https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b en-us 2017-12-07 16:27:43 UTC 2017-12-20 22:21:59 UTC hello@padlet.com abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214207597 Throughout this episode the family is objecting the celebration of Columbus day; we should instead celebrate "Juneteenth", the day the slaves were freed. In my history class we are currently discussing Columbus day and whether or not it should still be a holiday. This episode raised a lot of good point inducing; the refusal of many white people to admit Columbus was a bad guy, that POC are getting "greedy" with holidays and they simply don't want change. The wife explains it perfectly by saying; " Slavery isn't easy to talk about. It makes people uncomfortable." People would rather celebrate an awful man then celebrate something great in American history that might not be "fun" or "easy to talk about. Many people in my history class even think it should still be a holiday. ]]> 2017-12-07 16:46:20 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214207597 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214214517 In her essay Morrison discusses that shock and fear she felt reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a POC. I feel like this is a common reaction as the book deals with many real, tough subjects; along with it's frequent use of the N-word. This connects to both the Black-ish episode and the N-Word video. The cast of Black-ish is shocked and angry at the way people deal with things that concern race; just as Morrison felt shocked reading Huckleberry Finn. Morrison also must deal with the use of the N-word within the book. Is it okay if it's in an educational sense as the video says? These three sources all tackle the emotions that come from dealing with race. ]]> 2017-12-07 16:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214214517 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214214761 This source focuses on the use of the N-word; today and through history. Is it ever okay to use? In what context? What does it do when it is used? In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn this word is used quite frequently. Twain himself isn't using it in a malicious way, but his characters are. Is it okay for them to say it if Twain is trying to make a historically accurate point using it? Within the video many people say it is only okay to use in an educational setting and that by learning it in school kids will have a better understanding of the word. I think this is what Twain was doing with his use of the word; show people what it really means and why it should not be used lightly.  ]]> 2017-12-07 16:58:47 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214214761 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214537021 This Ted Talk discusses the prejudices and injustices against Native Americans. Many of the stories talked about and deal with the fact that many Native Americans believe that racism will never end or people will never understand Native Americans. This reminded me of the Black-ish episode were they also believe people will never change or understand them. Both these sources highlight the alienation POC can feel in everyday life. This shows Native Americans and African Americans (along with other marginalized groups) feel as if' even today, people do not understand their culture or struggles. ]]> 2017-12-08 15:48:33 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/214537021 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/215065439 This article discuses a time in American History when the Irish where immigrants and largely disliked by the "white" American population. This reminds me of how many Mexican immigrants are treated today. Many of the comments made; that the Irish are murderers, lazy, they steal jobs, etc. are similar to the comments a lot of people have made about immigrants coming from Mexico. There were even laws passed that made it so the President could restrict which countries could come into the U.S.This sounds familiar with the travel ban put in place by President Trump. It looks as if history is repeating itself with the treatment of immigrants. The article also discusses how eventually the Irish came to be excepted within the "white" American community because their skin tones matched. This makes me think if one day immigrants from Mexico, Iraq, etc. will be accepted and assimilated into today's America. ]]> 2017-12-11 15:38:28 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/215065439 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/215472341 This source talks about how minority races are represented and portrayed in past and current media. For me, this connects to a unit in my AP Lang class about people with disabilities. In that unit we discussed how important accurate and frequent representation is; not just for people with disabilities but for all minority people. We discussed how the lack of representation causes people with disabilities to have a warped sense of self based on rarely seeing themselves portrayed in a positive light; this also has the same affect on minorities. It is important for all groups to have equal representation, especially on media that effects so many people's views and attitudes. ]]> 2017-12-12 15:53:05 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/215472341 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216231963 In this Ted Talk an African American man discusses how he has learned how important race is in America from his white grandchildren. He says from a young age his grandchildren knew there was a difference between them because of their skin. He discusses how much is based on a persons skin color in today's society even though most of the stereotypes are incorrect. This reminds of the way Jim was treated in Huckleberry Finn. Though Jim's treatment was extreme it shows how much America has always placed on skin color. How because of a difference in melanin some people were and are seen as more worthy or more able. As pointed out in this Ted Talk this is taught from a young age as it was with Huckleberry; that there are "differences" between people based on skin color. He also debunks this theory discussing his childhood classroom where none of them fit into their racial stereotypes. Huck recognized this when he realized just because Jim is black is doesn't mean he is any less of a person. ]]> 2017-12-14 16:48:40 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216231963 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216242560 This article discusses the differences in how white and black Americans view race and inequality. Many white people believe their is little to no racism or inequality, while African Americans have the opposite view. This reminds me of the episode of Black-ish when the white co-workers don't understand why African Americans need a holiday. They can't see why a holiday celebrating the end of slavery would be better than a day celebrating Columbus; they even claim African Americans are getting "too greedy with their holidays". It can be difficult for non-minorities to see the injustices facing minorities because they are not a part of that group but that doesn't mean they're not there. In real life, like in the episode, many people simply choose to ignore the injustices or unfair treatment happening around them. ]]> 2017-12-14 17:10:29 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216242560 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216520763 In October, at Boston College, a poster hanging up that read "Black Lives Matter" Was defaced when someone added the word "don't", making it read "Black Lives don't Matter". For me this story connects back to Huckleberry Finn and the way Jim was treated. Obviously this is not as severe as the slavery Jim endured, but this shows that we haven't moved completely past these prejudices. The feelings people held for Jim in Huck Finn (though not as extreme) still exist in today's society and it is evident in this act. By publicly writing that black lives don't matter the person who did this is reiterating the "less than" view people held against Jim and some still hold against African Americans today.]]> 2017-12-15 15:41:59 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216520763 abigailm_smith https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216802440 In this article an African American women talks about the use of the n-word by other African American people. She contemplates if African Americans use it, can they tell others not to? This connects to the video from the Washington Post were they discuss the use of the n-word. Many of the people also considered if it should be used by anyone, even African Americans themselves. Mentioned in both the article and video is people saying that African Americans have "taken the word back" from white people. They don't use it as a racist, hateful word anymore but in a way you would use "dude". Still many African Americans argue that it is still not okay to use it, even in that context. In the video I watched two older men say the younger kids using it don't understand the history behind the word and that is why they feel comfortable using it. Has the word been "taken back" and is no longer a representation of a horrible view or is it still not okay to say even if you are African American? ]]> 2017-12-17 20:06:58 UTC https://padlet.com/abigailm_smith/gpfyodoygx2b/wish/216802440