Class and Race Barriers in America: Can we Overcome

Afrsty 101 Introduction to Africana Studies
Final Exercise
May 15, 2014
**http://www.theatlantic.com/national/print/2014/04/i-was-racially-profiled-in-my-own-driveway/360615/
Please read the attached article: I was Racially Profiled in my Driveway**; then in a well-constructed essay titled: Class and Race Barriers in America: Can we Overcome? examine this issue within the context of everything you have studied in the class. Through the reading materials, lecture notes, discussions, film documentaries used in this class, analyze the topic and make sense of it?

In organizing your thoughts, try keep in mind the following questions. Your essay should try to weave the various issues that these questions elicit, NOT A RESPONSE TO EACH QUESTION. You can paraphrase the question as you develop the arguments and analysis for your paper
1. What is the nature of racism and class oppression in America?
2. Is race a barrier to class mobility in America?
3. How is racial oppression related to the economic exploitation of African-Americans through the different eras (slavery, civil rights and modern)?

4. Should the writer in the article prepare his children for the realities of race and class discrimination?
5. Is there a police culture of ethnic profiling within the police forces of America; and how much of this is a product of America”s past race history or contemporary race relations?
6. Should municipalities train their police officers in racial profiling and racial sensitivity? If so, why and how? If not, why not?
7. What other practical steps should municipalities take to curtail racial profiling?
8. Does high class status lessen the chances of being racially profiled? Please explain.
9. Is it true that no matter your level of education or accomplishments, at the end of the day the first thing the public sees is a black person?
10. Is a person of African descent, although affluent, still a suspicious person despite his accomplishments? Please explain.
While there is no right or wrong answer to any these questions, your essay will be evaluated using universal intellectual standards of clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic to frame your conceptual framework; and your ability to articulate clear arguments (points of view), analysis that are supported by facts and information.
This paper is due on Thursday, May 15, 2014 through Blackboard. Your paper should be double-spaced, typed and at least six (6) pages, not including the WORK CITED page. Late papers will be penalized.
Tips on Writing Papers

If you desire a useful text to help you with your writing, I strongly suggest that you use the internet free copy of: A Pocket Style Manual, written by Diana Hacker, posted for you here. Take time to review the mechanics of writing, using proper citations. You can choose either MLA, or Chicago style. However be consistent in using a particular style.
http://www.sgasd.org/cms/lib2/PA01001732/Centricity/Domain/417/A%20Pocket%20Style%20Manual%20-%20Diana%20Hacker.pdf
Please check out handouts on Thesis Statement and best practices in writing critical papers.
Check out the website to review the standards of the WPE writing proficiency. Your paper should meet the Writing Proficiency Standards
http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/undergraduate_studies/writing_proficiency/
http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/undergraduate_studies/writing_proficiency/advicestudent/
http://www.sgasd.org/cms/lib2/PA01001732/Centricity/Domain/417/A%20Pocket%20Style%20Manual%20-%20Diana%20Hacker.pdf