Understanding the themes in African American/Black Politics (week 1)

1/5/2015

These initial themes ask us to address the following questions:

What are the dynamics of the relationship between black people and the state (government of the United States?)
What forms of resistance have been developed in order to manage the experience of racism and other forms of oppression?
What are the nuances in the relationships of black people to one another and other marginalized groups?

Read the handouts/excerpts from class.

Instructions
Develop a 150 word original post by Friday and respond to another student by Sunday of each week.
Your original post should include a brief overview of what you read, an analysis of the two major themes from each reading that directly address the questions above and a conclusion that asks critical thinking questions (open ended questions about the subject matter). These questions will be the prompt to other students to respond to you.

Expanding your awareness: Black Political Perspectives

24 Comments

Jessica Jaime

1/9/2015 07:12:26 am

The two reading that I thought had similar themes were Racism and Research: The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study written by Allan M. Brandt and “Understanding Patriarchy” written by Bell Hooks. The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study which was executed by country doctors, county and state health department, draft boards, and the U.S. Public Health Service studied untreated African American men with syphilis. These men were never told they were a part of a “scientific” experiment which went on for a total of forty years from 1932-1972. They were deliberately withheld from medication and seeing a physician who could have helped them. Only when the accounts of the study were first published in the national press did the Department of Health, Education and Welfare stop the experiment. Social Darwinists analyzed that the African American race was doomed because it was prone to crime, disease, imperfections and education could not help them. This “scientific” experiment was nothing less than racism, unethical, unjust and shows the differences between other marginalized groups. For example after reading “Understanding Patriarchy” it shows that the political-social system is run by the inherently dominating male who is superior and above all others especially women. Ruling over the weak and it is acceptable to use forms of psychological terrorism and violence. A system that is unseen by the trained eye because it is taught and learned growing up at a young age that we are given certain roles in society. Learning the core of these groups’ dynamics it will be easier to understand racism, sexism, and other forms of social prejudice and discrimination within each one. Was it coincidence that African American men were targeted for the unjust “scientific” experiment or was it because of the stereotypes and the roles that were given to them by others in society made them less human? Is this system a way where it makes it okay legally discriminate against minority races in the United States?

Makamae (Davina) Heinz

1/11/2015 08:33:03 am

Was it coincidence that African American men were targeted for the unjust “scientific” experiment or was it because of the stereotypes and the roles that were given to them by others in society made them less human? Is this system a way where it makes it okay legally discriminate against minority races in the United States?

I think that is was because of racism towards African American males and the stereotypes. I also believe the system does affect the way people of color get treated. Legally people get discriminated against everyday. I can use for an example when I went to an interview before. I had all the qualifications but still did not get it. I felt personal that I was being discriminated for the color of my skin. I noticed in the office it was nothing but people that were with blonde hair and Caucasian. I thought positive and said maybe that would let someone of color come in here but they did not. I never heard from them and I felt it the minute I left my interview. That too me was how they can secretly discriminate against you. I also get judged for having tattoos. I know how to cover them professionally but I have had interviews that did not even pay much, was a crap job and were starring my hands down looking at my tattoos and judging me. That was a good question you asked. Thank you.

Jordan Leopold

1/11/2015 01:46:22 pm

Jessica, the American system, consisting of multiple components, without a doubt allow for systematic and institutional racism. We have to look at who founded this country. When our American forefathers wrote "all men are created equal" they excluded everything that wasn't a white man. So if you look at it that way, yes the system is without a doubt built to discriminate. It's been successfully, even to this day.

