My last word:

What a journey it has been. This year has been a learning experience indeed. For some reason, this semester was a lot harder than last semester. AFAM although tedious, really made my semester. I did not have the opportunity to have any type of AFAM class at my high school- which I’m sure many people did not either. My school did not even recognize February as Black History Month. They were so caught up in selling candy that it seemed as if they tried to avoid the publicity of the month. It’s really upsetting and infuriating to me when I think about it- but hence this class was available to take to make up for it. I STILL TRULY BELIEVE THAT Black Studies is indeed relevant within today’s society and within the African American culture. I think that it should be more relevant actually. Schools should press Black Studies as a pre-requisite to graduate alongside with the European History that most are familiar with. See when you disregard something for so long you become ignorant and immune to it. You start to conform to society and neglect the other history- the relevant history that went on. AFAM was a good class because it smoothed away all of the rough edges and opened the minds and news of not only African Americans but other races as well. We got to experience the good the bad and the ugly associated with Black Studies and relive the defining moments in history that never get old. It’s very relevant, my fellow ancestors overcame a lot and endured too much for us not to discuss it and push it to the side- no they deserve recognition every day. As far as the group project goes- I enjoyed it. I usually work alone and avoid group projects but I really though the group projects taught us in a sense how to collaborate with other people who have different backgrounds, different views and different opinions to interact with one another and collaborate our ideas to come to a conclusion. Groups help you learn what your strengths are, your weaknesses are and they help your interpersonal skills, your ability to work cooperatively with a team, to network to present an argument effectively in front of your peers and to gain confidence in your abilities. One particular thing that I liked about Group projects was the vast differences and diversity within the groups. I really like my group- Individual Sense(Group 9) because everyone was strong in their own way and it helped prepare us for what prospective employers will be looking for- the ability to communicate effectively and the ability to work cooperatively in groups. I feel like I probably would have never gotten to know my peers personally on my own if I was not put in a group with them and they could probably agree with me simply because people tend to stick with their own group of people because of their comfort zone. But I really learned a lot working in groups especially within the last Group project with the yearbook- just listening to my group speak on topics while at meetings or discuss research they found or were laughing over with me just listening and observing I learned more than speaking. In all the groups were significant and effective. Lastly the blogs- ahhh yes the blogs. Honestly- I liked them. They were sometimes given at times that were insignificant for me but I liked them nevertheless. I liked the topics and I like conveying my thoughts on paper rather than verbally anyway. The blogs were significant because they influenced me to stay potent and attentive. It made me check my emails and follow my syllabus and just stay on track and with the blogs it was a fun way to do work instead of the usual bland routine. I like different abstract creative assignments that I can sink my teeth into. They grab my attention more. It gave me chances to put my creativity on the worldwide web and preview and comment on my classmate’s blogs because usually you won’t get a chance to see your peer’s say-so which is always fun. The blogs were a creative innovative strategy that I recommend keeping. All in all I liked AFAM and will definitely put more of an effort to research and tap into my past. Thank you Mrs. Wynn for the experience.

Exra Credit

I was glad to have had the opportunity to attend the presentation regarding Aids/HIV Awareness. The organization that was presenting was called Guiding Right. It is directly funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This program offers many outreach services such as SISTA & Between Brothers, Disk Reduction Counseling, Street Outreach, W.I.C. Support Groups for HIV Victims & families & free confidential HIV Testing and Counseling. The purpose of Guiding Right’s presentation was to provide an overview of media representation of blacks & H.I.V Epidemic. There were some bewildering results and statistics. Statistics show that there are over 40 million persons with A.I.D.S. Pandemic worldwide –North America consists of 890,000. What’s even more frightening and disturbing is that A.I.D.S killed more than 25 million peoples since 1981. Did you know that of 2004, 4,883, young people received a diagnosis of H.I.V. infection. Around this time to lighten up the mood Nina Johnson the H.I.V. coordinator suggested to use condoms without oil. She gave a brief overview of the dos and don’ts of condoms which was quite interesting. Now back to the point. In the 1980’s before many of us were born –H.I.V. was known as “the gay white man’s disease”. Media showed victims of the emerging epidemic as white men who were deteriorating. So in response African Americans thought: Oh, I’m not white or gay so this has nothing to do with me and so they kept finding excuses but by that time it was too late and H.I.V. had taken a stronghold in the African American community but it was not reported in the media. What was interesting but not surprising was the fact that people kept their mouths shut because they didn’t want to get stigmatized people were not talking about it-especially if someone died from it. Quick fact: Robert Wagner –Poppa Brady of Brandy has A.I.D.S. There were movies that include A.I.D.S .In 1998 “An Early Frost” was the first televised movie about H.I.CV. But the sex was implied- there was not that much of the background info they had the opportunity to educate but denied it. Media needs to stop sugar coding this issue and address it wholeheartedly. Because people especially my people are dying from this disease. I was glad I attended the presentation it was indeed informative, and an eye opener, hopefully you learned something to.

