Blog #7

The 1990’s and today's socio-economic is very similar in many ways. When the economy is at its best we respond accordingly but we must remember that it goes the same for when the economy is downhill. As Ms. Malveaux stated “the riveting rhythm of the raps is a reflection, from where I sit, of the awful economic oscillations we are experiencing today. High unemployment rates lead to alienation, to people who are angry and hostile and who express that in their art.” (pg 200) As of today the economy continues to influence our society. Unfortunately when you turn on the news it is in a negative way. When there are financial cuts made in schools, police stations, post offices and many other institutions, unemployment increases. We know the result of unemployment leads to people losing their homes to foreclosures and not being able to support their families. Now that middle and lower class across the country is left in despair, theft, homicide, suicide increases at the same rate with unemployment. In summary, a domino effect will occur during any economic condition.
There are two major points that were addressed: the citizens involved and the cause of the poor economic conditions. Although we hear about the country’s deficit, it seems as the elite is not quite affected. When there is a downward spiral in the economy, who does the government turns their focus on first? There is immediate bailout for Wall Street but not for those who are truly traumatized by the deficit. Paraphrasing what Cornell West stated, “The millions that bailed out Wall Street could have helped the middle and lower class”. Instead the solution for the working class is to continue to cut funds so the money can be dispersed evenly. This is not a new issue as this surfaced in the 1990’s as well, “The federal government has cut in half the money it sends to cities, and they want to cut it more……some of that cut affects not only arts and culture or health and HIV research and care but also institutions at a time when our country is becoming deinstitutionalized.” (p 206) We know conservatives are against government assistance for the poor as they believe the money you make should stay in your pocket. Despite that we have a democratic President; we currently have a predominately conservative government. While they may not want things forced upon them, as Maria Bartiromo stated, the lack of resources provided for the urban community are remaining consistent.

Blog #5

There were numerous of interesting points that were stated in Bell Hook's video but two of them really made connection with Dent's introduction. One of them is the discussion about how film directors consciously choose African Americans to play as villains. For example, in the movie Some, the director, Wayne Wong, could not answer the question of why he chose a black boy to play the their. It is seen as adding to the imagination of a movie to give it a movie"spark" but honestly Wayne, and many film directors, believe in the stereotypes that already exist and is aware of the decision they make when casting. African Americans have been categorized to have a an attitude and to be violent so with their mindset fixed on myths, why else would they choose Bokeem Woodbine in Jason Lyric and James Earl Jones as dark vador in Star Wars. Consequently,this enhances stereotypes that we are now fighting to eliminate but there are these who are concerned about what sells rather than the image. Films are not the only thing that portrays African Americans in a negative way, rap music does as well. While there are different types of rap, the most popular ones are those that promote violence and degrade women. From watching and listening to.them, it portrays of what we believe African Americans are and it creates a domino effect that continues with upcoming film makers and music artists. "And it is a position that we sometimes enforce, or that now what black culture is."

Another interesting point that was made O.J. Simpson was found not guilty in the murder trial of Nicole Simpson. Despite the proof of domestic violence that occurred during their marriage, people still supported O.J.'s innocence because he was black. We ignored the wrong he committed and the accusation upon him. In the Hook's film it was surprising that the women in battered women's shelter was ecstatic to see him found not guilty. Out of all the people you would believe that these women would not be thrilled to see a man that use to beat his wife completely let off the hook. Even though its just speculation that he murdered her, there was factual evidence proving his.violent behavior. We all should have reacted a little just because of his history

Blog #4

Chp. 5

One of the misconceptions people have about voodoo is that it was mainly pertaining to magic and superstition rather than religion. The truth is voodoo is a “functional religious system” that branched from West Africa. (p111) Despite the meaning of voodoo is spirit, it is associated with beliefs that even Westerners are familiar with. It was discovered that those who practiced voodoo defined good and evil the same way Christians view Christ and Satan. (p113) Vodu also have an organized hierarchy just like any other religion. At the top of list is the Creator and below are the servants who worship.

The second misconception is that voodoo is used to cause harm to individuals through, as stated above, magic. The most famous is the Voodoo Doll. The Voodoo Doll supposed to represent a person and the owner of the doll then subjects the doll to different stimuli. For example pricking the doll with needles would signify pain.  While it is true that hoodoo is sometimes used for negative purposes, this is not the traditional voodoo. Many voodooists have used hoodoo to protect themselves against evil. It is believed that in order to remove an evil curse you must know how to pursue one.

The third misconception is that voodoo is devil worshipping. It understandable that if a person believes that voodoo is about magic, superstition and causing harm to individuals they will believe voodoo is associated with the devil. Just like in any religion there are hypocrites that abuse it. Voodoo is far from Satanism. There are voodoo priest who call upon the spirits to heal the sick and remove hexes.

