※Oppression
The pain that oppression brought African American women was extensive because they faced the double-edged sword of being black and women, receiving no respect or opportunities.
1. In the beginning: slavery
At that time, they have to try their best to adjust to the new environment, culture and language. Besides, most of them come from different tribes, so they must learn English to communicate with each other.
2. After Abolishment: non-citizens
“ Mules uh de world." Hill-Collins (2000)
→The gender roles for African American Woman
"physically demanding, economically exploitative," and "intellectually deadening" (p. 48).
3. The wrong images for African American Woman
EX : Film "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Cabin in the Sky."
※ The “Voice” of African American Woman
1. The first was with maintaining a connection to the culture through maintaining the Black English Vernacular that was adopted during slavery.
2. Blue Music:
EX: Bessie Smith, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, and Billie Holliday
3. Scholarly Works : Black Feminism
4. They were the women in the neighborhoods getting together to discuss how to educate other women, teaching their children both solidarity and independence, refusing to be called "girl" by white women who were younger than them (Hill-Collins, 2000).
※The new images of African American Woman: Strong, Independent and determined
( source :
Rising Out of Oppression: The Identity and Self-Definition of African American Women
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/293514/rising_out_of_oppression_the_identity.html
Friday, 21 May 2010
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
The Difference between Precious and Her Mother
If we see the movie unilaterally form Precious’ point of view, it is she is abused by her mother physically and verbally. In addition to our sympathy for Precious, we should take more consideration to the discrepancy of the mother and daughter’s interaction. For Precious, though be maltreated by her tyrannical mother, she still has beautiful dreams in her mind. Precious encounters all the unimaginable unfortunate events in her life, but she finds her way at the end of the movie. Despite all the misfortune Precious comes across, her genuine mind makes the people around her willing to help her which lead her life upward gradually. For Mary’s part (the mother), we have to think what kind of life she had lived and what kind of environment and people she had met that make her into a such monstrous figure. In the film Mary not only abuses Precious to release her oppressed emotion but her action could almost considered as self-abuse. Mary avoids to pursuit a better life for her family rather she chooses to live on others and complain all day long. Is it because her mother and the man she has chose leads to her misery outcome or she just made her own bed to her misery fate? Should such a role like Mary be sympathized or be spurned like the social worker did in the end of the film?
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Domestic violence hits Black women harder
According to a recently released study, the weapon most used by men to kill African American women was a gun.
The Violence Policy Center, a national non-profit organization that conducts research on violence in the United States stated in its annual report, "When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2006 Homicide Data," that 551 African American women were murdered by males that year.
The Violence Policy Center, a national non-profit organization that conducts research on violence in the United States stated in its annual report, "When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2006 Homicide Data," that 551 African American women were murdered by males that year.
Of those homicides where a murder weapon could be ident
ified, 305 of the victims were fatally shot and most during the course of an argument.
The study stated there were 1,818 race-identified females murdered by males. And while white women accounted for the largest total of those killed–1,208–African American women were killed at a rate nearly three times higher.
The study stated there were 1,818 race-identified females murdered by males. And while white women accounted for the largest total of those killed–1,208–African American women were killed at a rate nearly three times higher.
In Illinois, there were 39 domestic-related homicides and 114,921 reported cases of domestic violence in 2006.
Justine Gray* (real name withheld to protect her privacy) lived to tell about her repeated incidents of violence at the hands of a former boyfriend.
Gray said she was fresh out of college and had a 2-year-old son. She said it was hard to make ends meet while working, caring for her son and maintaining stable housing. The jobs she held paid barely above minimum wage, and she had little help from her family.
Then an old acquaintance came into the picture, and she thought things were starting to look up. They moved in together, created a two-income household and the man treated her son as if he were his own, she said.
Then an old acquaintance came into the picture, and she thought things were starting to look up. They moved in together, created a two-income household and the man treated her son as if he were his own, she said.
“But jealousy kicked in for some odd reason, and I became a punching bag. I have no idea what set him off,” the now-married mother of three said.
She wanted to leave but could not bear no longer having a stable environment for her son. She initially thought she was to blame for his tirades, plus he threatened to kill her if she left.
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Related to:domestic violenceAfrican American women murderAfrican American women domestic disputeblack on black crimeBlack women abuseBlack women beatBlack women fightBlack couples fight
“Even though I was working, it still wasn’t enough to put food on the table, pay the rent, the bills and pay for day care. He treated my son very well and was paying his child care costs. I don’t know where we went wrong,” Gray said. The man hit her several times--a few times she was knocked unconscious. There were many times she had to wear sunglasses to hide the black eyes that sometimes never seemed to fade, she said about the “toxic” relationship.About a year into the relationship, she mustered the courage to leave. “It was the best decision I ever made. I just wish I had the nerve to do it sooner,” Gray said.Domestic violence is a pattern of mental, physical, emotional or sexual abuse where one partner makes the other partner feel scared, weak, isolated, hurt or sad, according to Between Friends, a Chicago-based non-profit agency that provides educational and counseling services for domestic violence victims and advocates. “One in three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime so everybody probably knows someone who has been affected,” said Kathy Doherty, executive director of Between Friends. Signs of abuse include jealousy, controlling behavior, isolation, forceful sex, and physical and verbal abuse. “It is our responsibility to help others learn more about the issue and take action that will make a difference in the lives of the women and children affected by domestic violence,” Doherty said. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
For more information, visit www.betweenfriendschicago.org, or www.ncadv.org.