March 24, 2009- Tuesday
7:30 p.m.
Channel 50 Roll Bounce
Film
African American Family- Father, oldest son, youngest daughter
Positive Image


March 25, 2009 -Wednesday
5:30 p.m.
Channel 36 My Wife and Kids
Television Comedy
African American Family -Mother, Father, son, youngest daughter, oldest daughter
Positive Image-Encouraging

March 25, 2009 -Wednesday
5:51 p.m.
Eyewitness News
ESPN-Documentary- Derek Smith (1961-1996) former NBA player passed died of heart attack.
Local Television News
African American Family – Mother (widow) son(teenage)
Positive

March 26, 2009-Thursday
The Oklahoma Daily (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)
2:00 p.m.
Periodical
African American Family – Obama and his Kenyan (hometown) family
Very Positive -Proud

March 26, 2009-Thursday
4:00 p.m.
Channel 50 Smart Guy
Television Comedy
African American Family- Father, youngest son, oldest son, oldest daughter
Positive Image

March 25, 2009- Thursday
5:25 p.m.
Ebony Magazine
Periodical- Michelle Obama
African American Family- (Obama’s) Mother, Father, youngest daughter, oldest daughter
Uplifting, Sincere Image

March 26, 2009- Thursday
10:37p.m.
The Wall Street Journal/Health
Publication
African American Family-Mother, two children
Negative- HIV/Tuberculosis patients




After vigorously looking through diff media to find perceptions regarding African American families I was satisfied with the images that I saw., There were mainly hardworking fathers who took the role of teaching the son mainly the ways of the world and the daughter how to be independent along with the strong mothers who taught both children to aspire after their dreams but together the mother and father were equally caring and taught to never give up. There was comedy of course within the TV shows, there had to be some “ghetto” humor added but I think that can be counted as part of character and livelihood it wasn’t TOO much which was surprising. There was also the image of the man being the prominent figure hardworking trying to maintain a “king” mentality and the mother if she was present depending on the show and the situation was the strong secondary figure the gentle caring one with the last word. It was either her way or no way. Both were portrayed as strong willed. But I noticed thankfully that there wasn’t the negative stereotype of a mother being alone because the father is in jail or the father being alone because of infidelity No either the parents were together and happy having an understanding and partnership a full blown relationship or they were not together because one passed away or remarried or what have you not the typical stereotype though. Media can indeed influence our perceptions regarding African American families or any families for that matter. Media makes sure to include some form of loud, sarcastic, rebel like semi-hostile figure at least one within the black family which is not always the case, stereotypes are not always the case. Media persuades the viewers to conclude that whatever they show must be true because the media knows everything right?... However I beg to differ. Although I am pleased that the images shown were positive, the media does not always perceive African Americans in a positive light and usually the negative is always easier to remember or what’s portrayed to the public eye. This is true indeed. Few persons knew about Obamas pastor until the “incident” what I like to call misunderstanding took place- now no matter the amount of positive things he has done in his past some people will always target him for that one particular incident. I don’t understand why we hold on to things and the negative ones at that. Moreover the images regarding the African American families were constructive- and speaking on behalf of my fellow brothers and sisters they were believable and fair representation on what a black family truly is. In the end- black families stick together and fight to progress through hard times misunderstandings or mayhem and to help that transition easier add a little humor for spice.

