African Americans Essay Example for Free

African Americans Essay African Americans have a unique history as well as culture. Their history in the United States is greatly influenced and shaped by the events in the last three centuries. A period that would shape their destiny, their interactions as well as their orientation to most important events in life. The United States census figures put the number of African Americans at over thirty-eight millions in 2005. Of this population, over 55% of them reside in the metropolitan areas with cities like Chicago and New York being the homes to a huge majority of African Americans A close look at the African Americans in relation to the rest of their white counterparts reveals that they are disadvantaged in various aspects. This can only be understood by focusing at the underlying causes of this, key being the century’s discrimination and oppression meted out against the blacks by the successive regimes up to the period that the civil rights movement stepped up its calls for equality and political rights. African Americans had been for long subjected to slavery especially in the southern states. The end of slavery brought forth systemic discrimination where they were treated as second class citizens especially after the introduction of the Jim Crow laws that institutionalized racism. This is what is seen to be the cause behind the impoverished lot amongst the African Americans with 24. 7% of this population living in abject poverty. The group also remains disadvantaged in the education sector, health, housing as well as having the highest crime rates in the United States. Since the enactment of civil rights legislation, the African Americans population has made considerable steps towards improving their economic status largely narrowing the huge discrepancies that exist. This has been marked by the expansion of the African American middle class. Unlike in other ethnic groups like the white; there is parity across the gender amongst the blacks. Income levels in America are tilted to the disfavor of African Americans. This is largely seen as being linked to the inability to access other vital resources such as education and jobs. Speculative figures have it that over three quarter of African Americans aged above the age of 25 have not gone to college and hence do not possess college diplomas. By the turn of the century, over a third of the African American population living in the big cities was without employment compared to their white counterparts; this figure has not changed much (Brandon S, 1984). Life expectancy of the African American group compares unfavorably with that of the whites a fact exacerbated by the lack of medical and proper provision of health facilities. With a significant proportion of African Americans lacking medical care and proper provision of health facilities; with a significant proportion of African American having a low level of income and being unemployed, and with the united states lacking a universal health care system , African Americans are badly placed in terms of health facilities access. They are also at a higher risk of succumbing to chronic diseases as well as pandemics such as HIV aids. Statistics have it that of all people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 2001 and 2005, over half of them were African Americans. Cities that contain large populations of African Americans such as Washington DC contain the highest rates of HIV infections. African Americans have maintained a deep sense of religiosity this has been passed on from the days of slavery. Known as black churches, they have played a pivotal role in the struggle for blacks to acquire and consolidate civil and political rights. Majority of the evangelists have ended up as political figures playing a crucial role in the American civil rights movement.

The Paradox of Perfection :: Free Essay Writer

The Paradox of Perfection In 1980, Arlene Skolnick’s â€Å"The Paradox of Perfection† was published in Wilson Quarterly around the time when the â€Å"ideal family† was highly regarded. The article expresses the idea that the perfect family dose not exist. This essay is a prime example of how society views on what a family should be, subconsciously affects the behavior and attitude of the average family. As a psychologist from University of California, Skolnick presents her views through a series of historical contexts and statistics. Skolnick ironically exemplifies through the media that the picture perfect family is nothing more than a myth; in other words she uses the media concepts of a family as a foothold to convey her thoughts. Although the article was written more than 20 years ago, Skolnick views projects a future representation of society and how their portrayal of the â€Å"ideal family† has not change. The essay covers an array of periods; a historical view to give a background to the essay, a present view to elaborate her thoughts and a future outlook to tie it all together. Through this process, the reader is able to follow and understand the author’s views, which are refurbished by historical evidence. Skolnick stated in the beginning of her essay, â€Å"Can the family be at once a cherished â€Å"value† and a trouble institution,† (paragraph 4) as a way to establish her agreement. The statement basically means that what was once thought as the ideal family is now the main reason for typical families’ downfall. Through a variety of metaphorical strategies, Skolnick is able to support her claims; the media and other image of the perfect family is an unrealistic model that average family use as a form of comparison. The author first address a general audience with her opening statement, which states the divorce rates, births out-of-wedlock, and presents a down to earth impression that captures any reads’ attention. Even though Skolnick is psychologist, she is able to express her views in a matter that appeals to the general-mass. I am able to understand and agree with Skolnick’s arguments to a point, due to the fact that I have lived in two different cultures and therefore able to appreciate her ideals. I can see why the author believes so strongly in her arguments because it is easily seen that the American life-hood is bases on the output from the media and a collection of society’s regulations that force the average man to behave in a certain matter.

