Endangered Language Profile

Kromanti

“Yo bia boto bi o casa no casa

casa ma fri o maati maati prapati

a fram butu kambado piki buobo kamadi”

 - Mr. Isaac Bernard (Maroon-Kromanti) *

           

            To be able to speak accurately about any endangered language is important to understand it’s painful history, culture, and the people who speak it.  According to the Webster dictionary, language is defined as the most common method of human communication, whether, spoken or written, used by a community, tribe, clan, or country.  Language is part of people’s identity, history, heritage, and culture and is the defining way to accurately describe a person’s personal story. 

While researching the topic of endangered languages, it was apparent that most of the languages in the world that were considered endangered or moribund, happened to come from groups of people who were disenfranchised, who belonged to minorities groups, and were forced by society to either abandon, forget, change, or keep their native language secret.

Racism, privilege, and economic status often determine the survival, death, or history of any language and can be the major factor that contributes to a language dying or disappearing.  My analysis helped me to discover a beautiful language named – Kromanti –  spoken by the Marrons of Moore Town, situated in the beautiful highland of the eastern side of the island of Jamaica with a history of courage, violence, racism, and persistence.  

The Kromanti language is spoken by the Maroons, which are direct descendants of former runaway slaves who became defiant against the British military force in 1655 while pledging to never get captured or becoming slaves again.  

An article in the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage of the Smithsonian Institution's describes how “For more than four centuries, thousands of enslaved Africans managed to escape from the plantations and mines of European colonizers throughout the Americas, searching for freedom in the wilderness. Between the early 16th and late 19th centuries Maroons challenged the colonial powers and violently resisted enslavement, striking hard at the foundation of the plantation economy of the Western Hemisphere.” (folklife.si.edu).  

The Maroons survived the colonizers and were able to preserve their language who is now considered endangered.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) describe Kromanti as a dying language that came from West African and derives from the Akan language, Native of Ghana dialect, with a family language from Niger-Congo, Central Tano, Potou-Tano, Kwa, Tano, Atlantic-Congo.  The Kromanti language was an essential part of Maroons’ heritage and pride and its use started to decline in the early decades of the 20^th century.

            Moreover, the significance of the importance of the language is the relationship with the Maroons rituals, religious practices, and ancestral ceremonies. As described in the Jamaican language unit “A critical feature of Maroon heritage is the Kromanti language, used in a ritual ceremony known as Kromanti Play. This is a ceremony used to invoke ancestral spirits, involving dances, songs and special styles of drumming, in which the language is used to address the ancestors. Kromanti Play, inclusive of the linguistic aspects, is the easily the most distinctive feature which marks off the Maroons of Moore Town from non-Maroon Jamaicans.” (Devonish, 2011).  

The language is part of the Maroons culture and ancestral ceremonies which provide a connection with their heritage and past.  It is unfortunate that Kromanti is currently considered a dying language and is only spoken by few elderly members of the Moore Town.

            

           Furthermore, the factors that have influenced the decay of the language is how the speakers treat it with long-established secrecy, their unwillingness to pass it down to the youth, and how they often used the Kromanti for their religious practices and ritual ceremonies. “UNESCO, in 2003, named the Maroon Heritage of Moore Town (Jamaica), as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” A masterpiece that soon will die with their last elder and it would take with them the history, the pain, the culture, and the courage of runaway slaves. 

            Despite its longevity the Kromanti language is endangered and there are few organizations and individuals trying to revive and preserve the language.  Organizations such as the University of the west indies, the Caribbean Indigenous and Endangered Languages, MONA, UNESCO, and The Caribbean Language research among others are researching the language and working to record as much as possible of what is left of the language.  

Moreover, Hubert Devonish, Hubert Devonish. Dept. of Language, Linguistics & Philosophy University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica, research the kromanti language and was able to record videos with elders from the Moore town and much of the dialect has been recorded. 

Preserving a language is preserving history and culture; the kromanti language represents a painful heritage of runaway slaves that were able to be free and fight for the freedom while preserving their language.  

It's sad to see any language disappear, but it seems that as in any aspect of society privilege and social class always determines the outcome of any social issues, including but not limited to the preservation of languages such as the one spoken by the Maroon elder in the forgotten Moore town of Jamaica. 

