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Journal Entry 1; Cause for our lives

“There’s no race, creed, and culture older than being human”. There is no greater cause than the one for our lives. Out of all bacteria and organisms that copulate and create, you were created. So we exist on this finite probability as one in tens of billions of creations in this infinite universe. It's safe to say we are, not necessarily “special” but here by some power outside the realm of our comprehension. So what do we do with that? In the thousands of years we've been here on this Earth, we’ve managed to cause a large degree of degradation to our home in the form of Global Warming. We’ve annihilated more populations of animals than we can ever count. And on top of that, we boast as the “most advanced” organisms with vast cerebral capabilities. With all these cerebral capabilities, we use that to engineer weapons of mass destruction to wage war against ourselves; killing millions of lives men women children in the name of disputes. Which by the way, always has its roots in money and power. We don’t stop there though, we still separate ourselves with institutions like racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice. 

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Artifact 3; Intro Speech

Taxes death and trouble. Those are three things said to be guaranteed in life. Now with these in mind, they ask, What do you want to be? It’s about time I started answering that question honestly. Once upon a time, my dreams rested in law school. But even that seems like a distant one now. To be honest I’m not sure yet. For now, that just seems like an intended projectile bound to happen. The real answer to that is happy. Not the kind of kind that comes and goes and depends on luxuries money can buy. But the constant unwavering one that'll linger around my house like burning incense. See but not just my happiness but the happiness of those around me; everyone to be taken care of.   A life of No worries, and true peace.

I know better than to think my success here was made possible through only me. At the root of it all, I don’t see a future where my loved ones are not reaping, as well, the seed of my labor. So this about gratitude and love. Life and love exist in the same place. Not one can exist without the other. I understand that now. So when people ask, what do you want to be? I think the real question is How do you want to be? I know what I want to do as a career but that's not the end of it. Anyone can sit at a desk and collect a check at the end.

I want to be rich; in soul and fortune. This world is too limitless, in its nature, for a question such as “what do you want to be?” to be raised. For that reason, my answer cannot be covered in a  few simple words. Why be one thing, when I Can live the dreams I sought after as a kid? Life is hard and it claws at you, but in the end, love and the pursuit of life are all we have. In the future, by God’s grace, I only hope to be in a position that affords me these two things. 

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Artifact; Essay Revision #2

Tools of Exploitation

The years following 1950 saw an unshackled Africa fight out from the wrenches of several European Nations. Every decade until the end of the 20th century saw a different country gaining its sovereignty, amongst these was the nation of Nigeria in 1960. It seemed Africa was finally seeing better times, despite the recent centuries of exploitation, through the slave trade and European colonial rule. These two things worked for hand in hand to cripple parts of the continent to work for European interests. Within the realms of this exploitation, education was used as a tool. European missionaries set up schools that upheld white supremacy through the disregard of native languages/cultures. This type of school system is and was detrimental to African society. Unfortunately, these type of schools still exists in West Africa today; schools run by foreigners that claim to be of higher prestige and accreditation. These same schools are run by white people who don't speak native languages and have minimal experience amongst Africans but plan on educating the native population. This type of education system parallels that of colonial times, and As a society, we can’t aim for change and the uprooting of colonial rhetorics without tackling a systematic execution in western discourse still in effect today.

Economy and education are connected in almost every society. Education in any intended field is paramount to the actual procuring of any job. The European conquest on African nations utilized education as a means of exploitation into the economic industry. By controlling the school system, European interests were able to implement an economy that served them. As pointed out in the article, “The Impact of Colonialism on African Economic Development” by Joshua D. Settles, Upon arrival on African shores, missionaries were set with the objective of ministering to the “poor” souls in need. This objective transversed through the socio-economic stratosphere that existed in Africa at the time. Up until western interference, the native economy was constructed around local farming, artisanship, trading, etc. The Indian Ocean Trade in addition to the Trans Saharan trade was just a few routes that enabled contact with African nations and other parts of the world including Asia, and the Arab countries. This association brought about growth and mutual advantages. Furthermore, it encouraged diversity of entrepreneurship along with artisanship, which didn't align with the European capitalist sentiments. Therefore, In order to accomplish their goals, they launched an assault on anything of African nativity. Natives were forced to assimilate to new customs and culture brought down from Europe. This interference eradicated many of the old customs and therefore the artisanship that existed there. Trading and farming fell under the occupying country's reigns. The European narrative will have one believe that the times preceding colonialism was dark and desolate and therefore, needed to be changed, however, all they brought was a uniformed economy that decreased economic diversity in the nations under their rule.