Harlem Renaissance


Based on our lectures in class prior to the one we had regarding the civil rights movement and so forth, this conversation regarding the Harlem Renaissance gave a new light on the African American people. A new positive light. It gave the actual history of the African American people. The Harlem Renaissance consisted of a lot of new beginnings and firsts. African American literature developed with authors such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neal Hurston jazz and blues helped express the lives and culture of the African American people through passionate musicians such as Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith. The discussion regarding the Harlem Renaissance gave my peers and I the fully enriched culture and foundation of my ancestors and of what my people admire respect and try to uphold today.
The Civil Rights Movement consisted of various reforms of the African American people to stand up and fight back for justice equality and freedom. Civil Rights Movement (1896–1954) Prominent figures of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Top left: W. E. B. Du Bois; top right: Malcolm X; bottom left: Martin Luther King, Jr.; bottom right: Parks. The American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) refers to the reform movements in the United States aimed at abolishing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring suffrage in Southern states. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1954 and 1968, particularly in the South. By 1966, the emergence of the Black Power Movement, which lasted roughly from 1966 to 1975, enlarged the aims of the Civil Rights Movement to include racial dignity, economic and political self-sufficiency, and freedom from oppression by whites.(Wikepedia.com)
S.N.C.C. and the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, 1963-64: A Time of Change. In 1963 A Consortiums of Civil Rights organizations including S.N.C.C, C.O.R.E N.A.A.C.P. and the Urban Coalition began a drive to register black voters and form a political party that included Negroes in Mississippi. Of this consortium SNCC was most responsible for the significant political transformation that would take over the next year and a half. The story of the Civil Rights Movement during this period is really the story of SNCC; it organized the movement and through the Mississippi movement it came into its own as a political organization.( http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0018-2745(198311)17%3A1%3C95%3ASNCCAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-2)

S.N.C.C. On February 1, 1960, a group of black college students from North Carolina A&T University refused to leave a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina where they had been denied service. This sparked a wave of other sit-ins in college towns across the South. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC (pronounced "snick"), was created on the campus of Shaw University in Raleigh two months later to coordinate these sit-ins, support their leaders, and publicize their activities. Over the next decade, civil rights activism moved beyond lunch counter sit-ins. In this violently changing political climate, SNCC struggled to define its purpose as it fought white oppression. Out of SNCC came some of today's black leaders, such as former Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry, Congressman John Lewis and NAACP chairman Julian Bond. Together with hundreds of other students, they left a lasting impact on American history. This site covers the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from its birth in 1960 to 1966, when John Lewis was replaced by Stokely Carmichael as chairman. This event marks a decided change in philosophy for SNCC, and one that warrants an equal amount of attention. However, we have focused on the first six years of the movement, in order to adequately explore such events as sit-ins, the Freedom Rides and Freedom Summer
Philosophy of S.N.C.C
SNCC's original statement of purpose established nonviolence as the driving philosophy behind the organization. However, things were never that simple. In the early days, during the period of the sit-in movement, nonviolent action was strictly enforced, particularly for public demonstrations, as it was key to the movement's success. The philosophy of nonviolence hit shakier ground when SNCC began its period of community organization in the South, having to face continual threats of perhaps deadly violence from whites. On many occasions SNCC offices were sprayed with bullets or torched by local white men. In 1963 Bob Moses and Jimmy Travis, SNCC workers trying to encourage black voters to register, were shot at while driving near Greenwood, Mississippi. Travis was hit and nearly died. Soon after, the Harlem Riots took place. It was the first urban race riot, and brought the topic of black-initiated violence into public debate. Such actions were no longer assumed to be counter productive. This event, and eventually the rise of black power, led to the fall of nonviolence in SNCC. Black Power was the guiding philosophy of SNCC in its later years. It began to develop and take hold sometime after 1964, and came to prominence in 1966 when Stokely Carmichael became head of the organization.
5. Malcom’s life experiences forced him to abide by strict rules but unlike Martin Luther King he believed white people to be the enemy and was believed to be “a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans.” His detractors accused him of preaching racism and violence.” “He has been described as one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history.” Martin Luther King was pro nonviolence and saw it essential that blacks fought back intellectually and with perseverance and courage rather than weapons.
6. I think that the Civil Rights certainly accomplished its goals which were to gain equality, justice and economic standards. The Civil Rights Act also banned racial discrimination in employment, voter registration, and public accommodations.
7. I definitely agree with that theory. We all did not undergo similar life experiences so we all experienced different cultural conditioning and prejudices because that’s what we’ve been taught and what we’ve been around and all that we know- which at times is not always a good thing. When you hold on to that particular perspective you have to realize that there are always 2 sides of a coin- there is always different perspectives. You have to realize that you are omitting a different explanation and disregarding a different strategy and outlook.

What priviliges do I possess?

