My New Life as an African-American Woman
Luke Day
TA:
Sociology 105
Instructor:
My New Life as an African-American Woman
The bad news (in reference to writing a paper from the perspective of an African American female) is that as a white male, it is difficult to understand that perspective. The good news is that, after taking this class and conducting some research for this paper, I can be part of the solution toward promoting equality and acceptance. This can only be achieved through educating the general population about the existing problems and inaccurate perspectives. In order for a new, more accurate perspective to grow credibility, the general population must have agreement with it amongst the different races and genders. This can only happen from various races and genders learning about the existing problems, which is why I took this course – to broaden my knowledge and perspectives.
If I suddenly discovered I was an African American woman….
1. How much financial compensation would you request? What factors do you use for this request?
I find it difficult to believe an organization thinks you could put a dollar amount on this traumatic mistake. The amount of trauma, emotional pain and suffering associated with starting a whole new life cannot easily be converted into a monetary compensation. I have missed out on growing up with my biological parents and family, knowing and loving them, and can only imagine the number of events and incidents that would be different, along with my entire cultural background that formed who I am today. Money cannot replace that. However, if I am required to suggest an amount, it would be in the tens of millions (decided by a judge), for a variety of reasons but mostly so I can give much of it to deserving charities, including those supporting my sisters, African American women.
2. What would happen to your:
Education: Statistically, there are very few minorities in the science and engineering curriculums even today. Therefore, as an
TA:
Sociology 105
Instructor:
My New Life as an African-American Woman
The bad news (in reference to writing a paper from the perspective of an African American female) is that as a white male, it is difficult to understand that perspective. The good news is that, after taking this class and conducting some research for this paper, I can be part of the solution toward promoting equality and acceptance. This can only be achieved through educating the general population about the existing problems and inaccurate perspectives. In order for a new, more accurate perspective to grow credibility, the general population must have agreement with it amongst the different races and genders. This can only happen from various races and genders learning about the existing problems, which is why I took this course – to broaden my knowledge and perspectives.
If I suddenly discovered I was an African American woman….
1. How much financial compensation would you request? What factors do you use for this request?
I find it difficult to believe an organization thinks you could put a dollar amount on this traumatic mistake. The amount of trauma, emotional pain and suffering associated with starting a whole new life cannot easily be converted into a monetary compensation. I have missed out on growing up with my biological parents and family, knowing and loving them, and can only imagine the number of events and incidents that would be different, along with my entire cultural background that formed who I am today. Money cannot replace that. However, if I am required to suggest an amount, it would be in the tens of millions (decided by a judge), for a variety of reasons but mostly so I can give much of it to deserving charities, including those supporting my sisters, African American women.
2. What would happen to your:
Education: Statistically, there are very few minorities in the science and engineering curriculums even today. Therefore, as an
Cited: Johnson, Eric. "Nightline Face-Off: Why Can 't a Successful Black Woman Find a Man?" Abcnews.com. ABC News, 21 Apr. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaceOff/nightline>. Harris-Perry, Melissa V. Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America. New Haven: Yale UP, 2011. Print. Smith, Earl, and Angela Hattery. African American Families Today: Myths and Realities. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012. Print.