Personal reflection:  

The Kromanti language should be saved and preserve for future generation to learn the history of runaway slaves and many other tribes that the world never heard about it.  After researching this language I'm convinced that most social conflicts come from a place of disadvantage and the lack of power.  Language is what defines us and the tools that can separate humanity or bring it together.  

Further research is needed to help preserve such important and historical language. 

                       

Reference:

Caribbean Indigenous Endangered Language. (2017). Retrieved April 14, 2018, from

            https://www.mona.uwi.edu/dllp/jlu/ciel/pages/kromanti.htm

Devonish, H. (2006). Kromanti. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from

            http://www.caribbeanlanguages.org.jm/node/52

F. (2015, June 24). Suriname Kromanti Language – Jamaica – A Closer Look. Retrieved April

/14, 2018, from https://surinameafricanheritage.wordpress.com/2015/05/30/suriname-

            kromanti-language-Jamaica-a-closer-look

Smithsonian. (1992). The Maroons and Moore Town Colonel C. L. G. Harris. Retrieved April

            12, 2018, from https://folklife.si.edu/resources/maroon/educational_guide/60.htm

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava

Does the English language contribute to structural racism and inequality?

“Is just a matter of language and points of views” - Bravatravels

The Research question:

Does the English language contribute to structural racism and inequality?

The idea of language influencing our daily lives is somehow uncanny and unexpected.  From regular conversations, television, radio, to social media to name a few, language is what shapes our ideas of the world and how we see people.  The language people speak is usually the language that determines their beliefs, choices, personalities, and entire life.  

A vivid example is an English language that affects people’s behavior and definitions tend to favor one group of the population while giving an unfair disadvantage to all minority groups.  When words in the English language are used to describe a person, a group, or a situation, there is always a history for that word that will impact such a description.  A simple look to frequently-used words such as “light” & “dark” anything that is light is positive, good, angelical; anything dark is negative, bad, devil-like.  

In a recent study “Dr. Agwu Okali, a Harvard lawyer and a member of the UN's International Criminal Tribunal who helped to organize the war crimes trials in the Rwandan genocide, explains that embedded racism in language can be as simple as black and white — literally. "Everyone knows that in English bad things are 'black,' and 'black' things are not good (e.g. black spot, black day, and blackmail)," he tells Bustle. "By the same token, good things are 'white,' and 'white' things are not bad (white knight, white magic, white lie)." (Thorpe, 2017). 

Our minds have been conditioned to distinguish between good and evil and usually those choices of words may have a structural state of racism and inequality in them.

The research method:

Ethnographic Method

To understand such a complicated and controversial research question, the best method needed to get a better understanding is long-term research that will allow a full time recorded observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and the search for previous data or studies.  

The researcher needs to select a sample group that is diverse and with a clear understanding of their role, specifically the culture setting, historical context, and frame of reference from all participants.  

Furthermore, the study should focus on participant observation while providing current words that are used in the English language and that have a history of racism and inequality.  

The purpose of the research is to create a conversation about such an important topic and to determine if there is any correlation between racism, inequality, and the English language. 

Key Words for the research:

Thug, sassy, ghetto, nappy, sketchy, urban, articulate, ethnic, n*gger, wetback, exotic, girlie, spick, white, black, dark, light, weak, strong, them, us, fine, ugly, leader, noble, glorious, wicked, primitive, savage, immigrants, Latinos, wetbacks, invaders, great,  

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava

How The United States medical system mistreated people of color and how it's still haunted by slavery.

Racism in medicine has been part of American history and continues to be an undeniable social conflict in our nation.  Racism from doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and the government agency in charge to provide insurance and proper wellness to patients has been predominant in the medical field. 

According to an article from the Harvard Medical School, “It is well-established that treated blacks and other minority groups in the U.S. experience more illness, worse outcomes, and premature death compared with whites. These health disparities were first “officially” noted back in The 1980s, and though a concerted effort by government agencies resulted in some improvement, the most recent report shows ongoing differences by race and ethnicity for all measures” (Tello 2017).  

The essay goes into detail about the different care POC as patients often receive when needing medical care.  It is apparent that the most prominent type of racism in the medical field seems to be individual racism which contributes to the already systematic racism ingrained in society. 