______
Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
My opinion:
It really shocks me that one of three women will suffer from the domestic violence in their lifetime.
The condition will become worse for black women, since they have to suffer the discrimination, and when they come back home, there is another bully. It really burdens them very much.
Every women should be equally treated, so there must be some social welfare institute to help them.
It really shocks me that one of three women will suffer from the domestic violence in their lifetime.
The condition will become worse for black women, since they have to suffer the discrimination, and when they come back home, there is another bully. It really burdens them very much.
Every women should be equally treated, so there must be some social welfare institute to help them.
Push (Novel)-plot summary
Push (Novel) by Sapphire
The novel is set in New York in 1987. The narrator, Claireece Precious Jones, is an obese and illiterate 16 year old. The victim of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of both of her parents, Precious is pregnant with her second child, both pregnancies the result of repeatedly being raped by her father. Her mother, an obese woman who hasn't left the house in several years, supports the two of them with welfare money and food stamps and expects Precious to do all of the cooking and cleaning. She receives extra money for Precious’ first child, "Lil' Mongo," who has Down Syndrome. The child lives with Precious’ grandmother, Tootsie. Although Precious' father is married to another woman and has another family, he lived with Precious and her mother until the birth of Lil Mongo, at which point he disappeared for about three or four years, returning to rape Precious and impregnate her once more.
As the novel begins, Precious is summoned to the guidance counselor's office. The school has decided to suspend her because she is pregnant. Precious is furious, but the counselor later visits Precious’ home and convinces her to enter an alternative school called Each One Teach One. Despite her mother's insistence that she apply for welfare, Precious enrolls in the school. She meets her teacher, Blue Rain, and fellow students: Rhonda, Jermaine, Rita, Jo Ann, and Consuelo. All of the girls come from troubled backgrounds. Ms. Rain's class is a pre- G.E.D. class for young women who are below an 8th grade level in reading and writing and therefore are not ready for the high school level courses. They start off by learning the basics of phonics and vocabulary building. Despite their academic deficits, Ms. Rain strives to ignite a passion in her students for literature and writing. She believes that the only way to learn to write is to write every day. Each girl is required to keep a journal. Ms. Rain reads their entries and provides feedback and advice. By the time the novel ends, the women have created an anthology of autobiographical short stories. The works of Audre Lorde, Alice Walker and Langston Hughes are inspirational for the students, especially for Precious who contributes poems to the anthology.
While in the hospital for the birth of her second child, Precious reveals to a social worker that her first child is living with her grandmother. The confession leads to Precious' mother getting her welfare taken away and when Precious returns home with her newborn baby, her mother is enraged and chases her out of the house. Homeless and alone, she turns to Ms. Rain who uses all of her resources to get Precious into a halfway house with childcare. Her new environment provides her with the stability and support to continue with school. Precious' literacy skills continually improve as evidenced by her journal entries, which become gradually more coherent and are peppered with imagery and similes.
With her attitude changing and her confidence growing, Precious finds herself thinking more about having a boyfriend, a real relationship with someone near her age, someone she's truly attracted to. Her only sexual experience thus far has been the rape and sexual abuse by her father and, to a lesser extent, her mother. Although she tries to move beyond the trauma of her childhood and distance herself from her parents, an unwelcome visit from Precious' mother reveals that her father has died from AIDS. Testing verifies that Precious is HIV positive, but her son is not. Her classmate Rita encourages Precious to join an incest support group, as well as an HIV positive group. The meetings provide source of support and friendship for Precious as well as the revelation that her color and socio-economic background weren't necessarily the cause of her abuse. Women of all ages and backgrounds attend the meetings. The author doesn't conclude with a clear prediction for Precious' fate. We aren't told how long she has to live. We know she is focused on her goals. As readers, we are left only with Precious' dreams for the future; her desire to increase her test scores to a high school level and her dream of going to college and getting a job so she can independently care for her son.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_(novel)#Plot_summary
The novel is set in New York in 1987. The narrator, Claireece Precious Jones, is an obese and illiterate 16 year old. The victim of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of both of her parents, Precious is pregnant with her second child, both pregnancies the result of repeatedly being raped by her father. Her mother, an obese woman who hasn't left the house in several years, supports the two of them with welfare money and food stamps and expects Precious to do all of the cooking and cleaning. She receives extra money for Precious’ first child, "Lil' Mongo," who has Down Syndrome. The child lives with Precious’ grandmother, Tootsie. Although Precious' father is married to another woman and has another family, he lived with Precious and her mother until the birth of Lil Mongo, at which point he disappeared for about three or four years, returning to rape Precious and impregnate her once more.