1. Iam privileged to what every girl yearns to have- the basic mannerisms of gentlemen. Being a woman really gives you an advantage we have the power to veto if we please I mean we women are like the backbone what would happen without us?
2. I am privileged to attend my professors office hours when help is needed. I am not afraid to ask for help as a matter of fact I think I ask for too much assistance-but I just like to make sure I get the job done right and I think office hours are such an advantage you can go if you don’t feel comfortable talking about your problems in class you can develop a better relationship with your professor your professor can see that your trying and your grade will soon reflect. A win win situation.
3. I am privileged to fulfill my mother’s dream by attending the University of Oklahoma. My mother wanted to attend this school when she was in college but she had to attend Langston University instead because that was the only collge accessible to blacks but since change has evolved over the years I am now granted the opportunity to attend the college of my dreams and the college of OUR dreams.
4. I am privileged to participate in different campus activities. There once was a time when blacks did not have the right to do such a thing to get together and work as a people.
5. I am privileged with the opportunity to have strong willed women in my life-my mother is my rock she is so strong willed and she overcame so many obstacles her life and she still has a smile on her face at the end of the day and I admire and love her so much for that for the simple fact the she can say all is well even when we all knew things were pretty cloudy she kept her faith and her preservation.
6. I am privileged to have helped Obama win presidency
7. I am privileged to live in walker rather other areas
8. I am privileged to be born without any birth defects being born a premature baby
9. I am privileged to be musically inclined
10. I am privileged to have metabolism and natural strength
11. I am privileged to have never worn glasses and or braces
12. I am privileged to be qualified and eligible for scholarship and financial aid
13. I am privileged to speak a different language
14. I am privileged to be an American
15. I am privileged to have all of my senses including my common sense
16. I am privileged to have a coo Resident Advisor
17. I am privileged to be a role model for my litter brother
18. I am privileged to be literate
19. I am privileged to study abroad
20. I am privileged to be the only Jamaine I know
21. I am privileged to be a twin
22. I am privileged to have OHLAP Scholarship
23. I am privileged to have a family
24. I am privileged to have friends
25. I am privileged to use technology

What are my intial thoughts regarding privilege?

My initial thoughts about privilege focus on the history of my ancestors and forefathers. To be privileged means to have the opportunity to be granted something that others don’t have to be in a way superior to those who are unfortunate and this is exactly what my ancestors had to subside. They weren’t granted the privilege to be free, to vote, to get an equal education, to have a voice or even be considered a complete person they were neglected of a lot of things a lot of rights that they did not receive. I think about also sadly the different privileges one is provided or granted due to race white males especially are granted so many more privileges than anyone else I think regarding economics career choices, colleges you name it because society wants to keep that status quo going. I think about my ancestors and how I was blessed with the privilege to not have to become a victim of slavery had the privilege to reap the outcome of the oppression and progression. I think about my mother and the fact that she did not have the privilege to attend this university simply because of her skin color she did not have the privilege to pursue her dream but she has the privilege to watch me pursue my dream while attending the school she was deprived of going to. I also think about historical facts such as women’s rights. There once was a time when we were not granted with the privilege as the males had to vote and now I think about the election and how I feel so honored to have had the privilege to make history I am a witness and I am so thankful for that. I think about how I’m privileged to have transportation in some countries they don’t have that privilege. I think about how I’m accessible to pure water because it is used in so many ways. I think about how I am privileged to of course take this course because in high school I did not have the opportunity to become more indulged in my culture my people my heritage. I think about how I am able to attend schools where I can not only take courses with different languages but I can interact with them I can study abroad if I wanted to. I think about how am privileged to marry who I want because in some cultures women do not have that privilege they have to have arranged marriages and have no say so in their lives they are expected to conform to their society I do not have to worry about such things. Although if you think about it males of course have more privileges than anyone else white males in particular but males have always been dominant within society which in my opinion is not fair they are not more qualified they are not more capable in any way. Again its black history month so I think about all of the activists and how they not only gave us life changing and deserving privileges but also how it would have been a privilege and an honor to work side by side with them during those harsh times. I think about how I have the privilege to be African American to be a descendent of so many courageous intelligent beautiful successors. Lastly I think about how I have the privilege to leave a legacy in this world I could be an activist I even could change the world because I have the privilege to do so!

