https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t Honors English 3 Research Project en-us 2017-12-05 13:53:26 UTC 2026-02-24 19:16:22 UTC hello@padlet.com aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/214122671 An analysis by Toni Morrison, this document shows the multiple relationships Huck has between Jim, the racist society he lives in,  and his moral being.  What was first understood about this analysis is that the author goes layers beyond the surface of the book, suggesting Huck's suicidal feelings and the father figure within Jim for Huckleberry. One point that particularly spoke to me that I can agree with now that it was presented to me is that Huck isn't running from control  but from lack thereof, he's escaping what he doesn't know because it frightens him. In relation to the real world, it can be understood from the article that children who lack any sort of parentage tend to find comfort in unlikely people and places, as Huck found fortitude under Jim's care. By shining light on the various conflicts occurring within and around Huck, it's easier to understand the motivations of Huck's actions, specifically his silence in many important situations. Huck's silence reflects, in my opinion, his estrangement from many of life's natural occurrences, such as feelings of affection or guilt. All in all, the article sparked lots of thought within me, making Huck's observable mentality all the more complex through analysis of his deep feelings for Jim, his tendencies to dwell on subjects of death and loneliness, and his unending escape from that which is foreign to him.]]> 2017-12-07 14:26:43 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/214122671 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/214150073 In this poem, the bond between African Americans in the nation is described as one of brothers and sisters. This bond was born out of a need for one another because the past of these peoples were forsaken in slavery and discrimination. Additionally, African Americans hold this care for each other because in the past, they were not shown care by those they share this country with. This "pledge" gives insight to how the generations of hate have cemented a unity within the black community in the U.S. This sort of relationship can be observed in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the bond between Huck and Jim, as Jim acts as a father figure for Finn because he too knows hardship and believes they NEED each other to survive their adventure.]]> 2017-12-07 15:10:48 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/214150073 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/214485925 Whitopia is described as a place of solitude, privacy, security, and kindness - which gives off a very alluring aura. After reviewing the story of a black man's adventure through 3 mostly white towns in America, these communities are more understandable and stand out bolder in the nation for me. These places are not necessarily racist, nor do racists necessarily reside in these communities, but it can be understood that these towns produce racism. By isolating people from people, understandings of one another become less apparent, leading to divisions in thought and living. Ultimately, it's important for us, as Americans, to come together and walk away from old customs and instead of hiding from each other's differences, but to live as one and embrace one another as humans.]]> 2017-12-08 14:04:54 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/214485925 https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/215397442 In an interview between Robert Fieseler and two anthropologists from Harvard, the status of racism and role of race in  today's America is discussed as structural and is still as common as it is because it has been used as a tool in multiple recent institutions. In additions to racism being used in society in recent years, racism in America was emerging right as our country was developing. This concurrence of foundations gave way to ideas and customs that placed those who were not white beneath average status, which was a system that continued right up until today where it's just starting to alleviate, though not absolutely.  Another reason racism is still somewhat commonplace in America today is because of the development of ideas in the youth of society. As children grow, much of their knowledge on race is obtained through family, friends, media, and simple observation of the world - for example; a child may come to the conclusion that people of a select group are bad, purely because that is what they were told by one person they may trust. An example of this happening can be seen throughout the story of Huckleberry Finn, where he is constantly torn between whether slavery is right or wrong. It seems the strongest solution to this issue in America is to remember the past and what came of it, though set forward on the future and ensure it does not exclude those who have been forgotten.]]> 2017-12-12 13:39:37 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/215397442 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216148994 As observable through events that have occurred this year, such as Charlottesville, racism is still rampant in America today, though the roots and means of inheritance of these biases are still puzzling. The largest understandable source is just simple perception of environment. The article compares the observations people make on race to those of kids at a new school - "When you arrive at a new high school. You are instinctively trying to figure out who’s cool, who’s not, who’s a nerd, who gets beat up? Kids quickly acquire these associations," . Speaking of children, the relationship between parent and child can be very important to the development of racist foundations within a person. If a child is not educated from a young age that people are truly equal and there isn't a "bad" group and a "good" group, then it is more than likely the child will grow to think favorably of a certain people than another. A solution to this issue is to change our culture and what is seen as socially and politically acceptable, as well as dissolve the stereotypes and personas that come with a skin color, as people are just people and not a member of some sort of group where everyone is the same.]]