In Nigeria today, English stands as the country's official language. The threat doesn't stand at multilingualism, However, it begs the question of the prominence of the thousands of the other native languages that existed there before the western influx. A sure sign of colonialism is this abandonment of some sector of native life. Western language became the language of professionalism and the symbol of modernization, ushering acceptance of western doctrines in hopes of success. The conditioning that took root in colonial times still pervades our society today. In countries like Cote D’ Ivoire, a population made up to 50% of farm workers, are encouraged to pay rates such $6000+ for education at a French Prestige school, in order to ensure an equal standing amongst others of the “higher class”. This is believed to give them accreditation in order to attend a University.

As European colonial rule outlawed the use of various native languages in parts of West Africa, The overall disregard of native languages by the ruling class formed an inferiority complex that sought to weaken the people. Without the pillar of culture, what was the identity of a people? Language became a tool, through the school system, to separate and degrade some. “French Prestige” and the entailments of the bourgeoisie became a person of worth amongst west African nations. A person who spoke the colonizer’s language, it was viewed as part of the learned class. A class within society is entailing of economic standing as well as learning the language of the oppressor became a symbol of submission to their rule but could, therefore, mean better opportunities. This pushed a whole society into a corner and forced them to pick western ideas. This flaw in the construct is one that still plagues the nations that fell under imperialism today. One example is the Ugandan genocide In 1990, where the tension between two sides, Hutu and Tutsi, fostered by the French caste systems, caused the death of a million people. After the fall out of the genocide, the administration moved to change their official language to reflect the native and not the oppressor. The change of the country’s official language reflected a change away from colonialism.

Moreover, it was in these years that the seeds of an ununited Africa were sowed. By implementation of an education system that fed off Anti-African ideals, European imperialist were able to manipulate the countries. This was one of the most effective vehicles of colonialism. By using the school system, they were able to bend the socio-economic background on the continent to their will.

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Artifact; Essay Revision #1

Evolution of Protest

The presence of technology changed the language by which society operates. Social media platforms are based on the premise of sight and as long as people are looking, the floor is yours. This language has transcended that of the activist and therefore protest. Modern activism takes it’s board meetings and sharing to the media. On the other hand, “time and money” and logistics were instrumental in the shaping of older movements like the 1950s bus boycott in Montgomery. This is an important aspect of the way in which protests take form in today’s time versus decades ago. Distinctive changes stem in the deliverance of the message. Millions can be reached within a single minute of a post, today. 4.15 million people were the estimated count of participants in the Women’s March in  2017, according to the New York Times. In addition, Four out of 5 of the nation’s biggest protests took place in recent three years. These protests utilized similar strategies as protests from decades ago; with marches, songs, petitions. With a clinging to old “folk politics”, it begs the question of the role of technology in the evolution of protesting in America.

Both Women's’ March and  March For  Our Lives garnered historical support as millions of people flooded the streets but not legal action. In 2011, “Occupy Wall Street” was the battle cry of a largely white working class group that sought an end to the predations of corporate power. Same thing, hundreds of thousands flocked out for the event, but no legal action. The point in protests like these stand in the demonstration. Oftentimes, protesting is lumped as one with politics, however, the act of protest spans past just politics. Politics has changed, so has a society, but, what it means to be human hasn't. Protesting is part of our very instinct to fight for our survival.  One cannot simply look to immediate legislative action as proof of triumph in a protest.  Political columnist, Nathan Heller points out that “time, money, infrastructure and an ability to call in favors” is what shapes politics. However, while those things were paramount to many revolutions of the past, these are different times. In less than 20 minutes, anyone with a smartphone can lend their voice to a movement and be labeled “activist” as long as they bring something to catch the viewer’s attention.  This is a double-edged sword as it poses as a crutch for modern activism. While more people are getting involved, there’s less dependency on money and time.  In addition,  it broadening the scope of focus as now anyone with a voice gets a seat. This could either be a good thing or bad as it comes down to the individual, himself and the audience.

