Cora Robertson 09/29/ 08 “We are developing a distinctively new ethnic type” what I think about this quote is that there are developing something that is really going to make a change and that is distinctively new ethnic witch means black white Latino for example
After reading the essay What is Africa to Me-A Question of Identity, I wondered what would it be like if I visited my country of origin or race? Well, in the essay , an African American woman named Pauli Murray went to Africa to visit her home country. She visits the country of Ghana in December of 1960. Pauli is the child of a slave and is curious about her "homeland" She describes in her essay that the Africans over in Ghana are way different than the Negroes in America. She sees that the people still follow the traditional ways. These people stilled lived in huts, farmed, and didn't have much money but they still had a kind and peaceful personality. In America, the Africans are still haunted by slavery and segregation. She also sees how the physical and mental characteristics of the Africans were much different than those of the Negroes. Here are my two quotes, from the book, and two connections that I made and that I think are important in describing what Pauli thought. To start, Pauli was walking in Ghana.and she encountered an African man. The man said, "Tell me, madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because this showed how Africans from different areas of the world. In my opinion, I thought that Pauli came to Africa thinking that she wouldn't be different than the Africans in Ghana, but she was wrong. In the essay, Pauli describes that the Africans made fun of the Negroes from other countries who were trying to be like the Africans. They knew that those Negroes were American or English. This reminds me of how people of a certain race are all not the same. The ones who are different are different because they were born or lived in another country for a long time. Last year, I went to Mexico (Puerta Vallarta). Similar to Pauli, I thought the Mexicans were going to be the same as the Mexican Americans. To my surprise, they were really different. Over in America, the Mexicans are very tense and are always rushing, almost "Americanized." In Mexico, the people were very relaxed and laid back. They didn't take things much serious and there was no hatred at all. Everyone is nice. I think that the people of a race are all different because they grow up learning the ways of the country they were raised at. Secondly, Pauli explains what Ashley Montagu said about the Negroes in America. The quote was, "we are developing a distinctively new ethnic type."(pg 192, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because I thought it was really true that a new type of Africans were being developed. Pauli had described that most of the Negroes living in America are of mixed ancestry. They have some European, Native American, and Oriental ancestry. She also said that the qualities and appearence of the Negroes are given to the Negroes because of their ancestry. She also explains that the Africans called the African Americans "copper man" because of their appearence changes. I thought this was so important because this showed how Africans didn't just accept the Negroes as one of theirs. They sort of, in a way, discriminated the Negroes. The Africans knew they weren't from Africa because of their accent, the way they looked, and other appearences. One of my friends, name Sean, is German. He speaks German but was born in the United states. He went to Germany for the first time about two years ago. When he came back, I asked Sean how was his trip. He told me he felt "left out" or "treated differently." He explained to me that all the Germans knew he was American by his accent and how he looked. Sean said everyone kept on calling "American boy" and that people kept on looking at like he was a big blue spot on a clean, white piece of paper. This shows how people of a race who are lived in a different country change by adapting to their environment. This essay showed not only Negroes were different than the Africans but that people of a race living in another country are different than those living in their original country. Pauli was suprised how the Africans were so much different than those who are living in America. She doesn't even consider Africa her home. Instead she thinks the United States is her real home. In my opinion, I think Paula found out that where ever she goes, she would be different because of her skin color, even in Africa. I think everyone is different, no mater where you live.
The story "What Africa means to me" is a story about a women who goes to her homeland, Africa, because she is curious how it has changed. She comes to realize the physical and mental awakening of the horrible tradgety's she comes to see. Now I'll present to you two connections that I made with the essay. "Here again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." To me this quote shows that as much tradgety that people in Africa have been through still many still have high spirits. I like positive things such as that. Like many people here in America, I haven't been through anything as horrible as some people in Africa have. The things that have happened to me still have a lot of impact on me and I try to have a high spirt as much as I can. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through horrific things like they do in Africa. "I am forced to realize that the cruel exploitation of human victims by the brutal methods is not the monopoly of any one race or nation." This quote to me tells that not all of the cruel things only jappen in our country. There is some pretty horrific things that happen in different countries such as Africa they we don't even know about. I can connect because I realize how much cruelty goes on in different countries. Some Americans are very sheltered in what "Cruel" is. In conclusion, this essay shows the suffering in a different country that we might have not even realized.
“I came to Africa, among other reasons, to see for myself black people in there own homeland and come to grips with the pervasive myth of innate racial inferiority that stigmatizes all people of discernible African descent in the United States”
I picked this quote, because I’d like to go visit Africa to see my own race in there own homeland. I’d like to see the difference between the “blacks” in America and the “blacks” in Africa. Also, from what I hear Africans that live in Africa do not have respect for Africans that live in America. I’d like to communicate with an African in his or her homeland, see our differences and similarities.
