Race and Ethnicity in the United States Still Matters

Race and ethnicity is a main factor in the way we identify others and ourselves. The real question here is does race/ethnicity still matter in the U.S.? For some groups race is not a factor that affects them greatly and for others it is a constant occurrence in their mind. But how do people of mix race reacts to this concept, do they feel greatly affected by their race? This is the question we will answer throughout the paper. I will first examine the battle of interracial relationship throughout history and explain how the history greatly explains the importance of being multiracial today. This includes the backlash and cruelty towards interracial couple and their multiracial children. Being part of a multiracial group still contains its†¦show more content†¦They had been taken away from their homes and forced to works as slaves. They often do not view themselves as part of the American society and feel like outsiders. It seems that throughout history racial minorities have not been highly welcomed or treated properly. Japanese interment camps are an example of this. But can the affect of a person historical background have an affect on them today? If a child had any form of black ancestry he would be considered black regardless if they were partly white. This was considered the one-drop rule. The child was not a pure white person therefore was treated as someone of color. Today we have often forced multiracial groups to classify themselves as one race or as a category of other. It was not until recently that the U.S. census allowed for more than one racial classification to be marked down. Not many survey allow this, regardless of the increasing population of multiracial ethnicities. In addition, they are often criticize and torn between picking sides of their race. For instance if someone is half back and half white they might be criticize for no acting â€Å"white† enough of â€Å"black† enough. Rockquemore and Brunsma describe this as â€Å"The biracial experience†¦being one of marginality and uncertainty, as these individuals attempt to find their place within a highly racialized society† (Rockqu emore Brunsma, 2002). In a country that places a lot of importance on racialShow MoreRelatedRace And Ethnicity Searches For Equality1232 Words   |  5 PagesThe study of race and ethnicity searches for equality throughout all racial and ethnic groups though we find that inequality is still a common issue. Racial and ethnic groups are expanding and outnumbering the dominant force, however, minority groups still have no rule against the dominant force. A minority is a subordinate group whose members have remarkably less control or power over the dominant force.(pg.4) Groups are ranked by pinpointing unique features of an individual in order to define themRead MoreRacial Inequality During The Middle Ages Essay892 Words   |  4 PagesI cannot think of a topic that is more controversial, and unsettling than race. The idea of race began in the middle ages, but really starting taking foot when the America’s were discovered. Since our country was discovered, there has always bee n racial inequality. In colonial times Africans were used as slaves, and the Native Americans (the ones who inhabited our country first) were pushed away to reservations to make room for the white people. Skipping ahead a couple of decades to the HolocaustRead MoreRace and Ethnicity in America Essay1329 Words   |  6 PagesRace and Ethnicity in America In 1492 Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue. Everyone knows the story of Christopher Columbus; they are taught it in grade school if not before then. When he landed in America by accident, he had no idea that he would be creating the worlds largest Melting Pot. This melting pot provided means for a new country, made from a mixture of many cultures and beliefs, thus creating a new country with a new and ever-changing culture. One complication with a Melting PotRead MoreCrossing The Border Without Losing Your Past By Oscar Casares973 Words   |  4 Pagessegregation has been terminated; now America embraces and appreciates the various cultures and ethnicities that create this melting pot several people call home. Likewise, it is this melting pot, or mosaic, of races that multitudes of individuals have identified themselves with. Thus, race and ethnicity does matter for it portrays vital and crucial roles in the contemporary American society. Furthermore, ethnicity and race brings comm unities together in unity, determines which traditions and ideals individualsRead MoreShould You Be Judge For Being Born As A Multiracial And Biracial Individual?933 Words   |  4 Pagesyou are a mix child, why can’t you be proud of both or even the other ethnicity background that you have? Those were the questions that I’ve had while reading through the article of Susan Saulny on the topic of being a mix child. I am Dominican and Puerto Rican with some Spaniard in as well, so I’m somewhat a mix child, but I am a proud Latino and that is the side that I chose even though I have different Latino in me, I am still considered a Latino man. I’m 22 years old and in the next 5 or 6 yearsRead MoreVoter Apathy And Voting Apathy Essay1030 Words   |  5 Pages Voter apathy Under the 15th amendment, there is a right to vote by every people who are the citizens of the United States even though; they are Latinos, African-American or Asian. Voting is the important issues in political process as