Furthermore, The dialogue behind the demonstrations is what shapes a revolution. During the Civil Rights movement of the 50s and 60s, With less technology than today, they were able to influence laws. Not because of only the work on the street but also due to the dialogue being had between the leaders of the movement and political leaders like the President at the time, Lyndon B Johnson. More than anything, it seems, in juxtaposition to the movements of today, there were more clearly defined leadership. In place of direct leadership, social media platforms serve as a central medium for groups. This medium of leadership, while seeming more democratic,  comes with flaws as it could be confusing for activists and leaders as well. When the Gezi Park occupation in Turkey in 2013 started gaining momentum,  the government conveyed interest to negotiate, but it was unclear who could represent the protesters. Heller observes that the end result was dwindling of the protests that day. The protesters might not have made the change they hoped for. Moreover, their story lives on, due to the media coverage,  and might even inspire others in the future. Despite, causing certain changes in the demographics of leadership across protests, the speed Technological advances allow for the spread of this dialogue worldwide. In addition, without central leadership, it allows for less of a target on individuals. This is not to say that protest today ignore the need for leadership, it’s just evolved into dependence on networking. It makes one wonder if our great leaders like Martin Luther King would still be alive today if leadership was more “horizontal” and therefore trivial to the other side. In addition, The perception that the act in which the group or individual takes on, ranging from sit-ins to street long matches, is the protest, is part of a fallacy. The message is what holds true power because that’s what unites the masses to rise. That's where technology comes in. The dialogue that ensues around a protest is what lasts so Activists are taking to Twitter and other forms of social media to discuss matters of prejudices and unrest while some writing to the congressman and leading marches.

In the end, protesting and forms of objections are a healthy part of society. As the populace sheds light on various problems, it allows candidates to utilize some as running platforms. This is the discourse that’s intended through protest. Technology altered the way in which this discourse takes place as it relies on the fast information which in turn fostered a generation of protests that’s largely mobilized by explosive numbers. This is, in turn, has created new forms of leadership within an organization, as well as new ways to get the message out.

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Author's Statement:

In entirety, this semester has brought about so much change. It seems that’s the true theme of my writing, as well as life. Everyday something changes and we barely take notice or choose to push out of mind. However, there comes those monumental times in our lives. It dismantles everything we thought we once knew about the world or about oneself. For me and many others my age, it came in the form of the transition from grade school to University. Moreover, just as much as they shape an individual, they also shape the course of history for a community. Throughout the 7 works on this page, a common theme of changes, the pressure that creates them and societal norms within the concept of change are explored. In addition, the prominence of changes can be observed within the semester's initial focus on “Revolution”.

             In the segments of “Making Connections”, the prompt of choosing an interesting pieces of literature introduced that inspired me led me towards “I Too” by Langston Hughes, “Straight Outta Compton” by one of the  90s rap group NWA and “shitty First drafts” by Anne Lamott. I Too spoke to me. I read it again and again. Not because I didn't understand it the first time but because I felt it. I felt those feelings of indignation at being put out because the world canty see your worth. However, I feel that pride in knowing that the fault is not in oneself but those that shroud their eyes of the truth of black success and liberation. In addition, “Shitty First Drafts” fed my confidence and opened me up to a humanistic approach to writing that ignores the norm. Finally, “Straight Outta Compton” was a physical embodiment of the eradication of black criminality as ironically, it employs the emphasis on criminality and fearlessness. In all 3 there's a common theme of a shift from conventionally thinking. These authors and artists reached outside the box and in the meantime inspired me. All were symbols of a turning point in perception and therefore embody change.

Finally, in the segments of Essay portion, the prospects of Reconstruction , Women’s Rights as well as protest is chronicled. The first essay focuses on women’s liberation. This current society is one that seeks to justify women’s plight by saying “At least it's not as bad as before”. This is also true for the plight of the African American people today. The powers that benefit from our oppression can only thrive on the current standing. That's where protesting comes in. Why isnt that encouraged as much as voting? Both are part of the duty of every single city that claims the perks of democracy.

Remember, the very construct of this “modern” world was to keep some down by furthering the success of another group. Women, colored people, poor people are just a few groups that don't seem to fit into this mold of holding power so therefore they are disenfranchised. As you read through this portfolio, my only hope is for inspiration, Just as Langston Hughes inspired me. The reader must understand however that there is hope nonetheless because after all “They'll see how beautiful we are and be ashamed”.

