Question
Write an essay arguing what the most influential work of literature we′ve read this semester is. Argue your thesis with evidence from the text and articles from the online UAPTC library database. The sources you use can be a mixture of the literary work you choose to discuss and the sources you choose from the UAPTC library online database. The only other sources you′re allowed to use besides the primary work of literature you′re discussing and the database articles are other works of literature or editor commentary from our textbook. –4 to 6 pages (that′s four full pages with at least a line on the fifth page) –4 to 6 sources –at least one citation per body paragraph –MLA Format (including double spaced and Times New Roman 12 pt. font) –Works Cited page I will provide the login for the online library database for the sources
Answer
The Atlanta Exposition Address
The most influential work of literature we have read this semester is “The Atlanta Exposition Address.” I find this work most relevant and educative because of the challenges it highlights. During the Atlanta Exposition, people expected Washington to condemn practices that promoted racism against people of color. However, these individuals were unhappy with the outcome because they felt that Washington’s statements promoted racism. For example, he stated that blacks should stay in their place and make the most of it. Washington advised African Americans to stop looking down on professions like commerce, mechanics, and agriculture and use the opportunity to help improve their lives.
Such concepts have adversely impacted blacks in the US. Blacks should fight for equal rights in the US to stop discrimination in the workplace, the education system, and healthcare. However, he tells them to remain where they are (Washington 442). This statement shows that the speaker is inconsiderate. Ideologies like color blindness have adversely impacted the well-being of people of color in the US, especially African Americans. These concepts are based on the claim that racism does not exist in the US. If people assume this challenge does not exist, it will be difficult to address. One cannot solve a problem that does not exist.
Washington’s advice may have been well-intentioned, but it was misguided in the end. The reality is that many African Americans were denied the opportunity to pursue higher education and skilled professions, and were instead forced into low-paying, low-status jobs. This was a direct result of the discrimination and racism that was rampant during this time (Washington 444). In his address, Washington also argued that African Americans should not focus on political activism and equal rights, but instead should focus on improving their economic and social standing through hard work and self-improvement. While this may have been a popular message at the time, it is clear in hindsight that it was misguided. The fact is that African Americans could not achieve true economic and social equality without first achieving political equality (Washington 445). They were dissatisfied with his remarks about the southern whites, and in that regard, thought of him to be too liberal (Washington 445). Furthermore, Washington’s advice was deeply flawed because it ignored the systemic racism and discrimination that African Americans faced. By suggesting that African Americans could simply work hard and improve their lives, Washington was ignoring the fact that many African Americans were being denied access to education, jobs, and other opportunities due to their race.
Washington also supports laws that prevent blacks from voting. He says that level of education should be a crucial determinant of whether one should vote. Washington mentioned that despite knowing that most African Americans belonged to that category (Washington 447). Therefore, he supports his idea will help prevent these people from voting. Voting is a crucial practice that African Americans should exercise if they want to see an improvement in their lives. Citizens should get the chance to choose a leader they believe can help solve the challenges they experience. People who support racism against African Americans recognize that giving them full voting rights will make them more powerful because they will have a more significant representation in the government.
Robinson’s article “Saving the Black Child: Dozier School for Boys and the Racialization of Juvenile Justice” (2022) discusses the disparities in the criminal justice system. This author explains that the American criminal justice system disproportionately arrests and incarcerates black children (Robinson 38). Even if the crime a black child commits is of the same degree as a white child, the black child will most likely end up in jail. Moreover, black children end up in prison for crimes that criminal justice can solve with a lighter punishment. The tendency of the US criminal justice system to discriminate against black children adversely impact their mental health. They may experience PTSD or depressive disorders. Moreover, they can have self-esteem issues. These mental challenges severely impact their education and general well-being.
Robinson emphasizes that the government can help save black children from disproportionate incarceration. The government should enact laws that will govern the process of imprisonment to protect black children from unfair treatment (Robinson 41). The criminal justice system gets away with these discriminative acts because the government lacks adequate regulations to ensure equality. However, when Washington promotes laws preventing many blacks from voting, he makes it difficult for these people to elect a leader who can change their lives.
On the other hand, the article “Intersectional stigma and prevention among gay, bisexual, and same gender–loving men in New York City, 2020: system dynamics models” by Lutete et al. (2022) recognizes that cases of HIV have been increasing among homosexual males in the US. However, it emphasizes that this problem is more prevalent among blacks than other races due to discrimination associated with the treatment, prevention, and testing of HIV (Lutete et al. 444). Racism in the American healthcare system adversely impacts blacks. Sometimes, the government does not provide enough medication in the hospitals in low-income neighborhoods, mainly consisting of blacks. Since most blacks are poor, they cannot afford more expensive hospitals. That explains why this problem is more prevalent among them.
Washington’s speech is an obstacle to addressing such problems. He tells blacks that they should stay where they are. He makes it look like blacks do not need help; instead, they should improve their lives using the inadequate resources they can access. Blacks cannot stay where they are because they are in a place where they have become victims of racial discrimination. The first step into dealing with disparities in the US healthcare system, which has led to an increase in the number of blacks with HIV, involves acknowledging these problems are results of racial discrimination, and if blacks must stay where they are, then solving them will remain challenging.
In conclusion, while “The Atlanta Exposition Address” may have been a well-intentioned effort to encourage African Americans to improve their lives, but it ultimately failed to address the underlying issues of racism and discrimination. Washington’s advice was misguided and ultimately did more harm than good. Racism in the US remains a significant challenge. However, the Atlanta Exposition disappointed blacks because they argued that he would have used it to fight for their rights since Washington got the golden opportunity to make that speech. The two main statements of Washington that show that he does not empathize with blacks are his claim that they should stay where they are and his promoting laws that will prevent some of them from voting.