When people of color (POC) attend doctor’s office with pain, they tend to be judge and stereotype as pills seekers or pain junkies.  The effect not only has helped the narcotic epidemic to be more predominant in the white population than the POC, but it has also unfairly negated proper treatment, when needed, to minorities.  

A survey from the Pew Research Center found that US adults tend to discriminate more often giving POC a disadvantage when seeking medical treatment.  People of color often profile and denied service because of assumptions, prejudice, and racism.  It is a current conflict that needs to be studied extensively to reach equality for all patients regardless of their ethnicity or race.  

*Further research is needed to balance the inequality currently existing in the medical field, health organizations, local governments, and the world.

 

Racial discrimination is reflected in the medical field because of many factors including the health care providers environment, economic disadvantage of the patients, systemic and individual racism, and prejudiced bias among others.

A clear example of discrimination in health care can be noticed when medical care and medication are often denied to minority patients and POC while willingly catering and overly prescribing to whites.  

A recent study from The National Center for Health Statistic (NCHS) discovered that white Americans were dying disproportional to POC from the opioids epidemic and the crisis regardless of changing numbers may be influenced by racist bias.  If a minority or a person of color genuinely has chronic pain it is very common that they may not receive the treatment they need.  However, if a white person goes to the doctor and complains of having pain regardless if its true or not there is a larger chance of getting pain medication. (NCHS, 2017)

When people of color (POC) visit any doctor’s office with chronic pain or any other similar illness, they tend to be judge and stereotype as pills seekers or pain junkies.  The effect not only has helped the narcotic epidemic to be more predominant in the white population than the POC and other minorities, but it has also unfairly negated proper treatment, when needed, to minorities and POC. 

Patricia Devine on Kicking the Prejudice Habit

According to the Ted Talk video the "divine solution", which it was proposed by Patricia Divine, is to dismantle racism and eliminating prejudice bias.  First, as a society, we need to recognize our bias and prejudice and start working into a more understanding of the causes and unfair treatment of minorities.  Only with education The United States can dismantle racism and create a new world of equality for all.

I have included the video of Mrs. Patricia Divine, titled "Kicking the Prejudice Habit" which it has inspired me to understand my own bias and work into helping educate the world and be part of the solution and not the problem.  

As always further research is needed to eliminate social bias and finally reach equality and justice for every human on the planet.

Thanks,

Brava <3 o:p="">

Resources: YouTube videos, readings, College module material, and Ted Talk video

Note: POC* People of Color

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava

The Natural History Approach to Racial Capitalism

Although the economic proposition of the United States was founded on the principles of property rights, market freedom, and the idea of economic independence, among others, the role of the government in constructing a capitalist society that has helped create an unfair system of inequality is evident.  A disproportionate system that has been progressing from the nobility of owning property and land to the askew benefits of the rich and privileged and the blatant disregard of minorities.  In his scholarly report, author Thomas West (2010) elucidate how “the “moral and social order” bequeathed to Americans by the Founders eventually became “an economic system which starves and mutilates the great majority of the population.” Such is the “selfishness” of an “unreformed capitalist economy.”  An asymmetrical practice that can best be described from a Natural History approach to government as a social problem.  

As specified by Spector and Kitsuse (2009:130) scholars Fuller & Myers, presented in their thesis a Natural history model approach to social problems that enriched the process of empirical research and adds additional benefits to the value-conflict theory “Social problems do not arise full-blown commanding community attention and evoking adequate policies and machinery for the solution. On the contrary, we believe that social problems exhibit a temporal course of development in which different phases or stages may be distinguished.” The social problem process has a natural series of sequential steps based on a hypothetical approach and the formulation of society allegations, the public perception, media influence, policy making, and government involvement in the development and construction of social problems. 

