Introduction

My major is Criminal Justice. I was born in Houston Texas. I am a transfer Junior from Parkland College in Champaign Illinois. I also have done an internship with the police departments in Champaign county last spring and summer. I am a wrestling coach for high schoolers and little kids when I go home to visit. I am also a motivational speaker for college students in order to help with encouraging them to keep on the right track and to finish their education. I hope to become a probation officer in the future after graduating, so that I can help offenders get back on the right track. That has always been my dream to help people out, no matter what their background or status is in society. Another one of my future dreams are to become a parole officer as well in order to mentor the violent offenders in hopes of getting them back on the right track.

Tell Me More

I hope to gain more knowledge about African American history that I never knew before attending this course. I also hope to gain more knowledge about how historical African American figures overcame the stigmas that faced them every day due to the color of their skin. By gaining this knowledge it will help me educate other African Americans on history. The knowledge that I gain will also help me become a better future law enforcement officer by learning how the history of African Americans contributes to their current living situations and socio economic standings.

The History Makers

In the interview of President Obama he talked about the transformation of having to fight the stigma of being just an African American man that only talked about getting into politics, he had to act instead of just saying that he wanted to do it. So he changed the barrier that faces so many African American men today, which is “All they are good for is selling drugs and running out on their children”. He explained that he also changed the barrier of African American men not taking their education serious enough”. Although he admits that he was falling into that stigma for a while, until he realized that he would not become what he wanted to do if he didn’t take his education more seriously.

The New York Times

I think that this is a great way that the Obamas can change the publics image of their family. I think that President Obama is trying to separate himself from the other Presidents by interacting with the public. By Obama doing this it can help him in many ways.

Is Barack Obama an African American?

I feel there is some connection between racial identification and the historical legacy that defines African-Americans as a group. I think that many people self-identify with the heritage they are most familiar with and have experienced the most influence from. The President has a very diverse background yet is identified as being the first African-American president despite having roots from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds. It seems like self-identification often starts from the outside by looking at the color of one’s skin.

Making Privilege and Power Visible

Rap videos portray women as sexual objects which in turns provides negative role models for young girls and children. These videos can give young girls the idea that the way to becoming a successful black woman is through their body, not their brain.

Considering African American and American Culture

The family structure of whites and African-Americans have traditionally been different. African-American families have traditionally included more extended family. Structures that support the traditional white family such as employment benefits and economic incentives do often not apply to extended family making it harder for blacks to prosper.

Thinking More about African American Society and Culture

Social and cultural institutions such as churches, colleges and universities have helped African American survive and succeed over time. They have provided a place for African-Americans to congregate and celebrate their rich history and tradition. These organizations also provided a social venue for African-Americans and helped spur social movements such as the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. The leaders of these organizations can help spur change in the community and convey the message to their followers that prejudice, sexism and homophobia are not acceptable in today’s society.

I Am Definitely an Obama Girl

The Obamas have demonstrated that upward social mobility is an option for today’s society. You are no longer destined to complacently live in the circumstances you were born into. The Obamas have also shown the importance of education and improving yourself. Furthermore, the Obamas have shown the importance of contributing to your neighborhood and uniting with your neighbors; this was evident with their creation of the Neighborhood Ball following the election.

My Mother Said She Never Liked that Name for a Girl Anyway

I don’t think the remedies the author suggested are fiscally possible. The idea of having a fund ready for emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina is a good one yet the number of natural disasters is increasing each year while at the same time the economic situation of the US is worsening. I think it is important to include groups from all spectrums of the country to plan for disasters; including African-American groups. By having an all-inclusive disaster preparedness plan, blacks might gain some employment opportunities and help eliminate economic disparities.

Still on the Obama Watch

I think that the media can contribute to more positive role of African American women and men by eliminating the stigmas that have always represented African American families. One of these stigmas are that African American families are mostly dysfunctional. Another stigma is that both parents are not residing in the household. The media coverage of the Obama’s have impacted these stigmas by changing the views of many families that expected the Obama’s to have family problems associated with them.

Electoral Politics and Party Identity

I think at the time of Obama’s election the public generally thought that there would be change coming in politics and the needs and interests of African-Americans would be represented. Now that Obama has been in office for a few months it is becoming evident that he will not be able to keep all of his campaign promises if he wants to have allies in Washington D.C. I feel that the idea of a black independent party may now gain additional strength.