NAACP Questions:

1. Founded February 12, 1909 (100th Anniversary) The NAACP has made many vital impacts to the lives of African Americans. The NAACP’s main objective was equal rights and equal opportunity, this courageous organization is the reason why our fellow people have our freedom and our constitutional rights today. This organization helped fight for our inclusion in the 13th 14th and 15th amendments. “..The NAACP's stated goal was to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, which promised an end to slavery, the equal protection of the law, and universal adult male suffrage, respectively.” (naacp.org) The NAACP fought against all aspects discrimination within the social, political and educational areas of society. “The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic processes.”(naacp.org)

2. The Oklahoma NAACP which was organized nationally after the primary NAACP in 1913 has contributed to the history of African Americans initially because its leader Roscoe Dunjee, was “invaluable”. “He led the forces that organized the Oklahoma Conference of Branches, which became the first such state branch in the nation”.(google.comhttp://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NA001.html)
Although he and his members suffered violence and threats they endured by accomplishing many legal victories the most important being the Sipel vs. Board of Education. It’s very significant because they helped her win the case so she could attend law school right here at the University of Oklahoma.” In McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents (1950) the NAACP argued that the University of Oklahoma violated the Fourteenth Amendment when it admitted George McLaurin to its graduate college but then tried to segregate him while he was on campus. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed, ordering the university to end its discrimination.”
(google.com http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NA001.html).
Also this determined organization was involved in Clara Lupers case- the sit in was right here in Oklahoma. Her persona and determination for equality for black rights impacted states in Oklahoma such as Tulsa, Enid and Lawton. The NAACP here in Oklahoma still to this day strive for such equality and advocate for justice.

3. The legal movement helped the Civil Rights Movement focus on some important issues that revolved around more than equality but deference and worthiness. “By 1966, the emergence of the Black Power Movement, which lasted roughly from 1966 to 1975, enlarged the aims of the Civil Rights Movement to include racial dignity, economic and political self-sufficiency, and freedom from oppression by whites” Many of those who were most active in the Civil Rights Movement, with organizations such as SNCC, CORE and SCLC, prefer the term "Southern Freedom Movement" because the struggle was about far more than just civil rights under law; it was also about fundamental issues of freedom, respect, dignity, and economic and social equality.” (wikepedia.com)
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Civil_Rights_Movement_(1955%E2%80%931968)]

4. Similarities between the NAACP’s importance with the African American experience with that of the legal movement were evident. The Legal movement was striving for equality, freedom and the end of discrimination as well as the Civil Rights movement. Both were movements striving towards change a change not only for them but for the views of whites. Both movements had to fight both had to experience violence but the movements were never violent they fought hate with love but they fought hard and strong willed.

5. Reconstruction was a period of ups and downs for African Americans. It was the period in which the African Americans restored the remains of the Civil War. “The period of U.S. history from 1865 through 1877, during which the states that had seceded during the Civil War were reorganized under federal control and later restored to the Union”. (Encarta Dictionary) The disadvantages of Reconstruction- bad economic conditions, no placements for jobs, discrimination and exploitation. The advantages included- political gains such as “instituted free public education, improved the tax system, and reorganized the judicial system and repealed imprisonment for debt laws as well as negative labor laws” (Karenga 164.)Although all of these changes occurred The Reconstruction was not successful- The government ceased to give land to and equipment to blacks, the rise of the white terrorist societies like the KKK in spite of the 1870 and 1871 laws against such societies” ( Karenga 165) and several other reasons.

6. Some current ways in which the NAACP has been active are as follows:
2000TV Diversity Agreements. Retirement of the Debt and first six years of a budget surplus. Largest Black Voter Turnout in 20 years
2000Great March. January 17, in Columbia, South Carolina attended by over 50,000 to protest the flying of the Confederate Battle Flag. This is the largest civil rights demonstration ever held in the South to date.
2001Cincinnati Riots. Development of 5 year Strategic Plan.Under the leadership of Chairman Bond and President Mfume, the NAACP continues to thrive, and with the help of everyone - regardless of race - will continue to do so into the next millennium...
(http://www.naacp.org/about/history/timeline/index.htm)

7. After listening to our guest speakers their perspective and information enlightened me and reassured my thoughts of the relevance of AFAM. It just really hit me that if it were not for them and other brave brothers and sisters I would not be at this University today. Their courage and faith is what had to get them through. It just makes me want to strive for excellence. It makes me want to advocate and campaign for rights today. We may not be where were but we still need room for improvement. I could be that voice along with my peers we can make a difference like our ancestors did. Anything is possible.