The Impact of Racial Ethnic Americans.
Introduction
The purpose of this presentation is to explore ways in which people of color and minority groups are represented in various cultural forms. It is hoped that this would create greater understanding of how these images are connected to particular events in their American history. Art, music, film, literary forms are some artifacts that would be highlighted as references. Importantly, perceptions of ethnicity and racial profiling have all emerged from these socio- cultural factors.
Consequently, the writer chooses to divide this paper into two distinct components. First, a brief discussion of the films ‘ethic notions,’ ‘spirit of crazy horse,’ ‘ghost dance’ and Ida Wells, ‘a passion for justice,’ would be reviewed showing how people of color are defined in relation to the artifacts mentioned above.
Secondly, an historical analysis of ‘A different Mirror’ by Ron Takaki would be conducted in relation to how ethnic tolerances have converged into twenty-first century acculturation practices. Precisely, the sociology of this presentation would be fully embraced to reflect the historical context in which it was written and how it has impacted the climax, falling action and prologue of events depicted therein.
Part A---Brief Discussion of films
“Passion for Justice” -Ida Wells
This film depicts the socio- political dilemma of slaves and subsequent ex-salves in America. Fortunately or unfortunately, they happened to be black and Africans. Therefore, it can be deduced that ethnicity might not have had any real relationship to the injustices. From the perspective of where this film began relating to acquisition of freedom, then serious attempts at reverting to slavery is evident that the motive was to keep this class of people in servitude.
In Ida Well’s society slavery meant exploitation, battered sell esteem, mutilated culture for those enslaved and abolition squealed diminished resources for 19th century planters. At that point in history no way could have the American plantocracy survived without slave labor. As such, liquidating their social identity and replacing it with one of inferiority was the goal.
However, clasping hands with misfortune through a yellow fever outbreak resulting in lost of both parents, (A passion for justice) Ida Wells had no other alternative than to allow her passion for justice be fueled into an era of militancy upholding rights to freedom promised and earned. Her efforts were phenomenal just as her comparable achievements. (A passion for justice)
As a veteran Mississippi school teacher she championed African-American literary appreciation through recitals of their socio- cultural, socio-political and socio-economic circumstances. (A passion for justice). These included taking away rights to marry; raise their children, have an education and vote. More importantly, propaganda swelled regarding Africans being savages who needed to be harnessed. (A passion for justice). This was the passion that defined the Ida Wells’ cultural evolution.
Ghost Dance
Lyrics from ‘ghost dance ‘clearly portrays the plight of the American Indian whose culture was plundered by white invaded supremacy. This occurred when the founding fathers travelled to North America from England in search of religious freedom. Arrows and bows were inferior weapons of mass destruction to cannons and guns, which their body succumbed. (The ghost song)
However, the Ghost dance is a spiritual cultural expression giving hope that the soul will be reborn in another body to deliver the succeeding race. As such, this dance became a religious orientation and one which is very significant to the American Indian culture. The sentimental roots are very deep rooted in emotional injustice. (Kehoe 5)
Spirit of crazy horse
Spirit of crazy horse is another embarrassing account of how whites mutilated and degraded the culture of other races; more dramatically that of the people whom they met on this land, called American Indians. (The spirit of crazy horse)
Leonard Peltier is known to be the longest held American prisoner. His thirty four imprisonment was regarded unjustified since he did not commit the crime for which he was sentenced. At the time he was simply speaking out against this unfair oppression asking to be recognized and honored as a human. (Peltier 2009)
‘Spirit of crazy horse’ was even banned for eight years out of pure prejudice. (Peltier 2009). Notably, since in prison he has contributed to his cultural heritage by designing wonderful paintings which are available for purchase as he lobbies his release. (Peltier 2009)
Ethnic notions
Marlon Riggs’ ‘Ethnic Notions’ gives an account of black birds in white cages figuratively. Precisely, it is a paradigm through which the black person has been perceived based on his/her ethnicity, social class; cultural identity and economic status. There were distinct communities in which blacks/ Negros were allowed to live; levels of the social structure to which they can attain and participate; social organizations to which they can belong and a particular way to interact with a superior being –the white person. (Ethnic Notions: Black People in White Minds)
The pitying realization Riggs brings to mind in the episodes of ‘ethnic notions’ is that black people in America had become fulfilling prophesies of the stereotyping model placed on their social identity. As such, everything pertaining to their socio-cultural orientation was inferior and substandard. Only white was class. It was a message preached to them psychologically for centuries into which they eventually were ‘brain washed. ‘(Riggs 1987)
Part B- A historical analysis of ‘A different Mirror’ by Ronald Takaki
Astutely, Ronald Takaki brings together the pains of Leonard Peltier, Ghost Dance; Ida Wells and Marlon Riggs to say that ‘we’ in twenty-first century America still have socio-cultural; socio- political and socio –economic prejudices prevailing deep within the fabric of social structure organizations.(Takaki 1993)
A different mirror is merely a new paradigm of addressing this menace in our society projecting that every American Art, music, film, literary form can be expressed without socio- ethnic judgments or condemnation. Tamaki’s call for inclusivity defined the ‘we’ of America by pointing out that historically America consisted of the American Indians, then came the British who called themselves the Founding Fathers; African slavery and ‘ A different mirror’ consisting of minorities.( Takaki).
