You can obtain a free account by going to either website and signing up. Once you have accomplished that task, return to this page and click on the heading "Welcome to the Blog -- Topic 1" above. If you scroll down, you can read my instructions and enter your comments in the box. Come back a little while later, click on the same link, and read your colleagues' posts. It would also be great if everyone could at least publish their photo in the "Followers" section on the right-hand side of the page. That way, we can learn each other's names and connect faces with ideas.
I will post a blog topic for almost every week during the term. For each topic, I would like for you to produce a 1-2 paragraph thoughtful comment that shows your honest reflections and includes some type of contribution to our understanding of the issues at hand. (I will hand out examples of a good blog in class.) Then, after reading the posts of your classmates, I'd like for you to jump back into the conversation -- either by critically responding to someone else or by adding to your previous post with further insights. Feel free to continue the dialogue if you wish. You will be graded on the value-added nature of your overall posts over the course of the term. Although I am certain that you will get the hang of this blog thing soon, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
TOPIC ONE: Feel free to address any issue brought up in class on the first night. (Here's the one that I mentioned, but you can do whatever topic you want: Which "identity term" (African-Americans, Black, people of color, etc.) do you feel best applies to the poulation under study in this class and WHY?) The original posts are due by Wednesday August 26th, with follow up posts expected by Saturday August 29.
I would like to comment on the "identity term" as stated above. Down through the years, there has been a change in what to call blacks, negroes, African Americans, and people of color. There are many who go along with all the changes and many who do not. I consider myself as a black American. I think the change is too much and actually, who decides what the change will be? Who made the decision and who was asked if we mind if the names(identity) are changed. This is something to think about. I think it is important to know who you are as an individual and not a title or label.
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ReplyDeleteOn the topic of who has it "worse" African American males or females, I agreed totally with Ms. Watson on this subject. I believe that psychologically they have it worse because some men are trying hard to get ahead,doing everything right and still struggling simply because of the color of their skin and not their abilities. This brings on problems in the other aspects of life (financial,education,etc.)
ReplyDeleteAlso, in my opinion, it affects a man self-esteem. How would he feel he could truly be a man if he cant be the head of his household like he was taught he was supposed to be? In turn, that could negatively affect any personal relationships he may have as well.
I am commenting on "identify terms" I, being an older student, grew-up w/various terms used to identify us. First there was "Negroes", then "Blacks" and noe SOMEONE decided on "African Americans" Well, I am offended by the latter, for I am NOT an African, I Am an American! I have never been Africa, though I'd like too, as I have never been to Sweden either. Since my heritage is of mixed races, as many of us are, I choose to simply identify myself as "Black".
ReplyDeleteWho fares worse in society today men or women? That depends on who you ask. From a woman's point of view I think women fare worse. Once upon a time men were the bread winners of the household. They made sure that the bills are being paid, enough food was on the table, and everyone had clothes to wear. Now,in more than half of the households the pressures of running the household is left squarely on the women. There are many reasons why this is happening. Some are but limited to lack of employment and incarceration of their male counterparts. There are also men who feel that "the man" is keeping them down, therefore they are not willing to go the extra mile to provide for their families. Maybe they are fighting a psychological war within themselves.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe that it depends on the individual. Strong people know who they are and where they came. we all practice different things and come from different backgrounds. I think it should be the decision of the individual to define what they wanna be called. as for myself i would definitely wanna be called black or just American because this is all i know and America and all that i am. now for a black that may be Afrocentric, they may want to be called african american or something else of that matter. so i would leave it in the hands of the individual person.
ReplyDeletesorry bloggers i meant 2 say came from in the beginning sentence
ReplyDeleteAs far as the identity term goes i agree with glo dease it totally depends on what the individual prefers. I personally would rather people call me black american because i am not african i believe being a Descendant of an african is two different things in my opinion.As far as the class goes dr. greenfield is a great instructor but the first day in that class i was very uncomfortable because of how much i didnt know i have never felt so dumb founded in school before i also realize that the "Blake History" month is a JOKE! Its crazy knowing that i can tell someone off the top of my head when the civil war was from 1891 till 1865 but i didnt know who Bayard Rustin was and that really got up under my skin!