Cora Robertson 10/02/08 “Christianizing black savages” I chose this quote because I believed that all Christians are very brave people whom should have a lot of courage and believe that god will make a way for what ever is in the future but they all aren’t African American
Iza Mari Benedicto 10/02/08 Period 5 The story "What is Africa to Me?" by Pauli Murray, is a story about the author and her journey to see her homeland. At December of 1960 she arrived at Ghana and discovered that people still follow their traditional ways. The people still live in huts, they hunt and farm. People their have very little money but still a happy and prosperous life. Now I'll present to you two connections and that I made with the essay. The quote "there again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." shows that no matter how horrendous your experience was, you could still stand and be happy. i think that everyone can relate to this, everyone in this world has been through something bad but in the end we were able to make it to something good. "i tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people" I wonder to myself, how can you tell what a person is by just their walk? it's absurd. It shows that people are judgmental and see what they only want to see.
After reading "What is Africa to Me?" about a lady who travels to Africa, her homeland, curious as to how it has developed or change. Surprised to realize that it causes her to feel a sense of shame on how others seem to view her homeland, where in most cases where her traits go back to.
"We are developing a distinctively new ethnic type (pg. 192)" I chose this text from the story because in my opinion most people do develope a lot of things. Especially throughout their lives. As a distinctive 'new' ethnic type, things become new, new ethnicities.
Another quote or text I chose from the story was "Unsophisticated Africans will describe a male/ female Negro from the United States as "Brown Man," "Copper Man," or sometimes "American Man" -seldom "black man," as they describe themselves (pg. 193)" I chose it because as my first quote it reminds myself of how people view things. There are a lot of new ethnic type that such people believe in.
"I am beginning to understand that I am the product of a new history which began on Africa shores but which has not been shared by Africans a history accompanied time produced a new identity." "Here again I saw self possession of Black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." This are Quotes from "What is Africa to me?" by Pauli Murray were she goes to Africa to see her homeland and their traditions. The first quote I choose because it talks about how she is the new generation of Africa, were she believe that she will inherit her African heritage. I feel that I could do the same thing were I would visit my homeland to see my heritage so that I wouldn't forget it. The second quote I choose because it talks about how even though her people have suffered, she is able to find people who aren't affected by the misery. I feel that is great how their are people who haven't given up on their hope and lives.
“I tell by you’re walk; American people walk different from English people.” 1.I chose this quote because it is a good example of how stereotypes are easily made based off of the color of you’re skin or the way you do certain things. It shows that a lot of society’s minds revolve around culture and putting people all into one huge group. 2.This quote reminds me of how people of the world today become accustom to the ways of others, but yet still stand out. I can relate to this because in everyday life here, you see this kind of judgment. For example if you eat certain things, and have the skin color to match it, then people will automatically jump to the conclusion that you’re the culture that the food comes from.
"Here again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." This shows me that even though African Americans have been through so many hardships they still hold their head high and stand their ground. I chose this quotes because it’s a good example of the power of human beings, and that no matter what each day holds something new. This quote reminds me of all the hate crimes that go on in this world and the selfless acts of others
"I am forced to realize that the cruel exploitation of human victims by the brutal methods is not the monopoly of any one race or nation." I chose this quote because it’s a good example of how humans are now just coming to terms with how messed up others can be and that the things they do,don’t always have good reasoning. In the quote they state that “it is not the monopoly of any one race or nation”. I find this interesting because theyre saying that its everyone against everyone,not everyone against a certain group of race, or culture.etc. I can relate to this quote because in everyday life you see people who monopolize their same race, or people who are neighbors or even blood related.
S0l0 10-09-08 "Tell me, madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because its most eye popping one. how can you tell when a person is American just by their hip movements?? For an example if i were to be american but i walk different from what an american walks how can you tell now?? i really like this quote, but there's still questions to be answered!! :D
“Christianizing black savages” This is another good quote that i picked out. What i thought what this quote mentioned is how black Christians were savages. It really caught my attention because I'm Christian so, I believe that God is always the answer to my problems; but i don't think that all of African Americans are all Christians. BUt they can turn their lives to Christ... :D
In her essay, "What is Africa to Me," Ms. Murray wants to know about her roots and her country life in Ghana. Ms. Murray feels like she is an outsider in Africa because she was born in America. In America she feels like an outsider because her ancestors were African.
It was Ms. Murray's second day in Ghana. She was walking down and this young worker asked her a curious question. He asked her if she was English or American. She responded to his question. She asked him what he thought. "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people." In other words, the character said in this essay that he can tell where people come from by their movements. This reminds me of when I was playing soccer with a bunch of my friends. The thing that I hate the most is when I play soccer really well, people think I'm Mexican. I'm brown so people think that I'm Mexican, but my mother and father are from El Salvador and I was born in the US.
Ms. Murray feels the same way. She's Black but she was born in the US and her ancestors were African. She is African American and I am Latin American. She said, "My foreignness is evident in my physical appearance and in my bearing, betraying my American origins." I can connect to this because at the first day of school, people are trying to find out your ethnic background. The students go by skin color or how you look
Pauli Murray, author of "What is Africa to Me?--A Question of Identity she thought she had lost. In the end, she found herself to be more American than African. Here are my two connections to the essay. (1st connection) "I was too numbed to tell this chief that I am only two generations removed from slavery,that my own grandmother was born a slave, and that I had seen its scars on her personality."
I was too emotional to tell this man that I was only two generations away from being a slave, my own grandma was born a slave, and I have seen the scars it left on her personality.