Andre Mouton

1/9/2015 07:53:58 am

The Tuskegee syphilis experiment: The experiment was conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service "USP HS" on 600 African American men that had syphilis in 1932 through 1972. Among the 600 men 399 of the already had syphilis and 201 was given it as part of the experiment with the promise they would receive free medical and other small benefits. The experiment is indicative of our current statement "Black lives matter" because in this experiment the dynamics of the relationship between blacks and the government is that the government believed that African Americans were illiterate and lives did not mean much because they had no conception of time, and whose personal history is always indefinite. The African American men was not allowed by the government to seek treatment even after penicillin was available to the public. Forms of resistance was developed by the government to assure blacks were not treated they informed Doctors not to treat these particular subjects and let them die to complete the study. Black lives matter and the United States has shown in the past that they really don’t.
The Imperialism of Patriarchy: Patriarchy is learned behavior enforced by societies imperialist white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy passed down through generations with many forms of resistance including religions and male dominance and governments. Forms of resistance that have been developed in families is where the woman's role is to reinforce the patriarchal ideology of society to her children by restoring and keeping the natural social order. The nuances in the relationships of people to one another has been created by society from woman not being allowed to serve in the military to woman's role in sports to woman's role in the child rearing. Woman are trained to be the weaker vessel while the men are to be the physical and more dominate figure in the household. Women still has not broken the glass ceiling in the business sector, political sector and the class sector. Women have been fighting for equal rights in America as long as African Americans have been. Men are not the only teachers of this Patriarchal and women who are head of household also endorse and promote this way of thinking to their children because "they don't have an experimental reality to challenge false fantasies of gender roles" (Hooks, 2014). Patriarchy thinking denies men and woman from expressing their true feelings and promotes psychological ills in men and woman. Women have been a second class citizen since the beginning of time and just recently they have made major step in destroying the class between men and woman.
Letter from Mecca Malcolm X: In the letter from Mecca by Malcolm X it describes his experience in Mecca by white people he never thought was possible because of the structure of built in racism by the United States government. Malcolm was taught from his experiences with white people in America that blacks were to be treated separate and not equal or inferior. The forms of resistance was built into the fabric of the American Culture but when he experienced White people treating him like royalty it was an eye opener and changed his beliefs about race based on religion and not color.
Evil can appear in any race so can peace and goodwill Malcolm X was programed to believe that white people are evil but found out that all people can worship God and put race to an end.

GABRIELA HERNANDEZ

1/9/2015 12:30:25 pm

from reading letter from Mecca it talks about the sincere hospitality and brotherhood it says how hes been with all different type of people with blue eyed blondes to dark skinned Africans. He then approaches the Muslim world and talks about eating, sleeping and drinking together. One interesting thing that caught my attention was where he says "we are truly are all the same brothers because their belief in one god had removed their white from there minds, the white from their behavior and the white from their attitude." Taking that and applying it to the the Tuskegee syphilis experiment makes me see things in a whole different perspective because this article talks about not treating African American men with syphilis and how these men were seen as an experiment and they were also denied access to medication. Reading these two different articles shows a drastic comparison because in the second article the men were treated poorly and didn't receive no treatment and their lives didn't matter since they were just seen as a scientific treatment by the government as opposed to the other one where different races weren't seen any different and where religion comes to play.

Jordan S. Leopold

1/9/2015 02:48:00 pm

In the “Letter from Mecca,” Malcolm X details his spiritually enlightening experience after he visited the holy city of Mecca. Astonished after seeing thousands of pilgrims of all “colors” from all corners of the world visit the holy city for one common cause – to honor and pray for the same religion, his thinking of “white” and the power of his religion was reframed. He never experienced the level of hospitality and love given by white American the way he did with a white Muslim in Mecca. America as a country is undoubtedly racist in its relationship towards black people. The “defaults” of the country cannot accept the existence of black men and women from any religious background. But Malcolm understands that if the “white” can acknowledge the “oneness” – the true being of God, then they can acknowledge the oneness of all humans on this earth. And this acceptance of one another is a form of resistance as it attempts to restore the humanity of the oppressors by bringing them and blacks, the oppressed, together in “oneness.”

In the “Racism and Research” essay, Allan Brandt details the origin and inhumane truth of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study that took place between 1932 and 1972. The study was based on extremely absurd “scientific” presumptions of black people and their biological and intrapersonal behavior. This lea to the US Public Health Service (UPHS) begin conduction of the experiment, disguised as a series of treatments for those with the disease, and literally watch 400 black men and women die. The federally organized experiment was propelled by sinister motives and highly unethical practices on an entirely Black subject pool were utterly racist in nature. This is a prime example of how the government views and treats the Blacks within America, even after trust was given from them – believing that they were getting treated for an disease that they feared would take their life. Unfortunately, the government took their life with the cure in hand…

In Bell Hooks’ “Understanding Patriarchy,” she illustrates the essence of patriarchy by providing in depth detail of childhood, the behavior and thoughts of her significant other, and other worldly observations of patriarchy. She describes how patriarchy is intertwined in our society as a cause of traditional customs and the familial and religious expectations of gender roles. Patriarchy has been defied in many forms of resistance, largely by the feminist movement in which women vocalized their opposition to the traditional, the standard, and the expected.

