Political Justice: Extra Credit assignment

Based on the lyrics of Johnson's "Black National Anthem" and the "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," write a short entry about how Johnson views the relationship between racial identity and political justice.

                James Weldon Johnson, best known for his fictional novel, “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, and The Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” was a creative writer, black leader, lawyer, diplomat and executive secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He explores and exposes the nature of racial identity and its connection to political justice through his novel and his music.

                I believe Johnson’s music was greatly influenced by African American music. The Negro National Anthem portrays a sense of nationalism that is not only felt by African Americans but the global community. In his novel, he talks about rag-music and how it is an international form of music that is pleasing for both Americans and Europeans. Though I believe that he feels a form of racial identity with the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” I want to say that there is a form of nationality. There is much controversy about the American National Anthem and Negro national Anthem and I would like to know Johnson’s view on that. From the book and the song, I get the constant interpretation that his music and his book for the general audience, not only for the African American race group.

                Political justice is greatly exposed in Johnson’s novel. I believe the point that he was trying to get across is that if there was some form of justice for African Americans, the ending tragedy of his book would not have occurred. In the end, Johnson’s narrator assimilated into a white man and though he is ashamed of it, he still thinks that it was the right decision. The only reason that he may feel so is because he thinks there is no justice for African Americans. He does not want his children to fight for the same injustice that he was been fighting for. Therefore, for their wellbeing, he decides to forget his African American roots

I feel that growing up in New York City has affected the person that I am today. The class distinctions and racial distinctions were never apparent in New York City. I went to high school with people from a variety of backgrounds and I feel that I would have not gained this experience if I lived somewhere else.  I also feel that growing up in New York City made me aware what I wanted to do in life and how I should go on to pursue it. People are always in a rush in New York City, they are in this never ending race. I too feel that life is a race and it is all about the competition. Whoever gets to the finish lines wins. Therefore, New York City has taught me that I need to know from the beginning what my goals are and strive to achieve them as soon as possible. I identify with New York City greatly. I feel that I will never find a home as homey as New York City.

2.       Positive identities:

                I believe in the American dream and the American constitution. I believe that with hard work and dedication, anyone can reach the top of the social class. I feel that America is the land of opportunities. I am aware that Americans have committed some injustice under the name of the constitution but I feel that America is able to admit its faults. Even though my parents are not American (they are Indian), I only identify as an American.  This is because I grew up in the United States and the only language that I speak the best is English and the only language that I know how to write in is English. While I still have conservative and traditional parents who passed down their traditions to me, I feel that I am still an America.

                I am also a practicing Muslim which greatly affects my daily life, my ethics and morals, and my relationships. I feel that following Islam has made me more aware of my surroundings and taught me to appreciate the little things in life. I believe religion is a form of comfort and it helps you focus. Even though religion is an organized system, it provides you with moralities and gives you a purpose. There has been many times when I was confused about the role I play in society and in life. Though it was not only religion, the ideas of Islam helped me understand that there was more to life than the apparent picture in front of me. This is one of the reasons I wear the hijab. I want people to know that I am a Muslim from the first second they see me. I dislike that it comes with some stereotypical views. However, I feel that it is my duty to educate others about my religion and who I am aside from my religion.

3.       False stereotypes about collective identities:

                Being American comes with the stereotype that Americans are heartless and only care about their profit. When I went back to India after eight years, my cousins told me that they look down on Americans because Americans do not understand family values and have a high divorce rate. I feel that while the statistics may argue that Americans are unable to complete long marriage relationships, every American should not be judged this way. My cousin went on to explain that he thinks I will live a life as a robot that works all day and does not have time to enjoy the fruits of her work. I completely disagree with him because I feel that working hard makes you more cautious and confident about enjoying the fruits of your work. Therefore, the problem is not that American only care about their profit. Americans are just more confident in the way their present themselves.

