Critical Reflection - Black World Study Essays Examples

This paper talks about the critical reflection of the black world study particularly, the civil rights movement. It is a general summary of the film ‘The Butler’. It seeks to examine the similarities and differences, if any, which were observed in this particular film and the book entitled, ‘Let Nobody Turn Us Around.’ It is correct to say that many differences and similarities can be drawn from the two source of information. However, I will only discuss a few of the points that can be clearly drawn from the two.
It is evident from the film that people of color were not of equal status with the white American citizens. They were always considered to be inferior to the whites. This is depicted, for instance, when President Regan declines to support the congressmen who purport to have sanctions against South Africa. The President refuses to assent to the bill and threatens to veto it if passed. This shows how black people were not considered as actual citizens. This ideology is not any different from that in the book. Dred Scott was born a slave in Southampton. He was a known litigator. Scott sued for his freedom on the grounds that his status as a slave had been nullified when his master took him to Illinois, which was a free state. This decision is later quashed by the Supreme Court, which then states that blacks were not legal citizens and were deemed to have no standings in the courts of law. They were considered to be the private property of their masters. However, this decision is overturned. This goes a long way to show the status of the black people in those days.
The life of the black Americans is depicted as that of struggle and oppression. They were enslaved by their masters to be at their service at all material time. The butler is said to have been lucky to land the job as a butler in the white house. This was an opportunity to die for. African American citizens were never afforded such opportunities as they were mainly acquired by their cheap labor.
The civil rights movement occasions a lot of commotion in the streets in the late twentieth century. The activists are arrested and sent to the jail for fighting for their rights. The protest I assume goes on for a long time during president Regan’s administration. In 2008, the people of color were amazed when their own kind, Barrack Obama, joined the presidential run. President Obama wins the election eventually wins the election. This comes as a huge surprise to people of color. The emotions expressed are priceless. They gain their status as American citizens. They are legally recognized as American citizens with full rights as those enjoyed by the white American citizens. Of course, this was not the situation in the twentieth century. The fruits of democracy are finally realized. This situation is entirely different from that depicted in the book. People of color are not, as stated earlier, considered as citizens of America. They are regarded as private property owned by their masters. Equal rights and equal opportunities are not afforded to all American citizens. This took a turn back in 2008. The African American secure their rights to equality and equal opportunities that are provided to all citizen of the America.
The long-term goal of black reform was the redefinition of American democracy itself; the elimination of all restrictions to the full participation of the African Americans in the larger society. This dream is realized when President Obama rises to power. The African American population is finally afforded the opportunity to enjoy their rights. They finally get to celebrate truly the American Independence Day. Fredrick Douglas questioned the sincerity of the whites when it came to the celebration of the Independence Day. Making a similar point was David Walker, who gave a logical conclusion that African American, because of their experiences of suffering and struggling, were more American than the whites. They had enriched the country with their blood and tears.