Melissa Strah link

1/9/2015 03:59:54 pm

In the reading of "Tuskegee Syphilis Study" that was conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service was a study where 600 innocent black men and women were taken advantage of. They were never at any time ever told any truth. They were lied and taken advantage of time after time. It was prepared by the State thinking they would conclude with results, unfortunately nothing was necessarily gained. Doctors that had made incorrect assumptions about innocent people. In conclusion it explained how Black Americans are wrongfully treated.

In the reading of "Understanding Patriarchy" explains the men hold the power and women are more or less excluded. How behavior is taught as a young child. The white supremacy still holds the power in our society. The nuance of how women are still having less power in the workplace, politics, and society in general. We are seen as the weaker power.

"Letter from Mecca" explains how there is no resistance of people sharing in the true spirit of brotherhood. How many come together not caring of color of their skin, hair, and eyes. Everyone's "white attitude" had been removed. Malcom experienced the sincere hospitality, spirt and love that he would not have felt anywhere else.

Marcos Guzman

1/11/2015 10:47:40 am

Response to Jessica Jaime:

Was it coincidence that African American men were targeted for the unjust “scientific” experiment or was it because of the stereotypes and the roles that were given to them by others in society made them less human? Is this system a way where it makes it okay legally discriminate against minority races in the United States?

I don’t believe personally that it was a coincidence that African American Men in Tuskegee, Alabama were targeted for this so called experiment doctors referred to as an “act of nature”. African Americans have been treated unequally for many reasons in this country but it always comes down to the race and color factor. Being treated unequally is always justified by that of the white American for reasons that are unethical such as being uneducated, race, class, health status etc. Our society dehumanized African Americans and made them less instead of equal to the average white American. The average white American felt superior to minorities because the embedding sense of patriarchy that was strongly exercised. Though Doctors and Government agencies justified this experiment because it was based off of minorities it was ethically and morally wrong. There is no system that justifies discrimination towards any minority or race. The American government should have stepped in and filed charges against the doctors and agencies involved in the Tuskegee study for endangering American lives.

Marcos Guzman

1/9/2015 03:20:47 pm

Letter from Mecca:

In April 1964, Malcolm X went on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. There he discovered how the religion of Islam had a universal respect and true unity of brotherhood. This caused an epiphany with in Malcom X, It permanently changed his world view. Malcolm, realized unity is possible, it re-arranged much of his thought pattern, tossed aside previous conclusions and firm convictions. During his pilgrimage through the middle east he regained hope for unity because through embracing Islam he saw hope for America that if it embraced Islam this religion would erase the race problem from its society.

The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study:

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was an unethical clinical study conducted in the Tuskegee, Alabama. The study began in 1932 and was halted in 1972 by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The study began by examining the progression of untreated syphilis in African American men who were lead to believe were receiving free health care, treatment for “Bad Blood” , meals and even burial stipends. The syphilis study was seen as “Study in nature” as opposed to an experiment. Syphilis was so common that it went untreated through the life of rural African Americans. To one of the researchers he noted it as a natural event to occur that would be “valuable to observe the consequences” and “readymade situation”. Though penicillin had been created to treat syphilis in 1940 it was withheld from all the participants knowingly.

