Q1. The following pertains to the riots of Tulsa, 1921: (Hand out)
c. specifically how were Blacks treated by whites during the riot?
During the Tulsa race of 1921, the blacks were treated as an unequal society member by the whites. The riot specifically broke due to the question of equality when John McQueen, a white deputy, forced Johnny Cole, an armed black veteran, to surrender a pistol. John rhetorically asked Cole "Nigger, What are you doing with that pistol?" the white did not respect the blacks and their rights as fellow countrymen.
Q2. The practice of imprisoning Blacks so that they could be leased out for their labor (also chain gangs) was common in the 1880's. Answer the following questions: (Recommend the book or DVD "The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow".
b. Specifically, how were these Black men and boys treated? Was there an age limitation?
The black men and boys were subjected to racially slanted criminal laws. There blacks were viewed as objects of cheap labor. The convict-lease system did not consider the welfare of the blacks as workers, rather the blacks were considered as state slaves. Therefore, the blacks were subjected to subhuman living conditions. The subhuman living conditions was accompanied by beatings and physical torture. The age limit for the convict lease system was 18-40. The aged, minor and mentally ill were not considered in the system.
Q3. The following pertains to the Black elite of the early twentieth century:
a. Describe who they were and what were their professions?
The black elite of the early twentieth century was a composer of educated, entrepreneurs, singers and actors who owned property. This group of black elites involved themselves in skilled employment. The black elite’s main theme was to help the blacks discover their rights and enjoy them. The black elites mainly were organized through organizations that they participated in.
b. What were the names of a few of these organizations?
African American churches, education institutes, and reform organizations such as Black Nationalism were the major platforms for the black elite to educate other blacks. The organizations such as National Association of Colored Women, funded the welfare of blacks in health clinics, and offered legal counsel for juveniles.
c. What were the names of the early sororities and fraternities? Which ones are still in
existence?
Some of the earliest sororities and fraternities were of Union College (Sigma Phi Society 1827) Kappa Alpha Society, and Delta Phi. The unions advocated for brotherhood and friendship. To date Sigma Phi Society and Kappa Alpha Society still exists with 8 and 11 chapters respectively.
Q4. Discuss the views of Marcus Garvey:
a. What were his criticisms of Black people?
Garvey criticized the black people for accommodating ignorance and poverty. Garvey condemned the blacks for being lazy and looking up to the whites for help and charity all the time.
b. What were the positive things that Garvey and the UNIA did for Black people?
Marcus Garvey was a man full of substance and greed for change and appreciation of cultural dynamics. The integrity portrayed by Garvey in his quest to inspire the oppressed by creating institutions, helped the oppressed with fishing skills rather than the actual fish. That is the reason Garvey is regarded as a blueprint, for his work was to lay foundations for equality. Marcus Garvey gave enough inspiration to the people to emancipate themselves from the chains of oppression. The UNIA movement in Jamaica was a copy paste of the Black Nationalism movement. The UNIA helped the needy and the oppressed. UNIA achieved their objectives through offering reliable sources, inks and information to the people. UNIA helped establish institutions that would cater for the neglected persons or races.
c. What were Garvey""?s weaknesses?
One of the weaknesses of Garvey was that he was too ambitious and worked very hard. Under the background of working hard and being too ambitious, Garvey lost the touch with people. Garvey ended up being too harsh when criticizing people.
Q5. What were the contributions of the following people during the Harlem Renaissance?
1. Claude McKay
"If We Must Die" (1919), a poem by Claude helped to instigate the Harlem Renaissance of the early twentieth century. Claude opened the door for black writer to criticize intolerance and oppression. Claude helped divulge some of amalgamating principles underlying foremost differing themes.
2. Langston Hughes
In times of despair, hope is the only medicine left to keep a man alive. Langston Hughes gave the African-American men and women hope and delight throughout the Harlem regeneration. Through Langston Hughes poems and writings, the blacks were warned against viewing themselves as black men but rather men. Langston wanted people not to fear against uprising and defending their rights. His artistic style of poetry inspired and made the black community feel admired.
3. Zora Neale Hurston
Hurston was a major element of the Harlem Renaissance. She worked as folklorist and an anthropologist, and her work was mainly aimed at preserving the legacy of southern African-American customs.
a. Why were white people attracted to Harlem?
At the time Harlem Renaissance, everyone in the world, especially the whites in America, was interested in African American creative poems and writings. The production held in clubs attracted a quite big number of white people to view them. The white people were interested in the creative production which depicted America as a transnational nation.