This different mirror is a subculture in itself calling forth for representation in today’s America because just like American Indians; blacks ; to a lesser extent Asians and Hispanics “we” are the working class America that is still in economic slavery being termed minority.(Takaki) .
Takaki further espouses that Scholarship has defined America narrowly’ (Takaki) limiting the ethnic composition to one race excluding blacks and Indians notably. Precisely, he reiterates the need for a ‘fresh angle, a study of the American past from a comparative perspective.’ (Takaki)
More importantly, he boldly declared that historical political contributions of blacks to the American Revolution and civil war entitle them ‘to be viewed as subjects-men and women with minds, wills and voices….not merely victims of discrimination.’(Takaki)
A more in-depth analysis takes Takaki into asking as Americans faced with such diverse racial tension among blacks and minority groups regarding cultural adaptation or appreciation issues whether “we’ are “working it out” ( Takaki) together. Further he questions if we are seeing through a ‘glass darkly’ (Takaki). In the final analysis he assures everyone that America cannot maintain its prosperity if such racial tension and cultural animosities exist. We must unite culturally as well as politically for the benefit of all; Caucasian, blacks, Mexican, Cuban, Chinese, Asian, American Indian….. all. (Takaki)
Conclusion
In this exploration into how people of color and minority groups are represented in Art, music and various cultural forms Ida Wells’ talent in literary renditions was referenced as part of her struggle for identify as a female academic and freedom fighter.
The ghost dance emerged into a religious culture from persecutions by whites when the founding fathers tried to subjugate the American Indians. Subsequently, Leonard Peltier’s imprisonment from the Wounded Knee experience forged a specific art culture movement initiating his freedom from imprisonment in the twenty-first century. (Kehoe 20)
Marlon Riggs’ ‘Ethnic Notions’ distinctly highlights the submergence of a people’s culture into one propagandized as superior. Inferiority Stereotyping complexes were forced to enhance the labeling message into fulfilling prophesy for blacks who were made to surrender their true cultural identity. (Riggs, 1989)
Importantly, perceptions of ethnicity and racial profiling have all emerged from these socio- cultural factors. Ronald Takaki, professionally from the perspective of both academic as well as psychological proficiency concluded that failure is eminent if there are no changes in cultural tolerance, appreciation or adaptations in twenty-first century America. It must be clearly represented in Art, music and diverse cultural forms. (Takaki 1993).
Works cited
"A passion for justice." Ida Wells. YouTube. Web. 28th May, 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXZFdGhhMnk.
"Ethnic Notions: Black People in White Minds." Multimedia collection. 1992. Web.
Kehoe, A. The Ghost Dance: Ethnohistory and Revitalization, The Ghost Dance Religion.
Washington DC: Thompson publishing. 1989. 5. Print.
Kehoe, B. The Ghost Dance: Ethnohistory and Revitalization, Massacre at Wounded Knee
Creek, Washington DC: Thompson publishing. 1989.20. Print
Peltier, L. "Leonard Peltier: In the Spirit of Crazy Horse." The rag blog. 2009. Web. 28th May
2011. <http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/leonard-peltier-in-spirit-of-crazy.html
Riggs, M. "Ethnic notions." California newsreel. 1987. Web. 28th May 2011.
<http://newsreel.org/video/ETHNIC-NOTIONS
Takaki, R. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Boston: Little brown and
Company. 1993. Print.
Takaki, R. "A different mirror: a history of multicultural america." . Web. 28th May 2011.
<http://www.aug.edu/sociology/A%20different%20Mirror.pdf>.
“The ghost song." Bing. Web. 28th May, 2011.
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/ghost-.
“The spirit of crazy horse." YouTube. Web. 28th May, 2011.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrjR0ReSBh4>
