The Token Black Guy
In school social circles, I always find myself "The Token Black Guy." I thought of this term for my role after viewing an episode of Scrubs on TV. I started thinking about the small number of black students at my school. It is something I have always turned a blind eye to.
I've never really been bothered about being the only black friend most of my friends have. But at times, it leads me to some stressful conclusions. I realize that I, in a way, represent the entire black community to them, as they get to know me, and see my strengths and weaknesses. It is one of the things that keeps me motivated. Perhaps I want people to see only the best in us, or perhaps it is something deeper.
I have never had problems with people because they were white. There have been, however, those who've had problems with me because I'm black. Sometimes, it's very subtle: because I am black, I must listen to rap music, play basketball or use a lot of slang. In truth, my parents make fun of me for using a lot of big words, I'm terrible at sports, and usually listen to classical music.
Other times, however, it is more overt. People come up to me using slang and gestures typical of urban African-American youth, and expect me to reciprocate. It's gone so far as for white kids to think they can use the "n" word around me. This does more than make me angry, it makes me question my identity.
Modern culture, especially that perpetuated on MTV, has given many suburban white kids the idea that they are oppressed by some business-like aristocracy. That may be true in a way, but in another, it is puzzling that the reaction has been for many middle-class Caucasian youth to adopt black culture as their own. And as far as media perception of black people, I really don't fit that mold. I am very in touch with my culture, heritage and race. And I take a great deal of pride in it. But because I don't fit the stereotype that even white kids are now trying to emulate, it sometimes puts me at odds with my own perception of my race.
In his Apology, Plato recounted the trial that led to the execution of his friend and mentor, Socrates. The account revealed that values of Socrates’ accusers and his own fundamentally differed, and that they had been angered because he tried to prove that they had misplaced theirs. Those differences created conflict between the two parties that culminated in his trial. With the understanding that a jury condemned Socrates to death and his defense nevertheless pleased him because he gave it truthfully, it is most sensible to call it a good defense because he felt it was the best that he could do.
Gambling has become an important part of several people’s daily lives, so much so that some people are willing to put their lives savings at risk just for the win. Gambling is something that can start out as something very small, with trips to the casino here and there, or maybe just buying a couple lottery tickets. These small things can start slowly and sooner or later, sometimes even many years later, they can add up and become necessary in life. Then without even noticing it, these issues slowly turn in to a habit and begin to take over the individuals entire life despite it being so innocent and carefree in the beginning. While the numbers of people addicted to gambling is rising, many people in the United States
There are many people in the world who do remarkable things. There is one month, February, that commemorates all of the phenomenal African American people and their achievements. Black History Month celebrates their notable impact on society and the contributions they made to the world to make a difference.
The Defense of Socrates begins with Socrates stating he does not know if his fellow Athenians, his jury, have been persuaded by his accusers. This is a crucial statement because Socrates explains how of the many false claims that his accusers have made, one particularly can be proven as untrue. His accusers have sent out a warning that Socrates is a “clever” speaker and he clarifies that he would admit that he is an orator if a “clever speaker” is one who speaks the truth. (17b) He states that although he has no experience with the court of law, he will speak the truth. He stated that “You shall hear my points made spontaneously in whatever words occur to me--persuaded as I am that my case is just…because it would not be at all fitting at my age, gentleman, to come before you with artificial speeches.” (17c) In return for his promise, Socrates requests that it would only be fair to disregard his manner of speaking and only focus on whether his actions were just.
I wanted to wear brand clothes/shoes they did, I wanted to do my hair like them, and make good grades like them. I wanted to fit in. My cultural identify took a back seat. But it was not long before I felt black and white did not mix. I must have heard too many comments asking to speak Haitian or I do not look Haitian, but more than that, I am black, so I always had to answer question about my hair or why my nose is big, and that I talked white. This feeling carried on to high school because the questions never went away and the distance between me and them grew larger. There was not much action my family could take for those moments in my life, but shared their encounters or conversations to show me I was not alone in dealing with people of other background. I surrounded myself with less white people and more people of color and today, not much has
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley is about a man who changed the history of America. Malcolm (Little) X preached what he believed about racism, discrimination, and segregation. He went through many changes in his fight for equality. The three transformations that really changed the way Malcolm thought and preached where his transformation in prison, his transformation into the Islamic religion (following Elijah Muhammad), and the biggest transformation of all, his pilgrimage to Mecca. In all of Malcolm actions, teachings and transformations we learn different points of view and we get a good look at different aspects of events. The life of Malcolm (Little) X as told in his autobiography should be read by all.
