Analysis Of 'Counting Descent' By Clint Smith

analytical Essay

573 words

Clint Smith’s poetry collection, Counting Descent, is an accumulation of compelling stories that seek to complicate the misconstrued conception of tradition and lineage that a majority of Americans have towards the historical upbringing of African Americans. In his poem, “Something You Should Know,” Smith utilizes the behavior of a hermit crab to establish a metaphor; similar to how a hermit crab molts its skin and searches for a new home, a new safe haven, Smith is fearful of letting people know his true self, thus causing him to seek shelter from potential rejection. Through the metaphor, Smith explores the disconnect that results from belonging to a society that stereotypes the lineage and perceived personalities of African Americans while living in a community that is fearful of the acceptance of blacks. …show more content…

Traditionally, and as depicted by Smith, when a hermit crab starts to “grow, molt, and shed its skin,” the hermit crab then, after momentarily enduring complete exposure, scurries off in search of another shell. Similarly to the periodic nakedness of a hermit crab, Smith, who even after growth is hesitant to reveal his skin to others, finds solitude behind a shell of his own creation. Interestingly, and further revealing his internal fear of getting hurt by societal intolerance, Smith is frightened for the small creature, for the hermit crab lives its entire life “requiring something else to feel safe.” In this moment, through projecting his fears onto the lifestyle of a crab, Smith discloses the sturdy walls and barriers that he fortifies, keeping himself safe from feared futuristic emotional

In this essay, the author

Analyzes how clint smith's poetry collection, counting descent, seeks to complicate the misconstrued conception of tradition and lineage that a majority of americans have towards the historical upbringing of african americans.
Analyzes smith's depiction of hermit crabs relying on shells for security and safety. smith reveals his internal fear of getting hurt by societal intolerance by projecting his fears onto the lifestyle of a crab.
Analyzes how smith is terrified of being exposed and possibly getting hurt, but he doesn't want people to turn away from him as a dislike of his personality. by changing the point of view of the poem to formally address american citizens, smith clarifies that his name, his identity, and his persona, are not categorized under the same stereotypical categories.

Analyzes how clint smith's poetry collection, counting descent, seeks to complicate the misconstrued conception of tradition and lineage that a majority of americans have towards the historical upbringing of african americans.
Analyzes smith's depiction of hermit crabs relying on shells for security and safety. smith reveals his internal fear of getting hurt by societal intolerance by projecting his fears onto the lifestyle of a crab.
Analyzes how smith is terrified of being exposed and possibly getting hurt, but he doesn't want people to turn away from him as a dislike of his personality. by changing the point of view of the poem to formally address american citizens, smith clarifies that his name, his identity, and his persona, are not categorized under the same stereotypical categories.
Analyzes how "something you should know" moves fluidly across political and personal histories while additionally reflecting on the social construction of the lived experiences of african americans.

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The South: The Creation of the African American Community in The Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
analytical essay
“Along with other black children in small Southern villages, I had accepted the total polarization of the races as a psychological comfort. Whites existed, as no one denied, but they were n...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the concept of a new beginning occurs in african american literature, mostly in the geographical form of the south.
- Explains that african-americans started their independence and happiness in the south, despite their gruesome history. they chose to stay, disregarding their instilled sense of community and built private societies that separated them from white authorities.
- Explains that they accepted the total polarization of the races as a psychological comfort. whites existed, as no one denied, but they were not present in their everyday life.
- Analyzes how the concept of a new beginning occurs in african american literature, mostly in the geographical form of the south.
- Explains that african-americans started their independence and happiness in the south, despite their gruesome history. they chose to stay, disregarding their instilled sense of community and built private societies that separated them from white authorities.
- Explains that they accepted the total polarization of the races as a psychological comfort. whites existed, as no one denied, but they were not present in their everyday life.
- Analyzes how tea cake, a character in the eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston, described an average day in the everglades. the evenings were full of laughter and joviality.
