Personally, the concept of race to me has always been based on a scientific perspective, and because of that, I have always believed that race is due to a gene line. Therefore I do not necessarily agree that a type of religion should be considered a race. However, for this piece, I will go ahead and consider it a race while keeping my own thoughts and feelings about it.
Throughout the article many of my own views were challenged, and I have to say, I disagreed with many aspects of it, and am partially disappointed with the piece in general. Besides claiming that Judaism is a race, I disagree with the claims that everyone hates Jews, that they are seen as “different,” and that they have to fear being who they are. I will now embrace each of these aspects and go into more detail with them. I will begin each section with a few quotes that I believe are interrelated, and then analyze them.
“In the U.S., Christian, like white, is an unmarked category in need of marking.”
“As racism names the system that normalises, honors and rewards whiteness.”
“World Jewish Congress in 1958”
“Jews for Racial and Economic Justice”
I dislike the way that people criticize white people because they believe that they are judging them. I also disagree with how they believe that since they are a ‘minority’ that they should have special circumstances. There is no such thing as the World White Congress, or the Whites for Racial and Economic Justice, so why should different minorities have such gatherings? Nowadays we have Black Entertainment Television and other programs directed towards specific races, however, there is not a White Entertainment Television station. Just because a group of people are considered a minority does not mean that they should be able to exclude others from their groups. Currently there are so many programs to try and get underprivileged and minorities involved into things such as college, as with the numerous scholarships aimed towards different ethnicities, but have you ever heard of a scholarship aimed at a white person? I just believe that even if one is a minority, they shouldn’t be able to exclude others because they are fighting for equality and equality does not include exclusion of others.
“When everyone… hates Jews?”
“Process of ‘whitening’”
“Many of us have lost our culture, our sense of community.”
“Own brand of Jewish courage.”When it comes to maintaining your roots if you will, I think it is a personal responsibility to keep what is important to you as a part of your life. No one can force you to change your religious beliefs if you truly believe. However, many claim to have changed their opinions to better fit in to society. On the other hand, if something is that valuable to an individual, they should fight harder to keep it. The concept of being human is to form one’s own views, morals, and belief systems, for without that, we would not be human. We all are capable of thinking, of processing, of growing, and because of this we develop our character. If Judaism is as important as they claim, then they should not be ashamed of what they are, and instead, they should embrace it. They should have their “own brand of Jewish courage,” because without courage, nothing can be achieved. We all face difficult situations in life, and it is our courage that helps get us through them. People without courage only have fear, and fear can, and will, stop everything in its path.
Hasidim: “Tend to protect their individual communities.”
Hasidim: “They dare to walk around looking Jewish.”
This group of people represents the greatest devotion of people within the chapter of text. They know what they believe in, and they stand by it proudly. Rather than running in the other direction, or molding in order to fit in with society, they embrace their values and make it be known. If every Jewish person lived with this optimism, they would not have so much fear in their lives.
Lastly, this article generalizes the entire white population, portraying the idea that all whites think alike. But this is gravely untrue. Many whites are not racist, are not bigots, and are not trying to impose on minorities. In actuality, many embrace minorities with open arms, listen to their complaints, and try to relieve the issues that are present. It is not fair to claim that every white person feels the same way because we are all from different racial backgrounds, have different past experiences, and therefore have different views. I actually believe that it is only a small portion of the white population that has an issue with minorities, while the rest see everyone as equal.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Slavery Timeline
In this article, there were two main points that jumped out at me that I believe could use further discussion.
First, on June 18, 1452, “a bull authorizing the Portuguese to reduce any non-Christians to the status of slaves” was created. This concept confuses me in numerous ways. To begin with, the Portuguese and African population did not speak the same language, so how could they have known that they were non-Christians? In addition, what are the requirements in those days to be considered a Christian? Did they have to believe in a God? Therefore, the African population very well could have believed in a God or higher power, and hence, would have been considered Christian. This verbal barrier, if it would have been overcome, in turn could have dismissed the non-Christian belief (whether or not they considered themselves Christian). Next, there are many other populations that would have been considered to be non-Christian, so why were they not taken advantage of? What was so special about the African population? I believe it was the fact that they looked different, spoke a different language, and the fact that they were an easy target due to the ports that could be established that made them a prime source of prey for slavery.
Second was the concept of ‘Chattel Slavery’ in which “slaves are commodities to be bought and sold, rather than domestic servants or agricultural workers.” This concept basically means that the slaves were a piece of property, therefore reducing them to not having any rights as people or have free will. This concept however, was very smart for the owners because if they were servants or workers, then theoretically they could have worked off their debt and therefore received rights as a free person. By being a slave they could be kept indefinitely, as well as their offspring.
Overall this article touches base on two different concepts, those of power and race. The white population used their power to enslave the African population, and turn them into a property that could then be exploited. In doing this they proved that they were stronger and a better peoples. On the other hand, the African population was taken over due to their race. Their race was different, not the same as the white population, and therefore they were unequal and inferior. Both of these concepts hold true throughout the development of slavery and racism over the past century, and I am sure they will be further looked into in the weeks to come.
First, on June 18, 1452, “a bull authorizing the Portuguese to reduce any non-Christians to the status of slaves” was created. This concept confuses me in numerous ways. To begin with, the Portuguese and African population did not speak the same language, so how could they have known that they were non-Christians? In addition, what are the requirements in those days to be considered a Christian? Did they have to believe in a God? Therefore, the African population very well could have believed in a God or higher power, and hence, would have been considered Christian. This verbal barrier, if it would have been overcome, in turn could have dismissed the non-Christian belief (whether or not they considered themselves Christian). Next, there are many other populations that would have been considered to be non-Christian, so why were they not taken advantage of? What was so special about the African population? I believe it was the fact that they looked different, spoke a different language, and the fact that they were an easy target due to the ports that could be established that made them a prime source of prey for slavery.