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          The act of protest has transcended many eras and cultures. Protests have come in varied forms; peaceful, violent, civil disobedience etc. Moreover, they all share the common base of great disapproval by a group or individual. Usually, people who are in power don't take up arms, for obvious reasons. It all goes back to the natural human need for the hierarchical needs. It took starvation of the masses for the French to revolt in the 18th century and for the Russians to overthrow the tsardom in the early 20th century. That's not to say people revolt only for selfish reasons. It just comes back to the fact that most times, supporters of a revolution have to feel the wrongdoing or witness it in some way that's familiar to them for action to take place. Humans have made progress in recent years. Within that progress, it seems the nature of protest has evolved as well. Activists like Theroux pioneered more civil protests. Most often times, we see more peaceful revolutions taking place. The metonymic phrase coined by Lytton; “The pen is mightier than the sword”, has fared true for recent generations. Activists are writing to the congressman and  leading marches. On a arguably smaller stage, people are taking to Twitter and other forms of social media to discuss matters of prejudices and unrest. The traditional ways of fighting first and talking later are now seemingly obsolete. In the end, protesting and other ways of objections are indeed healthy if not crucial to a democratic society. Democracy cannot continue if everyone follows blindly. As the populus sheds a light on various problems, it allows the government to then revise and reform policies that in turn improve the conditions of an ever changing society.  

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Making connections 3

At the mention of the word ;“Essay”, there’s a certain level of pressure that ensues. The biggest challenge,it seems, lies in the very conception of the very first sentences. Anne Lamott, author of “Shitty First Drafts” suggests that in order to overcome this anxiety, one must accept that the first draft will most likely be “shitty”. This acceptance will in turn allow the reader to get that out the way in an effort to conquer it.           Furthermore, The problem is that not enough people are taught in this manner. From  grade school, we are conditioned to think first then create. The author implies that the reader look at the work of writing as a continuous process. One cannot simply just write the “perfect” draft at once. In order to create, one must take time to let their thoughts come to fruition on paper as well as mentally. Moreover she chronicles her process of editing as it transpires over months or reviewing and editing.             In conclusion, This revision method is more pragmatic as it urges the writer to formulate ideas more concretely as they aid in the main idea. Lamott urges that this, in turn, creates a more complete work.This is a unique perspective as it goes against the traditional methods of writing. It’s important due to its implementations as a more “humanistic” approach to a usually mechanized process. It lets the writer grovel around with ideas physically before the final draft.Moreover, this allows the process of writing to take place with less anxiety and more production. This is the perceived notion. All in all, bearing the latter sentiment in mind, it's important for the individual to figure out their writing method in order to tap into their deepest ideals.

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Essay 3- "Good Hair"