As the novel begins, Precious is summoned to the guidance counselor's office. The school has decided to suspend her because she is pregnant. Precious is furious, but the counselor later visits Precious’ home and convinces her to enter an alternative school called Each One Teach One. Despite her mother's insistence that she apply for welfare, Precious enrolls in the school. She meets her teacher, Blue Rain, and fellow students: Rhonda, Jermaine, Rita, Jo Ann, and Consuelo. All of the girls come from troubled backgrounds. Ms. Rain's class is a pre- G.E.D. class for young women who are below an 8th grade level in reading and writing and therefore are not ready for the high school level courses. They start off by learning the basics of phonics and vocabulary building. Despite their academic deficits, Ms. Rain strives to ignite a passion in her students for literature and writing. She believes that the only way to learn to write is to write every day. Each girl is required to keep a journal. Ms. Rain reads their entries and provides feedback and advice. By the time the novel ends, the women have created an anthology of autobiographical short stories. The works of Audre Lorde, Alice Walker and Langston Hughes are inspirational for the students, especially for Precious who contributes poems to the anthology.
While in the hospital for the birth of her second child, Precious reveals to a social worker that her first child is living with her grandmother. The confession leads to Precious' mother getting her welfare taken away and when Precious returns home with her newborn baby, her mother is enraged and chases her out of the house. Homeless and alone, she turns to Ms. Rain who uses all of her resources to get Precious into a halfway house with childcare. Her new environment provides her with the stability and support to continue with school. Precious' literacy skills continually improve as evidenced by her journal entries, which become gradually more coherent and are peppered with imagery and similes.
With her attitude changing and her confidence growing, Precious finds herself thinking more about having a boyfriend, a real relationship with someone near her age, someone she's truly attracted to. Her only sexual experience thus far has been the rape and sexual abuse by her father and, to a lesser extent, her mother. Although she tries to move beyond the trauma of her childhood and distance herself from her parents, an unwelcome visit from Precious' mother reveals that her father has died from AIDS. Testing verifies that Precious is HIV positive, but her son is not. Her classmate Rita encourages Precious to join an incest support group, as well as an HIV positive group. The meetings provide source of support and friendship for Precious as well as the revelation that her color and socio-economic background weren't necessarily the cause of her abuse. Women of all ages and backgrounds attend the meetings. The author doesn't conclude with a clear prediction for Precious' fate. We aren't told how long she has to live. We know she is focused on her goals. As readers, we are left only with Precious' dreams for the future; her desire to increase her test scores to a high school level and her dream of going to college and getting a job so she can independently care for her son.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_(novel)#Plot_summary
Purpose
Purpose
Since 1943, the year which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man, women of the Black have always played an essential role in the painful history of the Black striving for their right. The peculiar incident of Montgomery Bus Boycott was not merely an accident. In fact, it was a plan schemed to initiate the Black to fight against the segregated laws through the hands of black women (Jo Ann Robinson and Rosa Parks). To place black women as the key factors in such a movement inspired us to stretch our studies to the profound gender and social issues related to black women. “Precious” is such a film that not only portraits the ghetto life of Precious Jones, but various aspects of her encounter with different characters.
Since 1943, the year which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man, women of the Black have always played an essential role in the painful history of the Black striving for their right. The peculiar incident of Montgomery Bus Boycott was not merely an accident. In fact, it was a plan schemed to initiate the Black to fight against the segregated laws through the hands of black women (Jo Ann Robinson and Rosa Parks). To place black women as the key factors in such a movement inspired us to stretch our studies to the profound gender and social issues related to black women. “Precious” is such a film that not only portraits the ghetto life of Precious Jones, but various aspects of her encounter with different characters.
Some comments on MIDB
Here are some comments from MIDB.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Powerfully emotive story filled with hope and optimism"
Author: wmjaho from Park City, 25 January 2009
I'm not surprised that Push won both the Grand Jury and Audience Award at Sundance this year. Director Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer) has created a very powerful film that manages to entertain while evoking a broad spectrum of emotions, from anger and heartbreaking pity to optimism, joy and hope.
Clareece "Precious" Jones (Gabby Sidibe) is a fat 16-year-old illiterate black girl that lives in Harlem with her welfare-dependent, abusive mother (Mo'Nique). She has one autistic daughter (who lives with her grandmother) and is pregnant with another child, both from her mother's boyfriend, who is also Clareece's father. Her mother repeatedly tells her how stupid and worthless she is while other kids taunt her for her obesity. She has become hardened and heartless, lacking education and social skills. She spends her time cooking for her mother and fantasizing unrealistically about a glamorous life. She would be easy to dismiss. Based on a novel by Sapphire, this is some pretty bleak stuff.
But good things can happen in this world and Precious is blessed with an indomitable spirit that refuses to accept the negative reinforcement that bombards her. Through her efforts, and despite resistance from her mother, she finds an alternative school. It is staffed by Miss Rains, a caring teacher (Paula Patton) and classmates who, although anything but perfect, possess enough compassion to become supportive friends. It turn out that the world can be a pretty good place.