Second was the concept of ‘Chattel Slavery’ in which “slaves are commodities to be bought and sold, rather than domestic servants or agricultural workers.” This concept basically means that the slaves were a piece of property, therefore reducing them to not having any rights as people or have free will. This concept however, was very smart for the owners because if they were servants or workers, then theoretically they could have worked off their debt and therefore received rights as a free person. By being a slave they could be kept indefinitely, as well as their offspring.
Overall this article touches base on two different concepts, those of power and race. The white population used their power to enslave the African population, and turn them into a property that could then be exploited. In doing this they proved that they were stronger and a better peoples. On the other hand, the African population was taken over due to their race. Their race was different, not the same as the white population, and therefore they were unequal and inferior. Both of these concepts hold true throughout the development of slavery and racism over the past century, and I am sure they will be further looked into in the weeks to come.
Bill of Rights
In comparison to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights focuses on establishing a power that is balanced and that cannot be abused. By creating a document that clearly states the rights of the parties influenced by it, it protects them from any imposition that may occur from the government.
One concern that was brought up in the Declaration of Independence was that the government was keeping and abusing the use of standing armies when they were not in a time of war. However, in the Bill of Rights, this problem was resolved by stating that a militia shall be maintained, but that they are not allowed to be quartered within a house in which they do not have permission to be in. By clearly defining the limits that the government can have with a standing army, the people are protected from unnecessary power that can be inflicted by the army.
Another concern was that the British government was not allowing trial by jury. In the Bill of Rights, it was concluded that a person has the right to a trial by jury, as well as the right to a speedy trial, and that excessive bail was not allowed. They also included the concept of double jeopardy, and that warrants were needed in order to search private property. Each of these concepts continues to be taken into account and followed today, showing the significance and importance of these clauses in the document.
Overall the Bill of Rights establishes the main concerns of the people, and creates a rule book to follow so that people’s lives are not infringed upon. Because of its creation, the power and authority of the government can be maintained. The creators used their previous state of being unrightfully ruled by the British government to establish the government that they thought was fair and just for the new world. In the end, it was the need for a stable and balanced government that led to the development of the document.
One concern that was brought up in the Declaration of Independence was that the government was keeping and abusing the use of standing armies when they were not in a time of war. However, in the Bill of Rights, this problem was resolved by stating that a militia shall be maintained, but that they are not allowed to be quartered within a house in which they do not have permission to be in. By clearly defining the limits that the government can have with a standing army, the people are protected from unnecessary power that can be inflicted by the army.
Another concern was that the British government was not allowing trial by jury. In the Bill of Rights, it was concluded that a person has the right to a trial by jury, as well as the right to a speedy trial, and that excessive bail was not allowed. They also included the concept of double jeopardy, and that warrants were needed in order to search private property. Each of these concepts continues to be taken into account and followed today, showing the significance and importance of these clauses in the document.
Overall the Bill of Rights establishes the main concerns of the people, and creates a rule book to follow so that people’s lives are not infringed upon. Because of its creation, the power and authority of the government can be maintained. The creators used their previous state of being unrightfully ruled by the British government to establish the government that they thought was fair and just for the new world. In the end, it was the need for a stable and balanced government that led to the development of the document.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Declaration of Independence
The main theme for this document was the abusing of power by the British government. It was this problem that led to the development of the article, and ultimately the freedom of the people. However, I believe that the abuse should be looked into further.
In regards to this course power is a main issue. By abusing power, one can see the effects that this issue holds on the people. When they felt as if they were being taken advantage of, they revolted, finding new ideals that they believed they deserved as a people. In claiming that “all men are created equal,” they believed that they had the right to govern their own lives, and live under the rules that they believed should be instated.
This concept shows how a balance of power has to be maintained. If power is swayed in either direction, whether good or bad, it is going to have an effect on those influenced by it. It is then only natural that those who are upset are going to try and restore it to its original or better state. One couldn’t expect anything less. Power can be so detrimental to the state of a community, so it has to be watched closely.
Corruption in terms of power can be seen throughout history, such as with Hitler, the movement of “no taxation without representation,” and the women’s rights movement. Each of these parties felt as if they were being abused by a higher power, and a need for change rose up. By wanting more from their government, they sought change and tried to restore the balance of power to a better state than it originally was.
This document clearly shows how power can be abused, and the measures that people will go to in order to get what they believe they deserve. By analyzing this article, insights on power and its influence can be further understood.
In regards to this course power is a main issue. By abusing power, one can see the effects that this issue holds on the people. When they felt as if they were being taken advantage of, they revolted, finding new ideals that they believed they deserved as a people. In claiming that “all men are created equal,” they believed that they had the right to govern their own lives, and live under the rules that they believed should be instated.
This concept shows how a balance of power has to be maintained. If power is swayed in either direction, whether good or bad, it is going to have an effect on those influenced by it. It is then only natural that those who are upset are going to try and restore it to its original or better state. One couldn’t expect anything less. Power can be so detrimental to the state of a community, so it has to be watched closely.
Corruption in terms of power can be seen throughout history, such as with Hitler, the movement of “no taxation without representation,” and the women’s rights movement. Each of these parties felt as if they were being abused by a higher power, and a need for change rose up. By wanting more from their government, they sought change and tried to restore the balance of power to a better state than it originally was.
This document clearly shows how power can be abused, and the measures that people will go to in order to get what they believe they deserve. By analyzing this article, insights on power and its influence can be further understood.
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