The input of the government and the claim makers view of the condition are pivotal to the construction of the social problem.  According to professor Joel Best (2017) “The term Natural History refers to a sequence of stages that tends to appear in lots of different cases.” Those sequences are compartmentalized into six stages in chronological order such as (1) Claimsmaking: When members of the society claim that there is a social problem, e.g. The public complains about the wealth gap and the injustices in the division of resources, (2) Media Coverage: The media gives a report regarding the claim and creates a larger group of spectators, e.g. The New York Times and TV stations such as CNN, CBS, ABC, etc. will publish an article and make extensive reports pertaining to the wealth gap between the 1% and the rest of the population and the inequality of the system, (3) Public Reaction: The public starts to pay attention to the issue and public opinion is directed to the claim made, e.g. People start to get concerned with the economic disadvantage and the government involvement or lack thereof in the creation of the social inequality while showing better support for the unfair cause, (4) Policy Making: Legislators and policy makers produce original ways to tackle the social conflict, e.g. The government creates new policies to increase the minimum wage and propose to invest in education, (5) Social Problems Work: Governmental agencies execute the new policies and proposes further amends, e.g. States are encouraged to implement the minimum wage increment and are forced to invest in the public school system, and (6) Policy Outcome: The public response is often heterogenous to the recent changes, e.g. Some people will agree with the minimum wage increase and the investment in education while others will complain it is not enough to change or money, (Best 2017:19).  

Nevertheless, the social problem process can be altered by the subject matter of rhetoric and resources and the concepts can influence the outcome of each stage in the natural history model. To better describe the meaning and importance of resources, Professor Best explains how “Actors are not equal. Some have more power, status, contacts, education, and money than others.  These resources can make easier to influence every stage of the social problem process” (Best 2017:24). Apparently, people with better access to resources and power have a better chance of influencing the social problem process and create a more difficult competition for the rest.  Moreover, the theme of rhetoric can also be described as a considerable influence in the social problem process and is eloquently explained by Best (2017:24) “Any troubling condition can be understood in a various way. At each stage in the social problem process, a troubling condition can be reconstructed to fit the concerns of the actors involved in that stage.” Rhetoric is used to persuade the audience and it can be used in all stages of the social problem process. 

Notwithstanding, the social problem process can also be analyzed from another sociological perspective such as the constructionist approach which shares some similitudes and differences with the natural history approach.  As stated by Doctor Vivien Burr (1996:14) “The ways in which we commonly understand the world, the categories and concepts we use, are historically and culturally specific. Whether one understands the world in terms of men and women, pop music and classical music, urban life and rural life, past and future, etc., depends upon where and when in the world one lives.”     

            Although the United States proposes to the world and their citizens the idea of freedom and equality, the reality is far removed from any egalitarian or equitable society.  Instead, the economic model used by the American government operates through the laws of supply and demand with an emphasis on the market rather than the individual. A difficult concept that favors the privileged while opposing minorities.  In its scholarly journal, Columbia University, (2006) describes a capitalist system that is based on private ownership, unbalanced competition, inequality, and new wealth among others, “capitalism is also known for its tendency to generate instability, often associated with the existence of financial crises, job insecurity and failures to include the disadvantaged.” (the center for capitalism society 2006:1).

According to the Harvard Law Review “Racial Capitalism- the process of deriving social and economic value from the racial identity of another person” (Leon 2013).
Brava <3 span="">

Reference:

Anon. 2006. “Theory of Capitalism.” Theory of Capitalism | The Center on Capitalism and

     Society. Retrieved April 17, 2018 (http://capitalism.columbia.edu/theory-capitalism).

Best, Joel. 2017. “The Social Problem Process.” Pp. 17–23 in Social Problems. New York, NY:

     W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Burr, Vivien. 1996. “4.” Pp. 13–14 in An Introduction to Social Constructionism. New York,

    NY: Routledge.

Kitsuse, John I. and Malcolm tor. 2009. “The Natural History of Social Problems.” Pp. 130–58

     in Constructing Social Problems. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publisher.

Leong, Nancy. 2013. “Racial Capitalism.” Harvard Law Review. Retrieved April 14, 2018

     (https://harvardlawreview.org/2013/06/racial-capitalism/).

West, Thomas G. 2010. “The Economic Principles of America's Founders: Property Rights, Free

Markets, and Sound Money.” The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved April 12, 2018 (https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/the-economic-principles-americas-founders-property-rights-free-markets-and).

