Final Blog Prompt

My Writing Journey: From Struggling Student to Confident Blogger

From Paper Struggles to Blog Success

In high school I was taught to write 3 page papers on a topic I didn't really know that much about. I was never good at writing papers or using my original thoughts. I often would zone out and when I had a good thought to type about I would instantly forget it before writing it. Even though I did go to private school and they taught me how to write big papers properly, I would still struggle with the thought of writing a long paper because it was very time consuming and boring.

Blog Post

Many times I found it hard to keep talking about a boring topic that sounded repetitive in my writing and when I had to add more information to my paper. When I entered Mr. Smith's class this summer I found a sense of happiness because I would get a headstart on my writing. I hoped that by the end of this course I could be efficient with my time when writing and also learn the do's and don't's of writing.

When writing my blogs I learned not only how to control my time management, gain creative writing skills and organization skills, but also how to have fun with my work. I feel like the blog posts have shaped my writing significantly because I learned that you can get so much information from a short blog which could be beneficial to research.

What DIS1000 and Summer Advantage Taught Me

This class has taught me so many things that I will use in the future like learning how to use AI properly, learning how to connect with my peers, feeling more confident during oral presentations, and learning how and why blog posts are important. Before entering this class I had no clue how to use AI properly because in the past it was seen as a source of cheating so I was always scared to use it. Now that I finished this course, not only am I more comfortable with using AI but I also know how to properly use it instead of using it and getting flagged for plagiarism. 

Throughout the class I learned that public speaking is very important and how you represent yourself. The way you present shows your character, the way you perceive information, and your attitude towards your learning.                                                                                         

Summer Advantage Picture

The Fun of Mock Trials

Within this course what I thought was the funnest part was when we did the Mock Trials. I learned so much from it like how to properly speak to a "court room" full of people. I felt like the mock trails were the funnest part of the class. I found it exciting when we had to dress up nice and give a real presentation as if we were talking in a court. I hope to do a presentation like that again in the future.

Mock Trial Picture

Learning Through Movies

As someone who really likes watching movies, I enjoyed every movie day we had on Friday's. I think it was very beneficial and it enhanced my learning to watch a movie on a topic we just had a week of discussion about. By watching the films I felt like it wrapped up the topic we were learning in class because it showed how movies portrayed racism. I believe movies can be a good way of teaching to spark reflection and discussion because I feel like it brings topics together of what we learned throughout the course. Instead of just hearing about topics in our history we were also watching it and how people were perceived during that time. 

Movie Theater Picture

Final Thoughts

Overall I'm really glad I took this course because I feel like I learned a lot of key takeaways in writing that will not only help me in my four years of college but also in life.

Source: I used Claude. AI to help me organize my blog.

Heat of The Night

In the Heat of The Night: Analysis Blog

The Failure of Separate but Equal

The film lied to that prediction because in the movie they did live separate from another but by being separate it did not equal a utopia. It rather showed the opposite which was creating a more segregated society.

The concept of "separate but equal" did not work out for the people of Sparta because Black people were still constantly faced with discrimination, suspicion, and disrespect. The system was designed to help people like Virgil Tibbs but as seen in the movie he was still faced with racism even as a police officer.

In the Heat of The Night Picture

Fighting the System

You fight an entire racist system when you're just one person by sticking up for yourself just as Virgil Tibbs did. The famous scene where he slaps Eric Edicott shows that he is not afraid of white people and even if there were consequences by doing it. It represents the power imbalance in that era.

The Evolving Friendship

The evolving friendship between Tibbs and Chief Gillespie grew enormously throughout the film. It changed overtime because Chief Gillespie saw that Tibbs was very useful to solving the case. It showed that he was a good detective regardless of his race which Chief Gillespie didn't believe at first.

Their relationship reflects the changes in the broader society that were under way at that time because people were still racist even though African Americans were granted their freedom with the 13th amendment.

Personal Reflection

When looking back on the movie, it left me in an up-positive feeling. It brought me joy seeing that Tibbs and Chief Gillespie put their differences aside and worked together. I loved seeing the on-going friendship that they built throughout the movie.

Tibbs and Chief Gillespie

Women in the Jim Crow South

Women in the Jim Crow South were treated differently. Black women were still being raced with racism meanwhile, white women had privileges that black women didn't but they did have limited rights. Women were still seen as housekeepers and useful to staying home with the children.