First-time actress Gabby Sidibe gives a powerful, emotive performance. Equally good is talented actresses Mo'Nique, who is almost frightening as Precious' mother, and Patton as the compassionate teacher. Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey also have minor roles, giving the film a little star power.
Daniels conveys a Harlem existence that is profane, hard-edged and brutal, but with rays of humanity and compassion that leave room for hope. It is at once both a message to the poor in spirit not to despair, and to the rest of us make the time and effort to reach out where we can. Push is an inspiring message that will fill you with optimism and joy.
Sundance Moment: When asked about her getting the role, Sidibe said that she had some acting experience--like a non-speaking role in a college production. Pretty funny! She said her friends encouraged her to audition because she "fit the profile." She also said she relied heavily on "Mr. Daniels" for direction. Daniels said there were parts of making the movie that were hard on him emotionally--like directing Precious to eat, or instructing her peers to bully her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"a work of art"
Author: mukava991, 8 November 2009
Gabourey Sibide looks and sounds a lot like the late Hattie McDaniel; if a biopic about McDaniel is ever made, Sibide should star. Starting from this superficiality, it is clear that the character Sibide plays, an abused, obese late- 20th-century Harlem teenager three or four generations down the line from the McDaniels era, seems to embody a sadly ironic regression in the status of black women in America. Precious's very existence and her debased environment speak to a grave social disease that continues to poison our civilization – the creation and perpetuation of a dependent underclass. At one point Precious compares her self image to "black grease that needs to be wiped away." The horror of it all is that as dreadful as Precious's situation is, she is actually better off than many others in similar straits. She is, despite obesity, strong and healthy, drug free and has a beautiful smile. There are plenty of underclass females much closer to an early grave and utter hopelessness than she.
The story takes us on the journey of this monstrously mistreated young female from near destruction at the hands of her violent, hyper-narcissistic mother (Mo'Nique) and her rapist father (who has impregnated her twice by age 16) to a rescue with the help of a frayed but still somewhat viable network of dedicated social workers who help her gain literacy and independence from her wicked elders.
Interspersed with the depressing realities of ghetto life is the constant flow of Precious's glamorous daydreams, the little fires generated by her undying spark of life, her only opening toward beauty and light, imagining herself wrapped in beautiful gowns, doted on by handsome men, cheered by adoring crowds on the red carpet; wealth, fame, as she knows them from the pop culture that is her only mental nourishment. For her mother and for herself, life is an endless round of TV–food–arguments-TV–food-arguments. In their dark and dingy apartment, practically the only illumination is from the TV screen.
Mo'Nique's performance is revelatory on multiple levels, down to the bone of the human condition and certainly up to the highest screen standards. It is bravura work. Sibide's performance is technically masterful but much of her effectiveness comes from her imposing physical presence; this is not meant to detract one iota from her acting skills – it is just a fact. The excellent supporting performances include a pleasing turn from singer Mariah Carey as a down-to-earth social worker with a playful personality; it's an inventive characterization. But the whole cast excels and they should be honored for great ensemble work, especially the young ladies in the special education classroom.
Flaws? The pacing seems to slow down unnecessarily toward the end and Precious's educational progression seems a bit confused and not completely fleshed out, but this is minor stuff. This is a very inspired work of art by someone with a fresh vision. It is not preaching morals or slogans, just revealing truth.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Powerfully emotive story filled with hope and optimism"
Author: wmjaho from Park City, 25 January 2009
I'm not surprised that Push won both the Grand Jury and Audience Award at Sundance this year. Director Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer) has created a very powerful film that manages to entertain while evoking a broad spectrum of emotions, from anger and heartbreaking pity to optimism, joy and hope.
Clareece "Precious" Jones (Gabby Sidibe) is a fat 16-year-old illiterate black girl that lives in Harlem with her welfare-dependent, abusive mother (Mo'Nique). She has one autistic daughter (who lives with her grandmother) and is pregnant with another child, both from her mother's boyfriend, who is also Clareece's father. Her mother repeatedly tells her how stupid and worthless she is while other kids taunt her for her obesity. She has become hardened and heartless, lacking education and social skills. She spends her time cooking for her mother and fantasizing unrealistically about a glamorous life. She would be easy to dismiss. Based on a novel by Sapphire, this is some pretty bleak stuff.
But good things can happen in this world and Precious is blessed with an indomitable spirit that refuses to accept the negative reinforcement that bombards her. Through her efforts, and despite resistance from her mother, she finds an alternative school. It is staffed by Miss Rains, a caring teacher (Paula Patton) and classmates who, although anything but perfect, possess enough compassion to become supportive friends. It turn out that the world can be a pretty good place.
First-time actress Gabby Sidibe gives a powerful, emotive performance. Equally good is talented actresses Mo'Nique, who is almost frightening as Precious' mother, and Patton as the compassionate teacher. Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey also have minor roles, giving the film a little star power.