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava

Lost in Translation & Frustration

Lost in Translation & Frustration

One of the most frustrating aspects of being an immigrant and speaking a foreign language such as English, while at work, in social media, at school, in legal proceedings, or in writing, among others, is the inability to convey properly the correct intention or meaning of my message whether verbal or written.  In a culture like the United States, where accuracy and perfection are up to the most important, meaning and intentions tend to be ignored, while judging the precision, and correctness of the message.  

In my humble opinion when two different culture collides, the message between actors can become an internal battle for dominance and culture reassurance and the intended intention is usually lost in translation.  Even many of the original scholars who studied language only focus on the subconscious knowledge rather than meaning and semantics.  In chapter one of Ahearn “Living Language”, the author explains the “Chomskyan distinction between “competence”, the abstract and usually unconscious knowledge that one has about the rules of a language, and “performance”, the putting into practice – sometimes imperfectly – of those rules” (Ahearn, 2017, Pg. 9). 

The emphasis and approach of Chomsky and other scholars such as De Saussure focused on the theoretical competence of the language and almost ignoring the parole or performance of said language. While it’s apparent that language is greatly influenced by people’s culture, how it’s learned, social relations, and their language ideologies, is impossible to ignore how performance alter the messages, Ahearn (Ch, 1)

In my personal experience being able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing has come with two distinct types of approaches and each form of communications presents two similar struggles for understanding.  When speaking in person with a native English speaker the conversation tends to be less complicated and my approach is more informal and relaxed than when trying to convey my message in writing because face to face feels more warm and familiar.  Although, writing brings other conflicts such as educational level, proper grammar, and assumptions, making this second approach more rigid and methodical is expected.  

Usually, when communicating in person, it doesn’t matter if the conversations reveal my social status, educational level, and personality, since is a customary practice for me to code-mix and codes-switch while speaking and the fact that Spanish is my first language, automatically makes the audience assume my status and objectives, Ahearn (Ch. 7).   Nevertheless, many times, after overlooking my accent, acknowledging my first language, and observing my multimodalities, the person can effortlessly interpret my demeanor, mannerism, verbal cues, and my gestures which often reveal my purpose.   

The truth is “Some ways of speaking tend to get labeled prestigious, while others are stigmatized. Since all languages, dialects, and registers are rule-governed, there is nothing inherent in them that makes some “better” than others, linguistically; these sorts of judgments are made for social, cultural, political, or historical reasons.  For example, in some context in the United States, speaking Spanish is looked down upon, and people who speak Spanish in public are often stigmatized” (Ahearn, 2017, Pg. 144).  It is evident that there is a denunciation of foreign speakers in the United States, making communication more difficult for immigrants and non-native speakers.     

Furthermore, when the communication is in writing, is impossible for me to tell or show the readers my intentions or meaning unless the writing follows all the proper grammatical rules and the notes, blog, or papers are written accurately and free of errors. It’s more difficult to accurately transmit the message when obstacles such as grammatical errors, improper subject composition, incorrect sentence structure, citation mistake, incomplete comparisons, or just a simple cultural term used inaccurately, can completely change the meaning of an essay, letter, or social media blog.  My children often accused me of writing with my accent and it was not clear what they meant until there was an opportunity to looked at previously written work and finding so many grammatical errors and cultural mistake in my writings; however, the meaning, a least for me, was extremely clear regardless of the reader’s interpretation.  

One can say that the simple solution is to study the language deeply until the person can understand it better or just make sure to take the time to write accurately and free of errors; nonetheless, the task is not as simple as it may seem because learning and speaking the English language has been politically and socially stigmatized, making it harder for a diverse immigrants, like myself, to freely immerse in the language without having feelings of guilt or betrayal towards my ancestors and native culture.  Trying to communicate verbally and in writing has been frustrating but at the same time has been the propeller that has pushed me to work hard and to thrive in a culture that often can be judgmental and cruel but accepting and understanding in other occasions.

Thanks,

Brava 😊

Keywords: language, interpretation, meaning, intention, discrimination, competence, parole, abstract, performance, unconscious knowledge. 

