Racial Inequality and Segregation - Free Essay Example

How does it feel to be a problem? Is what DuBois is analyzing through his piece of literature. Using Ross Posnocks view as a lens, DuBois forms a structure of American civilization and life from a colored persons view. Through DuBoiss book, we get his perspective that were existent through the time of segregation. In his sense, segregation is another term for separation. Segregation is the outstanding point that Dubois uses through his piece with Posnocks piece as a lens. Even though DuBois talks about his personal experience and seeing it happen right in front of him, he describes how there was a sense and hope that there was going to be some sort of change. Instead, that change never occurred and the hope was lost. We learn the wrongdoings of people of color and we see that directly through DuBois and Posnocks eyes. Both of these pieces of literature show the concern of someone or anyone being accepted into a society. Both pieces focus on segregation and the main issue of being accepted in different communities. In W.E.B. DuBois book, The Souls of the Black Folk, he brings up the problem faced by colored people because of their race, or even their identity. DuBois starts by taking a new approach as to connect sociology; the study of how different people develop into their society, and history; studying our past. He emphasizes the new terms such as a persons double consciousness and an outline to show the division and separation of certain individuals, especially colored people, and inequality because of race. The first chapter in his book is called Of Our Spiritual Strivings. In this chapter, DuBois begins with a little story, a personal analysis about the characteristics of white people. Later on, he looks back on the moment where he first noticed he was different. He describes his experience when as a class project, visiting cards were being passed out. It was his turn to get one, and the girl giving them out refused to give him one because of his skin color. He knew that from that moment there was a dispute with whites and colored people. On page 7, it states how does it feel to be a problem? (Dubois, 3). From that question, DuBois knew that this was going to e a future issue, right from the incident he had in school with the refusal. This girl wouldnt accept his card (even when it was part of a class project. From then on, he knew and recognized that because he was of a different color, he was different than everyone else. He also goes on to talk about the inappropriate question that are asked by people who feel superior to others. On page 3, he states the question how does it feel to be a problem (DuBois, 3). This question is repeated multiple times to show how people think of themselves when compared to other people. This question also pertains to people in which theyre feeling left out of things and looked down upon as being different. The feelings DuBois brings up arent just feelings from colored people. He is emphasizing that they are also feelings from anyone that thinks of themselves as an outsider, due to being left out. For people of color, race is important to themselves. It all ahs to do with identity. This is shown on page 3, when Dubois says, the negro lives in a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world (DuBois, 3). According to DuBois, colored people hold some sort of reflection thats based on the thoughts that come from white people. He included examples like stereotypes and prejudice cases. He describes these examples as a veil that people of color are forced to hide behind. We see from his use of the veil that it shades the view of both colored people and white people. it is a peculiar sensation, this double consciousness, this sense of always looking at ones self through the eyes of others amused contempt or pity (DuBois, 3). This gives us a clear picture that calls to the feelings, but also an expression of those feelings that many different people go through every single day, even until today. We learn that those who are different, are usually the ones being left out and banned from living the way they want because of their race, color, or situation they are in. Whether one is disabled, mentally ill, or of a different race, lower people like that are judged by society, whether theirs or another one. While DuBois used colored people as the first issue in his piece, it can all be connected to todays matters as well. Both DuBois and Posnock go further in detail about people having this double consciousness. This double consciousness is used as a division of different societies. It separates the individual and the society, against the remainder of that society. Both views form both authors gives us a mirror image of a colored persons community. DuBois states he felt his poverty; without a cent, without a home, without land, tools, or savings, he had entered into competition with rich, landed skilled people (DuBois, 8). Through this poverty, he connects to being poor following the hardships that come with it. It mirrors the brutality and cruelty people face in these types of situations. In addition, Ross Posnock brought his own perspective on this based on DuBois. Following DuBois inappropriate question of feeling like a problem, Posnock adds is it traitorous for a negro to try to be as broadly and humane as possible? (Posnock, 22). Further on, he also adds a comment to DuBoiss view of people are grouped together based on their differences. He states: Demanding respect for people as blacks and as gays requires that there are some scripts that go with begin an African American or having same-sex desires. There will be proper ways of being black and gay. There will be expectations to be met, demands to be made (Posnock, 25). From this statement, we see that blacks and gays are grouped together as if they are the same issue. Today, may people would characterize them in a group, known as the others. The shades of the prison-house closed round us all watch the streak of blue above (DuBois, 3). Sadly, this still holds true today. There has been so much attention given to incidents with officers and unarmed black people. Posnock, on page 27, also states that there are many race and sexual abuse cases where colored people are being blamed for most situations. He also talks about the division of a community and how you are separated based on situations. Furthermore, both DuBois and Posnock show their views of segregation through their pieces of literature. DuBois starts off by describing his personal experience with feeling different. He starts to present the time where visiting cards were being given out, but someone refused to give it to him because of his color. He knew right from that start that people were going to start to judge colored people, or different people based on their situation.

