https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc en-us 2017-12-06 12:24:43 UTC 2017-12-19 12:52:54 UTC hello@padlet.com kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/213659852 It is not okay for a white person to use the n-word when singing along to a song. Many times words will have context, or a certain relationship exists between two individuals who exchange words like 'Honey". For example, between a husband and wife. Although white people 'invented' this derogatory word, it's still not okay in anyway to use it even when in song. To feel like you can't do something is sometimes new to a white person considering they have many privileges in America that they may not know of. If compared to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim was often not included in the Duke, King, and Huck's shenanigans. Instead he was left on the raft to sit and watch because as a runaway slave he had nearly zero rights. For white people who feel restricted because they can't use the n-word in their favorite song, it's only a small look into what it means to be black. ]]> 2017-12-06 12:26:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/213659852 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/213670656 Slam Poetry is a great way to get points across especially since it has such a huge emotional impact on those listening. Stereotypes tend to cloud peoples vision and can be very harmful to the person on the other end. By comparing someone to someone else or calling them by racist slurs is already known as wrong, but it unfortunately still happens. To compare a person to another can slowly take away their individuality, and can cause people to see them differently. Also, a lot of people use racial slurs as an insult without knowing the real meaning behind them. This is similar to Ta-Nehisi Coates argument about white people using the N-word in song. Without context, words can mean something incredibly inappropriate which explains why people can share words between each other that others can't ]]> 2017-12-06 13:05:48 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/213670656 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/214365289     Sometimes fear can play a huge role in explanation as to why people can be so racist. Although inexcusable, after 9-11 many people used "patriotism" as an excuse to shun different religions and ethnicities. After a Muslim was harassed by a white American, the American exclaimed, "You call it terrorism; I call it patriotism!", to which the President of the United States never responded to. This gave the assumption that racism was in fact Patriotic, when obviously it was the exact opposite. The lesson to be learned from these events should be that true patriotism is when diverse communities come together to represent the country that they can all live in together in peace. This concept is not that easy for everyone to grasp and frankly not everyone may be ready for it. Trust is a hard thing to gain, but sometimes people make it too difficult from the very beginning. This is something that the US struggles with, leading to a bit of a stand still when it comes to cultural acceptance in the United States.]]> 2017-12-08 00:57:07 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/214365289 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/214459409 Hollywood is one of the main influencers in society and especially within the United States. Some authors will incorporate characters of color or of different ethnicities to represent culture and to make more people relate to their story. However, sometimes these authors can fall into the area of assumptions and stereotypes when doing so. This makes it even worse for those similar to that character because now those racist stereotypes will be passed on to what people think of them. This, in a way, is similar to how today people dress up for Halloween as Cleopatra, an Indian, or as a different ethnicity  without knowing anything about that culture. Your costume may be impeccable but what you must consider is that the beautiful head dress on your head has sacred meaning and should not be worn for fun. This is still an issue and costumes like these seem to show up every year despite the raised awareness. Without improvement, this means that the US is still stuck going sideways in regards to Culture.                                                                                   ]]> 2017-12-08 12:43:30 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/214459409 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/215622532     In this powerful poem, Javon Johnson addresses the fact that "Black Boys" must learn how to hide before they learn how to read. Unlike most white people in the United States who have the privilege of trusting law enforcement, many people of color have to live with the danger of always being viewed as the threat. This assumption of black people is untrue, but due to the fact that the majority of society views them in this certain way they must teach their children what it means to live as a black person. Unfortunately what being black means, according to what Ta-Nehisi Coates said, is to walk through life watching people do things that you can't join in on and do. In this sense it's clear that culture in the United States has gone forward to a certain point and then stopped. Although black people have gained the same rights as a white person (for the most part), some still struggle with being viewed as humans and not a problem. It is truly great for all races to be equal to one another. The only problem with laws of equality is that even if it's written down and documented, words on paper don't always change how someone may look at you, and without America being able to change their outlook, sideways seems like the direction of travel.]]> 2017-12-12 21:18:28 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/215622532 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/215758492     According to Jesmyn Ward, Society is in fact going sideways. Most of the time it takes many voices to change the ways of something, which is exactly what this broadcast was trying to accomplish. The goal of America should be to have everyone walk on a ground where they feel they belong. All races, all cultures, all religions, etc should be able to look at one another and call themselves friends. The only successful way to do this is to stop prejudice, stereotypes, and fear within everyone. Connecting to the article "Too many Americans Think Patriotism Means Racism and Xenophobia", a huge reason as to why races are treated less than human beings is because some white people are actually scared of them. This fear is most likely caused by the media which has developed incorrect stereotypes. America will never be perfect, but if everyone was able too forget about stereotypes, it would be much easier for all people to become equal.