ReplyDeleteThis "identity term" issue is something I've never given much thought to. After reading the different posts, I think I would have to agree with a couple of posters. First, as Jacqueline said...does it matter what we are called? It is a personal choice, I think, according to the era in which you grew up. When I was younger, we were Blacks. Now as my children are growing up, we're African Americans. If we trace our heritage, I'm sure we'll find all races mixed in somewhere (hence the wide variety of our shades of color). I think we must be a little more educated about where these terms derived from and as Dana said...who made the decision for all the changes? Some of us hold on so tightly to all these titles that society places on us that it begins to cloud our minds. We are who WE say we are as individuals and we must learn to respect another person's "identity term".
ReplyDeleteI would like to address part of class dealing with reparations and moving forward. There are many things that we all deal with in life. We learn from our mistakes and it teaches us a lesson not to make that mistake again. This is why I say we should move forward. I am not saying forget the past, but do not dwell on the past. We should let the past propel us forward and let go of the hatred. I have always been told that our "attitude" will determine our "altitude." The more people think about the past their attitude becomes negative and nothing is resolved. Having a positive attitude will change the outcome of your curent situation and you can acknowledge that you as an individual will succeed in life.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question, who fares worse in today's society, men or women? Women are a minority group they have been assigned an inferior status in society, therefore I believe that in today's society women are at a disadvantage. They have less than their share of wealth, power, and social status. Women are often discriminated against by those in the majority group. Contrary to popular belief, I challenge the thought that we've come a long way.
ReplyDeleteMerriam Webster defines worse as unpleasant, unsuitable more unfavorable, less skillful or less efficient. In my opinion, men are worse off than women because men continue to struggle with historical scars of opression, lack of social identity and inferiority as related to their counterparts, not to mention the burden of having the unstated responsibility of taking care of their families. Men continue to struggle with slave mentality. They are segregrated by color, which was taught during slavery. Lighter skinned brothers were more favorable and received higher status than brothers with darker complexions. Today, men continue to experience this type of discrimination.
ReplyDeleteI know it was briefly mentioned in class the subject of black women and their hair but I would really like to know how this obession began. It seems that we as black women are born with this obession over our hair. Can't remember the singer's name but a line from her song still rings in my head. I am not my hair...
ReplyDeleteIndia Arie... great song... but is the title a true statement?
ReplyDeleteAs far as the term goes I think that it depends on the person and what they feel comfrotable being called. for example, tiger woods does not feel that he is black because he has so many different nationlities in him.
ReplyDeleteI have no issues being identified under either of those terms. I try not to focus too much on what I should be called but more on the individual that I am & being comfortable with that person. Who knows, before long we may have another "identity term" listed next to a check box.
ReplyDeleteREPARATIONS: 1. A repairing or keeping in repair 2. Something done or given as amends 3. The act of making amends.
ReplyDeleteSLAVERY: 1.Drudgery 2.Toil 3.Submission to a dominating influence 4.One that is completely subservient to a dominating influence.
America is one of the most diverse country's in the world. It is the place where anyone can become someone. Ethnicitys from around the world travel here to better themselves and there chances for a prosperous future.
The descendents of enslaved africans cannot be held accountable for the past and neither can their european counterparts; but we live in a world where close ties and connections still make a difference. How is it possible to rise and lift an assumed ethnicity from the psycho-systemic structures of slavery without making amends????
Soceity being dominated by the descendents of slave owners s
imply conveye one that is c
ompletely subservient to a dominating influence
I absolutely agree with ONeal, but When it comes to issues of being black and or African American I have very deep and strong feelings, that I would like to express and share with the class and the world. Throughout my academic career I have studied and learned alot about myself as well as my people. When one raises a silly question such as, WHO HAS IT WORST, black males or black females? I cant help but ta think that the key word is BLACK, glah.