Personal and Professional Footprint Essay

Personal and Professional Footprint Essay One question that troubles the world’s environment-sensitive populace is what is their ecological footprint is having on the environment. Awareness on how much the world’s population impacts on the environment remains minimal as over the years, humans have opted for processes that strain the planet’s resources. This has had tremendous negative implications to the environment. Pollution, depletion of fundamental natural resources and diminishing plant and animal biodiversity are all becoming more and more evident (Collins, et al, 2008). Consequently, I have come to question myself of how my presence especially as an ecological being impact on the environment. Two aspects of my life reveal a lot on my contribution towards an unsustainable environment. These aspects include consumption and profession. Consumption is significantly pertinent to my ecological footprint as this is evident in my daily routines. The extent that I consume earth’s resources as an individual largely affects the environment around me. Most of my daily endeavors have a negative impact on the planet. For instance, I happen to purchase groceries which are packaged in plastic bags so often that I imagined what would happen if everyone packaged their groceries in paper bags as opposed to plastic bags. Ideally, the number of trees cut down would significantly reduce and this would in turn contribute towards sustaining the planet’s resources. Moreover, waste materials from of plastic bags are harmful to the environment on so many levels. Taking in to account the immense number of plastic bags used on a daily basis, a significant amount of waste from these plastic bags is created. The reality is this waste is usually disposed off in ways that harm the environment. My personal association with the environment is proof enough that human involvement towards global warming is certain. Global warming, a major concern in the modern world, is primarily induced my individual actions as much as it is stimulated by large scale parties such as factories and other production entities. For instance, being a woman, normal morning habits entail use of hairsprays, spraying of deodorants among other aerosols. Further, use of shaving cream and application of many other cleaning agents is common with many people. These habits have become not just part of my daily schedule but also part of many other peoples’ daily routine. These household products that are used on a daily basis were thought to be environmentally friendly in the 1930s as they were considered non-toxic therefore safe to the environment. On the contrary, recent studies conducted after the 1970s indicate that everyday actions entailing use of these items significantly affect the environment ( Morris Parry, 2011). For starters, aerosols have the potential of causing damage to the atmosphere. Atmospheric concentration caused by release of various gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and halocarbons act as trapping agents of thermal energy resulting to a green house effect. Green house effect causes global warming and over the past few decades, human activities that entail release of the mentioned gases have been drastically increasing (Collins, et al, 2008). On a personal note, I would imagine the extent of damage I have caused to the earth’s surface as unimaginable leave alone that caused by many other people whose morning routines are somewhat similar across the globe. Despite the many changes that have been made on the contents of everyday products such as aerosols and hairsprays, going by my ecological understanding, my application of such items considerably result to extensive damage to the environment. Professionally, as an environmental woman, I can deductively acknowledge that human-induced global warming is a reality. Most human activities are backed by a section of wealthy individuals are interested in processes that translate to profits rather than safeguarding the environment (Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, 2004). This group of people has managed to convince more and more people into believing that human activities are not attributable to environmental degradation. On the contrary, human have always influenced the climate and the environment. An example is illustrated in my profession as a social worker. My company deals with production of numerous print documents such as brochures as well as electronic messages which become obsolete within a short time. Additionally, most electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones used by the company workers are left on at most times even when not in use therefore leading to mass wastage of limited resources. On average, the amount of paper and electricity wasted by our firm only can overtime put a significant amount of strain on the few forests and inadequate water resources available. Essentially, my professional background and my consumption behavior somewhat inter-relate. Both largely influence the ecological footprint I have on the planet. Th anks to my profession, I am more aware of the hazardous nature of human consumption behaviors and its impact on the environment. As an ecological human, I am therefore capable of transitioning my behaviors to a more ecologically aware standing. For instance, I can now see the importance of using paper bags in place of plastic bags. Additionally, I can now understand why it is important to use environmentally friendly personal effects as even use of aerosols and the like at a personal level also impacts on earth’s planet. Moreover, I am more informed on which processes within the firm I work for can be changed to avoid wastage of resources while at the same time, save the company on costs that should not be incurred. A significant role of sustaining both the climate and the ecosystem going into the future is played by humans. My profession as an environmentalist has predominantly helped sustain the planet. For example, I am more aware of the effects of human activities on the environment. I am no longer in denial that earth’s climate as well as environment is downgraded by human activities. Consequently, I have transitioned to become more susceptible towards the environment. In addition, I am a strong proponent of the war against adverse economic implications on the planet’s resources so as to leave a mark in the fight towards sustaining the planet’s environment. Human induced environmental degradation is evident and awareness of human implications on the environment is non-reassuring. Many people still remain skeptic on human involvement towards environmental deprivation. A lot of awareness needs to be performed so as to sensitize more people about the issue. According to a study by George Mason University (2009), the media more specifically television, plays a minimal role in increasing environmental awareness. According to the report, television was found to be the least media platform that impacted on viewers’ knowledge concerning the issue of global warming and environmental dilapidation. Surprisingly, less common media platforms such as the print media and the internet were found to be more influential as compared to television in informing people of the true impact of carbon emissions to the atmosphere and its implications on global warming (Concordia University, 2009). Most people who do not have first-hand understanding of glo bal warming learn of the hazards of human activities through the internet and newspapers. Public interest in this sphere of influence is merely influenced by watching television. This reality is shocking as one would expect watching television to have more impact on sensitizing people about the effects of human activities on the environment. On a daily basis, millions of people watch television. Therefore, it would be more sensible if these numbers of viewers gained some form of concern of the environment. If people would become sensitized about human involvement in environmental degradation through television and subsequently get enlightened on ways of reducing their contribution in the issue, tremendous steps towards sustaining the planet would be made. In my opinion, televisions can be used to increase peoples’ perceived knowledge of environmental degradation. This could be achieved through ensuring contents displayed on this platform positively highlight the situation on the ground. For example, in addition to serving as an entertainment tool, television sets can be used to perform educational functions. Reforms should be made to increase the effectiveness of this unexploited source of information as this would increase awareness which would in turn convince populations across the world to become ecological. Undoubtedly, efforts towards sustaining the environment can only be feasible when many people come together and work towards ensuring the planet is conserved. Through awareness, strategies that aim towards sustaining the environment can be implemented with more ease. Feel free to buy an essay on this popular topic at AdvancedWriters writing service. You will get a 100% original custom essay written from scratch!