- Explains that african-americans created a large music scene that aided in the raising of their spirits and creating hope. maya angelou describes the use of music in her autobiography gather together in my name.
- Explains that spiritual connections between their ancestors were the most prominent in the south than the north. these connections created a sense of entitlement to the land that african-americans lived on.
- Analyzes how the south represents hope and the start of a new beginning for african-americans.
689 words
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Analysis Of Black Boy By Richard Wright
analytical essay
Discrimination against African Americans is still apparent in modern society, even after the Civil Rights Movement had taken place in the United States. Richard Wright writes his autobiography from his perspective of growing up as an African American boy constantly feeling rejected by society with troublesome experiences and feelings growing up before the Civil Rights Movement. However, today these issues still occur daily for many African Americans, who are taken advantage of and lack equal opportunities to succeed, compared to Caucasians. If Wright were writing an autobiography titled “Black Boy,” about the life of a young African American growing up in the United States in 2016, he would write about the apparent negative
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the negative effects of racial profiling, unequal employment opportunities, and the educational gap between caucasians and african americans.
- Explains that many african americans feel trapped in a society where they are mistreated due to the assumptions made by caucasians.
- Opines that wright would be devastated to hear that innocent african americans are still violently attacked by police without justification.
- Analyzes the negative effects of racial profiling, unequal employment opportunities, and the educational gap between caucasians and african americans.
- Explains that many african americans feel trapped in a society where they are mistreated due to the assumptions made by caucasians.
- Opines that wright would be devastated to hear that innocent african americans are still violently attacked by police without justification.
- Analyzes the differences between african americans and caucasians based on socioeconomic background, education, and other components.
- Analyzes how the gap in education between african americans and caucasians is growing, citing mel evans' article, "education gap between rich and poor is growing wider."
- Analyzes how wright experienced many downfalls throughout his life due to the negative experiences he had with others. he spoke about the urgency to change, so society would equally support african americans.
1470 words
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White Treatment of Blacks in Notes of a Native Son
analytical essay
...Baldwin reflects saying, ?now that my father was irrecoverable, I wished that he had been beside me so that I could have searched his face for the answers which only the future would give me now? (84). Baldwin wishes his father was there so he could look into his own future, and see how to cure his bitter madness. In ?Notes,? the narrative of his father?s life, Baldwin realizes, may eventually become the continuation of his own life, unless he learns from what has happened to his father. This essay tells the story of the latter half of his father?s life, and the first half of his own. These two half-lives can be spliced together to represent an African American?s life anywhere during this time period.
In this essay, the author
- Describes james baldwin as one of the best essayists of all time for his ability to enmesh argument within narrative. baldwin's main narrative dealt with how blacks were treated by white people.
- Analyzes how baldwin's father died from an illness of the mind, which plagued him for the last years of his life. his paranoia kept him from getting close to his children and fueled his angry temper.
- Analyzes baldwin's "notes of a native son." 1955. baldwin: collected essays. ed. toni morrison.
- Describes james baldwin as one of the best essayists of all time for his ability to enmesh argument within narrative. baldwin's main narrative dealt with how blacks were treated by white people.
- Analyzes how baldwin's father died from an illness of the mind, which plagued him for the last years of his life. his paranoia kept him from getting close to his children and fueled his angry temper.
- Analyzes baldwin's "notes of a native son." 1955. baldwin: collected essays. ed. toni morrison.
- Describes how james baldwin's father warned him about the evils of the white man, but he doubted that it was possible. he began to see the world through the eyes of a black man.