Daniels conveys a Harlem existence that is profane, hard-edged and brutal, but with rays of humanity and compassion that leave room for hope. It is at once both a message to the poor in spirit not to despair, and to the rest of us make the time and effort to reach out where we can. Push is an inspiring message that will fill you with optimism and joy.
Sundance Moment: When asked about her getting the role, Sidibe said that she had some acting experience--like a non-speaking role in a college production. Pretty funny! She said her friends encouraged her to audition because she "fit the profile." She also said she relied heavily on "Mr. Daniels" for direction. Daniels said there were parts of making the movie that were hard on him emotionally--like directing Precious to eat, or instructing her peers to bully her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"a work of art"
Author: mukava991, 8 November 2009
Gabourey Sibide looks and sounds a lot like the late Hattie McDaniel; if a biopic about McDaniel is ever made, Sibide should star. Starting from this superficiality, it is clear that the character Sibide plays, an abused, obese late- 20th-century Harlem teenager three or four generations down the line from the McDaniels era, seems to embody a sadly ironic regression in the status of black women in America. Precious's very existence and her debased environment speak to a grave social disease that continues to poison our civilization – the creation and perpetuation of a dependent underclass. At one point Precious compares her self image to "black grease that needs to be wiped away." The horror of it all is that as dreadful as Precious's situation is, she is actually better off than many others in similar straits. She is, despite obesity, strong and healthy, drug free and has a beautiful smile. There are plenty of underclass females much closer to an early grave and utter hopelessness than she.
The story takes us on the journey of this monstrously mistreated young female from near destruction at the hands of her violent, hyper-narcissistic mother (Mo'Nique) and her rapist father (who has impregnated her twice by age 16) to a rescue with the help of a frayed but still somewhat viable network of dedicated social workers who help her gain literacy and independence from her wicked elders.
Interspersed with the depressing realities of ghetto life is the constant flow of Precious's glamorous daydreams, the little fires generated by her undying spark of life, her only opening toward beauty and light, imagining herself wrapped in beautiful gowns, doted on by handsome men, cheered by adoring crowds on the red carpet; wealth, fame, as she knows them from the pop culture that is her only mental nourishment. For her mother and for herself, life is an endless round of TV–food–arguments-TV–food-arguments. In their dark and dingy apartment, practically the only illumination is from the TV screen.
Mo'Nique's performance is revelatory on multiple levels, down to the bone of the human condition and certainly up to the highest screen standards. It is bravura work. Sibide's performance is technically masterful but much of her effectiveness comes from her imposing physical presence; this is not meant to detract one iota from her acting skills – it is just a fact. The excellent supporting performances include a pleasing turn from singer Mariah Carey as a down-to-earth social worker with a playful personality; it's an inventive characterization. But the whole cast excels and they should be honored for great ensemble work, especially the young ladies in the special education classroom.
Flaws? The pacing seems to slow down unnecessarily toward the end and Precious's educational progression seems a bit confused and not completely fleshed out, but this is minor stuff. This is a very inspired work of art by someone with a fresh vision. It is not preaching morals or slogans, just revealing truth.
What is EOTO?
In "Precious," the class that Precious took is called Each One Teach One(EOTO). The following are some data that I found on Internet.
"Each One Teach One" is a known African-American Proverb. This phrase originated in the US during slavery, when Africans and African Americans were denied education, including learning to read. Many, if not most slaves were kept in a state of ignorance about anything beyond their immediate circumstances which were under control of owners, the law makers and the authorities. Denying education was one of the methods used to keep them docile and instill and maintain the belief that they were inferior and unworthy of a life beyond subservience, labor and harsh treatment.
Using these methods those who were in bondage to others would teach each other. This was done in violation of state and federal law, since those in the position of power used government rule to deny slaves proper education. The denial of education made it possible for the system of slavery to exist and prosper because it is HARD to enslave an educated human.
http://3rdpoblogs.com/colderice/2010/02/10/each-one-teach-one-ecommerce-topical-discussion-alpha-test/
Black Feminism
1. In traditionnal Feminism, they would strive to conquer the sexism an calss oppression but they pay no attention to “ racism .“
2. What is Black Feninism?
Unlike original form of feminism, Black Feminists will pursue the end of racism,sexism and class oppression.
3. Origin : Alice Walker’s Womanism
4. Patricia Hill-Collins defined Black feminism, in Black Feminist Thought (1991), as including "women who theorize the experiences and ideas shared by ordinary black women that provide a unique angle of vision on self, community, and society".
5. For Black Feminists, they would think this movement will endow everyone with freedom.
6. Three Challenges for the organizatio of Feminism
a. to “prove to other black women that feminism was not only for white women.”
b. They also had to demand that white women “share power with them and affirm diversity”
c. fight the misogynist tendencies of Black Nationalism”
( source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_feminism
2. What is Black Feninism?
Unlike original form of feminism, Black Feminists will pursue the end of racism,sexism and class oppression.
3. Origin : Alice Walker’s Womanism
4. Patricia Hill-Collins defined Black feminism, in Black Feminist Thought (1991), as including "women who theorize the experiences and ideas shared by ordinary black women that provide a unique angle of vision on self, community, and society".