I can connect to this because I am five generations from being a slave my self. Even though I didn't know my great great grandmother I still know she had a hard life and she probably wasn't friendly.
(2nd connection) " 'Tell me madame,are you English lady or American lady?' 'What do you think?' 'I think you are American lady,' How did you know?' 'I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people' "
Tell me miss, are you English or American? Why don't you guess. I think you are american. How did you know? I could tell from your walk; Americans have a different walk from English.
I can connect to this because every time I go to another country people always ask what am I. Like this one time I was in Mexico and the person that was working at one of the places we went to was talking English to this person in front of me and when it was my turn he was speaking to me in spanish and when I said I didn't understand then he said oh your mexican.
This story is called "What Is Africa to Me?- A Question of Identity". It is written by Pauli Murray. She went back to AFrica to find her true identity. "Even if my tawny color did not make me stand out from the masses of Black Africans, my unconscious movements reveal my origins." She is saying that her skin does not show what she really is. Or made her stand out from the rest of African Americans. With her movement though, it reaveals what she really is. Like other people who came from different country that is now living here in the United States, other can tell what they really are. Like where they came from and what their nationality is. People knows this either because of how they look like or because of their movements. "Coming back to Mother Africa to see my people". She is saying she wants to go back to AFrica to find her identity that she thought she had lost. She wants to see the people of her kind. And she also wants to see how people in Africa are. Like me, I want to go back to the country where I grew up from. That's because I want to see my relatives and friends that I had left. Not only that, I also would like to experience the life they are living now. That's because I heard there so many changes that had been made.
Quote 1: Ashley Montagu has theorized that in the American Negro, “we are developing a distinctively new ethnic type,” and suggests that the physical stamina and adaptive qualities of this type are due to “hybrid vigor” Paraphrase: In other words, Ashley Montagu is saying that the African Americans are becoming their own ethnic group that has changed over time due to the energy in it. Analysis: I can connect to this because I am Samoan and many Samoans in America is starting to change the meaning of being Samoan because they don’t know the culture, language, or the meaning.
Quote 2: Particular because African ancestry is associated with cruel rejection in America, finding them selves aliens in Africa is a sever jolt to those who come expecting instant acceptance from their “African Brother.” Paraphrase: I think that she is trying to say that when the American rejected the Africans and used them as slaves for many years, and when they go back to Africa expecting acceptance from the natives, they’re in for a harsh reality from their African brothers. Analysis: This reminds me of how I had heard that when a Samoan from America goes to Samoa, everyone would look at him or her as an alien and they would even jump you until they accept you for who you are.
pauli murray, author of "what is africa to me?-- a question of identify," traveled from the united states to ghana, africa to find the identity she thought she had lost. in the end, she found herself to be more american than african. here are my two connections to the essay. the quote is that iam struck by their innate dignity, their cereemonial courtesy, and their strong sense of community cooperation in building a house or road. And what it means to me is that from reading what is "africa to me" that he is happy that the people or being helpful and cooperative into building a house or road when he was born he was worthly and honored with esteemed and they all are working together as a community. and this reminds me of school of everybody helping each other and working together as a team. the quote is to me is i have seen a few american negroes exerting reat effort to merge with the local population of ghana. what it means to me is few american negroes has success great effort to connect to the population of ghana. but i cant connect to this because i never new nothing that had happen that i new of.
The qoute that i found that saids I haven't the slightest notion who my particular African ancestors were, what region or tride they came from, whether they were traders, fisherfolk, herdspeople, or farmers, whats their customers were or what language they spoke.Do you know how that feels not knowing your culture or not knowing your ancestors if i was him i would feel sad
The story "What is Africa to me?" by Pauli Murray, it is about a lady who travels to Africa, her homeland, curious as to how it has developed or change. In her essay, "What is Africa to Me," Ms. Murray wants to know about her roots and her country life in Ghana. "Tell me, Madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because American people walk is difference from English people. And not only base on their speaking, habit, also their action. Pauli came to Africa thinking that she wouldn't be different than the Africans in Ghana, but she was wrong. This reminds me of how people of a certain race are all not the same. The ones who are different are different because they were born or lived in another country for a long time. Everyone is nice. I think that the people of a race are all different because they grow up learning the ways of the country they were raised at. Even they are come from different place, but they always have the same thing, that is love. We also can get love from other people. And no matter whom he is or where he is from. "I am beginning to understand that I am the product of a new history which began on Africa shores but which has not been shared by Africans a history accompanied time produced a new identity.” I choose this quote, because I think it is very interested to know somebody go to a new place and have a new life. Then he would understand how to make sure his life become more colorful. Everybody knows that everything is going to be hard at the beginning, but if we have confidence to do anything, then you can find that everywhere the love is. So, that is a good essay to me, it let me know how to contact my life.