1296 words
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Booker T Washington's Critical Differences
analytical essay
Hughes describes his disappointment toward “one of the most promising of the young Negro poets”(Hughes 546), who consistently said that he wants to be a poet, not a Negro poet, but a poet. Although Hughes refuses to tell the reader who is the Negro poet, it is easy to assume that he was talking about Countee Cullen, who also made a public announcement about his position among whites. Even thought in the essay Hughes talks about how a particular person feels about his race and the opportunity that its provide, Hughes also was telling those African-Americans, who do not celebrate their race, which it is ashamed for them not to feel proud of being black. Furthermore, Hughes argues that African-American artists should refuse to absorb the white culture and look forward to their African-American heritage. “The racial mountain” that Hughes was referring to in the title is the course of African-Americans toward whiteness. African-Americans are constantly looking forward to being whiter than blacks because whiteness is what defines an
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how w.e.b. du bois, with his masterpiece, of mr. booker t. washington and others, tried to define what is to be black among white people.
- Analyzes how w.e.b du bois insisted that african americans should boycott anything that came from booker t. washington. he implied that washington was an antagonist of the black community.
- Analyzes how du bois believes that the way booker t. washington spoke about african-americans was not helpful for the black community.
- Analyzes how w.e.b. du bois, with his masterpiece, of mr. booker t. washington and others, tried to define what is to be black among white people.
- Analyzes how w.e.b du bois insisted that african americans should boycott anything that came from booker t. washington. he implied that washington was an antagonist of the black community.
- Analyzes how du bois believes that the way booker t. washington spoke about african-americans was not helpful for the black community.
- Analyzes how hughes' essay "the negro artist and the racial mountain" shows how the idea of defining what is to be black affected african-americans.
- Analyzes how hughes' essay "the negro artist and the racial mountain" shows the conflict in which many african-americans identify with.
1035 words
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Arguing The Origins of Things
analytical essay
People, not just African-Americans, who live in this world made it to what it is today. It is important to remember the credit, progress, and the belief that African-American have. The respect of the struggles Black people had to go through is the reason why we have Black History month. In addition, Black History month honors those men, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and many others, who sacrifice their lives in order to bring peace and equality to their race. Despite the disagreement, the author’s poem, “On the Origin of Things,” gives the readers something to think about in the African-American’s perspective.
In this essay, the author
- Disagrees with ernest j. gaines' assertion that all of the credibility, progress, and images of god that man created were due to black people.
- Opines that black people cannot steal the credit for things that they did not do, such as implementing "rock and roll" into pop culture. credibility is deserved by everyone, not just one race.
- Explains that america was made on the backs of slavery, especially the white house, into the ideal place it is today.
- Disagrees with ernest j. gaines' assertion that all of the credibility, progress, and images of god that man created were due to black people.
- Opines that black people cannot steal the credit for things that they did not do, such as implementing "rock and roll" into pop culture. credibility is deserved by everyone, not just one race.
- Explains that america was made on the backs of slavery, especially the white house, into the ideal place it is today.
- Explains that there are many gods known to mankind, but the answers to what belief is right can create conflicts of other people’s beliefs.
- Analyzes how the poem invokes the feeling that people should pay more attention to the history of african-americans.
- Analyzes how the poem states that newton, pythagoras, kepler, and galileo all took ideas from black people. to challenge that statement, people need others to learn from.
- Opines that black history month honors those who sacrificed their lives to bring peace and equality to their race. the poem, "on the origin of things," gives the readers something to think about in the african-american's perspective.
698 words
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Discovering one’s Authentic Self
analytical essay
The search for one’s true identity is a difficult journey. One must track their ancestors, research their heritage, and correctly synthesize all of their gathered information into that specific identity. This journey is especially hard for African Americans whose ancestors were stolen from their native land. They have a desire to reconnect with their origins; however, their search is often hindered due to the fact that their ancestors were stolen. In an attempt to reconnect with this lost heritage, many African Americans in the 1960s and 1970s participated in the Black Nationalist Movement where they were able to claim a general African identity. This search for identity is shown in “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. Through her text, Walker highlights two perspectives on true African American identity: those who understood and accepted their identity as an African American and those who desired to know their African ancestry. This idea is supported through various sources including scholarly journals, critical articles, and educational Internet web pages. In Alice Walker’s short story, “Everyday Use”, Walker uses characterization, themes, and symbolism to show that the differing perspectives for true African American identity caused a disconnection in African American heritage during the 1960s and 1970s.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how alice walker's "everyday use" shows that the different perspectives for true african american identity caused a disconnection in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Analyzes how walker uses characters with distinct traits to explore the differences within african american identity.