Mrs. Colbert, Delores Purdy and Mamma Caleba didn't strike me as being separate but equal. Mrs. Colbert had the most privilege and protection as a white woman. She was given respect by the police and her grief was prioritized. Delores Purdy had some privilege that protected her from the worst treatment. Mama Caleba had no social standing. She was at the bottom of the pyramid where she had no protection against any harm.

The Symbolic Slap Scene

The scene in the nursery where Mr. Endicott getting slapped was a pivotal moment that represented that the old south was gone. When Tibbs slapped him back it broke Endicott's view of Blacks having authority over him. This is pivotal symbolically because Endicott represents the old south and what they believed in. On the other hand Tibbs represents the freedom of Black's. He started crying not just because of the physical shock that went through his body but also the collapse of a man that once had authority over Black's that had just fallen apart.

Reproductive Rights

Women were forced to deal with the issue that has come to be called "reproductive rights" in this era very differently. Mrs. Colbert could easily access medical care because of her connections and money from her husband. Delores Purdy was faced with illegal procedures and limited birth control. Mama Caleba had no help in anything, she had no resources and was very vulnerable.

White Men and the System

In a system that is supposed to be protecting the privileged white men in society, they did not strike me as privileged because they were being constantly accused of murder. Sam was put into immediate suspicion because he went a different route than he normally does. This caused the chief to immediately think he was suspicious. Harvey faced immediate suspicion and arrest just because he escaped prison. Ralph the real murderer was never suspected because he was a normal working class nobody.

Source: I used Claude.AI to help me organize my blog 

EOTO Reaction

Defining Moments That Changed America: The Negatives and Positives of Brown v. Board of Education

Negatives: The Birmingham Church Bombing

On the morning of September 15, 1963, as families gathered for Sunday worship, an act of unthinkable terror would forever change American history. It was the day four innocent children became martyrs for a cause they were too young to fully understand.

The victims were 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-old girls Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley. These young girls were all in the basement of the church getting ready for Sunday school when their lives were tragically ended by a bomb set off by Ku Klux Klan members. The explosion also injured 20 people inside the church.

The death of the four girls had such an impact on the community that over 8,000 people showed up to the little girls' funeral. These deaths became a symbol of innocence being destroyed by hatred—a stark reminder of how far hatred could reach.

The Mississippi Murders: When Justice Was Compromised

The murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner revealed the extreme violence that civil rights workers endured, altering how America viewed the struggle. The three men were working together to register black voters and investigate the burning of the Mount Zion Methodist Church on June 21, 1964.

Later, the three activists drove to investigate the church burning. Upon their return, the group was stopped by Deputy Sheriff Price for speeding. This routine traffic stop was an orchestrated plan involving local law enforcement and the Ku Klux Klan.

The investigation revealed that James Chaney, the only African American among the three men, was beaten more severely than his companions before being killed. This demonstrated how local law enforcement could be completely compromised by white supremacist ideology and revealed the inadequacy of federal protection for civil rights workers. It wasn't until 41 years later that Edgar Ray Killen was finally convicted of manslaughter by the state court.

James Chaney

Standing at the Schoolhouse Door: Defiance in Alabama

One of the most shameful moments in American Civil Rights history became known as "standing at the schoolhouse door." Alabama Governor George Wallace stood at the doorway of the University of Alabama's Foster Auditorium to block two black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, from enrolling.

This was a deliberate act of defiance against federal law and basic human dignity. Nine years earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregated schools were unconstitutional. The costs were harassment, threats, and isolation for students. This contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. While Wallace intended to preserve segregation, his actions ultimately helped destroy it by exposing its moral bankruptcy.

Positives: The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 delivered sweeping changes across multiple sectors of American life. Most significantly, it outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in public accommodations. This meant that restaurants, hotels, theaters, and other businesses could no longer legally refuse service based on these characteristics.

It ended legal segregation and employment discrimination. It created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and provided better access to education for blacks. This was one of the first steps to changing social norms across the nation.

Breaking Barriers: Shirley Chisholm's Trailblazing Path

Shirley Chisholm was a woman who broke barriers, defied expectations, and paved the way for generations of leaders to come. She was born on November 30th, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents who had immigrated from Barbados. From a young age, Shirley became determined to create change.

She became the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress. She didn't run for attention—she ran to create change and open doors for others who would follow.

Shirley Chisholm

Federal Force for Integration: JFK's Stand

JFK used federal marshals and troops to enforce James Meredith's enrollment at the University of Mississippi. JFK very much disliked segregation, as he once said every American should enjoy the privileges of being an American. Using law enforcement, he used force to help James Meredith gain access to higher education.