What is Africa to me? Was about a lady who travels to Africa, her hometown and can’t wait to see how much it’s changed. This lady also ends up feeling a shame of people seem to view her homeland and traits that go way back. My first quote says “protecting myself backward in time; I tried to feel the bewilderment, the anguish, and the terror of this agonizing or deal, which marked the introduction of Africans into America”. The reason why I chose this quote is because there was I time in my life that I was scared for life or in that very moment because of what someone or something I’ve done. I think this quote is referring to a time that maybe something’s happened to her and a group of other Africans she knows and those people plus many others has to now deal with. The reason why I chose this quote is because there was I time in my life that I was scared for life or in that very moment because of what someone or something I’ve done. The second quote I chose says “traveling along the country side I have not only seen piercing reminders of a radical break with the African past but have also realized break with subsequent distortions of this past to justify chattel slavery in the united states contribute to a legacy of same”(pg 195). I chose this quote because like this quote is saying going back to a place you grew up at and remembering the good and bad times you have. There is always something that is telling you in the back of your head I’m glad I got away from that and I’m happy that’s not me cause I now how they feel. I think this quote is says seeing everything that’s went on here in Africa there has been that worst time ever the head people will contribute a helping hand for better this reminds me of my past when thing went wrong but got better cause of help.
What is Africa? Pauli Murray, author of “what is Africa to me?—A question of Identity,” traveled from the United States to Ghana, Africa to find the identity she thought she had lost. In the end, she found herself to be more American than African. Here are my two connections to the essay. Here is a quote form What Is Africa to Me? By Pauli Murray. “They are shut off from the masses of people by barriers of language and custom and feel like outsider in a way they never felt in the United State.” In my opinion, I think they never want to realize language and culture. When they are born on other country, they actually think them belong to homeland any more. This reminds me of most America Chinese they have the same situation as that. For instance, my aunt wants her son to learn speak, read, and write Chinese word. But he always refuses to accept that because he tells me that he isn’t in china. So he doesn’t need to understand it. To my surprise, he has actually thought Chinese culture and language are not useful for him. For another quote, “Tell me, Madame; are you English lady or American lady?” “What do you think?” I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people.” Maybe the man knows clearly the English and American people who walk different way. Why Madame walks like a American people? I think that because Madame has become a real American woman, not only language which she speaks, but also her custom in her life. This reminds me of a lot of people who live out of his/her homeland. They don’t have homeland customs and mentality.
What is Africa to me? Pauli Murray, author of "What is Africa to Me?--A Question of Identity. Like Beneatha, Pauli Murray had the chance to go work in Africa and to explore the African roots of her identity. While she was there, she made some surprising discoveries.
Quote 1: "Tell me, Madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun)
Paraphrase: In other words, This quote tell me, although they are same race, but they are come from other countries, and they have different cultures.
Analysis: This reminds me of , when I come back to china, I have go to a shoe store , so the salesman ask me “are you Chinese?” so I say “yea I’m Chinese, but why do you think I’m not Chinese? ” He say he had look my clothes and face. He think maybe I’m Chinese but is not born here , or you are not Chinese.
Quote 2: “coming back to mother Africa to see my people”
Paraphrase: She is saying she wants to go back to Africa to find her identity that she thought she had lost. She wants to see the people of her kind. And she also wants to see how people in Africa are.
Analysis: I can connect to this, because like me, I live in Norway, but every summer holiday I have to go back to China, that I grew up from. Because I want to see my father, brother and almost my relatives and friends. But not only that I want know how is China now, every years I come back to China, is so many changes that had been made.
#1:"Here again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." To me this quote shows that as much tradgedy that people in Africa have been through still many still have high spirits. I like positive things such as that. Like many people here in America, I haven't been through anything as horrible as some people in Africa have. The things that have happened to me still have a lot of impact on me and I try to have a high spirt as much as I can. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through horrific things like they do in Africa.
#2:“He receives visitors according to a formal ritual marked by gravity, which includes an exchange of gifts and the pouring of a libation from the visitors’ gift of costly gin drop by drop upon the ground, accompanied by solemn incantations.” I like those words because they make me shocked. The author visited a local chief in Ghana. The local chief seated on a raised platform in his countryside. Actually the people there are very backward. They don’t have advanced technology and higher education. The chief and his people live in a silent peace place following their ways. They dressed in colorful robes and keep their culture. In the formal greeting ceremony, they follow their traditions without any change. Even though the gin is pretty expensive for them, they don’t care and just keep it from their ancestry. So I think is that shock me and also the author.