The imperialism of Patriarchy:

Most men relate patriarchy with feminism and women liberation and dismiss it as irrelevant. The political system shapes and sets male identity as dominating and superior to everyone including women. Patriarchal gender roles are assigned to us as children and as we grow up our elders feed the idea and notion of how these roles are best fulfilled…Example boys should associate with the color blue, cars and sports and girls with the color pink and dolls. It has also set a notion that its okay for dominance from the dominating male through forms of psychological terrorism and violence. In religion it is engraved and set forward through the will of God as man to rule the world and women to aid men to perform the task given by man, to obey, and to always succumb to man. In homes patriarchy is reinforced to teach daughters to fulfill their role to serve, to be weak and to nurture to never lash out and never express rage or violence. On the other hand males in a patriarchal household are lead to believe their expression of rage are permitted and would help protect the home and country. Patriarchy is enforced by societies, Imperialist white-supremacist capitalist. We cannot decimate patriarchy, “as long as we engage in denial and its impact on our lives”. Society has come a long way though many have seen the reality of this effect many still see the world by a trained eye. People don’t realize how this is a poison preventing and halting progression of equality In Health, Politics and Work environment. Men are also affected by this system, because they are denied “male access to full emotional well being and satisfaction. Dismantling patriarchal culture is a tough challenge yet it’s doable it’s going to take both men and women to conquer this system.

What are the dynamics of the relationship between black people and the state (government of the United States?

The relationship the American government has had with African Americans has not been well deemed from pre to post-civil rights era. In the Tuskegee study we see how African Americans were used by government organizations such as Center Disease Control and U.S public health service as guinea pigs lead to believe false information. African Americans were lied and prevented from receiving proper aid. The relationship dynamic was lead in foul play and lead to believe as an act of nature in allowing and justifying the exploitation of its African American citizens.

What forms of resistance have been developed in order to manage the experience of racism and other forms of oppression?

Imperialist white- supremacist capitalist patriarchy has been the foundation of the nation’s politics. It has set the male identity as inherently dominating, superior to everything and everyone deemed weak including those who do not fall within the normal average “American male” as a white male, heterosexual, married etc. Dominance through the Patriarchal System is to be maintained through oppression by psychological terrorism and violence.

Conclusion:

Through the three readings I have identified the themes of oppression, racism and patriarchy. Malcom X was able to see the world in a new light through the religion of Islam. He saw hope for unity through religion and brotherhood. Though many in society see the world through a trained eye it is h

Kimberly Turner

1/11/2015 03:55:44 pm

Yes Marco, I believe there should be restitution given to the families. It's funny you mention that because I was wondering the same thing. Actually, I was wondering if that had already been done. I identify this as a domestic terrorist act, although, it will never be considered as such. I was deeply disturbed by the analysis of black people by the doctors. In all honesty, I feel as though people still feel that way about black people. It's unfortunate because people choose to believe negatives about particular groups. I have not researched further about what happened with this experiment but I hope that the families who suffered were compensated for their embarrassment, humiliation, and distress.

Marcos Guzman

1/9/2015 03:22:56 pm

Letter from Mecca:
In April 1964, Malcolm X went on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. There he discovered how the religion of Islam had a universal respect and true unity of brotherhood. This caused an epiphany with in Malcom X, It permanently changed his world view. Malcolm, realized unity is possible, it re-arranged much of his thought pattern, tossed aside previous conclusions and firm convictions. During his pilgrimage through the middle east he regained hope for unity because through embracing Islam he saw hope for America that if it embraced Islam this religion would erase the race problem from its society.

The Case of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study:
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was an unethical clinical study conducted in the Tuskegee, Alabama. The study began in 1932 and was halted in 1972 by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The study began by examining the progression of untreated syphilis in African American men who were lead to believe were receiving free health care, treatment for “Bad Blood” , meals and even burial stipends. The syphilis study was seen as “Study in nature” as opposed to an experiment. Syphilis was so common that it went untreated through the life of rural African Americans. To one of the researchers he noted it as a natural event to occur that would be “valuable to observe the consequences” and “readymade situation”. Though penicillin had been created to treat syphilis in 1940 it was withheld from all the participants knowingly.