- Analyzes how sam whitsitt explores dee's character in "in spite of it all: a reading of alice walker’s "everyday use".
- Analyzes how alice walker's "everyday use" shows that the different perspectives for true african american identity caused a disconnection in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Analyzes how walker uses characters with distinct traits to explore the differences within african american identity.
- Analyzes how sam whitsitt explores dee's character in "in spite of it all: a reading of alice walker’s "everyday use".
- Analyzes how mama represents the african american that accepts and appreciates their identity as an african-american. she breaks traditional gender roles by adopting more male gendered responsibilities.
- Analyzes how david white's article, "everyday use: defining african-american heritage," highlights the role of maggie in defining heritage.
- Analyzes how the meaning and understanding of heritage is a major theme in "everyday use." maggie's character follows the theme because she knows her heritage and contrasts dee.
- Analyzes dee's neglect of her heritage by joining the black nationalist movement in the 1960s and 1970s. she changed her name to "wangero leewanika kemanjo."
- Analyzes how dee changing her name to wangero symbolizes denial of her heritage and lack of understanding of where and who she came from.
- Analyzes how dee collects family heirlooms to display as art, including a quilt that was made by mama, maggie, and many of the women in the family.
- Analyzes how alice walker uses characterization, themes, and symbolism to highlight the disconnection in african american heritage in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Explains christian, barbara t., "everyday use" and the black power movement." literature. an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing.
- Analyzes suttor, marijane, "'everyday use' by alice walker depicts conflicting character's views on heritage." humanities 360.
- Explains that malcolm x and the nation of islam. ushistory.org.
- Describes walker, alice's "everyday use." literature. an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing.
- Explains white, david, and alice walker's "everyday use": defining african-american heritage.
- Cites whitsitt, sam, "in spite of it all: a reading of alice walker's "everyday use."
1765 words
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Private and Public Notes of a Native Son
analytical essay
The middle of the twentieth century saw the height of the civil rights struggle of African Americans. Amid this tumultuous era rose up a generation of prominent African American writers, and among them was James Baldwin. In “Notes of a Native Son,” an essay that he wrote more than a decade after his father died, Baldwin recalls and reflects on his troubled interaction with his father, a man whom he has hated all his life. His vivid narration of his father and his personal encounters around the time his father died reveals the evolution of his view on the racial issues in America. Baldwin extensively draws on his past experience as an embodiment of the public experience shared by many other people to make a strong case for his argument.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how james baldwin's "notes of a native son" reflects on his troubled interaction with his father, whom he hated all his life. baldwin draws on the public experience to make his argument.
- Analyzes how baldwin's mental image of his father is little short than that of a tyrant.
- Analyzes how baldwin weaves his narrative and argument by using himself as an example of a typical african american workman in those years.
- Analyzes how james baldwin's "notes of a native son" reflects on his troubled interaction with his father, whom he hated all his life. baldwin draws on the public experience to make his argument.
- Analyzes how baldwin's mental image of his father is little short than that of a tyrant.
- Analyzes how baldwin weaves his narrative and argument by using himself as an example of a typical african american workman in those years.
- Analyzes baldwin's analysis of hatred and its adverse effects on people carrying it.
- Analyzes how baldwin, unable to free himself from his hatred for his father, made himself drunk before going to the chapel. he saw a man who was totally different from, and in many ways, more admirable than, the bitter and cruel man.
- Analyzes how the public riot of harlem began with the myth that an african american soldier was shot in the back while protecting a black girl
- Analyzes how baldwin concludes the essay with a summary of his new learning. he argues that one should only hold on to things that matter.
- Explains baldwin's "notes of a native son." baldwin: collected essays. ed. toni morrison.
