Emmitt Till's "MURDA"

I must first express my grief of such horrifying brutality. My sincere condolences go out to the family of Emmett Till. To act is such barbaric and ruthless manner is the evil of racism drenched with hatred, superiority and injustice. This is definitely an act of murder one that should have never been allowed to go unpunished. These are some of the issues that lead to prejudice and rivals or revenge and genocide. If I have not been introduced to the issues of diversity, prejudice and racism I am sure I wouldn’t be able to handle this pain I am feeling right now. I pray that this case does not repeat itself and definitely not in the fashion it was handled in the court. With sufficient evidence the court still ruled the murderers not guilty? White supremacy and Injustice the sole act of inferiority. How did the U.S ever arrive at the present justice system?

Many might have said why did they even attempted to take this case to court when they knew they had no chance of winning but even though it was unjustly dealt with it has open many doors that encouraged African Americans to stand for what is right. Many believed that this is what really sparked the civil rights movement. But something had to. I am happy we are able to move from such intense issue to being more civilize and the effort that is now been placed on acceptance and tolerance.

Reflection #16 EDF2085

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #16 EDF2085
Genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The term genocide refers to the planned or systematic process of the execution or killing of an entire group, whether it is an ethnic, religious or political group. While on the other hand ethnic cleansing refers to an intentional effort made to force or intimidate a group to evacuate a particular region. An example of this can be seen in Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur which will elaborate on later in the reflection. Ethnic cleansing and genocide should not be used interchangeably because they are not the same.

The act of genocide and ethnic cleansing occurred in Rwanda in 1994 as a result of revenge taken by one ethnic group on another. Rwanda comprised of two main groups the Hutu and the Tutsis. The Hutu’s been the majority but was dominated by the Tutsis who were the aristocrats at the time under the leadership of Belgian colonial rule; they exploited to Hutus and took their peasants which had lead to the chaos of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rwanda. After the independence from Belgium, a quest for revenge was employed by the Hutu who regain power and returned the acts of injustice on the Tutsis. This has lead to numerous killings resulting in almost a million people.

The act of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia was also as a result of revenge where one group performs acts of violence on the other after their government was put out of power. This rival in Bosnia was influence by particular leader fanning the flame of long past problems which illuminates new chaos and acts of violence between the Serbs and Muslims. Serbs who were the minority, reports that they were mistreated by the Muslims who were the majority. In times to come Serbs and Jews were targeted and thousands were killed in concentration camps. This rival later ends up with Serbs killing thousands of their opponents which marks a mass genocidal act. Darfur on the other hand was also as a result revenge and this chaos resulted in mass murders that caught the attention of the international eyes. Many were also killed and this was a combination of both ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Reflection #19 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #19 EDF1005 From Dame schools to Public High Schools

Dame Schools exist in the medieval times of education. These schools were private elementary type schools that were run by women often of no substantial educational back ground. The focal point of these schools was to function as a daycare center. However the teaching and learning process was centered on learning how to spell and a negligible amount learned mathematics and grammar. Dame Schools became extinct in Britain due to the introduction of compulsory education which requires specific standards to be met.

Like most medieval society, formal education was structured for men and the women’s place was in the home. Even then, Americans valued education and hence the influence of the law passed in Massachusetts Bay that all communities with fifty or more families will have to hire a teacher. However schools remain private with great emphasis on literacy. It is important to know that at one point the U.S had one of the highest literacy rates at the time. While education was booming in the 1800’s some African American was afforded to opportunity to be educated while their counter parts in the southern states were deprived of an education due to the fact that enslaved blacks were prohibited to literacy.

By the end of the 1800’s teachers received some type of formal education to meet the requirements of normal schools which were elementary schools. It was not until after the American Civil War that the south offered universal public education. Then by the late 1870 free elementary education was established. Even though this was seen as a great stride for education the issue of segregation arises in all schools and then later span over to all public facilities. As the need for education arises, local schools received tax dollars and this was extended to parochial schools as well. Parochial schools were Christian school that taught both Christian principles and the regular curriculum. Over the years many controversies and concerns influences officials to limit or prohibit founding of Christian schools. This was due to the fact that some thought they were potential avenues for social segregation.

By the twenty first century education was seen as a major route to greater economic development. This new emphasis paved the way for the education of youths in the twenty first century, and set the nation significantly apart from its counterpart. It is said that this achievement was due to the diversity of newly introduced concepts such as openness, public founding, separation of state and church just to name a few. I highly appreciate these strides and openly welcome the ongoing process of educational development.

Reflection #15 EDF2085 Holocaust

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #15 EDF2085 Holocaust

There are many denial regarding the holocaust, regardless of the countless evidence that have been forthcoming. There are still many who today say that the holocausts never happen. Do I believe that this barbaric act took place? Yes I do. Even today there a lot of people who have not heard of the incident. Holocaust is generally defined as the genocide of the Jewish group. In addition to this race, there are also other groups who were destroyed; these include people with disabilities, Jehovah Witness and other religious groups. This ruthless act was lead by Adolf Hitler and his army. These innocent people were taken from their homes and community under false pretence I assume and was lead down a rather destructive path. They were lead into slavery and was literal starved and beaten to death. They faced a rather harsh living condition; they were isolated and treated as animal. What would lead one person to commit such devious act? It is as a result of prejudice, discrimination and the greed for power and superiority.