> 2017-12-14 14:01:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216148994 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216163025 The racism issue in America is not seen in the same light depending on the race  being asked. In a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, the question: " How serious do you think prejudice against minority groups is in the US today?" was presented. Results of the poll are somewhat startling, out of roughly 1,300 people, 66% of non-whites said yes, while only 39% of whites thought the issue as serious. This goes to show how there is a division in thought on the severity of racism in America between the peoples that live within the nation. It is essential that these differences be settled for the country to progress and leave racism to die, as it is an issue for the people, therefore, it must be solved by the people.]]> 2017-12-14 14:31:43 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216163025 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216174812 As of 2015, the U.S. population is dominated by whites, at around 81.6% of the total population. What his means is that many ideas or conclusions about racism in America today are coming from a white person's perspective, which may not always be the most insightful. This is because in history, whites have faced less, or even none at all, racism in America than other groups. To receive opinions or other means of information on racism in America from a group that has been arguably untouched by prejudice's hand is like asking a someone who's only hiked once or twice in their life advice on how to traverse the Appalachian Trail. You may gain some knowledge, but not as much as a veteran adventurer, or in this case, someone of color. All in all, our country may be struggling with racism as much as it is because of the lack of diversity in our population, which is leading to a lack of diversity in thought, especially towards matters of race and bias.]]> 2017-12-14 14:54:30 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216174812 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216474843 In January of 2016, an incident in Bangor, ME was reported, where a black child was being harassed by classmates using the 'N-word'. As Maine is statistically the state with the largest white population, it can be concluded that exposure and knowledge of diversity is very limited. In order for America to actually move forward in the matters of racism, people, especially children, should be educated on the subject as they are not only the most vulnerable to accept acquired knowledge, but also because they will soon be the ones taking control of the nation. Education on the matter is especially important in areas where there is a severe lack in diversity, such as Maine, because the absence of exposure can lead to ignorance and limited horizons. In order to move forward, the people of the nation must be efficient in the education of racism and its many forms and cases, or else those who do not encounter it first hand are left out of learning of the evils of racism.]]> 2017-12-15 13:49:54 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216474843 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216824715 The usage of the "N-word" in pop culture today is very common: from music, to movies, to slang, which has caused it to lose some of the impact and history the word has in it. Many people use the word today in various meanings, whether it be endearment, harassment, or historical purposes, though it is becoming less and less violent of a notion. Because the word has lost it's power due to over usage, many have forgotten the grotesque origin of the word and the stain that it carries with it. Through its usage, this word has made the past a bit less significant, leading many to forget just why this word is so brutal. The "N-word" was born out of torture and blood, and its light usage is dangerous if its true meaning isn't realized with each expression.]]> 2017-12-18 00:40:17 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216824715 aidan_mcpherson https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216825257 It's obvious that the usage of the "N-word" has dramatically high in modern America, as has the controversy surrounding the word. The largest of these issues with the word is it's exclusiveness and why it's frowned upon for those who are not black to use it. The privilege of this word does not belong to the whites of the United States because of their relationship with the word and those who the word was directed to in its origin. White people created this word to oppress those of color, while those of color can use the word more freely because they were the oppressed and this word was not a weapon wielded by them in the past. Not only should people not use the word, but they should learn through refrain, gain perspective through losing the opportunity to use the word where many other races have lost and still lose many, and larger, opportunities in the world]]> 2017-12-18 00:49:54 UTC https://padlet.com/aidan_mcpherson/t9n3ogci0l8t/wish/216825257