ReplyDeleteWhen we , as individuals are asked the important question, who are you? How do we respond? As a sage I strongly believe that as a whole” “ we don’t know who we are, or who’s we are, therefore, when the uninformed reply, thats precisely what it is,…………. a uninformed reply.
ReplyDeleteTo piggy back on what Ronald said. Do you think Tiger Woods would have been as successful if her were not of a mixed race? And why is it that brothers with money tend to want to marry outside of their race?
ReplyDeleteI didnt get to finish my idea earlier the comp was messing up but i did want to comment and respond to what Andi had said, in reference to black woman and there hair. I believe that these types of negative inner-self do exist within our community. I believe that we as black americans push the idea of there actually being good hair and bad hair.
ReplyDeleteI believe that reparation is long overdue and should be given. People who are defined as Blacks are still affected by the negative impact of slavery. Most immigrants came to America to improve their economic status. The African slaves through their blood, sweat, and tears actually built this great nation. Why shouldn't the economic status of their future generations be taken into consideration by means of reparation? This nation still benefits from companies that were established and financed by the slave trade.
ReplyDeleteA few of you have said that you don't like the term African American because you are not African, so why would you consider yourself black? In all essence you are not Black. In my opinion in order to embrace your heritage you have to embrace all that you are, whether it be African, Italian, Jewish, etc. If you are not willing to embrace all that you are, then you should not complain about the plight of your ancestors for which you do not claim.
ReplyDeleteI never had a problem with the term African American or black, because as long as I know who I am, it doesn't matter which term is used however I do believe that I am African American. If I claimed to be African American, I am saying that I was born an American, but my ancestors are African. I am happy to know that I'm not only a woman of color, but a woman with a history that came out of African.
ReplyDeleteYes, India Arie. I think the statement is true "I am not my hair" what it means to me is my hair doesn't make me who I am as a person, as a woman. If I were to shave it all off today would it change who I am inside? No, but it would change how society sees me on the outside. For me I would not feel like less of a woman because I feel I have a strong sense of self, a strong sense of who I am as an African American Woman with or without the hair.
ReplyDeleteI too agree w/glo dease, your personal identity is your own!! But to be forced to choose a term to define others is difficult. I say be comfortable in your own skin, regardless of how many races came together to may you who you are. America is a melting pot of many nationalities and races of people,and that's the beauty of being an American. You get to chose what you want to be!!
ReplyDeleteAndi, "you are so on the money"!! What I see when I look in the mirror may not be what you see when you look @ me :) and for me, that's OK.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jennifer. I can't place myself in a category such as black or African American. I am an individual that is comprised of many faucets that are highly complex and divine in nature. As a people we are all very different and cannot and will not fit into a box beside any categorical name.
ReplyDeletei would like to throw in some things about "REPERATION" Which was dicussed in class last week. we cant change the past but we can change the future. one of my classmates said "if we keep looking back, we will soon stumble fall" which to me is so true...like dana said. we learn from our mistakes and teachers how to prepare our selves for those mistakes. we have to be more powerful than ever and not expect hand outs, and continue to work hard for what our pass leaders died for..
ReplyDeletePeople of other races (the Jews, Native Americans, etc.) who have suffered great loss through the acts of their oppressors haven't given up their right to compensation. By no means am I suggesting that anyone should sit at home and WAIT for the check to arrive via U.S. Mail. I totally believe that people who are interested in upward mobility WILL move forward and accomplish greatness. With all due respect, I also believe that what is owed, should be paid.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ronald that it depends on the individual and what they feel comfortable being called. He used Tiger Woods for an example and he said that Tiger does not believe that he is black because he has other nationalities in him. I can understand that, because Tiger recognizes all of them which tells me he does know who he is and he is not ashame to let the world know that he know where he came from and he seems proud of who he is.
