Dr. Evelynn Hammonds' "W.E.B. Du Bois and the Challenge to Scientific Racism" (Extra Credit)

            Dr. Evelynn Hammonds' "W.E.B. Du Bois and the Challenge to Scientific Racism"  discusses the correlation between race and biology in America. For centuries, American scientists and physicians have attempted to biologically justify racial inequality and the oppression of African Americans. For instance, physicians in past have used craniometry to prove that African Americans were intellectually inferior to Caucasians. Craniometry is the measurement of the cranial features of different human races to determine personality, intelligence, and criminology. However, modern science has proved the conclusions of past physicians to be inaccurate. The size and shape of one's brain has no affect on their intelligence or their ability to exist in American society. W.E. B. Du Bois, who is arguably the most prominent black intellectual of his time, conducted the Atlanta University Study in an effort to dismantle the work of physicians who have tried to biologically justify racism. While Du Bois received little recognition for this groundbreaking study in his lifetime, today we credit him for being one of the first black leaders to challenge biological racism.

            Dr. Hammonds' lecture was quite informative. I was unaware of the lengths that individuals would go to in order to justify racism and oppression. After studying the history of America, students learn of the shameful and often disgusting practices of America's past. Some of these practices were so demoralizing that the effects of them are still evident in American culture today. Even today, every now and then, a magazine or newspaper will attempt to attribute an ethnicity's problems to their biological makeup. While it is evident that we all look different, it is important that we view race as a social construction. It is the social construction of race that still plagues our society, not our biological differences.

WC: 294

Helen Zia's "Civil Rights, Asian Americans, and Marriage" -Outside Cultural Event #2

            As a young Asian-American in New Jersey, Helen Zia states that she "felt like a second class citizen." Hurtful and derogatory names haunted her throughout her childhood. This lack of belonging prompted her to become a civil rights, women's rights, and LGBT rights activist. In her lecture, she concludes that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extended civil rights to all Americans. These Americans include Vincent Chin, who was brutally murdered in Detroit after being mistaken for a Japanese-American, and Zia herself whose marriage to her wife has been invalidated numerous times. She quickly learned that, despite her efforts to confront injustice, division in humanity has made it challenging to create change that everyone can benefit from. She was confronted and threatened in college by fellow activists for displaying "lesbian tendencies." However, despite this division in humanity, she claims that anyone can bring about change by addressing the injustices of world. She concludes the lecture by making a plea for young Americans to never allow stories of injustice to go "missing in history."

            I thoroughly enjoyed Helen Zia's lecture. I am proud of our diverse student body at UMBC for attending this lecture and empathizing for those who have experienced injustice. When I heard that the lecture was going to be focusing on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, I immediately thought Zia would be discussing inequality within the African American community. However, she enlightened me on the impact of the act on all United States citizens. I was ignorant to the fact that Civil Rights leaders throughout our country's history were fighting to make America a just and opportunity-rich environment for all people. While it is evident that inequalities still exist in our society, Zia states that we can be the individuals to change this. 

(WC: 296)

Lynchburg (Blog 5)

Alexis Couser

Lynchburg

Word Count: 297

            My tired eyes widened as my father's truck stopped abruptly at the end of the dirt road.  I saw, for the first time, the sun-glazed Southern landscape of Lynchburg, South Carolina. Lynchburg, despite its eerie name, is the origin of the Couser family and the home of my oldest ancestors. I entered an old house and was quickly greeted by ringing gospel hymns and the aroma of fresh biscuits. My ninety six year old aunt, Aunt Flossie, and her younger brother, Uncle Vernal, welcomed my parents and me with warm hugs.  

            I spent the entire day with Uncle Vernal and most of the night with Aunt Flossie. Uncle Vernal was a farmer. His muscles stretched his thick flannel shirt and overalls. He took me out to the field and I quickly learned that he had to time for taking water breaks or stopping to explain his farming techniques. However, he taught by example and it did not take long for me to catch on. Aunt Flossie had a frail build but was compassionate and wise. During her extensive life, she had witnessed the Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements, world wars, poverty, and a host of other significant events throughout history. That night, we discussed many topics ranging from Southern recipes to living in poverty to the importance of education. She gave great advice and I valued her wisdom as well as her humility.

            During the car ride back home to Maryland, I thought about my time in Lynchburg. I could now see the reason for my parents bringing me to Lynchburg and meeting my distant relatives. They wanted me to see where I came from. I was inspired by my Aunt and Uncle's lifestyles and I developed a deeper sense of self after travelling to Lynchburg.

Travelling to Lynchburg has allowed me to develop a deeper sense of self.