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava

Beyond Rhetoric: Analyzing Immigration & Social Inequality

Although the United States was founded on the principles of freedom, liberty, and happiness “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (United States Declaration of Independence 1776), ostensibly this principle, according to a privilege sizeable part of the population, doesn’t apply to every human being, especially those in minority groups.  Regrettably, the quintessence of the land has been built on the proposition of individualism, power, privilege, and racism among others. Throughout the republic’s history and current social framework, inequality and racism can be found in the government, military, public and private institutions, the judicial system, education, socially, and in the media.  Consequently, creating a system of inequality, discrimination, economic imbalance, and prejudice (Kenney 2013).  Equivalent to inequality, immigration in the United States is one of the most controversial, divisive, and unreasonable issue of injustices that undermined the core principle of the nation, despite the fact that the country was founded by immigrants that came to a land occupied by Native Americans thus making the founding fathers and people that migrate from England immigrants (Kubrin, Zats, Martinez 2012). Two major social approaches (objectivist approach & the functionalist approach) are the basis of the debate and it’s important to further analyze the structure and importance of both. 

            Despite evidence of the benefits of immigration in the United States, the controversy surrounding the topic has created a conflict among all citizens regardless of their social class or status. Misinformation and improper data is spread damaging the discussion and negatively impacting viable solutions.  In a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits Division, the department unquestionably elucidates the facts and annihilates the myths surrounding immigration and its benefits while pointing out the plethora of studies on immigration that is overlooked because of all the false information giving to the public which needs to learn facts in order to find a viable solution for the conflict. (U.S Chamber of commerce 2016).  American citizens disdain immigrants in contrast with their claim of inclusion, diversity, justices, and fairness.  To help identify each side of the dissension while pinpointing society injustices it is important to analyze both sociological approaches (functionalism & objectivism) to social problems and immigration.

FUNCTIONALIST APPROACH

            The perspective of the functionalist approach asserts that all parts of society are interconnected, and each actor plays a pivotal role to maintain the balance and social equilibrium of a productive society.  Social problems are conditions that may be cherished by some but considered deviant by others (Fuller & Myers 1941:320) In accordance with functionalism, social problems are necessary for the stability and functions of society and conflicts such as immigration are obligatory to help the economy and balance the labor market while disregarding the negative impact it causes to the individual. Contrary to functionalism, objectivism approaches social problems and immigration from a distinct perspective.

OBJECTIVIST APPROACH

                        The standpoint of objectivism avows that social problems are harmful conditions that are detrimental to individuals in a society. Whether the public is aware or not, social conflicts are part of society and they help create inequalities and injustice even if doesn’t affect all members individually or if is a topic of public controversy).   The objectivist approach considers immigration as a harmful condition that produces inequality and a social imbalance that harms society and can only be remedied by reducing, correcting, or eliminating such social conflict (Jerome G. Manis, Analyzing Social Problems 1976:25).  The difference between both approaches is noticeable because functionalism is individualistic while objectivism is collective.  Nevertheless, the public has been so misinformed about the subject of immigration that in order to help reduce or eliminate all misconceptions the citizenry needs to be re-educated and provided with a new sensitive approach that will benefit all members of society.  Social problems are a challenge for any functional society and if the public is not aware of the facts and only have access to misinformation their approach towards the social conflict such immigration will be erroneous and probably all decisions are made against their own interest.  A very noticeable example of this controversy is the immigration issue, which has been tainted by misinformation, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), a social action that has been keeping a large group of immigrants or dreamers, 800,000.00 approximately, in fear and without any hope of stability or legal status.

DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL (DACA)

            In 2012, then President Obama established an action which will enable some immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children and have attended school in the US to obtain a temporary work permit and avoid deportation for two years but with the ability to further renewal.  On September 5, 2017, the current administration announced the elimination of DACA and opening a new negotiation in Congress to reform the program and eliminating benefits such as chain migration, visa lottery while addressing the current recipient’s status and securing our border (Robertson 2018).  The public perception of DACA has been polarized by misinformation, the media, and politicians in order to alter the facts and continue to use Dreamers as a political tool to obtain other programs, disregarding the lives and future of those immigrants.  The uncertainty of DACA recipients is definitely a social issue that will shape the future of our country either negatively or positively.       

