America’s National Conversation on Race

Brommer/ANTH-CES 180

AMERICA’S NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON RACE PAPER

As class starts this quarter, the United States is embroiled in a national conversation on race. From Charlettesville to white supremacy to police brutality to Black Lives Matter to the Muslim Ban to the proposed wall on the border with Mexico, America has put race at the forefront of discussion. What Can You Say? American’s National Conversation on Race looks at news articles from 2007-2008 and illustrates how they talk about race and frame the issues. What is racial? What are the narratives? Throughout the book, there are several themes that arise and are discussed in multiple chapters. These include:

• individual versus group • public versus private • narrative versus counternarrative • code words

In roughly 1-2 pages, double-spaced for each of the four themes, please define and discuss the themes, definitions, and significance to the national conversation on race. Then compare one news event in the book that illustrates this theme with one current example of a news event today that is illustrating this theme. This should comprise about 5-7 pages. Then, in 1-2 pages, summarize what was most significant, important or interesting to you in the book. The total number of pages for this paper should be 6-9 pages. As you read the book, take notes of the pages that discuss the four themes and the examples that you want to use. As well, take notes of what you find most significant, important or interesting in this book. There must be evidence of examples and themes throughout the book (i.e., not just the first two chapters, for example). Please integrate some concepts from class. Please cite the pages you reference and include a bibliography for the contemporary news articles. You may use any reference style.

Brommer/ANTH-CES 180

For your PAPER, use the following structure. Please make the paragraphs flow together in each section instead of making it like a list or choppy:

– Title page with name, title of paper, course, date, etc.

– 1. Individual versus Group o define and discuss theme o describe and discuss news event in book o describe and discuss current news event

– 2. Public versus Private

o define and discuss theme o describe and discuss news event in book o describe and discuss current news even

– 3. Narrative versus Counternarrative

o define and discuss theme o describe and discuss news event in book o describe and discuss current news event

– 4. Code Words

o define and discuss theme o describe and discuss news event in book o describe and discuss current news even

– 5. Conclusion

o sum up book o discuss what was most significant, important, or

interesting to you

– 6. Bibliography