well as for the people themselves to decide the upcoming government in election. Moreover that, immigrants citizen must be very concerned about voting as there are few candidate who shows interest in the favor of immigrants people. Among the immigrants, HispanicRead MoreRace And Ethnicity Are Integral Parts Of America905 Words   |  4 PagesRace and Ethnicity are integral parts of America. They are often used interchangeably. Race is associated with biology. It is a socially and politically constructed category of individuals who are assumed to share common inborn biological traits, such as bone structure, hair type, skin, or eye color. These distinctions have been used to the detriment or advantage of American groups over time. Whereas ethnicity is associated w ith culture factors. It is often tied to nationality of origin and characterizedRead MoreRacial Profiling Is Out Of Control979 Words   |  4 Pageshave handle someone, or some situations, and ask the question are you a racist?, it is Clare that racial profiling in America has gotten out of control. Striving towards the same goal, and eliminating judgment of others, solely because of their color, race, religion, gender, or sexuality. America shows power, strength, and control. As one we can build a strong America, and stop racial profiling. Many people in America have been the perpetrator, or victim of this form of racism, which is racial profilingRead MoreWhat Makes America, America?1033 Words   |  5 Pagesuniqueness, their ethnicity, and chances they have to become successful. Though there is a lot that molds American Identity, America has been shaped due to different lifestyles, which is illustrated through people’s individuality, religions and race, and opportunities. Everyone has a different lifestyle, which in the big picture creates American Identity. Individuality creates everyone’s uniqueness and shows what people can bring to society. In â€Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity,† author MichaelRead More1.Ethnic Niche Are Creations Within Industries Or Occupations1362 Words   |  6 Pagesdivision (Race, Ethnicity, and the American Labor Market: What’s at Work?, p. 5). They are basically inclinations for certain types of workers. Ethnic niches can be good environments to have in the workforce if one’s personal ethnic or racial group is included. But, ethnic niches can bar certain groups from getting the jobs and limiting mobility within them. The job queue is an entity that is affected by economic change and restructuring while also being affected by discrimination (Race, Ethnicity, and

The Scarlet Letter By John Hawthorne - 1478 Words

The Scarlet Letter is a novel about Hester s punishment for committing adultery and how she and the people around her view and act as a result of that sin. The reader can view these punishments from the reaction at two distinctly different mind sets. One of these is the mindset of the Puritans. The Puritans are extremely religious and one can see that in their harsh decision making and social life with sinners. The other mindset is one of the Narrator. Unlike the puritans, the narrator views people and objects with more of a personal connection, how an object affects another object as opposed to how a object affects God. There are several symbols that show and develop this throughout the novel. One of these symbols is the symbol of the Scarlet Letter. The puritans view this as a sign of sin, as something that connects one with the devil. This opposes the narrator s view point of the scarlet A being part of Hester s identity, without it she is a different person. Pearl, Hester s daugh ter, is another symbol that divides the narrator and the puritans. The puritans view Pearl as evil, a devils child. This view differs from the Narrator s which comes from the vantage point of Pearl being an extension of Hester and how Hester would not have the will to live without Pearl. The third symbol is the forest. To the puritans the forest represents an area of evil, a location where the devil dwells. However, the Narrator looks at this ass a place of protection, a place where HesterShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of John Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter 855 Words   |  4 PagesHawthorne’s critique on sin, more specifically addressing sin, is clear. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne claims that sin should public, and subject to punishment from the public not the individual; Hawthorne clearly evidences this with his depiction of Hester’s rise under the letter, Dimmesdale’s self-inflicted decline, and Chillingworth’s revenge-based transformation. Hester’s sin, in the Scarlet Letter is great. At the beginning of the novel, she commits adultery and is publicly shunnedRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne And John Proctor From The Crucible By Arthur Miller1585 Words   |  7 Pagessociety. Nathaniel Hawthorne and Arthur Miller both wrote about these conflicts. Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and John Proctor from The Crucible by Arthur Miller shared the same attributes and feelings towards things that affected their reputations. Both characters from the novels lived in the Puritan colonies of Massachusetts during a time in our history that adultery was considered a mortal sin and witchcraft was punishable by death. Hester and John both had opportunitiesRead MoreThe Theme Of Guilt In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1668 Words   |  7 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne is the author of The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne is a anti-transcendentalist which means he writes a lot about Pu ritans in the 1600’s. John Hathorne ( Nathaniel H. great uncle ) is also an anti-transcendentalist . The book that John wrote that goes with The Scarlet Letter is The Ministers Black Veil. It as well as this novel talks about Secret sin and how the world is good and people are dark and mysterious. Nathaniels book The Scarlet Letter talks about Secret Sin , RevengeRead MoreEssay On John Hathorne878 Words   |  4 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   Nathaniel Hawthorne was greatly influenced by his great- great grandfather, John Hathorne, to develop the novel The Scarlet Letter.   John hathorne was involved in the persecution of several people in the Salem, Massachusetts (encyclopedia). JOHN HATHORNE AND THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the year 1692, the Salem Witch Trials began and John Hathorne was chosen by Governor Sir William Phips to be a judge during the trials.   Hathorne believed that Satan had the power to pressure people into harmingRead MoreSins inThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay1517 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred† (Hawthorne). As this sentence is read in the The Scarlet Letter, the reader will realize that the main theme of the book is the sentence above. Throughout the book, secret sin damages the lives, soul, and the integrity of the main characters. However, it could have easily been evaded through open confession of their sins. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s purpose in writing this novel isRead MoreSummary Of Hester Prynne Essay1299 Words   |  6 Pagesasks a nearby man what was happening. The man tells him that Hester is being punished for having an affair with another man while her husband was away, not knowing that he was talking to Hester’s legal husband. After being led back to jail with a scarlet letter â€Å"A† sewn to her chest, Hester and her husband meet and talk with each other. Her husband, Roger Chillingworth, is now learning about medicine and provides Hester with medical care while making her promise that she will not reveal his identityRead More Scarlet Critique Essay870 Words   |  4 Pages The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne was written in 1850. It was based on the Puritans of the 1600s, which were revived in Hawthornes era. Hawthorne descended from Puritan heritage and harbored a sense of guilt and hatred for their way of life. He used many themes and literary techniques in The Scarlet Letter including symbolism and irony. He emphasized the individuals role in the community and the role of women in society. Hawthorne used romanticism as opposed to the classical correctnessRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter vs. the Crucible Essay703 Words   |  3 PagesThe edgy tale of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is comparable in many ways to Arthur Miller’s haunting play The Crucible. Both are set in Puritan New England in the 17th century and revolve around the harsh law enforcement of the time. However, The Scarlet Letter tells the story of a woman as she deals with her heavy Puritan punishment, whereas The Crucible follows hysteria as it spreads throughout an entire town. Hester Prynne, the main character of The Scarlet Letter, was found guilty forRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne960 Words   |  4 Pages3H 13 August 2014 The novel, The Scarlet Letter, was written by the author Nathaniel Hawthorne and was published in 1850 (1). It is a story about the Puritan settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, set around 1650 (2). The story is written in the third person with the narrator being the author. The common thread that runs through this novel is Hawthorne’s apparent understanding of the beliefs and culture of the Puritans in America at that time. But Hawthorne is writing about events in a societyRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1397 Words   |  6 Pages John Graves Professor Connie Caskey English 251: American Literature I 8 February 2016 The Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850 which is based on the time frame of the Puritans, a religious group who arrived in Massachusetts in the 1630’s. The Puritans were in a religious period that was known for the strict social norms in which lead to the intolerance of different lifestyles. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the puritan’s strict lifestyles to relate to the universal issues among

When the War Began free essay sample