5. For Black Feminists, they would think this movement will endow everyone with freedom.
6. Three Challenges for the organizatio of Feminism
a. to “prove to other black women that feminism was not only for white women.”
b. They also had to demand that white women “share power with them and affirm diversity”
c. fight the misogynist tendencies of Black Nationalism”
( source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_feminism
The Different Attitude of the Teachers
In the movie, Precious, reflects the temporary education problems mainly resulting from the different attitude of teachers in American. According to Precious’ statements, her score of English was very well. However, in the pre-class test of one-by-one school, she only got two point eight while the average level was eight points; that is to say, actually, she cannot read and write. It was the teachers who were supposed to teach students from unknown to known gave Precious up by letting Precious pass the exams directly instead of taking their effort to teach the black girl. Later on, the manager of that school abandoned Precious. She sent Precious to each-one-teach-one class and pretended that the arrangement was good for her. On the other words, Precious was given up again. The school regarded the students like Precious as a trouble and got rid of a trouble with ease. They pushed away the problem rather than dealing with it. In the class of each-one-teach-one, instead of taking those students as a problem, Miss Rain taught them patiently and read their hearts from their journals. Those trouble students opened their mind to Miss Rain and had a motivation to write their dairy for sharing with their teacher. The so-called formal education got rid of troubles; while a teacher of an informal educational association took it and resolved the problems. How ironic it is! The above problems of education widely appeared. According to 1970 news on line, we could see how eager the young blacks wanting to receive education: “In the TIME-Louis Harris poll, 97% of young blacks interviewed planned to finish high school, and 67% expect to go to college.” However, white teachers had some prototype to black people as uneducated. With this attitude, regardless schools are integration or segregation ones, black students would suffered from discrimination endlessly. Therefore, if the Americans want to pursue a fair environment of education, it is better for them to get rid of racial prototype both of Blacks and Whites.
Psychological Journey of Pecious Jones
This film “ Precious” mainly describes the change of a African American woman named Precious. Since Precious was a child, she has led a miserable life. Her father often rapes her and her mother always treats her as a servant. She always has to suffer family violence verbally and physically. Because of these unhappy things, we audience will notice that Precious gradually grow up mentally and chose many ways to forget miserable life
1) Imagination:
In this film, we can notice that there seems to be another Precious, who is a superstar, having a happy life and being respected and complimented by everyone. However, all of these scenes are just her imagination. In fact, she is only a heavy, illiterate and suffering African American Woman. She only has a life with mistreatment and abuse. Instead of keeping complaining, Precious thinks in the positive side, using these fantasies to forget her pressures.
1) Imagination:
In this film, we can notice that there seems to be another Precious, who is a superstar, having a happy life and being respected and complimented by everyone. However, all of these scenes are just her imagination. In fact, she is only a heavy, illiterate and suffering African American Woman. She only has a life with mistreatment and abuse. Instead of keeping complaining, Precious thinks in the positive side, using these fantasies to forget her pressures.
2) The expectation to become the group of the Whites:
In the beginning of the film, Precious has the fantasy that her teacher, Mr.Wicher, will have a potential love relationship with her. This teacher and Precious will have a happy family, living in a beautiful house. From this point, we can discover that although Precious suffer her father’s sexual abuses and harassments, she still looks forward to romantic love, especially with the White. Furthermore, once when Precious looked into the mirror, much to our amazement, a beautiful, blonde and slim white girl appears in it rather than a heavy “ Precious.” From these points and many Precious’ internal monologues, audience will notice that the expectation to be common white becomes an important factor in her life.
3) Self-- identification:
In this story, Precious uses her imagination as a way to forget about living stresses and difficulties. Although these imaginations are unreal, they still play important roles in her life. These imaginations make her find her goal and hopes. In addition to imagination, she is passionate in learning. In the time of an alternative school ( one –teach – one), she discovers that she can not only use her imagination to support herself, but the prectical warm supports from her teacher and classmates Because of her teacher, she knows one day she may have the chance to fulfill her dream. No matter who you are, you should not look down on yourself . After experiencing so many traumas, she finally finds a practical future in her life.
The Journey of Change
The style of the movie “Precious” is just like a Bildungsroman, describing the development of the protagonist's mental status from childish to mature, gain the courage and grow. Just like the film points out at the end that Precious decide to leave the home and start a newborn life. She have a determination which she want to study further, enter college, get a job, and raise the children by her own. It its totally different at the beginning. At first, she was just like nothing. Although she suffers from the domestic violence, raping, verbal violence, etc, she didn’t leave the “home.” Not until she gets a chance to have a “really” education, she has the courage to fight against and be more mature.
Precious in the movie mentions that life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is…Precious. It may be interpreted that maybe the world seem to leave you behind, as long as you do not give up, you can lead a different life, even for the helpless African American girl. Only by being precious your life, can people treasure you.
Precious in the movie mentions that life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is…Precious. It may be interpreted that maybe the world seem to leave you behind, as long as you do not give up, you can lead a different life, even for the helpless African American girl. Only by being precious your life, can people treasure you.