1570 words
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Comparing James Baldwin's Between The World And Me
analytical essay
This difficulty to see the issue that “attacks ones sense of reality” – the fear that the world may not be the same as it appears – is why progress is so slow. As African American people attempt to climb out of the pit whites forced them to dig hundreds of years ago, whites fail to see that they could use a ladder to get out. Baldwin and Coates’ views on white Americans ignorance to the problems clearly align, showing how they chose to ignore the problems because addressing them changes things, and they are afraid of
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes baldwin's quote, "any upheaval in the universe is terrifying because it so profoundly attacks one’s sense of oneself." the assignment is to find a quote from ta-nehisi coates that reflects this theme.
- Explains that humans hate change, which is why their grandmother doesn't have internet or a phone with caller identification. as african americans fight back and try to grow, whites are ignoring the issues and pretending they aren’t.
- Analyzes how james baldwin's quote, "the black man has functioned in the white man’s world as a fixed star," was literal.
- Analyzes baldwin's quote, "any upheaval in the universe is terrifying because it so profoundly attacks one’s sense of oneself." the assignment is to find a quote from ta-nehisi coates that reflects this theme.
- Explains that humans hate change, which is why their grandmother doesn't have internet or a phone with caller identification. as african americans fight back and try to grow, whites are ignoring the issues and pretending they aren’t.
- Analyzes how james baldwin's quote, "the black man has functioned in the white man’s world as a fixed star," was literal.
- Analyzes how coates felt the barrier that prevented african americans from living the same way the whites did that made it hard to thrive as a black person.
- Analyzes how african americans struggle to defy the stereotypes constructed for them by whites. white people act like they want equality, but when one challenges it, they must work harder for the same opportunities.
- Opines that white americans aren't able to handle the change and mutual understanding of the issues that african americans seek.
- Opines that to acknowledge these horrors means turning away from the brightly rendered version of your country as it has always declared itself and turning towards something murkier and unknown.
- Analyzes how baldwin and coates' views on white americans ignorance to the problems align, showing how they chose to ignore them because addressing them changes things.
903 words
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Kevin Johnson How Did You Get To Be Mexican Essay
analytical essay
The core of the book lies in Johnson’s detailed accounts of just how hard it is to live your life being of mixed heritage. In his early stages of life, he
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kevin johnson's book how did you get to be mexican illustrates the issues of diversity, assimilation, race relations, and affirmative action in our society today.
- Explains that kevin johnson was born in 1958 out of an inter-racial marriage, with his mother being mexican-american and his father being anglo. growing up, he was torn between his two identities.
- Analyzes how johnson's detailed accounts of how hard it is to live your life being of mixed heritage directly affected him. his mother remarried and his step-father kevin saw as racist.
- Analyzes how kevin johnson's book how did you get to be mexican illustrates the issues of diversity, assimilation, race relations, and affirmative action in our society today.
- Explains that kevin johnson was born in 1958 out of an inter-racial marriage, with his mother being mexican-american and his father being anglo. growing up, he was torn between his two identities.
- Analyzes how johnson's detailed accounts of how hard it is to live your life being of mixed heritage directly affected him. his mother remarried and his step-father kevin saw as racist.
- Explains that kevin went on to attend the university of california at berkeley, where he began to relate himself to being mexican-american.
- Narrates how johnson chose to assimilate himself with his mexican ethnicity during his undergraduate and graduate studies. he married a mexican woman and has three children with her.
- Opines that the core of the issue is only to be determined by those who are of mixed identity.
- Analyzes how kevin johnson conveys his own personal experiences into his book, describing the difficulty and confusion that comes along with being of mixed origin, but only answers his question "how did you get to be mexican?"
- Analyzes how kevin's college years made it clear that associating himself more with his mexican heritage worked to his advantage.
- Opines that johnson could have done a better job of explaining how he felt emotionally about his identity and his decision to marry and embrace more his mexican culture than that of his anglo culture.