ReplyDeleteI totally disagree with what Kevin has said. Yes the laws were written by the "white" man during the times that non-whites were being oppressed. And yes they were probably written to keep the "Black" man in their place, however this doesn't mean that we as a people have to lay down and play dead. With the mentality of "this is a white man's world" you will never get ahead. It is time that we (by this I mean all people)stop blaming everybody else for your failures or plights in life. It is time to stand up and say "I am not lazy", "I am smart", and "I can succeed" and go out and show the world that you are those things. It is time to stop playing dead and stand up and be counted.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree a little with Ms. Ida. Although i may not be my hair, my hair is part of me and it holds importance in my life. I know that me, being a woman, i can't stand for my hair to look any ol type of way. And it bothers me when society generalizes people with curly, wavy, or long hair as good hair. why is that good hair? it is sad to know that black women who have dark course hair doesn't appreciate their own and are quick to say that our hair is nappy, when it isnt. so indeed, i believe that our hair determines(just alil) how we see ourseleves.
ReplyDeleteAs far as being called an African American or black. I would prefer to be called an African American. No I may not be full African,but I do believe that being a descents I think it's a respectful matter. We need to love our history and where we all start. Black doesnt give me any character about myself. Its a just a color with no true meaning about me or my family.
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree with kevin just a little. I do believe black man do have it worst in a few situations. But alot of black men use that as a reason not to work or try to get a higher education. This "white man world" as you stated was made so that if you WANT to became successful you can. But it isnt going to be waiting on you on your door step.
ReplyDelete"thats precisely what it is,…………. a uninformed reply"
ReplyDeleteYUP
As I've read through the comments made, I have to agree with Mr. Mangle...WE don't know who we are. We've always been told by others who we are. Dr. Greenfield proved a point in class today...he knows his heritage and the struggle Jews went through. We as a people, have no idea of our heritage or the real struggle our ancestors went through. As Ida said in class, we know of it, but we need to go deeper than that and become emotionally attached to our ancestors struggle. We only view it from a distance and on the surface. I wonder why that is? What are we afraid of? Our ancestors stuck together and took care of each other as much as possible until they couldn't for whatever reason. Somewhere on this journey to liberation, we forgot how to stick together and took on this ME, ME, ME mentality. The social structure was divide and conquer....and until we (as a people) realize that TOGETHER, we have the power, we'll stay divided and conquered.
ReplyDeleteAfter a conversation with a certain person, I am feeling really censored these days. Question ? how many conscious activist do you know of, that allow themselves to be censored? ???
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree about not knowing who we are. I beleive that we do know who we are. We, as a community just let society repeatedly tell us we don't know who we are. we know where we came from and what our ancestors been through and came from, sometimes we may not know everything and everyone that occured on in certain events but we know the struggle because we continue to struggle today. EXperiencing something hands on don't necessarily mean that you don't whats going on around you(i.e you tell a child not to touch a hot stove as a baby and as adults we remember not to do it or we'll get burnt). I kinda feel in my heart that many european americans keep us oppressed because they know that we are stronger, competent and more powerful than they give us credit for. And by telling us lies and making us feel bad about our history keeps us down as a whole but truely and honestly we know who we are. its them(whites)who don't know and except who they are because if they did they would know that all race began in the origins of Africa from the firts human beings that were placed on this earth.
ReplyDeleteI belive that BLACK people have have loss a sense of the heiratage and what their ancestors have work so hard to build. When i say build I mean to start a foudation of African Americans that stick to gather threw the thick and the thin. If you are not African American then you are A OTHER and how are you going to explain that . BLACK is a colr not a race
ReplyDeleteglo, I hear what you are saying, but how many times have some of us said "I'm Black or American, I didn't come from Africa"? Some of us do it all the time. That let's me know, we don't OWN that part of our heritage. My parents went through segregation then integration, that they talk about, but beyond that, there is nothing. There is a lot to be learned from our story of struggle during slavery and trying to be free. It almost appears that we had more when we had less. Does that make sense? There was more togetherness, more love, more respect for each other, more joy/happiness...now that we have access to more things, it seems that all those things that made us strong does not exist for us as a people. That's what I mean by we don't know who we are.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is much harder for women of color than men. 1st because women of color were the last to become citizens. Secondly because even though black men still don't get as much money when it comes t work as their white counterparts, black women are the lowest on the totem pole.
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