The imperialism of Patriarchy:
Most men relate patriarchy with feminism and women liberation and dismiss it as irrelevant. The political system shapes and sets male identity as dominating and superior to everyone including women. Patriarchal gender roles are assigned to us as children and as we grow up our elders feed the idea and notion of how these roles are best fulfilled…Example boys should associate with the color blue, cars and sports and girls with the color pink and dolls. It has also set a notion that its okay for dominance from the dominating male through forms of psychological terrorism and violence. In religion it is engraved and set forward through the will of God as man to rule the world and women to aid men to perform the task given by man, to obey, and to always succumb to man. In homes patriarchy is reinforced to teach daughters to fulfill their role to serve, to be weak and to nurture to never lash out and never express rage or violence. On the other hand males in a patriarchal household are lead to believe their expression of rage are permitted and would help protect the home and country. Patriarchy is enforced by societies, Imperialist white-supremacist capitalist. We cannot decimate patriarchy, “as long as we engage in denial and its impact on our lives”. Society has come a long way though many have seen the reality of this effect many still see the world by a trained eye. People don’t realize how this is a poison preventing and halting progression of equality In Health, Politics and Work environment. Men are also affected by this system, because they are denied “male access to full emotional wellbeing and satisfaction. Dismantling patriarchal culture is a tough challenge yet it’s doable it’s going to take both men and women to conquer this system.

What are the dynamics of the relationship between black people and the state (government of the United States?
The relationship the American government has had with African Americans has not been well deemed from pre to post-civil rights era. In the Tuskegee study we see how African Americans were used by government organizations such as Center Disease Control and U.S public health service as guinea pigs lead to believe false information. African Americans were lied and prevented from receiving proper aid. The relationship dynamic was lead in foul play and lead to believe as an act of nature in allowing and justifying the exploitation of its African American citizens.

What forms of resistance have been developed in order to manage the experience of racism and other forms of oppression?
Imperialist white- supremacist capitalist patriarchy has been the foundation of the nation’s politics. It has set the male identity as inherently dominating, superior to everything and everyone deemed weak including those who do not fall within the normal average “American male” as a white male, heterosexual, married etc. Dominance through the Patriarchal System is to be maintained through oppression by psychological terrorism and violence.

Conclusion:
Through the three readings I have identified the themes of oppression, racism and patriarchy. Malcom X was able to see the world in a new light through the religion of Islam. He saw hope for unity through religion and brotherhood. Though many in society see the world through a trained eye it is hard to

Andre Mouton

1/11/2015 04:31:42 am

Marcos,
I agree with you on the Imperialist white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy has been the foundation of the nation's politics, it was well presented and I like how you used the term psychological terrorism and violence. I like how you articulate all of your response thank you for your input.

Marcos Guzman

1/9/2015 03:24:46 pm

Conclusion: Got cut off on Original post

Through the three readings I have identified the themes of oppression, racism and patriarchy. Malcom X was able to see the world in a new light through the religion of Islam. He saw hope for unity through religion and brotherhood. Though many in society see the world through a trained eye it is hard to let go of pre-conclusions yet it is not impossible. Oppression has played a big role in African American citizens the government made them feel even after post-civil rights era as if they are less citizens unequal that to white American citizens. In the Tuskegee study of African Americans we see how government agencies knowingly studied upon African Americans and withheld treatment. Though this study was unethical and wrong should the American government pay more in restitution to the lineage to those involved in the study? Children of the people in the study? African American Communities in Alabama?

Kimberly Turner link

1/10/2015 05:57:55 pm

Letters from Mecca
This an original letter from Malcom X that he wrote to his wife while on a sabbatical to Mecca. Malcom X tells his experience fellowshipping, eating, praying, and living amongst people from all backgrounds, more particularly white people. His letter speaks about how in America whites and blacks are lead to believe that they cannot co-exist and one race should be made to feel beneath the other because of the color of their skin.
This letter by Malcom X demonstrates the dynamics between blacks and the state by addressing that we are trained to be divided by the color of our skin, however, in other places of the world like Mecca, people of all skin colors can get together practice their religious beliefs without reservation. The government has designed a system that protects white males and justifies crimes against black people to maintain white supremacy. Every time there is no justice for crimes against black people, it serves as a form of resistance and it oppresses the people. It is racism in a new, sophisticated form, however, the concept is as old as slavery. That concept is that although there are more black people than members that run the state, law enforcement, and law makers, make the people feel oppressed and they will hesitate to rise against authority. If you feel as though the laws and the law enforcement that is designed to protect you and your loved ones do not protect either or, how can you be confident in your future or in a country that has no concern about the acts that threaten the growth of your people? How can you rise against injustice when you feel powerless and discouraged?