IMMIGRATION FACTS

            The subject matter of immigration is perhaps the most debated topic of the last few decades and it is imperative to elucidate some of the misconceptions by providing a list of facts to eliminate misinformation and false data. A recent study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) debunked some of the false claims about immigration and created a list of few important myths and facts that affect people’s perception of immigrants and the importance of addressing such social conflict.  From the list, few facts were compiled to create this immigration Facts list (ADL 2017)

·         The majority of immigrants living in the United States are living here legally (44 million)

·         Native-born Americans are more likely to commit crimes and become incarcerated than immigrants.

·         Immigrants are not eligible to receive any government assistance because they do not possess a social security and don’t qualify.

·         The majority of immigrants paid a large amount of taxes without qualifying for a return.

·         Hard working immigrants contribute to the economy and help in all areas of technology, medical, legal, and education.

·         A Wall will not prevent illegal immigration because the majority of illegal immigrants come by plane.

·         Most Immigrants are decent respectful people working hard for their families and without any criminal record.

It’s apparent that education is the only smart approach to help eliminate the immigration myths and bring to the conversation facts and verifiable information to the table.  Immigration is the social problem of the century and whether some people agree with the functionalist approach or the objectivity approach which understands social problems are harmful to society and creates inequality, the need for an immigration reform is undeniable and the social consequences of inaction are contra productive to the economy and social advancement of our future.  Programs such as DACA will not only benefit the dreamers but it will also help the Nation’s economy while restoring the core principles of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Key Words: Immigrant, inequality, social injustices, rhetoric

Beyond Rhetoric: Analyzing Immigration & Social Inequality  

References:

Anon. 2016. “Immigration Facts & Myths”. Retrieved

(https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/022851_mythsfacts_2016_report_final.pdf).

Card, D. 2009. “IMMIGRATION AND INEQUALITY”. Retrieved

            (http://www.nber.org/papers/w14683.pdf).

Editorial. 2011. “History of U.S. Immigration Laws | Federation for American

Immigration Reform”. Retrieved (https://fairus.org/legislation/reports-and-analysis/history-of-us-immigration-laws).

Hjelm, T. 2011. Religion and Social Problems. Routledge.

Kenney, N. 2013. “Black America Web”. Retrieved       

(https://blackamericaweb.com/2013/02/06/the-history-of-racial-economic-inequality-part-1-slavery/).

Manis, J. G. 1976. “Analyzing Social Problems / Jerome G. Manis - Details –

            Trove”. Retrieved (https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10903617).

Periodical. 2016. “IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE RIGHTS”. Retrieved

            (https://www.adl.org/education/resources/fact-sheets/myths-and-facts-about-

            immigrants-and-immigration).

Robertson, L. 2018. “The DACA Population Numbers”. Retrieved

            (https://www.factcheck.org/2018/01/daca-population-numbers/).

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava

History of Sex Questionnaire

The History of sex questionnaire. 

1. Who was Giacomo Casanova, and why is he an important figure in the early history of sex? 

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (April 2nd, 1725 – June 4th, 1798) was born in Venice, Italy at the beginning of the 18th century.  Casanova was considered an adventurer, socialite, and an author but was most famous for his many love affairs, sexual encounters, chivalry, and for being a womanizer.  His memoirs are regarded as essential to the understanding of the Victorian social and sexual life. The life of Giacomo was so extreme and he had so many affairs, that he inspired a character in the Mozart opera Don Giovanni. Moreover, his behavior and actions inspired changes in the ideas of morality because he believed that sex was good and it was aligned with God and religion. Casanova wanted to be religious and dedicate his life to the church; however, he was caught in a sex scandal.  Soon after his failed attempt to maybe one day be a pope he became an assistant husband and spent time serving wives of prominent men.   

2. Who was Donatien Alphonse François de Sade, and how did he differ from Casanova? 

Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (June 2nd, 1740 – December 2nd, 1814) was born in Paris, France in the middle of the 19th century. He is well known for his writing of explicit sexuality, violence, and pornography.  He was in jail most of his life because of his deviant behavior and all women he sodomized, abused, and raped.  De Sade was cruel, and the eponym of the word sadism. Sadism which is the act of inflicting pain and violence to feel pleasure.  He differs from Casanova because he was into violence and sexual deviances.  Casanova was a lover De Sade was a cruel sadist who used laced aphrodisiacs such as the “Spanish fly” to rape, torture and hurt women to gain sexual satisfaction.   