                Today’s political and global issues target Muslims as being terrorists. This idea never crossed my mind since I was raised in New York and this was never a problem. Until, recently one of my friends saw my id card and said “dude you look like a terrorist.” Though the comment was as a joke, I took it pretty seriously wondering if this was the stereotype that people associated me with. Though I have never been confronted about this situation, I believe that the idea still lingers around people who do not know me. They must already prejudge me for being some form of fundamentalist with views about bombing building. I am depressed to think that the first impression that people have of me is that I might bomb them. However, I feel that if American Muslims go out of their way to explain to non-Muslims the ideas of Islam and how it is a huge sin to murder is Islam, people might change their ideas. While being a terrorist is a false stereotype, I feel that I am scared by this assumption. 

Orin Pramanik

1.      

I feel that growing up in New York City has affected the person that I am today. The class distinctions and racial distinctions were never apparent in New York City. I went to high school with people from a variety of backgrounds and I feel that I would have not gained this experience if I lived somewhere else.  I also feel that growing up in New York City made me aware what I wanted to do in life and how I should go on to pursue it. People are always in a rush in New York City, they are in this never ending race. I too feel that life is a race and it is all about the competition. Whoever gets to the finish lines wins. Therefore, New York City has taught me that I need to know from the beginning what my goals are and strive to achieve them as soon as possible. I identify with New York City greatly. I feel that I will never find a home as homey as New York City.

2.       Positive identities:

                I believe in the American dream and the American constitution. I believe that with hard work and dedication, anyone can reason the top of the social class. I feel that America is the land of opportunities. I am aware that Americans have committed some injustice under the name of the constitution but I feel that America is able to admit its faults. Even though my parents are not America (they are Indian), I only identify as an American.  This is because I grew up in the United States and the only language that I speak the best is English and the only language that I know how to write in is English. While I still have conservative and traditional parents who passed down their traditions to me, I feel that I am still an America.

                I am also a practicing Muslim which greatly affects my daily life, my ethics and morals, and my relationships. I feel that following Islam has made me more aware of my surroundings and taught me to appreciate the little things in life. I believe religion is a form of comfort and it helps you focus. Even though religion is an organized system, it provides you with moralities and gives you a purpose. There has been many times when I was confused about the role I play in society and in life. Though it was not only religion, the ideas of Islam helped me understand that there was more to life than the apparent picture in front of me. This is one of the reasons I wear the hijab. I want people to know that I am a Muslim from the first second they see me. I dislike that it comes with some stereotypical views. However, I feel that it is my duty to educate others about my religion and who I am aside from my religion.

3.       False stereotypes about collective identities:

                Being American comes with the stereotype that Americans are heartless and only care about their profit. When I went back to India after eight years, my cousins told me that they look down on Americans because Americans do not understand family values and have a high divorce rate. I feel that while the statistics may argue that Americans are unable to complete long marriage relationships, every American should not be judged this way. My cousin went on to explain that he thinks I will live a life as a robot that works all day and does not have time to enjoy the fruits of her work. I completely disagree with him because I feel that working hard makes you more cautious and confident about enjoying the fruits of your work. Therefore, the problem is not that American only care about their profit. Americans are just more confident in the way their present themselves.

                Today’s political and global issues target Muslims as being terrorists. This idea never crossed my mind since I was raised in New York and this was never a problem. Until, recently one of my friends saw my id card and said “dude you look like a terrorist.” Though the comment was as a joke, I took it pretty seriously wondering if this was the stereotype that people associated me with. Though I have never been confronted about this situation, I believe that the idea still lingers around people who do not know me. They must already prejudge me for being some form of fundamentalist with views about bombing building. I am depressed to think that the first impression that people have of me is that I might bomb them. However, I feel that if American Muslims go out of their way to explain to non-Muslims the ideas of Islam and how it is a huge sin to murder is Islam, people might change their ideas. While being a terrorist is a false stereotype, I feel that I am scared by this assumption.