- Concludes that the book is an insightful read for those who are of mixed identity or have family or friends of such. it shows that one cannot just adequately balance both sides because in the end a decision must be made.
- Analyzes how kevin used his personal life as an example to help readers understand what it is like to live the life of a mixed individual. johnson wrote the book to explain his troubles and battles.
1261 words
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Percival Everett's Erasure
analytical essay
Percival Everett’s novel, Erasure, was published in 2001, in a 21st century that is far removed—if only temporally—from the abolitionist movement, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow laws. The representations of African-Americans that were ubiquitous during those times, such as Sambos, Zip Coons, and Mammies, are now tangible only as collector’s antiques. While these specific representations of African-Americans may no longer be prevalent in American society, the form of racism that they embodied remains. Although the representations may have changed, American society’s insistence on maintaining such a narrow representation of black life has not. Everett has written Erasure to expose and combat this racism with his protagonist Thelonius “Monk” Ellison. Monk’s experiences and commentary expose how eager in our society is to reinforce a single representation of black life, yet Monk undermines this representation by being its antithesis, and by emphasizing his experiences that are not exceptional but universal and transcendent of race.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how percival everett's novel, erasure, was published in 2001, in a 21st century that is far removed—if only temporally—from the abolitionist movement, reconstruction, and jim crow laws.
- Analyzes how monk articulates the representation of a black man in the novel from the first page.
- Analyzes how juanita mae jenkins' we’s lives in da ghetto and my pafology depict this representation more explicitly.
- Analyzes how percival everett's novel, erasure, was published in 2001, in a 21st century that is far removed—if only temporally—from the abolitionist movement, reconstruction, and jim crow laws.
- Analyzes how monk articulates the representation of a black man in the novel from the first page.
- Analyzes how juanita mae jenkins' we’s lives in da ghetto and my pafology depict this representation more explicitly.
- Analyzes how the commentary on my pafology is almost identical in its claim that the novel reflects the real african-american experience.
- Analyzes how monk's analogy illuminates the truth about the way the african-american stereotype operates in our country.
- Analyzes how people are willing to accept these novels as representations of a standard black life; they seem to be eager for them—eager to reinforce their misinformed, racist beliefs.
- Analyzes how everett is indicting our entire american society in its demand for and reinforcement of a single representation of african-american life.
- Analyzes how everett uses the novel to undermine the african-american stereotype by illustrating monk's experiences and background as the antithesis to the stereotype.
- Analyzes how nora zeale hurston's "what white publishers won't print" argues that publishers and producers shy away from printing any story involving african-americans unless the story or play involves racial tension.
- Analyzes how monk recalls an experience he had in which a book agent told him to write true, gritty real stories of black life.
- Analyzes how monk's experiences with his family are critical to the objective of the novel. they provide a portrayal of black life that is not exceptional.
- Analyzes how percival everett's novel, erasure, exposes 21st-century representations of african-american life and undermines them.
2067 words
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Self Identity Langston Hughes
analytical essay
I would not say that categories are always bad, because they help us to understand the world, but they can become dangerous when they produce stereotypes and prejudices. The good thing about Erasure is that not only the views of American society towards African Americans are discussed, but also the way African Americans see themselves, and how they add to the common stereotypes. This book targets everyone who is interested in how racism and prejudices are produced, and how they are maintained, because this novel grants the reader some very interesting perspectives in the subject. Furthermore, everyone who likes to read a good story will have his/her pleasure with the novel called
In this essay, the author
- Explains that self-identity is the way you view yourself, and the relationship you have with the world and american society.
- Analyzes how the characters in the novels that i’ve read showed courage and faith in whatever they were doing and what they wanted to achieve. they wanted their self-identity and control over their own existence.
- Analyzes how african americans struggled with their identity, and self-worth, because of the black literature and the artifacts that depict the conflict and tensions of being black in america.
- Explains that self-identity is the way you view yourself, and the relationship you have with the world and american society.