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment
This is about a disturbing experiment that the US government conducted concerning black males and the disease syphilis. The study was to not treat some black males to cure the disease will allow others to dies and see the effects of that. The disease spread, killing most or driving them insane. This reading also demonstrates the dynamics between black and the state by addressing how little the government sees any value to black lives. The reading has disturbing analysis of black men, describing them as having animalistic behavior and to be barbaric. To justify the killing of a black race is continuing today, not in the name of science, but in the form of the justice system. Should they be compensating for the treatment of these people.
The Imperialism of Patriarchy
This reading is about how society has learned to accept roles assumed by a male and a female. The author talks about how women are often criticized or deemed inadequate when assuming what can be argued as the “male role.” This kind of thought process that is another tool designed to oppress women and other groups such as black people. Black people can understand the oppression of women in society. Black women in society have it especially difficult proving that they are not only good enough for societies standards but also towards a male practicing patriciarchial standard. If we as a society can show more forward thinking and go against what we think our roles, our position, or titles we could create an environment where we are produtcive.

Corissa R.

1/11/2015 02:51:39 pm

I think that the underlining problem as it pertains to the relationship between African Americans and law enforcement is fear. Darren Wilson (the former Ferguson police officer) said that Mike Brown looked like a demon just before he shot him. Officer Manney wrote in his memo regarding the shooting and killing for Dondre Hamilton “he was just that big, that muscular … I would say he would be impossible to control if you were one-man.” Hamilton was 5’7 and 180 pounds which was overweight and below average height. Both Hamilton and Brown were black and Wilson and Manney are white. It has been shown that police encounter with black men are likely to end up fatal, and it is because of conscious or unconscious prejudices that people have about African American males. The problem is that law enforcement is not designed to protect us, it designed to protect them. We have too many scared police officers on the street that are acting on assumed threat, rather than an actual treat. There definitely has to be a change in the way in which police are trained starting way before they are in patrol cars and are given weapons to use. There needs to be a societal change in the way people view African American males, and that starts with the images that are filter through the media. If you only see images of African American males committing acts of crime than people only assume the worst, and those are how the biases were formed. We can rise above injustice by doing exactly what people are doing, marching, boycotts, and protesting. Those are ways in which we have and exercise our power.

Makamae (Davina) Heinz

1/11/2015 08:18:07 am

(Excuse my post being late due to me being sick)

Letter from Mecca,

Malcolm X talks about his experiences in this letter while he was in Mecca. It was a big eye opener to him how everyone was treating him equal and the love that they were showing him. Malcolm describes how he witnessed such true brotherhood from people of all colors praying with him, sharing drinks, food, and sleeping on the same mat. People all came together for religion and were treating each other equal and not based on color. Malcolm points out how America needs to understand Islam because of what he witnessed they put aside racism when it comes to religion. It changed his whole way of thinking with racism and how if we can all come together as one race, we are all the same brothers as he describes. If we Americans can accept being as one about God it would make a big difference in how we treat each other.

The imperialism of Patriarchy

In this piece that we had to read describes an in depth analysis of
Patriarchy and how it is learned. It is taught from when you are born. Patriarchy means a family, group, or government controlled by a man or group of men. It also was stated it is defined as a social system in which family members are related to each other through their fathers. How me were taught to hide their feelings and women show there feelings. The person writing these particular reading states growing up she was taught too be the nurturer and caretaker. She grew up being the more outspoken one then her brother who was more the quiet one. This was not the patriarchy way to her mom and dad. Getting beat by her dad for playing with marbles that her family believed was for males only was horrific to read about. I feel that Patriarchy thinking is not good and it denies men there feelings and puts women lower and not equals. Some of the nuances in this were how women are treated compared to men. Women had already been fighting for rights of being women and still are.
From the two readings that I wrote about they were very deep and I enjoyed learning about the word patriarchy because were I grew up and how I did not finish high school. I did not even know what the word meant and how deep it was . The letter that Malcolm X wrote was very deep and real. It shows how we can get together and be at peace with each other if we all come together as one. My question is will that ever happen. We are all divided in certain ways.

Jessica Jaime

1/11/2015 12:38:49 pm

Makamae, I really enjoyed your response to the readings and I agree with your point of view if we came together and accepted each other for who we really were things would be less divided. A person shouldn't be judge for the color of their skin but for the character and strengths we all have in ourselves. I do believe and always believed that religion can break all walls and bring all of us together to become united.