Meredith was an African American looking for higher education who then moved to Alabama to protect those during integration. Using his persuasive personality,  JFK was able to help dismantle segregation through federal intervention.

Source: I used Claude.AI to organize my blog

3rd Klansville USA

The Rise and Fall of North Carolina's Ku Klux Klan

The history of North Carolina shows the wrath of the Ku Klux Klan. It started after the Reconstruction Era to maintain white supremacy. It used violence to oppress Black Americans and others supporting civil rights, evolving into a nationwide hate group.

The Grand Dragon's Vision

The state's head Klansman, known as the grand dragon Bob Jones, was facing a possible prison sentence, putting the future of the Ku Klux Klan itself on the line. Jones dreamed of building the Klan into an organization with political legitimacy. He understood that the Klan's goals and appeal relied heavily on its militants and hecklers. When they began taunting a group of Black activists on the balcony, Jones ordered them to stop.

As the most successful grand dragon in the country, he had grown the North Carolina Klan from a handful of friends to about 10,000 members in just three years, surpassing the clans of all other southern states combined. In doing so, Jones helped give the most progressive state in the South a new nickname: Clansville USA.

Ku Klux Klan

A Voice for the Disaffected

During the 1960s, there were no politicians voicing concerns for North Carolina's white working class, particularly those worried about racial integration. The Klan emerged as the organization that could serve as a spokesperson for people who felt their way of life was under threat. Jones recognized this sentiment and capitalized on it, positioning the Klan as a voice for those who believed their values and lifestyles were being challenged in a rapidly changing society.

Rallies and Family Gatherings

In the summer of 1964, Bob Jones held scores of rallies open to whites only across North Carolina. People of all ages gathered in cow pastures and cornfields. For many of these people, it was a family gathering, a source of entertainment. This would bring people together because of their similar beliefs.

A Deadly Association

On May 15, 1965, Jones and Dorset flaunted their disdain for federal authority by hosting the Klansman accused of killing Viola Liuu. A crowd of 6,000 people turned out. Matt Murphy introduced the three men indicted for the murder of civil rights worker Ms. Viola Li. When the CBS report aired, the Carolina Klan had found themselves relatively insulated from the deadly acts of violence that had really dogged the Klan in the deeper South.

Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina

The Fall

Jones later was convicted of contempt of congress for refusing to produce Klan records and in 1969 he was sentenced to a year in federal prison. Later hundreds of Jones members joined Dorset, but the new group fell apart because he was not cut out to be a leader. By then, the North Carolina clan had dwindled to a fraction of its former size.

Legacy of Regret

Jones and the Carolina clan were not able to achieve any of their major goals. They weren't able to maintain segregation in a formal legal sense, but Jones was able to mobilize people around racial ideas in a way that was durable. Some people would live the rest of their lives regretting those three or four years of being part of the clan.

Source: I used Claude.ai to organize my blog.

Brown V Board of Education

OPENING- ESTABLISH YOUR POSITION

"Your Honors, I stand before you today as counsel for the plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education. While my colleagues have eloquently presented the constitutional and moral imperatives for ending segregated education, I come before this Court to demonstrate that segregation is not merely a violation of our highest legal principles - it is an economic catastrophe that is systematically destroying the prosperity of entire regions and undermining America's competitive position in the world.

The doctrine of 'separate but equal' established in Plessy v. Ferguson has proven to be neither separate nor equal, and today I will show you that it is economically unsustainable, fiscally irresponsible, and fundamentally destructive to American economic growth."

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FISCAL INEFFICIENCY

"Your Honors, let us begin with the most basic economic reality: segregated school systems are a massive waste of taxpayer money. In every Southern state, we are funding two complete educational infrastructures where one would suffice.

Consider the duplication: two sets of school buildings, two complete administrative hierarchies, two transportation systems, two sets of textbooks, two maintenance staffs, two of everything. In Alabama, our research shows that per-pupil costs in segregated districts are 40% higher than in integrated Northern districts. In South Carolina, where young Linda Brown would attend school, they're spending nearly twice as much per student to maintain separation as integrated districts spend to educate all children together.

This is not merely inefficient - it is economically reckless. At a time when America needs every educational dollar invested wisely, segregated states are squandering millions on bureaucratic duplication. Tax dollars that could be improving educational quality are instead wasted on maintaining artificial divisions."