- Analyzes how the characters in the novels that i’ve read showed courage and faith in whatever they were doing and what they wanted to achieve. they wanted their self-identity and control over their own existence.
- Analyzes how african americans struggled with their identity, and self-worth, because of the black literature and the artifacts that depict the conflict and tensions of being black in america.
- Analyzes how racism was depicted in the historical struggle to gain the justice needed for equality. the african was forced into slavery and was dehumanized by the wilsons.
- Analyzes how langston hughes illustrates what the slaves wanted america to be and what it never was. the poem serves a powerful message of equality.
- Explains that the identity in both black literature and african american culture lies in the dynamics of the decades before times, going back to slavery.
- Analyzes how theolonious ellison, a black writer rejected for not engaging with the african american experience, writes about greek myth instead of the blacks’ struggle.
- Analyzes how the man took on a lot to justify his identity and to keep him sane.
- Analyzes how the struggle with identity made them think about themselves and others, and how they think often in categories. the good thing about erasure is that not only the views of american society towards african americans are discussed.
- Analyzes how george washington left his home on a quest to find his true self. he wanted to stop the whoring to the white world and to be chosen as to see only blackness.
- Explains that the readings demonstrate the word identity. the characters went through a lot in order to know their true self and value. identity means knowing oneself and being at peace with the master or even one’s own self.
1824 words
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Toi Derricotte's Passing Analysis
analytical essay
It is easy to assume that rejecting one’s innate identity can damage them and the relationships they hold because it is built on false hope; yet works of literature such as the novel, The Black Notebooks by Toi Derricotte and the short story “Passing” by Langston Hughes refute such beliefs. Derricotte’s memoir is able to blend the fiction of passing narratives with her own experiences to depict a life that though is often thrown into confusion due to her inability to fit racial roles is able to advance in a society that withholds its privileges due to skin color. “Passing”, meanwhile gives reasons that make sense out of denying what many would deem important to your identity “Passing”, meanwhile gives reasons that make sense out of denying
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how literature such as derricotte's "the black notebooks" and hughes' "passing" refute such beliefs.
- Analyzes how toi derricotte's struggle with abstraction is destructive because society often pushes her into roles without her consent.
- Analyzes how derricotte expresses a desire to be accepted into the white community, but does not want to meet their performance of her race either as white or black.
- Analyzes how literature such as derricotte's "the black notebooks" and hughes' "passing" refute such beliefs.
- Analyzes how toi derricotte's struggle with abstraction is destructive because society often pushes her into roles without her consent.
- Analyzes how derricotte expresses a desire to be accepted into the white community, but does not want to meet their performance of her race either as white or black.
- Analyzes how langston hughes' "passing" depicts the violence of abstraction through the loss of one's advocacy in pursuit of a better life.
- Analyzes how abstraction is a silent abuse that sets its victims apart from their families. jack has no qualms with denying his heritage as society forced him to deny it without his permission.
- Analyzes how toi derricotte's the black notebook and langston hughes' "passing" show that dependency on passing is not necessarily bad as it gives those passing opportunities otherwise not available.
1214 words
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Racism In Ernest Gaines A Gathering Of Old Men
analytical essay
Lest We Forget! This is an ode attributed to two different poems, but appropriate for this essay as well. Accordingly, many modifications are taking place in the South illustrating racial progress, nevertheless, the relations between Blacks and Whites stays subjected to the throes of deep-rooted prejudice, and biases, especially from Whites to the Blacks. As a consequence, in South Louisiana, racism toward Blacks remains extremely more widespread by the Cajun’s. Specifically, the Encyclopedia of World Cultures report “within the regional class structure, Cajuns are considered better than Blacks, but the lowest group of Whites. In general, they were seen as poor, uneducated, fun-loving backwoods folk. Cajuns generally viewed themselves as superior to the poor rural Whites referred to as Rednecks (1996).”
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the south's racial relations remain subjected to deep-rooted prejudice, and biases, especially from whites to the blacks.