Gabriela Hernandez

1/11/2015 03:22:41 pm

Makamae,
I really enjoyed your response and I definitely agree with what you said the letter that Malcolm X wrote was very deep and real. I also agree where you said "it shows how we can get together and be at peace with each other if we all come together as one." Since it was clearly shown in the letter with his experiences. As for as your question, if that will ever happen again? I would say it could happen again but I think it will be very hard.

Marcos Guzman

1/11/2015 10:46:19 am

Corissa R.

1/11/2015 02:01:27 pm

In Malcolm X letter to Mecca he addresses issues regarding race and unity. During the time of his pilgrimage to mecca, African Americans were not received well in the United States. They were fighting against racism and everyone was at odds with each other. There wasn’t even unity in the African American community. Yes, they were fighting one common goal which was equal rights for everyone, but yet because at the time there were two prominent leaders in the African American community (MLK and Malcolm X), there was partiality amongst the movement. It is almost as if people in the media and government purposely forces people to choose a side, because there are strength in numbers so by pinning the two major leaders of the movement against each other it aids as a distraction from the real issue. That is why, in my opinion Malcolm X was so taken with the oneness that he saw and experienced in Mecca, because you were embraced no matter what. Race didn’t matter only fairness did which is what he was ultimately fighting for.
In “Understanding Patriarchy” the underlining theme in that piece was oppression due to gender, additionally pertaining to her experience as it relates to African American families. It is really interesting to read about how the dynamics of oppression changes from racism (that illustrated in the Malcolm X, and Tuskegee Syphilis) to sexism which is addressed in this piece. The differences in the relationship of black people to one another are the roles that we have to play, as it relates to gender. Meaning what is acceptable for males to do is not acceptable for females to do and vice versa. Black women have another barrier to overcome because of their gender. Society as a whole, view women as the “weaker” and less capable sex. That is primarily the reason why there have been no woman presidents. There are different set of rules women have to follow, especially when it comes to government. We have to be dominating yet, soft. Assertive but not do demanding. These patriarchal norms are not just in the household but also in society, and that is just another obstacle that women have to face.
Questions:
Why do you think that it is difficult for there to be two African American leaders at one time?
Do you think that Malcolm X letter addresses is concern not only for racism, but also for the dissension within the African American community?
Do you think that patriarchal norms play a part on a woman not being president yet?

amal pujol

1/12/2015 01:26:28 am

Response to Corisaa.

Hello Corissa,
I really enjoyed reading your post. I like how you brought out the differences withing the African American community that was going on during the civil rights movement. I believe that the differences in the views of the two leaders made it difficult to have to African American leaders in a time when there was such turmoil. One leader Martin Luther King wanted to take on the peaceful approach whereas Malcolm X believed in the more militant approach. Ultimately there goals where the same which was to receive fair and equal treatment for African Americans. I do not feel that it is more difficult to have two African American leaders in today's society. They may have different views on some issues but I believe that is a plus in the fight for equality. It is important to see and approach things from different angles.

