McWhorter in this regard raises this question: “… what is so
terrible about being referred to as red when Native Americans have reddish skin
tone?” Perhaps it is that “Redskin” has for several centuries has been used as
an insult that applies to more than the skin color of an individual. McWhorter
makes one more point that should not be taken for granted: “… words not only
have core meanings, but resonances of the kind that may not make into the
dictionary but are deeply felt.” This is what we mean by the nuance of a word.
McWhorter points out that these things are subtle. He once had to inform a
foreign student that in a class discussion it was inappropriate to refer to
another person as Jew rather than a Jewish person. The use of derogatory
names like “Redskin” or even names that could potentially be taken as
derogatory should really be avoided at all costs. The way in which these words
reinforce negative stereotypes hurts people all across society. In a world that
is more multicultural than ever we “ALL” have to work toward understanding each
other better and recognizing the potential offense we may cause to others by
using words without careful thought. Through patience, understanding and
communication we can eliminate these forms of negative stereotypes and avoid
using slurs.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Commnity College
All some people want is a chance
The value of Americas community colleges is that they give chances to those that would otherwise never get a chance. Liz Addison writes “The philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin. Just begin. Implicit in this belief is the understanding that anything and everything is possible.” The barriers to entering a four-year university seem to get higher and higher so those that need a hand up can turn to community colleges. Community colleges also work with universities to help ease entrance for students, for example transfer agreements. This chance is what its all about. Not everyone desires to go to college or university but opportunity needs to be there. Community colleges offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream.
The value of Americas community colleges is that they give chances to those that would otherwise never get a chance. Liz Addison writes “The philosophy of the community college, and I have been to two of them, is one that unconditionally allows its students to begin. Just begin. Implicit in this belief is the understanding that anything and everything is possible.” The barriers to entering a four-year university seem to get higher and higher so those that need a hand up can turn to community colleges. Community colleges also work with universities to help ease entrance for students, for example transfer agreements. This chance is what its all about. Not everyone desires to go to college or university but opportunity needs to be there. Community colleges offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Loving 1967
On July 11, 1958 a couple of hours after midnight, Richard
Loving a white man and Mildred Loving an African American woman were awakened
to the presence of three officers in their bedroom. One of the three officers
demanded from Richard to identify the woman next to him. Mildred, full of fear,
told the officers that she was his wife, while Richard pointed to the marriage
license on the wall. The couple was then charged and later found guilty in
violation of the state's anti-miscegenation statute. In the late 50s police
officers could walk into your house when you’re sleeping and see who you’re
sleeping with??? The court also reasoned that marriage has traditionally been
subject to state regulation without federal intervention, and consequently, the
regulation of marriage should be left to exclusive state control by the Tenth
Amendment. This was fortunately overturned by the Supreme Court after the case
was revisited by Bernard Cohen and Phil Hirschkop finding that the states were
actually violating the 14th amendment.
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