Research Paper On African American Oppression
HUMS 100
Gerald Palmer
19 January 2013
African American Oppression
Some people may never know what it feels like to be oppressed, while others may experience it daily. A great man once said “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed (Martin Luther King, Jr.). Oppression is defined as the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power (Merriam Webster). In American society, Women, African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Gays, and Lesbians are some of the people most often oppressed. In my essay I will discuss African American oppression—history—past and present, discrimination in the criminal justice system, and oppression in relation to social work. …show more content…
Oppression may appear in many forms such as exploitation, marginalization, cultural imperialism, and violence. Exploitation is the act of using individuals as laborers to produce profit without compensating them fairly. Marginalization is when individuals are confined to a lower social standing, outer limit, or edge of society. Cultural imperialism involves a group having power in a society and looking down on all others. Lastly violence is the most visible form of oppression, and individuals must fear random, unprovoked attacks on their persons or property.
African Americans have experienced all forms of oppression since the beginning of time.
History tells us that the earliest form of oppression towards African Americans was in the form of slavery. Slavery began in the United States around the sixteen-hundreds. African Americans were then known as indentured servants, and were brought to America to aide in the production of crops such as sugar cane, tobacco, and rice. This form of oppression was backed by the American Government and, African American slaves were bought, sold and traded. This type of oppression, known as slavery was practiced in the United States, and deprived enslaved black people—children, women, men, and the elderly—of all human rights. The number of people affected by this form of oppression is said to be between ten and twelve million, with millions more killed or dying of disease and deprivation on the journey (Smith). Slavery was believed to be used because it provided the cheapest and most reliable source of labor. They even had laws to help to enforce their malicious ways, such as the Slave Codes. The Slave Codes were basically laws in United States, which defined the status of slaves, and the rights of masters. The codes gave the slave-owners absolute power over the African slaves (Pbs.org). Although the slave codes no longer exist, African American oppression is still alive and well in today’s society, but on more shaded …show more content…
terms.
Oppression in today’s society is not often seen in the public eye.
Although slavery is no longer a problem other more daunting forms of oppression plague our American society today. For instance take the statement of Arkansas Republican Legislator Jon Hubbard who wrote that “Slavery was a blessing in disguise for black people, because it enabled them to become U.S. citizens (Clear). Hubbard’s influential status in the House of Representatives makes this and many other of his racially charged statements oppressing because of his government status and how he has a considerable influence on some important decisions to be made within society. Oppression enforced by influential members of society is socking because these people hold so much
power.
Oppression enacted by people within the Criminal Justice System is all too often seen in our society. This form of oppression
Works Cited
Clear, Marty. Arkansas Republican Legislator. Tampa Bay Times. Pp.2B. 13 Oct 2012. Web. 20 Feb 2013.
King Jr, Martin Luther. Letter From Birmingham Jail. April 1963. Standford.edu. Web. 20 Feb 2013
“Slave Codes”. Pbs.org. 1995. Web. 15 Feb 2013
Smith, Robert C. “Slavery”. Encyclopedia of African American Politics. NewYork: Facts on File. 2003. Web. 15 Feb 2013
Webster, Merriam Dictionary. New Ed. 2004. Springfield MA. Pp508. Print
Gerald Palmer
19 January 2013
African American Oppression
Some people may never know what it feels like to be oppressed, while others may experience it daily. A great man once said “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed (Martin Luther King, Jr.). Oppression is defined as the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power (Merriam Webster). In American society, Women, African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Gays, and Lesbians are some of the people most often oppressed. In my essay I will discuss African American oppression—history—past and present, discrimination in the criminal justice system, and oppression in relation to social work. …show more content…
Oppression may appear in many forms such as exploitation, marginalization, cultural imperialism, and violence. Exploitation is the act of using individuals as laborers to produce profit without compensating them fairly. Marginalization is when individuals are confined to a lower social standing, outer limit, or edge of society. Cultural imperialism involves a group having power in a society and looking down on all others. Lastly violence is the most visible form of oppression, and individuals must fear random, unprovoked attacks on their persons or property.
African Americans have experienced all forms of oppression since the beginning of time.
History tells us that the earliest form of oppression towards African Americans was in the form of slavery. Slavery began in the United States around the sixteen-hundreds. African Americans were then known as indentured servants, and were brought to America to aide in the production of crops such as sugar cane, tobacco, and rice. This form of oppression was backed by the American Government and, African American slaves were bought, sold and traded. This type of oppression, known as slavery was practiced in the United States, and deprived enslaved black people—children, women, men, and the elderly—of all human rights. The number of people affected by this form of oppression is said to be between ten and twelve million, with millions more killed or dying of disease and deprivation on the journey (Smith). Slavery was believed to be used because it provided the cheapest and most reliable source of labor. They even had laws to help to enforce their malicious ways, such as the Slave Codes. The Slave Codes were basically laws in United States, which defined the status of slaves, and the rights of masters. The codes gave the slave-owners absolute power over the African slaves (Pbs.org). Although the slave codes no longer exist, African American oppression is still alive and well in today’s society, but on more shaded …show more content…
terms.
Oppression in today’s society is not often seen in the public eye.
Although slavery is no longer a problem other more daunting forms of oppression plague our American society today. For instance take the statement of Arkansas Republican Legislator Jon Hubbard who wrote that “Slavery was a blessing in disguise for black people, because it enabled them to become U.S. citizens (Clear). Hubbard’s influential status in the House of Representatives makes this and many other of his racially charged statements oppressing because of his government status and how he has a considerable influence on some important decisions to be made within society. Oppression enforced by influential members of society is socking because these people hold so much
power.
Oppression enacted by people within the Criminal Justice System is all too often seen in our society. This form of oppression
Works Cited
Clear, Marty. Arkansas Republican Legislator. Tampa Bay Times. Pp.2B. 13 Oct 2012. Web. 20 Feb 2013.
King Jr, Martin Luther. Letter From Birmingham Jail. April 1963. Standford.edu. Web. 20 Feb 2013
“Slave Codes”. Pbs.org. 1995. Web. 15 Feb 2013
Smith, Robert C. “Slavery”. Encyclopedia of African American Politics. NewYork: Facts on File. 2003. Web. 15 Feb 2013
Webster, Merriam Dictionary. New Ed. 2004. Springfield MA. Pp508. Print