Monthly Archives: December 2014

Beyond Apple Pie: American Inequality

Throughout history America has been viewed as the bastion of justice, freedom and democracy. The United States Constitution and its Amendments establish these ideals, which are in turn defended fiercely by the government. However, the stark reality and history of American slavery and gender inequality speak volumes about a duplicitous system.

In approaching this topic a close examination of ideological theories purported by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Frederick Douglass and Mark Twain will be used. In addition, texts such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Snow Falling on Cedars and The Pact will be discussed as literary expressions of inequality. Further historical and statistical information will be presented to establish arguments about American prejudice and the current climate of race relations and gender inequality.

The conclusion of this work will hopefully shed light on the historical relevance of today’s social problems.


 

Abstract

Laura Lema
ENG 3401: Law Through Literature
Dr. Williams
Abstract

It is somewhat distasteful to chant the “Pledge of Allegiance” and still encumber an ideology where men are superior to women, where rich people are worth more than the poor, and that white men’s lives are much more significant than that of a black man’s. The constitution is fundamental; it is the “supreme law,” throughout the years, however; many were rejected, chastised, reprimanded and the outcasts of the “free world.” Racism was instilled and hardened by laws enacted by the government, so was segregation and almost always did women face sexism. The constitution remains the same, but it was amended, our young country is an example of a mind, societal evolution. From the beginning of western European thought (or ever since there has been records to show), women or people of a certain religion or ethnicity were overlooked, deemed as second class citizens. Fortunately, because of democracy and free speech, people in this country can speak out, protest, write, read, overthrow an old, dissatisfied government and replace it with a new one. It is self-evident that as human kind, we are progressing.

The United States Constitution is a beautiful but double standard body of law made to govern our society, along with the rules and regulations that were born from it to further affect change and keep order. However, do these laws render just and fair retribution to those who have succumbed to their follies and transgressed against humanity? This paper will show through research I have conducted  about American History from the “Civil War of 1861″ to the “Mississippi burning trial” case and the growth of our judiciary system that, although we have come a far way, we still have a very long way to journey to create a just and fair society where the punishment fits the crime. Other than where  the individual commits the crime but may never  receive retribution for the crime they commit but instead is given a different sentence for a lesser crime. Through close examination of statistics and various writings such as ” To Kill a Mocking Bird,” “The Pact”, and films like “The Accused” that depict and illustrate through vivid imagery and metaphors the type of society we come from and live in today. What I will establish will dishearten the minds of the people interested in justice and equality and the pursuit of happiness for all.

My research will further  prove that the laws that are supposedly set in place to give retribution but, our court system often fails to utilize the eloquently, and intellectually  written laws that govern our nation to do just that. The court system has failed to protect, regulate and offer solace to our society by not holding all individuals to the  same standard of the law. I will prove that  Until our government and society expel this type of rationality we will always be forever frozen in our justice system; where criminals are given punishments that take the sting out of their reality and the consequences are quenched with lower and different penalties. If this continues they will never comprehend and truly realize the wrongs they have committed against humanity.

Racism: Does it still exist?

“Martin Luther King was brilliant in showing that racism is a cancer in the heart of those who have prejudice and discriminate and that it violates the most basic human an American values of justice and equal opportunity.” (Joan Mandle). Throughout history, racism has been a main cause of the important events of the United States (Civil War). Dred Scott v. Stanford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857), highlighted examples of injustices faced by people of color in the pass. The Court decided that Dred Scott was not recognized as a citizen because he was black and since he was not a U. S citizen he could not bring a law suit before the federal court.

The writings of Harper Lee in To Kill a Mocking Bird,  Frederick Douglas in What to the Slave is the Fourth of July and also the movie Mississippi Burning addressed issues racism can create such as slavery, segregation, systemic racism and racial injustices. After comparing the events of the pass and present, one is left to imagine whether racism still exists.

Although some may say that racism does not exist because slavery was abolished in 1865, evidences display on television, research and every day experiences show it is still in existence years later in today’s modern society. Racism can be seen when blacks are incarnated at a more rapid rate than other ethnic groups in America. Blacks make up 12.5% of the United States population and 1.1 million of this percentage is in jail (Lecture). Racism can be seen when a black president tries to implement new legislatures that will benefit all American citizens but they are dismissed by congress for no logical reason. People are products of their surroundings so if restraints are built into the system to oppress specific groups, there will never be an end to prejudice and discriminations. Racism still exists.

Marcia Thomas – Henry

Abstract

Despite the fact that we are in the twenty first century, this country still battles inequality and racism at its fullest level. This paper will examine the experience certain groups of Americans have had as a result of specific laws such as the Jim Crow Laws, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voters Rights Act of 1965. The focus will be on the different types of oppression that the African Americans and other minorities have suffered because of these laws as well as other circumstances which contributed to their oppression. Additionally, I will attempt to illustrate how several improvement have been made while in others areas there have only been an appearance of change; however, it is a far cry from transformation. Further discussion will be on the treatment of these groups as second class citizens even though equal opportunity is “supposedly” available to all. Is there such a thing as “equal opportunity” in America or if there is does it only apply to a specific of group individuals?