- Analyzes how the demise of a cajun in ernest gaines novel, a gathering of old men, symbolizes the ritualistic passing away of the historical livelihood for blacks.
- Analyzes how gaines introduces death and the historically violent racial relationship between blacks and cajuns early in the novel.
- Analyzes how the south's racial relations remain subjected to deep-rooted prejudice, and biases, especially from whites to the blacks.
- Analyzes how the demise of a cajun in ernest gaines novel, a gathering of old men, symbolizes the ritualistic passing away of the historical livelihood for blacks.
- Analyzes how gaines introduces death and the historically violent racial relationship between blacks and cajuns early in the novel.
- Analyzes how the tractor, plow, and graveyard signal the demise of blacks being employed by working the land for white plantation owners, because the cajun farmers are taking over.
- Analyzes how gaines' novel went deep in the innermost remembrances of all the characters' minds, so while telling their story, they were also sharing their internalmost feelings and thoughts of times past of the white supremacy practices blacks were subjected to all over the south.
628 words
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Summary Of Snakes By Danielle Evans
analytical essay
Through Tara’s personal perspective of herself and her family, Evans skillfully captures the conflict that exists within interracial families and the way this tension shapes a individual. The deep historical and social contexts of racism in Evan’s short story “Snakes” have direct impact on the values and actions of Tara, Amanda, and Lydia.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how danielle evans' "snakes" is set in the deep south of tallahassee, florida following the hippie movement and desegregation acts of the 1960s.
- Analyzes how tara faces internal and external struggles due to the social effects of her biracial identity in "snakes."
- Analyzes how tara is biracial and experiences the racism of her mother's side of the family as she struggles to reconcile with lydia.
- Analyzes how danielle evans' "snakes" is set in the deep south of tallahassee, florida following the hippie movement and desegregation acts of the 1960s.
- Analyzes how tara faces internal and external struggles due to the social effects of her biracial identity in "snakes."
- Analyzes how tara is biracial and experiences the racism of her mother's side of the family as she struggles to reconcile with lydia.
- Analyzes how the conflict between amanda and her mother, lydia, stems from the historical and social tension surrounding interracial couples and children since the beginning of the civil rights movement.
- Analyzes how lydia struggles to accept her daughter's interracial marriage and biracial identity due to the social and historical precedents surrounding racism in the south.
- Analyzes how danielle evans' short story "snakes" analyses the effects that racism still has on american society following the civil rights movement.
1549 words
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What Is The Souls Of Black Folk Summary By W. E. B. Dubois
analytical essay
Approximately forty years after emancipation, The Souls of Black Folk was formulated through a collection of essays by W.E.B Du Bois, a leading Renaissance African American sociologist, activist, and historian. Hence the title of the work, The Souls of Black Folk foreshadows the notion throughout the publication of whether African Americans were less than human and embodied a soul. The problem that was expounded upon throughout the fourteen chapters of this work is the problem facing the twenty century of the color line. The main question Du Bois asks is “How does it feel to be the problem?” The purpose of this collection was to examine the meaning of being Black and existing in a society which considers you not only unequal and inferior
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the title of the work, the souls of black folk, foreshadows the notion that african americans were less than human and embodied a soul. du bois uses three main objectives to give insight on the societal problems of that era.
- Analyzes how du bois introduces the concept of the veil, which produces separate but conflicting identities that are intertwined.
- Analyzes how du bois spoke on the plight of blacks when it comes to education, economic opportunity, family, segregation, suffrage, and the political system.
- Analyzes how the title of the work, the souls of black folk, foreshadows the notion that african americans were less than human and embodied a soul. du bois uses three main objectives to give insight on the societal problems of that era.
- Analyzes how du bois introduces the concept of the veil, which produces separate but conflicting identities that are intertwined.
- Analyzes how du bois spoke on the plight of blacks when it comes to education, economic opportunity, family, segregation, suffrage, and the political system.
520 words
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