“Too dark”. That's the phrase most dark skin girls become acclimated with before they reach adolescence. Before we become conscious of our own identity, we become aware of something bigger; colorism. This is the notion that somehow the variant of brown an individual is somehow lifts them above others in the same ethnicity. This sentiment is born out of years of slavery and systematic oppression. The fruit of racism and self hate is colorism. When Europeans made colonies around the world, they implemented caste systems. This is true in almost all parts of the world including India, Jamaica, South America, etc. These caste systems would oftentimes set the lighter skinned above the darker skinned people, favoring them. As they implemented racism in physical world, it took on a form. Internal discriminations came out of this external hate. This is turn had countless effects specifically politically, economically and socially.  It’s effects can be observed in the social sense as Colorism doesn't just damage esteem individually. It digs deeper as it fosters discrimination within one’s own people. This crippling phenomenon is widespread. From the Ivory Coast of West African to the southern hills in India, It seems that in the world the darkest people are socially prosecuted. Growing up in Nigeria, on every store window, there were  advertisements for whitening cream. According to the World 1 Health Organisation (WHO), “77 percent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products”. This is a staggering number as it suggests that almost ¾ of the women in Nigeria have altered their skin tone. Furthermore this number is 59% in Togo and 36% in South Africa, according to 2 a study done by University of Cape Town in 2013. It’s not uncommon to see the use of these creams within one’s own family. I remember being 13 and hearing constantly; “Soon  you can start using the creams you getting too dark”. How ludicrous is it that in the Birthplace of mankind, the continent of Africa, there exists such hatred for melanin. This is only further fostered by Tv, media outlets, where there's less of a representation of a dark skinned black woman than any other race. Young girls grow up never seeing another representation of 1 ​Angus, Haaniyah. "The Biracial Aesthetic: Colorism and Hollywood. – Haaniyah Angus – Medium." Medium. July 23, 2018. Accessed November 04, 2018.  2 ​Angus, Haaniyah. "The Biracial Aesthetic: Colorism and Hollywood. – Haaniyah Angus – Medium." Medium. July 23, 2018. Accessed November 04, 2018.  themselves. When they are represented, its in relation to something negative, in the likes of drug addicts and short temperament in the eyes of the media. As seen in most movies made in the last decade, the usual portrayal of a black couple was a light skin women and a darker man. This same phenomenon can be seen in the casting of black people in general. Actress Viola Davis 3 declares “I have been given a lot of roles that are downtrodden, mammy-ish” on the subject of the lack of positive connotations surrounding dark skin women in the media.   Politically, these systems caused turmoil as oftentimes it became part of a voting demographic. For instance, in the case of the Rwandan Genocide, the Hutu and Tutsi were two of the same ethnic background. The only thing that separated these two groups were the Tutsis supposed “eurocentric features” which included thinner noses, lighter skin, etc. and the Hutus’ darker features. However, due to European classifications based on colorism and superficial 4 distinctions, they had emerged as two groups. This transpired into a real resentment within the two groups that later led to the genocide in 1994-95 that took the lives of approximately a million people. Moreover the consequences of such any system that seeks to separate people by skin color causes detriment to that society in ways politically by forcing individuals to pick a side based on such a fickle construct. These factors contribute to the tensions within a society. Diversity is not a bad thing but the maladaptive type of focus on the diversity causes turmoil.    Economically, as caste systems evolve and take on new forms, it widens the gaps. Before the era of Transatlantic slavery at the hands of the European, race and color was not usually an indicator of monetary wealth or status. As their colonial sentiments seeped into the lives of the natives, the notion of colorism permeated as well. This marginalized a group of people as it left most dark skinned people in a place of poverty and lower tier employment. In a study by Margaret Hunter Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Mills College it was noted “In fact, light-skinned people earn more money, complete more years of schooling, live in better neighborhoods, and marry higher-status people than darker-skinned people of the same race or 3 ​"Colorism in Hollywood." The Odyssey Online. December 18, 2017. Accessed November 04, 2018.  4 ​"How Colonialism Affected the Rwandan Genocide." Umuvugizi. August 16, 2011. Accessed November 04, 2018.  ethnicity”. Its obvious as to how this truths of our society can manifest in an inferiority complex amongst the victims as they scramble to attain a certain standard. On the other hand, as the use of these lightening creams increased, so did the likelihood of skin cancers, Within most of these 5 lightening creams, there's many harmful ingredients such as Hydroquinone and Mercury. Hydroquinone kills the melanocytes of the skin perpetually and Mercury is a known neurotoxin. Effects include insomnia, delirium, depression, etc. This in turn contributes to the general well being as more people find themselves at the mercy of these creams and therefore contributing to the cost of the country's health care. In many countries such as the EU, the distribution of Mercury is illegal. However, the manufacturing is sanctioned so the exportation is the only practice. This is proof that oftentimes, these governments are well aware of the health concerns around these creams but allow the manufacturing as long as the victims are outside the country. So at the expense of the quality of  lives of many, this enterprise of whitening creams are racking up mass profit. India is said to have consumed 233 tonnes in 2012, of lightening creams, according to the World Health Organization. Lastly, The business of whitening creams is booming, and that might be the source of official reluctance from government officials to cramp down on them.  In conclusion, The effects of colorism can be observed socially, politically and economically. This association that white is good and black is bad has been around for generations. This isn't a coincidence as its conditioned into most of us from a very young age. From Bedtime stories like the “The Black Swan” that pits a dark ugly duck against his white beautiful swans, to even stories like Snow White that depict a “fair” protagonist against a malevolent power dressed in all black. It seems like all through literature specifically, there’s this constant theme of darkness whiteness associated with grace. Why is it that in most stories we tell our children, we almost subconsciously subject them to this same conditioning as well. This is part of western education as well. As a person of a colonized group, this is a sign of the colonization that took place generations before me. Colorism promotes an olden sense of Eruropen superiority that was rampant during colonial times. In recent years, there’s been efforts 5 ​"The Shocking Cancer Effects of Skin Bleaching." The Shocking Cancer Effects of Skin Bleaching - The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia. Accessed November 04, 2018.  to “decolonize” and reverse the effects of a traditional colonial construct. However, these efforts seem almost futile as most people sweep the problem of colorism under the rug. It’s rarely discussed as its part of a bitter truth that lends its history to one of degradation and slavery.  This is why the likelihood of this unfortunate epidemic is in correlation with western influence and perpetration of an inferiority complex among the victims. With all these in mind, it begs the question of if the age of colonialism ever ended.      References: Angus, Haaniyah. "The Biracial Aesthetic: Colorism and Hollywood. – Haaniyah Angus – Medium." Medium. July 23, 2018. Accessed November 04, 2018. https://medium.com/@hanxine/the-biracial-aesthetic-colorism-and-hollywood-ebe00725cd0b​.   "How Colonialism Affected the Rwandan Genocide." Umuvugizi. August 16, 2011. Accessed November 04, 2018. https://umuvugizi.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/how-colonialism-affected-the-rwandan-genocide/.    ​"The Shocking Cancer Effects of Skin Bleaching." The Shocking Cancer Effects of Skin Bleaching - The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia. Accessed November 04, 2018. http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/the-shocking-cancer-effects-of-skin-bleaching.    ​"Colorism in Hollywood." The Odyssey Online. December 18, 2017. Accessed November 04,