Brown V Board of Education

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IMPACT

"But Your Honors, the economic damage extends far beyond education budgets. Segregation is actively deterring the business investment that Southern states desperately need for economic modernization.

Northern manufacturers, when considering plant locations, increasingly view segregated communities as economically backward and socially unstable. Just last month, three major industrial prospects told Southern governors they would not locate facilities in segregated areas. These companies understand that modern industry requires the best talent regardless of race, and segregated communities signal an unwillingness to embrace economic progress.

The South is being systematically excluded from the industrial revolution transforming American commerce. While Northern and Western states attract high-tech industries with educated, integrated workforces, segregated regions remain trapped in low-wage, agricultural economies. Every day this Court delays action is another day of lost investment, lost jobs, and lost economic opportunity."

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HUMAN CAPITAL WASTE

"Perhaps most devastating of all, Your Honors, is the catastrophic waste of human resources. Segregation doesn't just separate children - it systematically prevents the full development of America's most precious resource: human talent.

By denying African American children equal educational opportunities, segregated states are deliberately creating an undereducated workforce. At the same time, these same states desperately need engineers, doctors, teachers, and skilled professionals. We are creating artificial scarcity of talent while our economic competitors develop their full human potential.

Consider the absurdity: a brilliant African American student in South Carolina, denied access to quality education, cannot become the engineer desperately needed by local industry. Meanwhile, that same industry struggles to find qualified workers and considers relocating to states with better-educated populations. This is not just morally wrong - it is economically suicidal."

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NATIONAL COMPETITVENESS

"Your Honors, America faces unprecedented global competition. Our economic rivals are mobilizing their entire populations for industrial and technological advancement. We cannot afford to deliberately waste the talents of millions of our citizens.

Segregated educational systems produce workers unprepared for an increasingly complex, industrialized world. While our competitors develop unified, skilled workforces, we handicap ourselves with artificial barriers that prevent the efficient allocation of human resources. This puts not just the South, but all of America at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy."

Brown V Board of Education

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CLOSING ARGUMENT

"Your Honors, the economic evidence is overwhelming and undeniable. Segregated education is bankrupting the South through wasteful duplication, deterring vital business investment, squandering our most precious resource - human talent - and making entire regions economically uncompetitive.

We respectfully urge this Court to recognize that justice demands integration, but economic survival demands it even more urgently. The prosperity of millions of Americans, the economic future of entire states, and America's competitive position in the world hang in the balance.

The Constitution requires equal protection, but economic reality demands it. We ask this Court to end this economic catastrophe and restore sanity to American education. Thank you."

Mock Trial Reaction

Plessy v. Ferguson: A Case Study in Constitutional Rights and Segregation

The case under consideration today is Plessy v. Ferguson. Homer Plessy, an African American man of mixed heritage who was one-eighth Black, was deliberately selected by the legal team due to his light complexion. His appearance allowed him to access privileges typically reserved for white individuals that were denied to people of color. This landmark case called into question state legislation and raised constitutional issues regarding the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Religious and Moral Foundations

The Bible says that everyone is equal and it demands the inherent dignity of all people. Most of America's decisions throughout this time period were based on Christian values. Segregation is considered unjust and The Golden Rule states "treat others how you would want to be treated."

Historical Context After the Civil War

The history after the Civil war was to destroy the unequal system. There was an act called The Separate Car Act where whites and blacks had to hop on different train cars. The Separate Car Act maintained public order without violating constitutional rights. African Americans in Louisiana were not considered citizens but they were paying taxes. This was a form of taxation without representation.

Then the thirteenth amendment ended slavery statute. This stated that all citizens should have equal rights no matter their skin color. After this Plessy suffered immediate harm which violates the protection under the fourteenth amendment.

Economic Considerations

Segregation in railroads boosts profits and attracts northern investments. It preserves property values, economic stability, and aligns with natural social preferences. As there was racial segregation on railroads, the case examines separate but equal railroad accommodations for different races.

Constitutional Questions

The Bill of rights doesn't contemplate having two classes. The types of laws in the Bill of Rights are created in the caste system. A law that denied blacks from being in a court room denied their rights. You can question where the argument ends because it can be about religion too. Congress can't rule over a case like the Dred Scott case.

The Plessy v. Ferguson case remains a pivotal moment in American legal history, highlighting the tension between constitutional rights, economic interests, and social practices of the era.

