Communications influence of ethnic background

Paper Assignment and Topic:
For this analytical paper, you will be studying a thesis of your own design, choosing from the topics we have reviewed: racism and its consequences in American society, the prevalence of racism in American society, and the influence ethnic background has upon one’s self-image (and any others that you can add).
Your thesis should respond to the question, “Is America a culture of cynicism, stereotypes, and hidden racism, and how does (your article) contribute to making us that way?” You should develop a thesis and a reading that interests you enough that you will write this paper enthusiastically and write with passion and color, starting with your own ideas and injecting support (or even contrary views) from secondary resources (the sources from our page are acceptable). The thesis should be very specific and focused, but broad enough to enable four to five pages of thorough analysis.
• This paper should be four to five double-spaced pages. You need to select a reading of your choice, find support for your argument, and then cite from at least two, but not more than four, sources from published, scholarly material (we have and will discuss what is an appropriate source; Wikipedia is not).
• A Works Cited page in proper MLA format is also required.
o A good rule of thumb is to have at least one citing per page throughout your paper.
• Look for sources on some of the databases that are only available through the library. Serious academic sources will elevate your paper to a level that basic Google-type sources cannot.

This assignment will consist of two steps, as outlined below:
Due Tuesday, February 17th (20 points): Submit, a hard copy, a written summary of your topic and thesis statement, with at least one of your proposed sources. The sources should be detailed in MLA format with a brief annotation of the type of material you plan to obtain from each source. Be sure your summary includes the main point of your argument and at least two of your supporting points.
“Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space” (217)

Can we connect Staples’ essay which depicts the theme of racial profiling with what happened with the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman case? Do Staples and Zimmerman both experience discrimination and injustice within the system of justice? Why or why not? Let’s discuss in class!

Let’s check out the verdict according to CNN, Zimmerman was exonerated and found not guilty. What do you think? Do you think justice was served in this case?: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-trial/

New York Times article– Is their perspective similar or different from CNN’s? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

What about what happened in Ferguson?

“Justice Dept. to Recommend No Civil Rights Charges in Ferguson Shooting” : http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/justice-department-said-to-be-ready-to-clear-officer-in-ferguson-shooting-of-civil-rights-charges/ar-AA8rF1U?srcref=rss