Chp. 8

One of the differences between Florida and Gullah Sea Islands process of retention was practicing of religion. Baptist planters did not try to interfere too much with the plantation church that Gullah’s occupied. On the other hand when Africans in Florida would worship in church, people complained and pretty much demand earlier services and shorter sermons. (p235) To continue their rituals were more challenging than those off the coast of South Carolina.  Gullah also “did not accept all religious teachings imposed upon them” (p160). They remained intact with their cultural beliefs and also adapted to the New World. Those in Florida were faced with complications. The newer generations who practiced Christianity and was forbidden to perform a second burial for the decease. A second burial was to keep the spirits at peace and not haunt those that are living. Some of their cultural practices were becoming assimilated compared to Gullah, who was able to continue their ritual by placing valuable items on the grave site and preparing food for the spirit to remain good to the living.

Blog #3

          After reading The African Character of African American Language in Africanisms and viewing multiple videos on Ebonics, there were strong points made to either oppose or support the African American Language (AAL).   The main argument is to decide whether our language is a dialect or just poor English. Dialect is a unique social variety of a language that is preferable amongst a certain group and may bring a personable connection. Poor English, on the other hand, is merely stating that the Standard American Language was not used in the proper way. Majority of the time poor English is a correlation to lack of education.

            The opposing side argues that our languages have not derived from Africa but from uneducated ancestry that was passed from generation to generation. Words have been taken from Standard American English and been slaughtered by changing definitions (“bad” meaning “good”) and pronunciation (“mo” instead of “more”). Many well educated African Americans agree upon the existing of a different language should not be acceptable. They also point out that the study of Ebonics is way to pacify and give reasoning to why African Americans speak poor English. The terms we used is considered a “dummy-down” version of the Standard American English. As it may be socially acceptable, it is hindering African Americans.

The supportive side stresses that Ebonics is a way we communicate with each other on a personable level. As Dr. Garrard McClendon said the choice of words we use may have much meaning than the average way of stating it. Contrast to the opposing side, there has been research supporting that the African American Language style has derived from West and Central Africa. The languages amongst the two are not completely identical but the pattern has been influential. (p407-414)

My view on the argument is that every race has its own way communicating with each other which is considered dialect. For African Americans, it is called Ebonics. Whether it is text slang (“lol” meaning laugh out loud) or a name you refer someone as (“dude” a term addressed to a male), it is all non-Standard American English. When a group of peers, particularly young, are socializing with each other they tend to add or subtract from what is written in the infamous Webster Dictionary. The problem that surfaces for African Americans is that we have to determine whether we talk a certain way because we are around our peers or we are not properly educated. There is a difference between using certain words and not being able to form a sentence. Ebonics is not an excuse to justify informal conversations; it is language that we established as unique. On that note, we have to understand that if someone approaches you while using almost every sentence and word in improper an improper fashion, that should not be considered African American Language. Personally, I do not believe we should associate our race with a negative way of articulation. When we are able to speak and understand Ebonics around peers and Standard American English outside of our environment that is when our language is labeled a cultural identity.

Blog #1 Questions

     A. The term cultural interaction is the relationship of various elements within a cultural. (ask.com) West and Central Africans had different languages, lifestyles, and beliefs. Their cultural identities influence the duties they would later perform for plantation owners. West Africans were slave artisans and domestic servants because of they were city dwellers throughout the Sudanic Empire of western Africa. (33) Central Africans were field workers because of their familiarity with rice, corn, yams, and millet. (34) Though they differentiated in various areas, they eventually interacted during the Slave Trade in South Carolina. "....the first stage in acculturation process was the melding of numerous West and Central African elements in a cultural called Gullah." This is also similar to integration, incorporation as equals into society or an organization of individuals of different groups. (dictionary.com) Due to Bantu ability to work in the fields, their cultural heritage were not assimilated. While their strong culture influenced other African groups (mainly West African groups) their cooking, music, languages, religion, philosophy, customs, and arts plays a major role in the development of the early African American cultural. (37) Assimilation is the process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture. (dictionary.com) When groups from West Africa was imported to South Carolina, their work title was house servant. They were in direct contact with European Americans. Compared to the field workers (Central Africans) their cultural identity were revoked. Their vocabulary and customs was Americanized. "They were, perhaps, the first Africans whose cultural elements and language were assimilated by and retained within the developing culture of America." (22) As of today we are familiar with certain vocabulary and lifestyles that were influenced by European Americans. 

     B. During the adaptation to the New World, some African groups transformed their cultural heritage into European American customs. Other groups, such as Bantu, kept their cultural identity and combined it with newer ideas that were proposed to them. For example, the house servants were taught how to cook meals from the planters but also continued to add "African culinary taste". "African cooks in the [Big House] introduced their native African crops and foods, thus becoming intermediaries in the melding of African and European culinary cultures." (47) The term "Soul Food" dates back to when plantation owners  gave enslaved Africans discarded animal parts as their meal. Despite the indecency, Africans made tasteful and desirable meals out of them. Today it is apart of our culture. African dances is another example is another example for the process of retention. Many groups maintained their ritual and social tradition while some had to acquire the changes made by European Americans. 

     C. It is inspiring to know that we are educating ourselves and others about the African culture despite our career goals and level of education. Lorenzo Turner and Melville Herskovits took interest in African Studies during a time where it was ignored. While they were educated in prestigious schools, they could have adapted  with society and continued the trend of neglecting our history. Even though they had theories, they paved a way for us to learn about Africanisms.