Educational Attainment by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1940–2007
In the movie that we can see in the each-one-teach-one-school, there are Hispanic, African American,and some minority in the class, except the white pepople. This situation makes up wondering the education attainment rate in the concerning of the race.
Why there is no white student in the class? The obvious answer is that the education system can not totally give a hand to those minorities in the school. As a result, they have no way but to turn to ask help from the each-one-teach-one school. The situation indicates the existing problem of the education distributing. Besides, another problem that the minority people can not fit in the society is the main reason of the lading academic performance in school.
The statistic is from the wedsite:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774057.html
NOTE: (—) = not available.
1. Includes persons of Hispanic origin for years prior to 1980.
2. Data for years prior to 1993 include all persons with at least 4 years of high school.
3. Data for 1993 and later years are for persons with a bachelor's or higher degree.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Census of Population, 1960, Vol. 1, part 1; Current Population Reports, Series P-20 and unpublished data; and 1960 Census Monograph, “Education of the American Population,” by John K. Folger and Charles B. Nam. From U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics 2007, and U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, March 2007.
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Statistics of African American's living, education, and degree percentages
Resource from Asia-nation: http://www.asian-nation.org/immigrant-stats.shtm
This statistic down by US census Bureau show some results that immigrants from Africa actually have the highest educational achievement rates and they also have the lowest rate of having less than a high school education. African immigrants are also most likely to be in the labor market. Therefore, it's clear that immigrants from Africa tend to come from their country's elite classes.
In contrast, the statistics point out that immigrants from Latin and South America and from the Caribbean have the lowest educational attainment rates. It makes us think of the plot about the minority and colored people in the each-one-teach-one school, such as from Jamaica. We can probably surmise from this that they are more likely to be from rural or working class backgrounds. As another example of this implication, immigrants from Latin/South America and the Caribbean have the lowest median personal (per capita) income, as well as the highest rates of living in poverty and receiving public assistance.
In addition, they have the lowest rates of being married with spouse present, working in a high skill (executive, professional, technical, or upper management) occupation and the lowest media socioeconomic index (SEI) score, a measure of occupational prestige. However, these statistics do not necessarily lead to the conclusion that immigrants from Latin/South America and the Caribbean are a drain on the U.S. economy or that they consume more benefits than they contribute. For a discussion of that issue, be sure to read the article on the impacts of immigration.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence that constantly takes place in Precious’s household
In the film, Precious’s mother plays a very important role. She is a contrast to Precious. She is mean, demanding, and careless about her own daughter; while Precious is a more responsible and caring person. Precious’s mother, in fact, is a very complicated character. She neither wants to give her daughter love, nor intends to take care of the family. She constantly abuses Precious physically and verbally. She even chooses to remain silent when Precious’s father is raping Precious. However, the most ironic thing is, when Precious decides to leave her and start a new life, the mother realizes that she can’t lose Precious not because she still has a bit love left for her daughter but because she needs someone in the house to keep her company and do things for her.
Photo from http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-s2FYmjrgLw/0.jpg
In the film, Precious’s mother plays a very important role. She is a contrast to Precious. She is mean, demanding, and careless about her own daughter; while Precious is a more responsible and caring person. Precious’s mother, in fact, is a very complicated character. She neither wants to give her daughter love, nor intends to take care of the family. She constantly abuses Precious physically and verbally. She even chooses to remain silent when Precious’s father is raping Precious. However, the most ironic thing is, when Precious decides to leave her and start a new life, the mother realizes that she can’t lose Precious not because she still has a bit love left for her daughter but because she needs someone in the house to keep her company and do things for her.
Photo from http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-s2FYmjrgLw/0.jpg
Continuous rapes by Precious's father
photo from http://pics.nerdnirvana.org/d/18018-2/rape-finland.jpg Rapes by Precious’s own father
Precious has been continuously raped by her biological father since she was around 3 years old. Different from most victims of rapes, Precious does not scream or cry for help; instead, she chooses to remain silent. Here, we can see a very clear oppressive control Precious’s father has over her. Because black women are more inferior to men in the society, a lot of them choose not to speak up for themselves.
Precious has been continuously raped by her biological father since she was around 3 years old. Different from most victims of rapes, Precious does not scream or cry for help; instead, she chooses to remain silent. Here, we can see a very clear oppressive control Precious’s father has over her. Because black women are more inferior to men in the society, a lot of them choose not to speak up for themselves.
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Outline
A. Purpose (公車事件) Kevin
B. Issues
1. Gender issue Penny
a. Rapes
b. Domestic violence
c. Homosexual
2. Education Milu/ Gigi
a. Literacy
b. Each one teach one
3. Self-identification Celina
a. Fantasies of the teacher, of becoming a super star
b. Her desire to have a normal relationship
c. Changes in her life (from a helpless girl to an mature woman) Gigi
4. Other issues Gigi
a. Coloured women in the school
C. Differences between mother and Precious Doris
D. Related issues (Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Opera) Mirann
E. Conclusion (positive) Kevin
*Some of the pictures in the blogger are from the movie "Precious." If there are any inapproate usses, please inform us. We would delete it as sonn as possible.
