The Middle Age African American Man - 1285 Words

Consider this scenario in America today - a middle-age African-American man is not eligible to vote. This man’s father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather shared the same misfortune during their lifetime. The original patriarch could not vote as a slave, his son was beaten by the Ku Klux Klan for trying to vote, the grandson was intimidated by the Ku Klux Klan for trying to vote, and the great-grandson was prohibited from voting by poll taxes and literacy tests. The middle-age African-American man cannot vote today due to being on probation for a felony conviction.1 This same man probably had an ineffective attorney to represent him when he was arrested, was offered a choice of a plea bargain as opposed to a stringent sentence, and was subsequently placed under the control of the criminal justice system either by a prison sentence, probation, or parole. Once released from the criminal justice system, the man may be stigmatized for the rest of his life and may return to prison.2 As the middle-age man tries to re-integrate himself into mainstream society, his felony status can negatively impact potential employment, housing, and government assistance. This same man’s treatment could be compared to man living in a southern state at the height of Jim Crow.3 Jim Crow was a practice enforced by laws in the United States (U.S.) enacted between 1874 – 1975 to keep black and white races apart. The goal of these laws was to create â€Å"separate butShow MoreRelatedWaiting To Exhale : Book Review : Waiting To Exhale1188 Words   |  5 PagesBook Review: Waiting to Exhale Waiting to Exhale is a wondrous, explicit representation of four middle-class African American females in the late twentieth century and their tumultuous relationships with men, relationships, and a number of both personal and professional problems that each of them endures. Though they each have problems of their own, they depend on each other’s compassion and care to get them through their trials and tribulations and their preoccupation with their relationships helpsRead MoreAfrican Americans Must Work to Achieve the American Dream Essay1438 Words   |  6 Pagesunfortunately this is not always true. The American dream is not necessarily to get rich quick, it is more along the lines of a hard worker having an opportunity to be financially stable and to live a pleasant life. The dream is that their sons and daughters will not have to suffer the same things that they did. Their children will be better off in the long run because of their hard work. Why hasnt the African American community been able to reach the American dream In America everyone is guaranteedRead MoreRace As A Social Construct1087 Words   |  5 PagesThe concept of race is an ancient construction through which a single society models all of mankind around the ideal man. This idealism evolved from prejudice and ignorance of another culture and the inability to view another human as equal. The establishment of race and racism can be seen from as early as the Middle Ages through the present. The social construction of racism and the feeling of superiority to people of other ethnicities, have been distinguishably present in European societies asRead MoreCapitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman1252 Words   |  5 Pagesmobility of African Americans following World War I and II despite the â€Å"temporary interruption† displayed by collectivist trends following 1945 (Friedman 11). African Americans, with newfound economic power, were able to curtail coercive political power held by whites. However, Friedman fails to properly address the chain of events which allowed for the establishment political freedom in the African American community. Despite economic freedom granted following emancipation, African Americans were unableRead MoreThe Movement Of The Negro World1407 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction In a decade’s time, Marcus Moziah Garvey entered United States, at the age of 28, and cultivated the American Negro through his oratory that is seen as the awaken of Black Nationalism. Garvey’s work does not end in America, he’s efforts were world-wide but not limited to Africa to Nova Scotia, and South America. It has been stated that Garvey raised more money and grew a membership than any other Negro organization to date. Coined as the Black Moses, Garvey’s stated â€Å"I know no nationalRead MoreRacial Issues Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1321 Words   |  6 PagesRacial issues were not only between African Americans and Whites, racial issues also arose with Asian and Americans heavily leading into the 1940s. Being an African American appeared to be the most difficult because racial tensions were so popular and known, while racial discrimination between Asians and Americans were not as common. The strict segregation and rules that were put in pl ace by the government were horrific and terrible, for example African Americans had to not only go to separate schoolsRead MoreThe American Dream Of African Americans1400 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is the American Dream? To many people across the globe, the United States of America appears to be a place where one can be proud of. America the land where dreams come true and there is always a chance for any person to succeed. People who are not from the United States have been painted a beautiful picture of what life in our country is like. Not only do they think that there is a special place in American Dream of African American soldiers after WWI American Dream of African American soldiersRead MoreEssay about Minorities1371 Words   |  6 Pagesgroups are African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Women. African Americans Low status jobs In 1997 African Americans were considered 12.5% of the U.S. population and 64.7% of their race participated in the labor force. African Americans were also considered for 21.6% of all guards, 21.5% of all service occupation, cleaning, and building. Also 30.8% of all health service occupation (Macionis 1998). Less Education A mere of 75% have graduated high school, and 38% of all African AmericansRead MorePoverty In A Raisin In The Sun1413 Words   |  6 Pageshardships of African-Americans attempting to emerge in society in the 1950’s. The play is staged in ways where the audience can grasp the trifles of an African-American family continuously experiencing setbacks whilst attempting to achieve their notion of the â€Å"American Dream†. To Walter Lee Younger, his idea of the â€Å"American Dream† is that anything is possible for those who have money. Unfortunately, there is a minor problem: Walter Lee Younger is a working-class African-American man who strugglesRead MoreThe Inequality Of Black Americans923 Words   |  4 Pagesto benefit from such a system,† (Dear White People). In the United States’ society, the oppression of black Americans is ingrained and rooted in history (â€Å"The Oppression†). With our country of immigrants, blacks were bought here by force and were kept as slaves for one-hundred fifty years (â€Å"The Oppression†). Granting that racism is a problem for many ethnicities, racism against black Americans is considered â€Å"justified† because racist ideologies borrowed from slavery, as well as the century old apartheid