https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u en-us 2017-12-06 12:38:02 UTC 2026-02-21 23:30:10 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/213663810 "When the Irish Weren't White" by Michael Harriot describes the way Irish immigrants in the 19th century experienced extreme discrimination because of pre-formed stereotypes. This concept, judging an entire group based on stereotypes, is still alive in modern America and can be seen through the struggles of immigrants from the Middle East. Middle Easterners are being barred from entering our country based on the actions of extremists. Like the 19th century governments, congress is passing laws that attempt to limit the number of people allowed to immigrate here from Middle Eastern Countries. These people are seen by a vast majority of our citizens as dangerous terrorists, even though the majority of them wouldn't hurt a fly. Americans allowed the Irish to assimilate into society, and they have become a valued part of who we are: how are we supposed to integrate Middle Easterners into our society if our government wont even give them a chance?]]> 2017-12-06 12:41:47 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/213663810 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/213671412 This slam poem by Alex Dang connects to Andrew Levy's analysis of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through it's explicit descriptions of what it is like to grow up Asian in America. Asians, just like African Americans, have been discriminated against and treated unfairly by Americans over the course of history. While the plights of African Americans began to come to the forefront of societies civil rights agenda, Asians were often forgotten. Asians were beaten and killed, driven from their homes, made to work long hours for little to nothing. Even modern society is ignorant of their plights. They are still seen as secondary characters, not quite up to par with the rest of us. America as a whole needs to stop using Asians as the butt of the joke, and make strides towards mending the mistakes in our past.]]> 2017-12-06 13:07:47 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/213671412 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/213681146 A common element that can be seen across personal testimonies about racial mistreatment is shame. This personal shame is perpetuated through generations, even after legal equality is reached. In "Indian Education", Sherman Alexie describes his shame after his high school basketball team, ironically named the Indians, loses the state title. He feels shame for himself, but most of all shame for his people. Shame is also seen in "What Kind of Asian are You?" by Alex Dang, in his reflections about being his parents translator. Minorities are put down so often and with such force that their own failures eat them away to nothing. When a white person fails at something, it is simply seen as a mistake. But when a minority fails at something it is attributed to the color of their skin. ]]> 2017-12-06 13:33:52 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/213681146 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/214461706 "This Amazing, Troubling book" by Toni Morrison is an excellent analysis of Huck's behavior and feelings toward Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It discusses the aspect of Huck needing to be in control, and I feel that this is a very important key in understanding Huck as a character. In the beginning of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck has no control over his life. His father is an abusive drunk, he has no mother, and he is forced to live with the widow and Miss Watson. He follows Tom Sawyer around like a lost puppy, being that he is the only constant presence in his life. But as Huck breaks away from this life, he finally gains independence. His relationship with Jim works so well because Huck is able to be in control. If Jim were to try and make the decisions for their group, their relationship would have grown tumultuous fast. Once Huck reaches independence, and frees himself from the controlling clutches of his father and society he will never be able to go back.]]> 2017-12-08 12:52:28 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/214461706 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/214988982 The N-Word Project by the Washington Post connects to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through its discussion of the use of the n-word and its impact on people. In Huckleberry Finn the word is used very often, and is said by most characters- including white people. It is the term used to refer to all black people; it is a slur, a word you would not want to be called. In modern society, the n-word is still widely unacceptable; but many African Americans have chosen to reclaim the word for themselves. Reclaiming the word allows African Americans to take away its power over them. Since the publication of Huck Finn, society has gone forward in regards to the use of this word. Although we have gone backwards on other fronts, we have begun to realize the power carried in that word, and are choosing not to use it.]]> 2017-12-11 13:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/214988982 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/215375941 "Left Behind," an article written by journalist Rebecca Clarren, describes the disporpotunate effort of the federal government when providing education to Native American students. Like "Indian Education" by Sherman Alexie, "Left Behind" describes the poor effort given by teaching staff and school administrations in giving Native Americans an equal chance at education. We, as a society, have gone leaps and bounds forward in the way we treat African Americans, yet Native Americans continue to be left behind, even in 2017. We have taken 10 steps forward and 5 steps back. The Civil Rights movement of the 60's, although it was meant to be embraced by all races, has not allowed Native Americans to thrive in the same way as African American or Asian Americans. Despite our progress, the government continues to bind Natives down and treat them as nuisances, rather than American Citizens. ]]> 2017-12-12 12:38:44 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/215375941 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/215387280 Since the publication of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, society has grown significantly with the way in which people of other races are treated. The Civil Rights movement of the 1960's gave civil liberties to millions of American citizens who didn't come from European decent. However, it is still obvious today that bigotry and racism are still ever present. It can be seen in the treatment of Native Americans by the U.S. Government, the recent resurgence of KKK activity, and the reluctance of many Americans to allow people immigrate here from Middle Eastern countries. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, there has been ever growing distrust of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States. This mistrust is based off of the actions of a few radicalized, violent individuals. Racism is fathered by fear, and over time this fear has spread from race to race: it is only a matter of time before society realizes alienating Middle Easterners was just as much of a mistake as it was with any other race, and they find another minority to bully. ]]> 2017-12-12 13:12:56 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/215387280 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/215767038 Even though it has been over a century since The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published, society is still facing some of the same violence and hatred as described in the book. In this article, "Hate Crimes Increase Across Maine, Nation," by Taylor Cairns, it is reported that over the last two years Maine police have reported 78 hate crimes. This number, although it may seem small, is very significant. Those were 78 incidences of people of color being openly discriminated against, being made to feel fear, shame, and helpless. 78 is too many, period. The state of Maine is over 94 percent Caucasian: it is the whitest state in the United States. White people have the super majority, and are using their power to deter people of color from our state, from being comfortable, and from being safe. Society, a shown in the other articles we've analyzed as a class, still has a lot of work to do.]]> 2017-12-13 13:18:21 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/215767038 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/216460131 In this article by Timothy Williams of the New York Times, the startling rates of Native American women who have been raped is revealed. According to the article, one in every three native women has been raped, and in rural villages the sexual assault rate can be over twelve times the national average. This is yet another example of how the U.S. Government fails to protect Native Americans. As seen in "Indian Education" and "Left behind", the government provides very little assistance to native american schools, and the dropout rate for natives is significantly higher than for white students. On top of that there is now the issue of the continued assaults of native women, and their limited resources for help. The government has not stepped in to try and prevent these acts of violence further, even though the rates of assault are so much higher. Our society scoffs at the idea that racism still exists inside our government, arguing that everyone is equal by law. This, however true, does not mean discrimination has ceased, and provides yet another example of how we've taken steps backwards in the fight for equal treatment. ]]> 2017-12-15 13:00:25 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/216460131 nicole_merosola https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/216463660 In this article by Stereo Williams of The Daily Beast describes the racial stereotypes that face black women every day. Black women, like women of other minorities, have experienced bigotry and senseless hatred based on they way they look for hundreds of years. Black women were influenced to change the way they look in order to achieve "whiteness" by straightening their hair and using products like skin lighteners. Black women were also made to feel that their natural features were ugly, such as big lips or wide hips, in comparison to white women. However, in recent years, black women have begun to celebrate their natural assets and a new standard of beauty has begun to emerge. All over the nation black women have begun to accept themselves, and choose to let the opinions of bigots and racists roll off their backs. Although Black women are still mistreated by many Americans, our cultural values are beginning to shift, and this is a positive step forward for our nation.]]> 2017-12-15 13:13:29 UTC https://padlet.com/nicole_merosola/mpwhgmfbpj7u/wish/216463660