Good Morning, Life! Essay

Good Morning, Miss Dove, is a novel narrating the story of an elementary school teacher, who later in her life will suffer from an illness that would require her to undergo a life-threatening surgery. This bestseller was written by Frances Gray Patton. Life during the time of Miss Dove, was far more simple and serene. She has ruled the classroom for decades enforcing strict rules. Such rules reflect her humor-less, no-nonsense and stern personality. After all, she was more popularly known as â€Å"the terrible Miss Dove. † She epitomizes gentility and wisdom. She leads by example. Reflecting a dramatic event in life, the children she once mentored are now in turn at her service as her doctors and nurses. Events turned nostalgic as she began to see her students again, this time as adults concerned about the health of their second mother. Her students were taught to live abiding by strict rules. She instilled in them that life’s everyday challenges can be approached just by using one’s common sense. These are practical rules. When practiced, it would certainly make our lives easier and more worth it. Life is complex in itself. Let us not add to its complexities by making our lives harder than it really is. Life is a learning ground. It is a huge classroom of endless learning. And we must all aim to graduate life with honors. Miss Dove is like any other parent proud of the fruits of her labor. She cared enough to trace the path she wanted her students to take. When payback day begins to dawn, the wind beneath our wings deserves credit. Echoing the voices of all the other pupils of Liberty Hill, let us thank this lady for teaching us life’s valuable lessons, in the manner that seemed like a live movie happening right before our eyes.

Education and Schools in Texas

Every state adheres to a different set of rules and regulations regarding education.  State governments seem to take varying approaches on almost every education and school-related piece of legislation.  Hot issues such as standardized testing, charter schools, teacher certification, and school vouchers are handled differently in each state.  This profile focuses on education and schools in Texas. District/School Information Texas Commissioner of Education: Mike Morath Length of School Year: A minimum of 75,600 minutes is required by Texas state law.******* Number of Public School Districts: There are 1,200 public school districts in Texas.******* Number of Public Schools: There are 8,759 public schools in Texas.******* Number of Students Served in Public Schools: There are 5,385,012 public school students in Texas.******* Number of Teachers in Public Schools: There were 362,193 public school teachers in Texas in 2017-2018.******* Number of Charter Schools: There are 177 charter schools in Texas.******* Per Pupil Spending: Texas spends $9,352 per pupil in public education. **** Average Class Size: The average class size in Texas is 15.1 students per 1 teacher.******* Percentage of Title I Schools: 79.7% of schools in Texas are Title I Schools.**** Percentage With Individualized Education Programs (IEP): 8.9% of students in Texas are on IEPs.**** Percentage in Limited-English Proficiency Programs: 17.2% of students in Texas are in limited-English Proficient Programs.**** Percentage of Student Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunches: 58.9% of students in Texas schools are eligible for free/reduced lunches.**** Ethnic/Racial Student Breakdown:**** White: 28.1% Black: 12.6% Hispanic: 52.4% Asian: 4.2% Pacific Islander: 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native: 0.4% Two or more races: 2.2% School Assessment Data Graduation Rate: 89.7% of all students entering high school in Texas graduate.******* Average ACT/SAT scores: Average ACT Composite Score: 20.7*** Average Combined SAT Score: 1032***** 2017 Grade 8 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessment scores:**** Math: 282 is the scaled score for 8th-grade students in Texas. The U.S. average was 282. Reading: 260 is the scaled score for 8th-grade students in Texas. The U.S. average was 265. Percentage of Students Who Enrolled in College After High School: 58.7% of students in Texas went on to attend some level of college in 2014.* Six-Year College Graduation Rate: 60.9% of public university students in Texas graduates within six years.***** Private Schools Number of Private Schools: There are 1,330 private schools in Texas.** Number of Students Served in Private Schools: There are 194,576 private school students in Texas.** Homeschooling Number of Students Served Through Homeschooling: There were 142,993 students that were home-schooled in Texas in 2017.# Teacher Pay The average teacher pay for the state of Texas was $54,122 in 2018.******* The state of Texas has a teacher’s minimum salary schedule. However, some districts may negotiate salaries with their teachers.    *Data courtesy of NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis **Data courtesy of Texas Private School Accreditation Commission ***Data courtesy of ACT ****Data courtesy of the National Center for Education Statistics *****Data courtesy of College Board ******Data courtesy of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board *******Data courtesy of Texas Education Agency #Data courtesy of A2ZHomeschooling.com ##Disclaimer:  The information provided on this page changes frequently.  It will be updated regularly as new information and data becomes available.