amal pujol

1/11/2015 03:53:50 pm

The Tuskegee Syphilis study was an experiment based on racist view of black people in America in the early 20th Century. The background for the study really demonstrated the dynamics of the relationship between Black Americans and the Government. In the late nineteenth-and early twentieth century many White scientist, medical professionals, anthropologists looked at Black Americans as the lesser humans in comparison to White Americans. This was largely based on the view of Social Darwinism that labeled Black Americans as dumb, week, prone to disease, and highly sexualized with no self-control. Some White Medical professionals felt that black males had a perversion for white women and that this perversion coupled with a highly excitable sex drive threatened the existence of the white society. They also believed Blacks were doomed to succumb to syphilis based on them blacks being too dumb to seek medical treatment or being unwilling to follow through with it. Some physicians was even estimated that 50% of all blacks that were over 25 had syphilis. They therefor claimed that it would be impossible to convince black people to receive treatment and that Syphilis would eventually wipe out the entire Black race.
Based on these racist views and a lack of respect for the lives of Black Americans, in 1932 Dr. Taliaferrro Clark, chief of the USPHS Venereal Disease Division and Surgeon General H.S. Cumming devised an experiment that would be carried out in Alabama. The subjects chosen were a total of 600 Black males, 400 who had syphilis and 200 uninfected Black males that did not. Even though the experiment was labeled a study and it should have been discontinued based on a prior study that conducted in Oslo that demonstrated the deadly result of syphilis when left untreated. Form the beginning the experiment was flawed, in contrary to USPHS projection of 35% only 20% of the subjects tested were positive. Also there were higher amounts of Black Americans who had been infected that sought treatment even though it was assumed that they would be unwilling to receive treatment. In fact that the subjects were unwilling to participate in the experiment until the were falsely told they would be receiving medical treatment for syphilis which both proves the view of Black Americans in as the weaker race wrong and demonstrates the lack of trust they had for the government. This unethical experiment was carried out for over 40 years through the use of lies, false hopes of treatment and several forms of resistance such as blocking the subjects from receiving treatment from elsewhere. The subjects names where placed on lists and sent to various health facilities both private and public and even the military with the instructions of not treating. Not one of the subjects actually ever got the Penicillin treatment thru participation in this horrible experiment that they did not even consent to and sadly many of them died or suffered the health consequences that the physicians and conductors of the study where well aware of before hand. The false narratives about the views of Black Americans and false findings used to justify this experiment where the same forms of resistance that perpetuated racism for so long and seem to be rearing their ugly heads in today’s society where it is often perceived that Racism no longer exists. Do the murders Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner who were all murder by police remind us that that the government still has a lack of regards for the lives of Black American males just as it when the Tuskegee Syphilis experiment was conducted?

In Letter from Mecca written by Malcolm X, he chronicles his journey to the Holy Mecca. He describes the true sense of brotherhood that he felt from people of all colors and all walks of life who where there with the same purpose of serving Allah. He talks about Islam being able to erase the race problem from society and unite people. Malcolm X believed that this visit helped him set aside his old views and conclusions about other races as he experienced true graciousness from black skinned Africans to blonde haired blue-eyed White people. It is true that some Black Americans may have certain nuances when dealing with one another or those from different races. Some Black Americans may react in racist manner in response to the 400 years of racism that has been perpetuated on to them. It may also be hard for them to break out of certain stereotypes and they may even make fun of those in their in race that do. What steps can be taken to achieve that sense of brother hood and being united beyond color that Malcolm X felt on his trip to the Holy Mecca?

marie brown

1/16/2015 04:39:42 pm

Africa’s history has been sign cant for researchers in the interest of African way of life because of the lack of written sources in parts of the continent. Academic techniques such as the recording of oral history, archaeology and genetics have been crucial. But the discoveries by archeologist state the human race was the birthplace in Africa. Date back almost as far as thousands of years Africa is the oldest in the world. When we observe history we can see the absence of color consciousness. In the beginning white was the unusual whiteness of their skin. In the Bible Noah cursed his son Ham indirectly by cursing his son Canaan. (10: 6) Some once believed that the verse justified the slavery of African people, who, it was allegedly, was descended from Canaan, but the Canaanites were white. But as it is noted all the people of the world since the flood have descended from the three-son s of Noah.
Therefore it was Canaanites who, was the servant of servants exactly ignore the most degrade of slavery. So we see slavery was not new to Africa, and we know that he Negroes did play a major role in the settlement of civilization. Just as they did when the European first started to transport them for Africa the colonies, here in American. After we arrive here we are not African, but black people and place in the front lines of the entire struggle. This allowed black to take action, by organizing the beginning for freedom. Both story content that African ancestors of American Blacks were among the major benefactors of the human race. The evidence as survives clearly shows that Africans were on the scene and acting when human opened. Over the course of centuries, beginning around 300 A.D. and we realize that much of its legacy still continues today

kate

12/2/2016 09:54:27 pm

i recently ended natural treatment from traditional healer, i got rid of syphilis out of my body with natural treatment. it so amazing i am not an syphilis patient anymore. everyone suffering from this sickness, should also be cure. contact the traditional herbalist dr galiga. through his email drgaligaherbalcenter@gmail.com or website http://drgaligaherbalcent.wixcom/naturalcure