Thanks
B. Issues
1. Gender issue Penny
a. Rapes
b. Domestic violence
c. Homosexual
2. Education Milu/ Gigi
a. Literacy
b. Each one teach one
3. Self-identification Celina
a. Fantasies of the teacher, of becoming a super star
b. Her desire to have a normal relationship
c. Changes in her life (from a helpless girl to an mature woman) Gigi
4. Other issues Gigi
a. Coloured women in the school
C. Differences between mother and Precious Doris
D. Related issues (Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Opera) Mirann
E. Conclusion (positive) Kevin
*Some of the pictures in the blogger are from the movie "Precious." If there are any inapproate usses, please inform us. We would delete it as sonn as possible.
Thanks
Milestones in African American Education
Milestones in African American Education
Find information on black history and the major milestones in African-American education, including the first institute established for black students, the first black law school in the United States, the end of segregation in public schools, and more.
1837
Institute for Colored Youth founded by Richard Humphreys; later became Cheyney University.
1854
Ashmun Institute, the first school of higher learning for young black men, founded by John Miller Dickey and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson; later (1866) renamed Lincoln University (Pa.) after President Abraham Lincoln.
1856
Wilberforce University, the first black school of higher learning owned and operated by African Americans, founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Its president, Daniel A. Payne, became the first African American Uniiversity president in the country.
1869
Howard University's law school becomes the country's first black law school.
1876
Meharry Medical College, the first black medical school in the U.S., founded by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
1881
Spelman College, the first college for black women in the U.S., founded by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles.
1881
Booker T. Washington founds the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama. The school became one of the leading schools of higher learning for African Americans, and stressed the practical application of knowledge. In 1896, George Washington Carver began teaching there as director of the department of agricultural research, gaining an international reputation for his agricultural advances.
1944
Frederick Douglass Patterson establishes the United Negro College Fund to help support black colleges and black students.
1954
In the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans., the Supreme Court rules unanimously that segregation in public schools in unconstitutional.
1957
President Dwight D. Eisenhower sends federal troops to ensure integration of the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. The Little Rock Nine were the first black students to attend the school.
1960
Black and white students form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), dedicated to working against segregation and discrimination.
1962
James Meredith is the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi; on the day he enters the university, he is escorted by U.S. marshals.
1963
Despite Governor George Wallace physically blocking their way, Vivian Malone and James Hood register for classes at the University of Alabama.
1968
San Francisco State University becomes the first four-year college to establish a black studies department.
1969
The Ford Foundation gives $1 million to Morgan State University, Howard University, and Yale University to help prepare faculty members to teach courses in African American studies.
2003
In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court (5-4) upholds the University of Michigan Law School's affirmative action policy, ruling that race can be one of many factors considered by colleges when selecting their students because it furthers “a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body.”
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0872844.html
Find information on black history and the major milestones in African-American education, including the first institute established for black students, the first black law school in the United States, the end of segregation in public schools, and more.
1837
Institute for Colored Youth founded by Richard Humphreys; later became Cheyney University.
1854
Ashmun Institute, the first school of higher learning for young black men, founded by John Miller Dickey and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson; later (1866) renamed Lincoln University (Pa.) after President Abraham Lincoln.
1856
Wilberforce University, the first black school of higher learning owned and operated by African Americans, founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Its president, Daniel A. Payne, became the first African American Uniiversity president in the country.
1869
Howard University's law school becomes the country's first black law school.
1876
Meharry Medical College, the first black medical school in the U.S., founded by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
1881
Spelman College, the first college for black women in the U.S., founded by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles.
1881
Booker T. Washington founds the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama. The school became one of the leading schools of higher learning for African Americans, and stressed the practical application of knowledge. In 1896, George Washington Carver began teaching there as director of the department of agricultural research, gaining an international reputation for his agricultural advances.
1944
Frederick Douglass Patterson establishes the United Negro College Fund to help support black colleges and black students.
1954
In the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans., the Supreme Court rules unanimously that segregation in public schools in unconstitutional.
1957
President Dwight D. Eisenhower sends federal troops to ensure integration of the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. The Little Rock Nine were the first black students to attend the school.
1960
Black and white students form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), dedicated to working against segregation and discrimination.
1962
James Meredith is the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi; on the day he enters the university, he is escorted by U.S. marshals.
1963
Despite Governor George Wallace physically blocking their way, Vivian Malone and James Hood register for classes at the University of Alabama.
1968
San Francisco State University becomes the first four-year college to establish a black studies department.
1969
The Ford Foundation gives $1 million to Morgan State University, Howard University, and Yale University to help prepare faculty members to teach courses in African American studies.
2003
In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court (5-4) upholds the University of Michigan Law School's affirmative action policy, ruling that race can be one of many factors considered by colleges when selecting their students because it furthers “a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body.”
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0872844.html
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