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Cora Robertson 09/29/ 08 “We are developing a distinctively new ethnic type”
what I think about this quote is that there are developing something that is really going to make a change and that is distinctively new ethnic witch means black white Latino for example
What is Africa to Me Kevin Pong
10/1/08
Period 5
After reading the essay What is Africa to Me-A Question of Identity, I wondered what would it be like if I visited my country of origin or race? Well, in the essay , an African American woman named Pauli Murray went to Africa to visit her home country. She visits the country of Ghana in December of 1960. Pauli is the child of a slave and is curious about her "homeland" She describes in her essay that the Africans over in Ghana are way different than the Negroes in America. She sees that the people still follow the traditional ways. These people stilled lived in huts, farmed, and didn't have much money but they still had a kind and peaceful personality. In America, the Africans are still haunted by slavery and segregation. She also sees how the physical and mental characteristics of the Africans were much different than those of the Negroes. Here are my two quotes, from the book, and two connections that I made and that I think are important in describing what Pauli thought. To start, Pauli was walking in Ghana.and she encountered an African man. The man said, "Tell me, madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because this showed how Africans from different areas of the world. In my opinion, I thought that Pauli came to Africa thinking that she wouldn't be different than the Africans in Ghana, but she was wrong. In the essay, Pauli describes that the Africans made fun of the Negroes from other countries who were trying to be like the Africans. They knew that those Negroes were American or English. This reminds me of how people of a certain race are all not the same. The ones who are different are different because they were born or lived in another country for a long time. Last year, I went to Mexico (Puerta Vallarta). Similar to Pauli, I thought the Mexicans were going to be the same as the Mexican Americans. To my surprise, they were really different. Over in America, the Mexicans are very tense and are always rushing, almost "Americanized." In Mexico, the people were very relaxed and laid back. They didn't take things much serious and there was no hatred at all. Everyone is nice. I think that the people of a race are all different because they grow up learning the ways of the country they were raised at. Secondly, Pauli explains what Ashley Montagu said about the Negroes in America. The quote was, "we are developing a distinctively new ethnic type."(pg 192, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because I thought it was really true that a new type of Africans were being developed. Pauli had described that most of the Negroes living in America are of mixed ancestry. They have some European, Native American, and Oriental ancestry. She also said that the qualities and appearence of the Negroes are given to the Negroes because of their ancestry. She also explains that the Africans called the African Americans "copper man" because of their appearence changes. I thought this was so important because this showed how Africans didn't just accept the Negroes as one of theirs. They sort of, in a way, discriminated the Negroes. The Africans knew they weren't from Africa because of their accent, the way they looked, and other appearences. One of my friends, name Sean, is German. He speaks German but was born in the United states. He went to Germany for the first time about two years ago. When he came back, I asked Sean how was his trip. He told me he felt "left out" or "treated differently." He explained to me that all the Germans knew he was American by his accent and how he looked. Sean said everyone kept on calling "American boy" and that people kept on looking at like he was a big blue spot on a clean, white piece of paper. This shows how people of a race who are lived in a different country change by adapting to their environment. This essay showed not only Negroes were different than the Africans but that people of a race living in another country are different than those living in their original country. Pauli was suprised how the Africans were so much different than those who are living in America. She doesn't even consider Africa her home. Instead she thinks the United States is her real home. In my opinion, I think Paula found out that where ever she goes, she would be different because of her skin color, even in Africa. I think everyone is different, no mater where you live.
The story "What Africa means to me" is a story about a women who goes to her homeland, Africa, because she is curious how it has changed. She comes to realize the physical and mental awakening of the horrible tradgety's she comes to see. Now I'll present to you two connections that I made with the essay.
"Here again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression."
To me this quote shows that as much tradgety that people in Africa have been through still many still have high spirits. I like positive things such as that. Like many people here in America, I haven't been through anything as horrible as some people in Africa have. The things that have happened to me still have a lot of impact on me and I try to have a high spirt as much as I can. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through horrific things like they do in Africa.
"I am forced to realize that the cruel exploitation of human victims by the brutal methods is not the monopoly of any one race or nation."
This quote to me tells that not all of the cruel things only jappen in our country. There is some pretty horrific things that happen in different countries such as Africa they we don't even know about. I can connect because I realize how much cruelty goes on in different countries. Some Americans are very sheltered in what "Cruel" is.
In conclusion, this essay shows the suffering in a different country that we might have not even realized.
“I came to Africa, among other reasons, to see for myself black people in there own homeland and come to grips with the pervasive myth of innate racial inferiority that stigmatizes all people of discernible African descent in the United States”
I picked this quote, because I’d like to go visit Africa to see my own race in there own homeland. I’d like to see the difference between the “blacks” in America and the “blacks” in Africa. Also, from what I hear Africans that live in Africa do not have respect for Africans that live in America. I’d like to communicate with an African in his or her homeland, see our differences and similarities.
Cora Robertson 10/02/08
“Christianizing black savages”
I chose this quote because I believed that all Christians are very brave people whom should have a lot of courage and believe that god will make a way for what ever is in the future but they all aren’t African American
Iza Mari Benedicto
10/02/08
Period 5
The story "What is Africa to Me?" by Pauli Murray, is a story about the author and her journey to see her homeland. At December of 1960 she arrived at Ghana and discovered that people still follow their traditional ways. The people still live in huts, they hunt and farm. People their have very little money but still a happy and prosperous life. Now I'll present to you two connections and that I made with the essay.
The quote "there again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." shows that no matter how horrendous your experience was, you could still stand and be happy. i think that everyone can relate to this, everyone in this world has been through something bad but in the end we were able to make it to something good. "i tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people" I wonder to myself, how can you tell what a person is by just their walk? it's absurd. It shows that people are judgmental and see what they only want to see.
After reading "What is Africa to Me?" about a lady who travels to Africa, her homeland, curious as to how it has developed or change. Surprised to realize that it causes her to feel a sense of shame on how others seem to view her homeland, where in most cases where her traits go back to.
"We are developing a distinctively new ethnic type (pg. 192)" I chose this text from the story because in my opinion most people do develope a lot of things. Especially throughout their lives. As a distinctive 'new' ethnic type, things become new, new ethnicities.
