In Of Our Spiritual Strivings, W. E. B. Du Bois wrote about how his fellow African Americans were being treated as a problem instead of people. They were likened to an infestation of rats, basically, and were not seen as equals. Most may have been uneducated but they should not have been treated like pests. African Americans were not given equal rights just like white women were not treated as equals either. Cady Stanton wrote in Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions about how women deserve equal rights just like everyone else. Both authors wrote about how they were owned and kept in sub-servitude by the white man by his laws, which was against everything the constitution stands for. If either group was to get out from under the oppressive hand of white man laws, they were going to have to take a stand and fight for their rights.
Men have this crazy idea that they own the world because that’s how they were raised, and it’s not okay. Jokes about how women belong in the kitchen drive me absolutely nuts and my brother says them because he knows they make me so mad. Racist and sexist jokes are never okay, and people who say them need to take a step back and step into that person’s shoes before they judge him or her.
I really like how you compared the work of Stanton and Du Bois. Both writers used the Constitution to help start movements for human rights. This peaceful way is how all change should occur. The statement that was made: "Men have the crazy idea that they own the world because that's how they were raised," is an unfair generalization and could be interpreted as offensive to many. Watch your claims.
ReplyDeleteKelsey, these thoughts are absolutely true as to what the authors say about how they are treated. I never really compared the two authors to one another. Thanks for creating that connection! And Daniel, I believe that Kelsey isn't stating in general that all men have that feeling, but that some men are raised to believe they own the world, and it is not okay for men to think that if we are indeed all equals. :)
ReplyDeleteI also agree your statement about men could have been worded differently, or examples could have been made to make your argument stronger. Over generalizing can sometimes loose your audience. On the other hand, I did like that you used other forms of inequality in your comparison. African Americans, women, Native Americans, and the founders of our country all dealt with issues of inequality. It is interesting to see how many different groups were oppressed and had to stand up for their rights. I guess, at the end of the day, we all want to be excepted as equals.
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