When the War Began Written by John Marson, Directed by Stuart Beattie Released 2 September 2010 (Australia New Zealand) Synopsis: Tomorrow, When the War Began is about the journey of eight high school friends in a remote country town whose lives are suddenly and violently upended by a war that no-one saw coming. Cut off from their families and their friends, these eight extraordinary teenagers must somehow learn to escape, survive and fight back. The film begins with a video log by Ellie. She asks the camera how she can tell their story. She suggests to herself from the beginning. The then story begins when Ellie Linton and her friends head up into the mountains camping for a few days in a place dubbed ‘Hell’ by the locals, and during their stay there at night they notice a number of planes flying without lights but think little of it believing it to be the air force training or heading somewhere. However when they return to their homes from their camping trip they discover that everybody is missing, their pets and livestock are dead or dying and the power, internet and telephone lines are out. The see only lights in town come from the Hospital and the showground from the back of Robyn’s house on the edge of town. The group split up with Lee and Robyn going to Lee’s restaurant to search for his family, and Ellie, Corrie and Kevin go to see what’s at the showground. Ellie, after seeing a man get executed panics and is seen by a sentry and they are chased and shot at by the soldiers. However Ellie injuries and possibly kills three of them by blowing up a ride-on mower with Kevin’s singlet and a lighter. The three then head back to the others who stayed behind only to find Lee and Robyn still missing. Ellie and Corrie witness an Australian F/A-18 jet fighter being shot down by unidentified aircraft. They decide to return to ‘Hell’ after they are spotted by a helicopter Homer damages, and barely escaping after Corrie’s is marked by flares and bombed by a jet fighter. That night Ellie and Homer go back into the town to and find Robyn, only to discover that Lee had been injured and was unable to walk. The three of them find Lee being treated by the local dentisy, Dr Clements who tells them the enemy are bringing supplies and troops from Cobbler’s Bay over the Wirrawee bridge. The teens form a plan to rescue Lee in a rubbish truck shovel and are chased by a pair of armed buggies. After losing their pursuers they get to the arranged meeting place with Homer and return to Corrie’s. The group then heads back to Hell but on the way get tired and stop at a random house. It is here the group discovers Chris, another teen who was unaware of the war even happening, who joins the group. This is after Ellie yells at him for not taking the war seriously when he falls asleep on sentry duty. The group gets back to Hell, which they plan to use as a secluded hideout. While there, they hear a radio transmission revealing Australia has been invaded by â€Å"The Coalition Nations† from nearby Asia, who believe they have right to the country’s vast natural resources to support their growing populations. The transmissions reveal three main ports are being used to deposit soldiers. One of the three is Cobbler’s Bay. With the only exit being across the Herron Bridge which the group then plans to destroy after Homer inspires them to do something about the war. The group sneaks back to Wirrawee. Ellie and Fi steal a petrol tanker from the council depot which they then park near the bridge waiting for the others to be prepared. However when they are discovered by guards they hastily park the tanker under the bridge while Homer and Lee scare a herd of cattle across the bridge, forcing the guards to flee. Robyn, a pacifist catholic, shoots down the guards who are threatening her friends, while Chris lights the rope which acts as a fuse to the tanker, which then explodes. While the group is fleeing Corrie is shot. Despite certain capture, Kevin decides to drive Corrie to the hospital and remain with her. The other six then return to Hell. Ellie finishes her video log revealing an ongoing guerilla war and that they are yet to be found. Character’s Journeys: Every member of the group experiences their own inner journeys through their actions taken in a now uncertain environment. However three stand out more than the others in the film. Homer becomes less rebellious and immature and becomes more of a leader in the small group of eight. He starts off as being arrested and in his appearing scene is leaving the police station. He takes a ladder down and takes a police car of park. By the end he is serious and has become a good leader who is able to influence the others to follow him in fighting against the invaders. Ellie is the second of the three who have drastic changes in the movie. Ellie feels she has lost whatever innocence she once had, stating â€Å"we believed we were safe, that was the biggest fantasy of all† after saying how they outgrew fantasies like the Easter bunny and Santa Claus. By the end of the film Ellie has shown she is more mature, courageous and determined to do her part in the struggle. In the beginning Ellie is a happy, cheerful adolescent who is just out camping with her friends. After she injures and possibly kills some soldiers she gradually becomes quieter, feeling bad that she valued her life above the soldiers. By the end she is beginning to fight for her friends and others who cannot and feels better about it. Another major change we can see is in that of Robyn, whose religion states that she must not kill others. She begins her journey as a pacifist who is worried by only hurting others. In the scene where they are being chased by the armed buggies she is worried about the soldier’s safety and wouldn’t fire back even though they were shooting them. This put the whole group in danger. However by the end she realises that she will fight for her friends. While Ellie and Fi are being fired upon by coalition soldiers, Robyn shots the enemy soldiers to save her friends. This shows she values the lives of her friends as much or greater than her religion. Once again, this link’s to Robert Frost’s â€Å"The Road Not Taken†, as the group had the choice of stating in safety and not risking their lives. This choice