Another quote or text I chose from the story was "Unsophisticated Africans will describe a male/ female Negro from the United States as "Brown Man," "Copper Man," or sometimes "American Man" -seldom "black man," as they describe themselves (pg. 193)" I chose it because as my first quote it reminds myself of how people view things. There are a lot of new ethnic type that such people believe in.
"I am beginning to understand that I am the product of a new history which began on Africa shores but which has not been shared by Africans a history accompanied time produced a new identity." "Here again I saw self possession of Black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression." This are Quotes from "What is Africa to me?" by Pauli Murray were she goes to Africa to see her homeland and their traditions. The first quote I choose because it talks about how she is the new generation of Africa, were she believe that she will inherit her African heritage. I feel that I could do the same thing were I would visit my homeland to see my heritage so that I wouldn't forget it. The second quote I choose because it talks about how even though her people have suffered, she is able to find people who aren't affected by the misery. I feel that is great how their are people who haven't given up on their hope and lives.
“I tell by you’re walk; American people walk different from English people.”
1.I chose this quote because it is a good example of how stereotypes are easily made based off of the color of you’re skin or the way you do certain things. It shows that a lot of society’s minds revolve around culture and putting people all into one huge group.
2.This quote reminds me of how people of the world today become accustom to the ways of others, but yet still stand out. I can relate to this because in everyday life here, you see this kind of judgment. For example if you eat certain things, and have the skin color to match it, then people will automatically jump to the conclusion that you’re the culture that the food comes from.
"Here again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression."
This shows me that even though African Americans have been through so many hardships they still hold their head high and stand their ground. I chose this quotes because it’s a good example of the power of human beings, and that no matter what each day holds something new. This quote reminds me of all the hate crimes that go on in this world and the selfless acts of others
"I am forced to realize that the cruel exploitation of human victims by the brutal methods is not the monopoly of any one race or nation."
I chose this quote because it’s a good example of how humans are now just coming to terms with how messed up others can be and that the things they do,don’t always have good reasoning. In the quote they state that “it is not the monopoly of any one race or nation”. I find this interesting because theyre saying that its everyone against everyone,not everyone against a certain group of race, or culture.etc.
I can relate to this quote because in everyday life you see people who monopolize their same race, or people who are neighbors or even blood related.
S0l0 10-09-08
"Tell me, madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun)
I chose this quote because its most eye popping one. how can you tell when a person is American just by their hip movements?? For an example if i were to be american but i walk different from what an american walks how can you tell now?? i really like this quote, but there's still questions to be answered!! :D
“Christianizing black savages”
This is another good quote that i picked out. What i thought what this quote mentioned is how black Christians were savages. It really caught my attention because I'm Christian so, I believe that God is always the answer to my problems; but i don't think that all of African Americans are all Christians. BUt they can turn their lives to Christ... :D
In her essay, "What is Africa to Me," Ms. Murray wants to know about her roots and her country life in Ghana. Ms. Murray feels like she is an outsider in Africa because she was born in America. In America she feels like an outsider because her ancestors were African.
It was Ms. Murray's second day in Ghana. She was walking down and this young worker asked her a curious question. He asked her if she was English or American. She responded to his question. She asked him what he thought. "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people." In other words, the character said in this essay that he can tell where people come from by their movements. This reminds me of when I was playing soccer with a bunch of my friends. The thing that I hate the most is when I play soccer really well, people think I'm Mexican. I'm brown so people think that I'm Mexican, but my mother and father are from El Salvador and I was born in the US.
Ms. Murray feels the same way. She's Black but she was born in the US and her ancestors were African. She is African American and I am Latin American. She said, "My foreignness is evident in my physical appearance and in my bearing, betraying my American origins." I can connect to this because at the first day of school, people are trying to find out your ethnic background. The students go by skin color or how you look
Pauli Murray, author of "What is Africa to Me?--A Question of Identity she thought she had lost. In the end, she found herself to be more American than African. Here are my two connections to the essay.
(1st connection) "I was too numbed to tell this chief that I am only two generations removed from slavery,that my own grandmother was born a slave, and that I had seen its scars on her personality."
I was too emotional to tell this man that I was only two generations away from being a slave, my own grandma was born a slave, and I have seen the scars it left on her personality.
I can connect to this because I am five generations from being a slave my self. Even though I didn't know my great great grandmother I still know she had a hard life and she probably wasn't friendly.
(2nd connection) " 'Tell me madame,are you English lady or American lady?' 'What do you think?' 'I think you are American lady,' How did you know?' 'I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people' "
Tell me miss, are you English or American? Why don't you guess. I think you are american. How did you know? I could tell from your walk; Americans have a different walk from English.
I can connect to this because every time I go to another country people always ask what am I. Like this one time I was in Mexico and the person that was working at one of the places we went to was talking English to this person in front of me and when it was my turn he was speaking to me in spanish and when I said I didn't understand then he said oh your mexican.
This story is called "What Is Africa to Me?- A Question of Identity". It is written by Pauli Murray. She went back to AFrica to find her true identity.