Legal Arguments and Implications

Mr. Barnes argued the relevance of the 1878 hall case in state law context. The court ruled against state law restricting freedom of association affecting interstate commerce. It forced integration risks boycott, business disruption, and decreased investment due to instability. The economic activity can increase despite concerns of negative community effects.

Defending Segregation: Historical Legal Arguments

During the civil rights era, Louisiana and other states defended segregation through three key arguments. First, they claimed segregation maintained public order and safety, preventing social unrest. Second, they argued "separate but equal" facilities satisfied constitutional requirements as long as quality was comparable. Third, some invoked religious justification, claiming the Bible supported social order and hierarchy.

Defenders pointed to Sunday worship as evidence that segregation was natural, noting people of different religions gathered separately. However, this confound voluntary religious association with government-mandated racial separation.

The "separate but equal" doctrine, established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), was ultimately struck down in Brown v. Board of Education (1954). The Supreme Court recognized that separation itself created inequality, regardless of facility quality, because it implied inferiority and caused psychological harm to segregated groups.

Green book

The Green Book

The movie Green Book is based on a true story set in the 1900's, where an Italian bouncer named Tony Vallelonga agrees to become the driver and bodyguard of African American pianist Dr. Don Shirley. The story is happening during the Jim Crow Era, a period when slavery had been abolished through the thirteenth amendment, yet racial segregation and discrimination remained deeply entrenched in American society. This film shows the unlikely friendship between Tony and Dr. Don Shirley as they navigate together through a racially hostile environment across the American South.

Green Book

Tony Vallelonga: A Journey of Change

My opinion of Viggo Mortensen playing Tony Lip was that he did an exceptional job of being a regular Italian of a middle class family. His character did change throughout the movie by being described as "casual racism" when he throws away glasses that black workers had used in his home, viewing them as contaminated to become very close friends with Dr. Don Shirley. His employment with Dr. Shirley becomes a transformative experience. Through their travels and shared experiences, Tony gradually learns to see beyond skin color and recognize the humanity in others. His journey represents the possibility of personal growth and the power of direct human connection. 

By the end of their journey, Tony did point to the future by evolving from a man who casually discriminated to someone who genuinely values and protects his friend, regardless of race. 

Dr. Don Shirley: Talent in a Divided World

Dr. Don Shirley was an extraordinarily talented pianist who performed across the country. Despite his fame and talent, he faced constant rejection and hostility from white audiences who struggled to accept a black man as their entertainment. His performances were often met with appreciation for his artistry, yet followed by social rejection and discrimination.

My thoughts on Dr. Don Shirley being played by Mahershala Ali was incredible. I think he did such a great job playing Shirey. He learned that he shouldn't judge others by their race too, which means that not all white men are the same. What I made of the line "If I'm not black enough, if I'm not white enough, if I'm not normal enough, then what am I?" was that he felt like he couldn't fit into the society of any race. Dr. Shirley's character represents the reality of being caught between two worlds. He felt like an outsider in both white and black communities, not feeling sophisticated enough to fully belong in white society, yet feeling disconnected from black culture and community. This struggle highlights the psychological toll of segregation, showing how systemic racism created identity crises even for the most accomplished individuals.

Dr. Shirley and Tony

An Unlikely Bond

The relationship between Tony and Dr. Shirley develops gradually as they travel through the segregated South. Their journey forces them to confront not only external racism but also their own internal biases and preconceptions. Tony learns to see Dr. Shirley as a complete person rather than a stereotype, while Dr. Shirley discovers genuine friendship and loyalty in someone he initially viewed with suspicion.

What the Movie Taught Me

The movie provided valuable insight into life during the Jim Crow Era, illustrating how African Americans were treated even after the thirteenth amendment abolished slavery. The film demonstrated that legal freedom did not translate to social equality, showing how "separate but equal" policies created systematic discrimination in restaurants, hotels, and public spaces.

If I was a talented Black musician, artist, dancer, or writer faced with a society that tries to keep me from contributing to its culture would be to speak out by starting several boycotts. By doing this I believe it would have little to no effect on what the white people would think about you but, I do think it is better than staying silent than having people walk all over you because of your race. What American arts and culture would be like today if the segregationists had succeeded and prevented African Americans and other people of color from contributing to our cultural heritage would be millions of riots. The U.S. is made of so many races and if the segregationist won, today’s world would not even exist due to the unpopular thought of racism.

The story revealed the meaningful transformation possible between people from different backgrounds. In our divided world today, the film offers hope that genuine friendship can develop between people of any race when they approach each other with openness and respect. 

Green Book Movie