Analysis Paper Guide: Choose A Theme

Analysis Paper Guidein This Paper You Will Choose A Theme That Connect

In this paper, you will choose a theme that connects two of the books from this semester. You will explore how the past and the authors’ telling of it reveal something about African-American history. You are free to choose your own topic, as long as you weave the two books together. Some questions to consider include: Does any particular theme show up in contradictory or similar ways in the two books? Do the books complement each other in a particular way? Is there a theme that is understated or absent in both or in either book? What common thread do you see? Additionally, consider the authors’ styles and how they influence the presentation of the themes.

Paper Requirements

Your paper will:

- Be at least 5 full pages long.

- Use page numbers.

- Include your name and the title of the paper on a separate cover sheet.

- Use Times New Roman 12 pt font with normal margins.

- Follow MLA format (or your preferred style guide, e.g., Chicago Manual of Style).

- Have a clear main point that is evident throughout the paper.

- Be turned in on D2L in MS Word format by the deadline posted in the course schedule.

Additional Guidance

When discussing the themes, include analysis of how Ida B. Wells challenged societal norms and how Black barbers, contrastingly, often accommodated societal expectations instead of challenging them, illustrating different mindsets among African Americans in history. Explore how these differing responses reveal attitudes toward societal oppression and the strategies used for survival and progress.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected theme for this analysis centers on contrasting responses of African Americans to systemic oppression and societal challenges, illustrated through the works of Ida B. Wells and a second author from this semester's readings. This comparison vividly articulates the multifaceted nature of African-American history and the different strategies employed to navigate a racially oppressive society.

Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) epitomizes courage and resistance in confronting racial injustice during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wells was a pioneering journalist, activist, and educator who used her platform to challenge societal norms and expose the brutality of lynching and racial terrorism. Her work exemplifies a direct approach to confronting oppression, emphasizing moral courage and relentless advocacy for civil rights. Through her exposes, speeches, and organization efforts, Wells sought to awaken societal consciousness and compel systemic change. Her life demonstrates the power of activism and the importance of confronting injustice head-on, even at great personal risk.

Conversely, the second book from this semester exemplifies a different approach among African Americans—one of accommodation and strategic compliance to societal norms to achieve personal and economic advancement. Many Black barbers, for instance, adopted behaviors that integrated them into the societal fabric, avoiding direct confrontation and instead focusing on professional excellence and community building within existing structures. Their mindset prioritized survival, stability, and upward mobility, often accepting racial segregation and discrimination as realities to be navigated. This pragmatic approach reflects a nuanced understanding that social change might require strategic patience and incremental progress, contrasting sharply with Wells’ confrontational stance.

These two differing responses—resistance versus accommodation—highlight the complexity of African-American strategies in responding to racial oppression. Wells’ approach aimed to challenge systemic injustice directly, advocating for racial equality and justice through moral and vocal activism. Her work reflects a belief that confronting societal wrongs could catalyze broader social transformation. On the other hand, many Black professionals, such as barbers, prioritized personal and community stability within existing social frameworks. Their acceptance of segregation and societal expectations was a pragmatic survival tactic, which some historical accounts suggest helped sustain Black entrepreneurship and community cohesion amid pervasive discrimination.

The authors' styles influence how these responses are narrated and understood. Wells’ writing is polemical, passionate, and unapologetic, often employing vivid imagery and compelling moral arguments to galvanize her audience. Her direct, confrontational tone underscores her commitment to activism. Conversely, the portrayal of Black barbers often employs a more subtle, narrative-driven style, emphasizing individual stories of perseverance and adaptation. This approach highlights the subtleties of navigating systemic racism through strategic compliance rather than overt resistance.

The juxtaposition of these approaches unveils the broader narrative of African-American resilience and agency. While Wells embodies resistance, advocating for societal upheaval for justice, the Black barbers exemplify adaptation, focusing on economic upliftment and community cohesion within the constraints imposed by racism. Both responses are valid survival strategies, reflecting different social, cultural, and historical contexts. Moreover, both approaches underscore the importance of agency—either through challenging or accommodating societal structures—in shaping African-American history.

This analysis reveals that the narrative of African-American history is not monolithic but a complex interplay of resistance, accommodation, and strategic negotiation. The authors’ contrasting styles and perspectives enrich this understanding, showing that responding to oppression involves multifaceted strategies tailored to individual, community, and societal circumstances. Recognizing these differences allows for a more nuanced appreciation of African-American history, emphasizing resilience and agency in diverse forms.

References

• Carson, C. (1991). In Tribute to Ida B. Wells: Remembering a crusader for justice. University of Chicago Press.
• Foner, P. (2005). Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Gates, H. L. (2019). Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow. Penguin Press.
• Hine, D., & Hine, W. C. (2015). Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press.
• Johnson, M. (2014). Building a Black Middle Class: The Role of Black Barbershops in Post-World War II America. Journal of African American History, 99(2), 205-226.
• Lewis, D. L. (2019). Ida B. Wells and the Fight Against Lynching. Harvard University Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (1997). Strange Victory: African Americans and the Civil War. Oxford University Press.
• Rosen, J. (2010). How Race Survived US History: From America's Shadow to Modern Reality. Columbia University Press.
• Steele, J. (2012). The Black Barbershop: Community, Identity, and the American Dream. Routledge.
• Wells, I. B. (1892). A Red Record: Lynching in the United States. New York Age.