3. Describe the sexual mores of colonial American Puritans. 

The colonists escaped England to disassociate themselves from all the sexual deviances and corruption in England at the 17th century.  They believed all children of God were born damned, that all good puritans had to be in control of their actions, and even their thoughts.  Sex was only meant for procreation and any sexual act outside of the marriage was considered a crime.  Many scholars researched the courts in the colonial days and found that many cases involved, incest, bestiality, rape, adultery, even sex in public, were very common. 

4. How did Puritans attempt to discover paternity when an unwed woman became pregnant? 

In order to discover paternity, the Puritans used a method called twelve angry women which consist of twelve puritan women gathered around a pregnant woman who doesn’t want to reveal the name of the man who impregnated her.  They will wait for the pregnant women to be in labor and while in pain the angry women would question and demand the mother to tell them who the father is.     

5. How did Native American sexuality, gender roles, and marriage customs compare with that of the colonial Americans? 

 Native Americans married for love and had sex for pleasure.  Sex was viewed as “a vital natural life force” (history of sex video) Gender roles vary from tribe to tribe.  In some tribes, there was male dominance and in others, women held the most power.  Natives were very different because they did not find sexuality as a sin like a colonist did.  Their religion was nature. 

 Describe the nature of traditional African sexuality and gender roles. 

The Africans had similar views of sexuality as the native Americans. They believed sexuality and procreation to be two different matters.  They enjoyed sexual interactions with their partners and considered sex powerful.  Africans instructed their youth about sex as early as eleven-year-old and the lessons included dances and rituals that mimic sex.  Women and men were expected to keep virgin until married and some women after reaching womanhood, went through a cruel and painful procedure called clitoridectomy.  The procedure consisted in mutilating the young woman genitals (cutting her clitoris) to prevented her for having sexual desires and remain virgin until marriage. Furthermore, some tribes will practice the ritual because they believed it would be beneficial for the women in terms of marriage. They will expect an increment in the woman fertility and that it will make her more complete.  Romantic love was reserved for close friends and sexuality was for the husband or wife. Women held the same status of man in many tribes.  Women will even in some instances acquire wives of their own.  This was platonic business arrangements that will allow the primary wife to gain status in their patrilineal community. Men and woman can act as a husband until the colonist change all that and took all those rights from women.  

7. Describe middle-class marriage during the Victorian Era. What “spheres” did Victorian men and women operate in?  

The middle class grew in the Victorian era but they judged the behavior of the aristocrat calling them immoral, deviant, and sinful. When Victoria rise to power everything changed.  She was a puritan virgin who married her true love Albert and they had a non-conventional relationship where they were devoted to each other and their children.  Middle-class marriage was categorized in spheres public and private.  Men belong in the public sphere because they were the breadwinners and when out into the world to provide for their mate.  Women were constantly in the private sphere taking care the children and house. Sex was unhealthy and masturbation was evil.  A wife had to be frigid and only enthusiastic about children and home. 

8. What is the common tradition that emerged during this time frame? Is it good or bad? 

The common tradition that the emerge from that time frame is the taboo of sex.  Sex is evil and masturbation is a sin. Our own tradition dictates that women should be home raising kids while men should be out working been the breadwinners. Women are demonized and always questioned. Pornography is secretive.  It is bad that we still see sex as something dirty and women are not treated equally. 

9. What did the healthy, upstanding Victorian male do for sex? 

They used pornography and prostitution.  Some had mistresses called courtesans like a second wife and these women were considered first-class prostitutes.  There will also be other class systems of prostitutes, brothel workers, and even purchase children.  Regardless of all venereal diseases, they used prostitution as a way of fulfilling their sexual desires.  

10. Is the Victorian era influential today? In what way? 

I believe those taboo still remain in our culture because the continued presence of religion which demonized sexuality.  Women still are unequal to men regardless of all the advancement and progress.  Moreover, as a culture, we are too influenced by religion and television and we live our life’s with contradictions and fears of what is bad or what is good.  We marry for love and also monetary convenience and our culture have some set expectations of gender roles. 

Thanks, 

Brava <3 span="">

"Life is the result of our choices" - Brava