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Making Connections 2

“Straight Outta Compton” by the 80s-90s rap group NWA was ahead of its time in many ways. The use of cinematography aided in the conveyance of the overall message. The setting is a dimly lit city where the rappers can be seen running from cops and in turn, getting arrested. The rappers can be seen manhandled and apprehended without any crime in sight. This all happens in broad daylight but the scenery is still dark in nature. This aids in setting the stage for the ensuing images showing that the lawlessness is evident but still hidden.  This song was a sort of tribute as well as expression of grievance to their current state at the time. The 80s and 90s were a time following much of the great Civil Rights legislations and marches. Hence, This was a time where police brutality was at a center stage. This song tells the story of the young men in their position. This story of unfair treatment by law enforcement and crime is one that transcends this generation as well.

The rap group hails from Compton, a neighborhood known for its music, despite its vices. Through all the chaos depicted, the group maintained a strong will in the video.Overall,  Crime or the assumption of crime was just a daily occurence. This could be seen as an acceptance of a circumstance. On the other hand, however, this could be seen as a protest to what was considered “normal” to be exposed to the rest of the world. They weren’t cowering in anyway or submissive in the face of the police. The introduction of Eazy E’s persona is a testament to this as well as he can be seen toting firearms in plain sight. The expository nature of the song itself is established in the first lines as “You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge”. This was very different from the usual music vidoes of its time. It set the stage for the contemporary talks of its time in terms of police brutality and the everyday struggles in the life of the African American male/female.

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I Too -Making Connections 1

I  Too By Langston Hughes

            I Too shall be realized in ways not unique to my people. The History of colored people is one marked by great suffering and great success alike. From stories of Musa Musa, the world’s richest man of all time to statistical poverty and stress, the story of the black man is a chronicle of juxtapositions. I Too tells this story in a few lines as he warns the world of the great realization. He shall stay in the metaphorical kitchen, preparing and conceiving himself till one day, taking a seat at the table, he has earned his chair.

            As a black woman , This message is one I can definitely relate too. Its an indignant one as he seems fed up. His words have a purpose as the poem is very short and precise in terms of meaning. For so long in the world, the European narrative was accepted as the explanation of everything on Earth, including black people. According to them , inferiority was us and they represented the people at the great table of modern society. Black people were further marked as bestial, ignorant and barbaric. This in turn was proof of their inferiority and therefore lacking need for representations. Moreover, in recent years, there’s been a resurgence of pride and and success.