"Even if my tawny color did not make me stand out from the masses of Black Africans, my unconscious movements reveal my origins." She is saying that her skin does not show what she really is. Or made her stand out from the rest of African Americans. With her movement though, it reaveals what she really is. Like other people who came from different country that is now living here in the United States, other can tell what they really are. Like where they came from and what their nationality is. People knows this either because of how they look like or because of their movements.
"Coming back to Mother Africa to see my people". She is saying she wants to go back to AFrica to find her identity that she thought she had lost. She wants to see the people of her kind. And she also wants to see how people in Africa are. Like me, I want to go back to the country where I grew up from. That's because I want to see my relatives and friends that I had left. Not only that, I also would like to experience the life they are living now. That's because I heard there so many changes that had been made.
"Coming back to mother Africa to see my people".In other words i think it saying that she is going back to her home land to see all of her people.
Quote 1: Ashley Montagu has theorized that in the American Negro, “we are developing a distinctively new ethnic type,” and suggests that the physical stamina and adaptive qualities of this type are due to “hybrid vigor”
Paraphrase: In other words, Ashley Montagu is saying that the African Americans are becoming their own ethnic group that has changed over time due to the energy in it.
Analysis: I can connect to this because I am Samoan and many Samoans in America is starting to change the meaning of being Samoan because they don’t know the culture, language, or the meaning.
Quote 2: Particular because African ancestry is associated with cruel rejection in America, finding them selves aliens in Africa is a sever jolt to those who come expecting instant acceptance from their “African Brother.”
Paraphrase: I think that she is trying to say that when the American rejected the Africans and used them as slaves for many years, and when they go back to Africa expecting acceptance from the natives, they’re in for a harsh reality from their African brothers.
Analysis: This reminds me of how I had heard that when a Samoan from America goes to Samoa, everyone would look at him or her as an alien and they would even jump you until they accept you for who you are.
WADDA IS WALDMAH SEUSEU
pauli murray, author of "what is africa to me?-- a question of identify," traveled from the united states to ghana, africa to find the identity she thought she had lost. in the end, she found herself to be more american than african. here are my two connections to the essay. the quote is that iam struck by their innate dignity, their cereemonial courtesy, and their strong sense of community cooperation in building a house or road. And what it means to me is that from reading what is "africa to me" that he is happy that the people or being helpful and cooperative into building a house or road when he was born he was worthly and honored with esteemed and they all are working together as a community. and this reminds me of school of everybody helping each other and working together as a team.
the quote is to me is i have seen a few american negroes exerting reat effort to merge with the local population of ghana. what it means to me is few american negroes has success great effort to connect to the population of ghana. but i cant connect to this because i never new nothing that had happen that i new of.
What is Africa
10/17/08
kevin panyanouvong
The qoute that i found that saids I haven't the slightest notion who my particular African ancestors were, what region or tride they came from, whether they were traders, fisherfolk, herdspeople, or farmers, whats their customers were or what language they spoke.Do you know how that feels not knowing your culture or not knowing your ancestors if i was him i would feel sad
What Is Africa???
Quote: 1 even if my tawny color did not make me stand out from the masses
Of black Africans.
Quote: 2 since coming to Ghana I have traveled a bit in West Africa…
Paraphrase: 1 what does the quote say in my own words… says like
Her color of her skin doesn’t fit the Africans color…
Paraphrase: 2 for my second quote she is saying like since she went to
Ghana it wasn’t her first time traveling…
Analyze: 1 for my first quote. It reminds me when I went to this interview
& I walked in. It was like Mexicans & white people so… I didn’t
Feel right going to the interview…
For my second quote it reminds me when I traveled to Reno that’s the only
Place I been in years…
Quote: 1 understandably, people from the U.S. who have suffered so many
Indignities because of their color hope to find an acceptable identity,
Here.
Quote: 2 His coloring blended with his human surroundings but he could not
Conceal his American gait…
Quote: 3 traveling about the country side, I have not only seen piercing
Reminders of radical break…
Paraphrase: 1 my first quote saying like people suffered from slavery & had
Got beaten & all because of the color…
Paraphrase: 2 my second quote this is saying like his color blended in with the rest
Of them but he could not connect with his American gait like they are not
Like his American…
Paraphrase: 3 His traveled the country but was some racism like he never seen a
Butch of people his color but don’t connect with him…
10/18/08
Period 4
“What is Africa to me?”
The story "What is Africa to me?" by Pauli Murray, it is about a lady who travels to Africa, her homeland, curious as to how it has developed or change. In her essay, "What is Africa to Me," Ms. Murray wants to know about her roots and her country life in Ghana.
"Tell me, Madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun) I chose this quote because American people walk is difference from English people. And not only base on their speaking, habit, also their action. Pauli came to Africa thinking that she wouldn't be different than the Africans in Ghana, but she was wrong. This reminds me of how people of a certain race are all not the same. The ones who are different are different because they were born or lived in another country for a long time. Everyone is nice. I think that the people of a race are all different because they grow up learning the ways of the country they were raised at. Even they are come from different place, but they always have the same thing, that is love. We also can get love from other people. And no matter whom he is or where he is from.