would be linked as the road more travelled, the path the majority would take. The other choice presented by Homer was for the group to go out there and do something about the Coalition invasion, rather than hiding away from the outside world. This is related to the road less travelled, for those who are more courageous and want to experience the things that other’s generally wouldn’t. Stylistic Features: Metaphor: One metaphor is that of the labeling the camping area in the mountains where the group stay as ‘Hell’. The locals say it is hell because it is rugged, wild, unknown and uncivilized. But the term is really rather badly placed as the group finds out when they arrive. Edited Effects: Such as the explosions like the truck, fight scenes like on the bridge and chase scenes like in the dump truck, add a massive feature to the film giving it a drastically heightened drama and action packed movie. Oxymoron: The labeling of their camping place as ‘Hell’ is like an oxymoron in the sense that Hell is a desolate, rugged, destructive place. But the locally dubbed ‘Hell’ is the complete opposite being a thriving, natural and peaceful environment. This is discovered by the group when they find their own little part of ‘hell’, with a pond, waterfall, and a sub tropical rainforest environment. Humour: The film makes very effective and efficient usage of humour in the film, largely through the rebellious Homer. In his opening scene we see him disrespecting police officers and exiting the police station. Also scenes like on top of the water fall quoting Gandalf from â€Å"Lord of the Rings† and after Lee saved Ellie from the snake, while Homer states â€Å"yeah I was just about to do that†. There are other scenes when he states things bland and straight forward before thinking â€Å"Hey Ellie, what’s up with your dog† when they found it dead. Symbolism: The film uses techniques like symbolism to represent a characters status or position in the storyline. E. g. Ellie was chosen to appear I the first scene, because she is the main protagonist, so the director wants the viewer to be informed about her first of all, with her having a video ecording about the series of unfortunate events that make up the whole rest of the series. Tone: The film uses tone as a major role in the Stylistic Features. Rather than just rambling on the characters speak in tone which sets suspense and gives the viewer a greater sense of actually being there physically with the group. T his is effective as it links the viewer more intimately with the story and its characters. An example is â€Å"We’ve learnt a lot and had to figure out what’s important- what matters, what really matters. †- Ellie. This sets a kind of serious, melodramatic sense, hinting that they’ve overcome difficulties (e. g. Robyn’s religion) and will help their friends wherever possible. Camera Techniques: The film has effective use of camera angles zooms etc. The film uses close ups more in the beginning to get used to each of the characters. However as the film gradually progresses there are less close ups, as they are generally focusing on the group as a whole rather than each individual. This promotes the sense of camaraderie the group holds and that they are all protagonists in their own right. Long shots are used effectively when viewing things like the bridge and the showground. Music: Music is used in the movie often. The music can be soft and subtle, emanating a sense of peace and serenity, such as while at ‘Hell’. There are other scenes when they play dramatic and action songs used to either build suspense or dramatize a scene. Language: The group as a whole, with the exclusion of those like Ellie who always corrects people for saying â€Å"lee and me† etc, have a fairly standard Australian language with a few rural colloquial expressions. All around though they are represented as typical Australian teenagers. Purpose: The purpose of having the teenagers have a journey is to represent how a war or conflict will uproot your life, and that if you don’t take risks (the road less travelled) you will endanger yourself. Homer – â€Å"the biggest risk, is not to take any risk at all† This links with Homer’s statement as quoted above. The journeys represent how people can change through the experiences they have, and the obstacles they must overcome. They face unexpected adversary and come out better for it self-consciously. I believe the film was great, there were good effects and sound editing to match the mood of the scene. The cast played their roles extremely well and the editing and effects/stunts were all really good. The Journeys of the characters, particularly Ellie and Homer were really well played out, and you can visually see the difference in confidence, stature etc. Quotes: Ellie Linton: Good book? Corrie Mackenzie: Better than the movie. Ellie Linton: Yeah, books usually are. I added this quote as I believe it is referring to the â€Å"Tomorrow† series also as a sort of inside joke. Ellie Linton: [when they find a red-bellied black snake in a sleeping bag] Well, shake it. [Homer shakes his arse] Ellie Linton: The bag Beyonce! This represents Homer as he was rebellious and humorous at the beginning of the story. Ellie Linton at that moment I stopped being an innocent rural teenager and started becoming someone else, a more complicated and capable person. This shows Ellie as she begins to mature due to her recent experiences, and the surroundings and challenges she has overcome. By Chris Koren