            The looming fulfillment noted by Hughes in I Too is one that has resonated as it comes to pass. Appropriation and cultural shifts to the unfamiliar are evidence of this. His promise “They’ll See How Beautiful I Am” and register that he too is a part of America transverses the generations as even today many colored people fight for recognition as a civil addition to American society. Moreover, there’s still more to be done in terms of progression. Today we see black people at the forefront in music, media , etc. His realization of what the future holds,

 is in a way unraveling as part of history. 

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Essay 2-Protest & Reconstruction

          “The Reconstruction of the African American Male” by Waliyyuddin A. Sabir is a piece of obscure  literature that centers around the “reconstruction” of a displaced people. By reconstruction, the author means the re-realization of  pride and purpose in a people. Throughout the 65 page novel, it reads as more of guide than a story. This writing takes on a unique place as it chronicles through history at various instances of facaded implemented destruction. For instance, he speaks on the nuanced meaning behind the 3/5th compromise and its effects on the population as a whole. Like various other works from the Civil Rights Era, the topic of protest is between the lines. However the author uses other ways to encourage the reader to reach this conclusion. Using religion, language and legislation, Sabir points out the faults within the black society in result to implemented strife.

            The story told in this book is one that on a human level can be appreciated. His work goes beyond just the contrast between black and white people. It reaches and calls for reasoning at the same time to be used for change. As more of an expository reading, it seeks to bring to light his truths. A common theme throughout the novel is one of decryption these “coincidences” that have existed for centuries and still continue on today.

           The utilization of religion well furthered his stance as well. The white man knew the slaves couldn’t stay forever “submitted” to their uses. According to Sabir, they created an image of a deity entwined with their own image. This in turn caused a great detriment to the people in terms of identity and will. As they pray to a God that looks like “master” that brought the white man closer to a “God-like” creature. He declares that as a people we recognize these lies in front of us to find the will once again to be great. This will is one that was stripped. As a result, the black man lost himself within the society created and pushed on him.

         Furthermore, by forcing their language, the black man was reduced. Without a doubt, language sits at the helm of culture. It connects a people and therefore identity. By taking away this part of a people, they were left to learn as they saw. Their only survival was doing as the white man instructed. This animalistic type learning furthered the white propaganda of an incompetent savage people. As the author points out, it took away purpose from the people. This purpose is what gives a people their will.

          Additional, When the US made the decision to render every slave 3/5th of a human, the consequences were monumental. The reason behind it reaches deeper than a surface level. “3/5th is not a confidential fraction” he states as he explores the meaning behind it. For one, the slave population were fed 3/5th of the food groups. By excluding minerals and vitamins, they were damned to a diet based on fats and carbs. This is no coincidence as those food groups aid in physical aspects of labor. The excluded food groups actually enrich a person and promote brain functions. They persisted in nourishing 3/5th of the man. Therefore they used food as a tool as well.

           This has carried on into the contemporary generations, as the fruit of our ancestors still nourish us today. Unfortunately for the The black man, this “fruit” is a tainted one, thrust unto the population. As a people, we still experience many tools of destruction masked as coincidences. For example, liquor stores and rampant tobacco usage. As we are discouraged from education and offered more liquor stores per block, Their purpose is clear; to keep us under. However through all the evidence, one thing is clear; Before change can happen, we must see these signs for what they are. Only then can a true protest take form and bring about the necessary reforms.

           A protest refers to an uprising whether violent or nonviolent, usually in opposition to a current standing. The norm in America Since its conception has been to belittle and take advantage of “different”. It happened to every minority group upon arrival. However none have been so explicitly exploited as to be proven by exclusions in various legislature, ie Dred Scott decision, 3/5th compromise, Jim Crow Laws. This book digs deep into the various racism driven systems and with reason seeks to bring the reader to a place of new enlightenment. Sabir presents a picture that infuses common knowledge to break down the reasons and therefore come to a solution.

         The intended audience is that of a colored population. The author is Walliyuddin A. Sabir, a former civil rights activist and member of the Nation of Islam. He wrote this book as a sort of guide for the future of the black community. It calls for action by presenting facts and evidence to bring attention to the continuation of injustice.  Instead of focusing and blaming the white man, he pleads for introspective progression. This is a unique approach in itself as it seeks to explore what it means to truly make change possible for ourselves with regard to the harsh truths.