"I am beginning to understand that I am the product of a new history which began on Africa shores but which has not been shared by Africans a history accompanied time produced a new identity.” I choose this quote, because I think it is very interested to know somebody go to a new place and have a new life. Then he would understand how to make sure his life become more colorful. Everybody knows that everything is going to be hard at the beginning, but if we have confidence to do anything, then you can find that everywhere the love is.
So, that is a good essay to me, it let me know how to contact my life.
What is Africa to me? Was about a lady who travels to Africa, her hometown and can’t wait to see how much it’s changed. This lady also ends up feeling a shame of people seem to view her homeland and traits that go way back.
My first quote says “protecting myself backward in time; I tried to feel the bewilderment, the anguish, and the terror of this agonizing or deal, which marked the introduction of Africans into America”. The reason why I chose this quote is because there was I time in my life that I was scared for life or in that very moment because of what someone or something I’ve done. I think this quote is referring to a time that maybe something’s happened to her and a group of other Africans she knows and those people plus many others has to now deal with. The reason why I chose this quote is because there was I time in my life that I was scared for life or in that very moment because of what someone or something I’ve done.
The second quote I chose says “traveling along the country side I have not only seen piercing reminders of a radical break with the African past but have also realized break with subsequent distortions of this past to justify chattel slavery in the united states contribute to a legacy of same”(pg 195). I chose this quote because like this quote is saying going back to a place you grew up at and remembering the good and bad times you have. There is always something that is telling you in the back of your head I’m glad I got away from that and I’m happy that’s not me cause I now how they feel. I think this quote is says seeing everything that’s went on here in Africa there has been that worst time ever the head people will contribute a helping hand for better this reminds me of my past when thing went wrong but got better cause of help.
What is Africa?
Pauli Murray, author of “what is Africa to me?—A question of Identity,” traveled from the United States to Ghana, Africa to find the identity she thought she had lost. In the end, she found herself to be more American than African. Here are my two connections to the essay.
Here is a quote form What Is Africa to Me? By Pauli Murray. “They are shut off from the masses of people by barriers of language and custom and feel like outsider in a way they never felt in the United State.” In my opinion, I think they never want to realize language and culture. When they are born on other country, they actually think them belong to homeland any more. This reminds me of most America Chinese they have the same situation as that. For instance, my aunt wants her son to learn speak, read, and write Chinese word. But he always refuses to accept that because he tells me that he isn’t in china. So he doesn’t need to understand it. To my surprise, he has actually thought Chinese culture and language are not useful for him. For another quote, “Tell me, Madame; are you English lady or American lady?” “What do you think?” I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people.” Maybe the man knows clearly the English and American people who walk different way. Why Madame walks like a American people? I think that because Madame has become a real American woman, not only language which she speaks, but also her custom in her life. This reminds me of a lot of people who live out of his/her homeland. They don’t have homeland customs and mentality.
What is Africa to me?
Pauli Murray, author of "What is Africa to Me?--A Question of Identity. Like Beneatha, Pauli Murray had the chance to go work in Africa and to explore the African roots of her identity. While she was there, she made some surprising discoveries.
Quote 1: "Tell me, Madame, are you English or American?" "What do you think?" I responded. "I think you are American lady." Curious, I asked him, "How do you know?" thinking that my complexion and accent had given him the clue. Instead, he replied, "I tell by your walk; American people walk different from English people."(pg 193, A Raisin in the Sun)
Paraphrase: In other words, This quote tell me, although they are same race, but they are come from other countries, and they have different cultures.
Analysis: This reminds me of , when I come back to china, I have go to a shoe store , so the salesman ask me “are you Chinese?” so I say “yea I’m Chinese, but why do you think I’m not Chinese? ” He say he had look my clothes and face. He think maybe I’m Chinese but is not born here , or you are not Chinese.
Quote 2: “coming back to mother Africa to see my people”
Paraphrase: She is saying she wants to go back to Africa to find her identity that she thought she had lost. She wants to see the people of her kind. And she also wants to see how people in Africa are.
Analysis: I can connect to this, because like me, I live in Norway, but every summer holiday I have to go back to China, that I grew up from. Because I want to see my father, brother and almost my relatives and friends. But not only that I want know how is China now, every years I come back to China, is so many changes that had been made.
#1:"Here again I saw the self possession of black people whose spirits have not been crippled by generations of repression."
To me this quote shows that as much tradgedy that people in Africa have been through still many still have high spirits. I like positive things such as that. Like many people here in America, I haven't been through anything as horrible as some people in Africa have. The things that have happened to me still have a lot of impact on me and I try to have a high spirt as much as I can. I can't imagine what it would be like to go through horrific things like they do in Africa.
#2:“He receives visitors according to a formal ritual marked by gravity, which includes an exchange of gifts and the pouring of a libation from the visitors’ gift of costly gin drop by drop upon the ground, accompanied by solemn incantations.”
I like those words because they make me shocked. The author visited a local chief in Ghana. The local chief seated on a raised platform in his countryside. Actually the people there are very backward. They don’t have advanced technology and higher education. The chief and his people live in a silent peace place following their ways. They dressed in colorful robes and keep their culture. In the formal greeting ceremony, they follow their traditions without any change. Even though the gin is pretty expensive for them, they don’t care and just keep it from their ancestry. So I think is that shock me and also the author.
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