http://libraries.maine.edu/mainedatabases/authmaine.asp?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,uid&db=edsglr&AN=edsgcl.460263003&site=eds-live]]> 2017-12-13 12:50:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/215758492 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216455267 Many New Englanders pride themselves on having an ultimately accepting community without racism. Ever since the Civil War where the Southern and Northern states fought for whether or not slavery should be allowed, some New Englanders have gone as far as to say that Barely any racism exists there because they mostly consist of Northern States. However, this is just the result of someone turning a blind eye. If you look into our biggest city, Boston, this is where you will find the most racism. Many complaints have come from players at Fenway for being called some racist slurs from spectators in the crowd. This may be because Boston in a highly concentrated area with people of all cultures inside. In Adventure of Huckleberry Finn, Huck grew up outside of society. This can possibly be compared to how if you grow up in Maine, you won't see a lot of diversity. This may affect how you view the world and other people. Due to the fact that Huck developed without societies assumptions, he was able to develop his own and evenly befriend Jim.]]> 2017-12-15 12:38:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216455267 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216463215 "Be who you are"
"Be yourself"
"Love yourself"
These are all words of encouragement told to children growing up in order to become proud of who they are. However, what if someone were to tell you that by being themself, they feel as if they need to be sorry? What if by being themself they receive more prejudice against them? The role the internet plays on this path to not being proud of oneself due to one's skin color is alarming. With technology becoming bigger and greater in the lives of many children they are allowed access to things there parents did not have. Sometimes this is helpful, while other times it can sum up to a tragedy. More black parents are having to censor certain things on the internet to protect their children while more white children are being exposed to racism through the internet. This is reminiscent to how Huck lived in a censored world before entering his society and schooling. Once he was introduced to the treatment of slaves and how their lives were impacted his morals were challenged. This resulted in him having to choose between what the majority thought was right and between what he thought was right. In reality this would be a very tough decision as most people would give into the majority decision.]]> 2017-12-15 13:11:39 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216463215 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216818739 Many times people will realize new things when rewatching, rereading, or even rethinking something. For Toni Morrison, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was not the most enjoyable read when she read it before junior high. Even when she read it in junior high, she explained it as "No less uncomfortable". However, after reading it many times she came to the conclusion that it's quite necessary for high school students to read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn without censorship. This is due to the fact that many are unaware of the racism and discrimination that still goes on in America. By exposing students early on to these issues, the world is more likely to move forward in regards to culture instead of continuing in a sideways motion. If you think about it, if children are not educated about racism through out their schooling, the chances of them becoming xenophobic is at a higher risk. With this being the case, America who has been moving sideways with culture may lean more towards going backwards. By allowing schools to educate kids through novels like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, perhaps America can someday take a few steps forward. ]]> 2017-12-17 22:57:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216818739 kellyn_dubois https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216819785     Although many white people know not to use the N-word, sometimes their views change when it comes to song. They believe it might be justifiable when using it in this way just because they are simply singing along to lyrics. However, this is not the case, especially when remember what Ta-Nehisi Coates said about this topic. It may be true that this word is unavoidable in today's world as it can be heard and seen almost anywhere, but many times there is context. For example, what's the difference between when this word is spelt with an 'a' versus and 'r'? The N-word spelt with an 'a' can be similarly related to if two white friends called each other 'bro'. Only it is a form of endearment and trust on a higher level for black people. This word can symbolize the hardships their ancestors may have had to endure in the US during when slavery was common in the south. Something a white person cannot understand and therefore should not be able to use this word. Unfortunately ,most White people don't take the origin of this word into consideration and use it anyway. Even though more awareness has been brought to the use of this word, not a lot has changed in regards to it's usage since a certain point in time. This would mean that culture in the US's society is continuing to move sideways.]]> 2017-12-17 23:15:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kellyn_dubois/jzq6n35rd5vc/wish/216819785