What is theology? The word “theology” comes from two Greek words that combined mean “the study of God. There are more than 20 types of theologies. Black liberation started the American struggles of the 1960’s. In liberation theology there are 2 groups, the oppressed and the oppressor. The poor are the oppressed and the rich are their oppressors. This kind of theology contextualizes Christianity in an attempt to help those of African descent overcome oppression. This paper will focus on Black Liberation Theology and will explain how it discovers God and how the Biblical God inspire the prophetic work of black liberation theology.
Gambling has become quite popular all over the world, but it is not free of potential problems. According to the DSM-IV-TR, the lifetime prevalence rate of adult...
Black history month is mainly a month that promotes racism among society. In nineteen seventy-six, America names February as black history month, as a commemoration of significant events and individuals of the African-American ancestry. Even though, black history month started as an innocent idea and if the American government would have rejected it, there would have been a colossal backlash across the black community. However, if one would take a step back and look at the big picture, one would notice that black history is American history, shows that not all ethnic groups is treated equally and brings a past time up that pours salt in old wounds. Under those circumstances, there should not be a black history month in the United States
Plato is a highly educated Philosopher who was taught by Socrates. Plato writes an article regarding the obliviousness society holds towards education and knowledge. He constructs his argument by using an allegory. Using this method causes his article to be more realistic, by taking a complex story and making it simpler causes the reader to have a better understanding in a metaphoric way. In this allegory he uses symbolism and perception quiet often to relay his message on “how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened” (Plato 449). Within this construction he also uses dialogue causing his argument to be a conversation between Socrates and one of his students, Glaucon.
Gambling has been a part of America since the beginning, but the problems caused can go unnoticed. Four to five percent of American teenagers, ages twelve to seventeen, have a gambling problem, and an additional ten to fourteen percent are at risk for obtaining an addiction (ncpgambling.org). Gambling is starting to get out of control in America. Americans are spending too much time and money on a silly game they most likely will not win. Casinos make their money from the losses of Americans and stay open that way. Casinos milk money from people in exchange for a couple of gaming chips. Although many Americans support legalized gambling, others believe it should be illegal because it promotes terrible addictions, increases illegal action, and
Today in America, Gambling can be a matter of life and death; not just to adults, but to their kids as well. Gambling has been growing since day one and it is still going strong today; and not just through casinos but on the internet as well. People usually turn to gambling because they think it is their one way ticket to being rich or earning some extra cash for themselves, but in reality it could be their one way ticket to the bottom. It may be true that gambling helps the economy, but is helping the economy worth someone’s life. With gambling today, people should know that it is not the answer to any of their problems; it was never the answer to their problems back when it first started in America in the 1600’s, though it may be the answer for the economy now with all of its problems or natural disasters, but it certainly is not the answer to go online and gamble.
Gambling is serious problem for many people in the United states. Most people have become addicted to gambling. They have lost their jobs and families because of their devotion to this “sport.” Gambling is a competitive addicting game where you bet money in hopes of getting more. It is very rare for example if a person wins the lottery. The powerball was an example of gambling because people paid for the tickets in hopes of winning it. Only four people in the world won the powerball and the rest of the world we're just gambling victims. People gamble in many different ways. There are casinos in Las vegas that are packed with money hungry people every day. They use machines and play games while betting their money for prizes. Another way of gambling is when there is a football game on television and you put your money on a certain team that you think is gonna win. Most teens gamble by playing cards. Gambling can cause poverty not only to an individual but to a society. Gamblers have a lot of debt that many times they cannot pay back. Some of these incidents are dangerous because the people who gamble are criminals.
One day I was visiting my friend who happened to be white, and as we were walking around his neighborhood I noticed that I was getting weird looks from his surrounding neighbors. Of course, I’m different because I’m a dark skinned Hispanic with a white kid in a white neighborhood.
Although I grew up in the suburbs, I was the most urban of my peers - and one of the only African American students, not to mention a girl. Also to add onto my struggles, I was the only child, so I didn’t know much about interacting with new people who were my age. Sometimes I felt the other kids treating us differently but altogether it was a fun experience and I enjoyed being with people of different races and learning more about their families. When our family got back together and came towards the city, the other African American children would make fun of me and say things like, “You talk too white,” or “You don’t even act Black.” This was hard for me because I had never heard of “talking white” just speaking with proper English, and by “acting white” they meant I was too introverted and listened to a different type of music than them - this was weird. Because I was taught to speak a certain way and carry myself a certain way, I kept myself the way I