      Three-Fifths Compromise. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of the U.S. Census.

Sabir, W. A. (1989). Reconstruction of the African-American male. Jersey City: New Mind Productions.

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Essay 1

As a society entirely born by women, it’s absurd to even believe that they are at the bottom of this virtual totem pole that decides the course of history in many african nations. Out of the 56 African nations, there’s a great lacking in female presidents. As mentioned before, girls are raised to be wives, dependent on a male. In many households, males are allowed ample time to work on school and other arts of their desires while the females are burdened with the mass labors of the house including cooking, cleaning, etc. This is true in most cases and I witnessed firsthand within the dynamics of my family how my brother was granted an “easier” life in comparison to us girls. My mother would always rationalize, when queried about why we had to be up at the early hours cleaning while my older brother was allowed ample time to rest , by declaring “You’re going off to be married..he’s not”. Hearing that for so many years, one starts to believe it. It’s part of this vicious cycle that somehow gets started by your loved ones. On a continent where people still get stoned for being gay or transgender, it’s clear to see why gender is still a very rigid topic in Africa. I grew up not knowing that there was such a thing as being homosexual. This is not uncommon growing up in Nigeria. In many families, the roles are very important, so that fear of “different” is rampant. My own mother would nag my sisters and I if we attempted to leave the house without earrings. She would say “ You want to be a boy now?”. The dynamic distinctions between male and female are very stark and one had to follow unwaveringly or face ostracisation by the whole family. The family makes sure to keep the women in the house or in the kitchen, not in the library or a STEM lab. Who knows what would happen if more african women were encouraged to step into those fields rather than cook ofe egusi.

            Economically, women have been at the helm of various industries in many other parts of the world. From practical inventions to discoveries in chemical fields. In the late 2oth century, group of African american women were given credit for parts of the effort to get the first man in space. Moreover, it’s clear that women can function and give back to society in monumental ways. Africa needs her women in those fields as well. Growth cannot happen if they continue to stifle the growth of their most valuable resources; the women. There’s great potential in this aspect. Moreover traditional practices make it hard for women to acquire land unless through marriage in some countries such as Ethiopia and Rwanda. These laws further add to their crippling as often times it’s harder to acquire bank loans, business, etc. The abuse reaches further than a surface one. This is an institutionalized oppression of a people, similar to that of the African American in America and many parts of the world. This type of prejudice should not be alive on a continent that has experienced firsthand the heinous effects of marginalizations and objectification of a people.

The oppression of the women is very detrimental to their health in many ways as Female genital mutilation is perpetrated still on a large scale. Female genital mutilation, the act of cutting away at parts of the female sex organs, including but not limited to the clitoris Has been going on for years. The practice is an olden one as its correlated with the traditions and cultures. It’s done in attempt to prevent the progression of female sexuality. By removing the aspect of desire, the goal is to ensure chastity. Sexuality in africa seems to be truly isolated to the males. Women are taught from an early age that sex is not for them and they feel it as the mutilation strips away the pleasure factor. This mental and physical factor is part of an ongoing effort to strategically stifle the flourishing of what it means to be a woman. On a more abstract note, this practice also increases the victim’s risk of many sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. No other part of the world has been hit harder by this virus than the nations on the continent. And no other group has been hit harder than  black women everywhere. In addition, women are often times encouraged to take the STD tests while their male counterparts fare without one. The fear of losing their status in society hinders them. However, the spread of STDs and other sickness transmitted through contact can only be slowed down and stopped if both sides are held equally accountable and tested. 

It’s clear that feminism is a much needed movement in the African  nations. Traditions and culture is something that seems to be most prevalent throughout. Even the pillaging of the European nations couldn’t snuff out this aspect. Even christianity couldn’t uproot all these customs. However it’s time to open our eyes as people. Not all customs were meant to last. Generations have come and gone and more contemporary solutions have to be in place for a contemporary time. The lack of support and equal civil and human rights when it comes to gender identity is detrimental to society; socio-economically and the overall well-being. If no one else can stand for us,  there’s only one other option as we must take action to reverse the harmful effects of a sad history.

  “Female Genital Mutilation and Risk of HIV Transmission.” Declaration of Geneva: Physician's Oath, www.cirp.org/library/disease/HIV/brady1/.