After viewing the 1619 Project, I can say how utterly disgusted I am with certain aspects of it, but I also learned a lot of new things from it.
The concept of race is a socially constructed idea that varies across different cultures and countries. In some places, such as Ghana, people may not categorize individuals based on race in the same way that it occurs in the United States. Additionally, the idea of racial identity in the United States can be complex and influenced by historical and cultural factors. The experience of individuals who are biracial or multiracial can also be affected by societal attitudes and perceptions towards race.
The legacy of miscegenation and the resulting biracial or multiracial identity can be complex and influenced by societal attitudes towards race. The concept of racial identity has historically been defined by the one-drop rule, which asserts that any person with even a trace of African ancestry is considered black. This legacy continues to impact how individuals of mixed race are perceived and treated in society. Despite progress towards greater acceptance of diverse racial identities, systemic racism and bias can still influence how individuals are perceived and treated based on their racial background.
It is important to acknowledge the horrific and widespread sexual abuse and exploitation of enslaved black women during the era of slavery in the United States. Enslaved women did not have agency or control over their own bodies and were subjected to sexual violence and forced pregnancy by white slaveowners or overseers. This traumatic legacy of sexual violence has had lasting effects on black communities and highlights the systemic oppression and dehumanization endured by enslaved people.
While watching the 1619 project, I was drawn to the term “Negro wench”. This term is an example of how language was used to dehumanize and oppress enslaved black women during the era of slavery in the United States. The use of the term “Negro” was already a derogatory term, but the addition of “wench” further dehumanized and objectified enslaved women, positioning them as subhuman and legitimizing their exploitation and sexual abuse by their white owners. This language reinforced the systemic oppression and dehumanization of enslaved people and helped to maintain the power dynamics of slavery.
I was drawn toward the black lady who was pregnant during the pandemic who had switched doctors, but wasn’t cared for as she should have been. The experience of the pregnant black woman in the 1619 Project highlights the ongoing disparities in healthcare faced by black individuals, particularly black women. Studies have shown that black women are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth and have higher rates of maternal mortality compared to white women. These disparities are due in part to systemic racism and bias within the healthcare system, including disparities in access to care, quality of care, and the treatment of pain and symptoms. The experience of the pregnant black woman in the 1619 Project underscores the urgent need for reform and anti-racist policies within the healthcare system.
The 1619 Project highlights the ongoing legacy of systemic racism and oppression in the United States and the urgent need for continued efforts towards dismantling these systems of oppression. It is important for individuals to recognize their own roles in perpetuating or challenging these systems and actively work towards creating a more equitable and just society. This means acknowledging and addressing biases and stereotypes within oneself and one’s community, advocating for policy changes that support marginalized communities, and supporting and uplifting the voices and leadership of those most affected by systemic oppression. The work of creating a more just society is ongoing and requires ongoing commitment and action from all individuals. How do we except THEM to treat us right if WE aren’t treating us right.
The history of sexual assault and exploitation that black women who were enslaved experienced during slavery, as well as the long-lasting impact of this trauma on black communities, must be acknowledged. The vocabulary that was employed to demean and objectify enslaved women, such as the phrase “Negro wench,” was crucial in sustaining the systematic oppression of enslaved people and strengthening the repressive power relations of slavery.
The 1619 Project’s pregnant black woman’s experience also brings to light the persistent healthcare inequities that black people, especially black women, must contend with. Systemic racism and bias within the healthcare system are at the basis of the inequities in access to care, care quality, and the management of pain and symptoms. To address these discrepancies and provide fair healthcare for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, the narrative emphasizes the critical need for change and the adoption of anti-racist legislation.Based on these findings, is there a specific query you would like me to answer?
I really liked your essay, I loved how you were able to establish what the issue was and what in particular were the problems. I think my favorite part was that you mentioned what we could do today to help solve the problem, “This means acknowledging and addressing biases and stereotypes within oneself and one’s community, advocating for policy changes that support marginalized communities, and supporting and uplifting the voices and leadership of those most affected by systemic oppression.”. Your talk about how even something as arbitrary as joking about something with racial undertones helps to push systemic racism even if it is indirectly. For further reading, I attached an interview by the Harvard gazette which talks about solutions to racism in the United States. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/02/social-psychologist-offers-key-to-ending-racism/
I really enjoy how you boldly state the disgusting facts about the problem with race that has existed in our country for a long time. My favorite line from this post is “It is important to acknowledge the horrific and widespread sexual abuse and exploitation of enslaved black women during the era of slavery in the United States.” I thought that this was powerful, as many people fail to acknowledge the sexual nature of some of the acts committed against these black women. I suggest that you read this article about the sexual exploitation of the enslaved https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/sexual-exploitation-of-the-enslaved/. Thank you for touching on this topic.
Very well written. I really like the closing paragraph, especially the call to action for the reader. It really helps the reader look inside and ask themself as to whether or not they are apart of the issue. Overall, very well written, I look forward to seeing more of your posts!
I think that your last ending paragraph is the main question that we African Americans as a community should be focusing on. As much as we are discriminated, dominated and all together disrespected by other white people in the world, we are giving them the impression that this is normal behavior by not changing anything within ourselves. Would you agree that in order for things to change, the change must start with us?
I love your last line. I have been saying this for a while now. How do you think we should go about making sure our communities are treating each other right?