This might have seems to happen many years ago, and many thought that this might not happen ever again in history. But one have to be careful of turning a blind eye to such devilish acts. In our society today, it often seems that the pursuit for individualism is on the rise. Every one is about protecting their own. Everyone has become so materialistic and completion is rather a valued and cherished way of getting ahead. This can be one way in which a genocidal act might repeat itself. The claim to make a perfect society has lead to an unlawful act of genocide. However Hitters act was a act of hatred for Jews and he did stated that as soon as he was in power he would exterminate all Jews. By the 1933, Jews were restricted of their social rights, they also passed law to eliminated Jews from official offices. Jews were not allowed to go to school, own farms or work in any offices of the country. My question to this is, why didn’t someone attempted to do something about this at the time?

Reflection #18 EDF1005 Education as a vehicle to improve society.

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #18 EDF1005 Education as a vehicle to improve society.

We have emerged from a rather uncivilized world to one with much sophistication and advance technologies. We have moved from using stones as knives, and beans and scrolls as source of record keeping to the use of the latest technology gadgets. These are just a few examples of how far education has moved our further from the past to the present. Education is definitely a vehicle to improving society. Education is the foundation of all society; it influences economic wealth, social privileges and stabilizes the nation politically. It is through education that people have been able to emancipate themselves from mental slavery to a much independent determination for reaching the bench mark of success. One can evidently see the contrasts between a country that is empowered by education and one that is lead by illiteracy. If it had not been for education there would still be the lack of advances in our health care system, security system and many other areas such as transportation and communication.

Most surely education has brought much destruction to the environment, leading to the so-called global warming, overpopulation and pollutions. Regardless of these disadvantages, education has more positive than negatives. When we look at how far prejudice and racism have come today we can raise our hats to the fact that education has been one of the most significant agent of helping to eradicate an enormous amount of these cherished attitudes. A better education also means a better job and a better job means sustainability for a group or family. Education raises social standards and this means less crime and violence and more coherence living. It is through education that many inventions and advances have come alive. It is through education that we are able to have an educated body of people who over sees and make educated decision on behalf of our people and country. Education also involves the transition of knowledge to practical use. It occurs from birth to adulthood and continues throughout life. Education can be learned directly and indirectly, regardless of how education has been acquired it is for the improvement of the individual and the society.

Reflection #17 EDF1005 Education in New England and the United States.

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #17 EDF1005 Education in New England and the United States.

Education in America is as a result of many influential societies. Most or all of the legacy that impacted the American way of life are as a result of migration and the tendency to excel through progressivism. America has experienced an influx of diversity over the years which have also helped to influence it’s education system. Without no doubt one can say that regardless of America’s success today much of I is owed to its immigrants. In earlier years due to economic hardship and the desperate need to escape persecution many people migrated to America. This was the start of revolution in a scene. The Puritans, who migrated from England due to religious persecutions, have significantly helped to shape America into what it is today. These were a people with strong Christian beliefs and moral values. They believed that a strong relationship with God was important and that everything they do should be in accordance with his will.

It is these beliefs that America’s foundations were built on. Their politics, education and religion have been greatly influenced as a result. Jan Amos Comenius who is of European descend had his hand in the reformation of education and was the first to put pictures in textbooks. He later influence science by encouraging European scientist to record their knowledge and goals which later became the encyclopedia, also known as the encyclopedia of education. This was done because he wanted knowledge to be universal. He also gave women a voice by advocating for their freedom to be educated.

American education now compared to colonial New England differ in that, back then education in England was religious based and the poor were able to go to school through a system called the Free School. Now in America school has moved away from been religious based and are now more inclined to acceptance and tolerance. Students were expected to attended school until they were fourteen, at first school were not mandatory in America but as time went by and the need for a more educated society increase school became mandatory. Teacher training now is rather rigorous and the need for various testing was introduced. Discrimination is still present whether it is subtle or not seen, however they have come a long way and is still working to improve these issues.

Reflection #14 EDF2085 Prejudice

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #14 EDF2085 Prejudice

It is scary to say I grew up rather absent minded and was subject just to taking orders and not questioning what was said to be done. If I was asked in earlier years if I was prejudice my answer then would be no. This would be a rather naïve answer after becoming aware that we as humans, are in some way shape or form has some prejudice down inside of us. Prejudice goes way beyond the color of our skin and our social class. It entails such elements as denying another, hating, despising, avoidance, stereotyping and the experience of some discomfort. This internal conflict that causes us to develop these stigmas may be referred to as prejudice. May of these barriers is installed when we were growing up as children. We were taught basic values and attitudes by our parents, who in addition to this, teaches us the basic norms of the culture whether directly or indirectly. We were thought many myth of which is perceived to be fact and in return these believes grew with us and is later projected onto any element that is viewed differently from that which we hold as truth. Some of what or most of what we learn as facts were not investigated or challenged, and hence when confronted with facts we go in stage of denial.

Prejudice is often caused by a group or sub-group attempting to protect their own. It is often an unintended and unconscious response that was never intended to hurt anyone but to protect what they think is right and acceptable. On the other hand however simple this may seem, prejudice is rather a complex mater. It takes hard work and persistence to eradicate the impulses of prejudice. This process is encountered with the resistance to accept truth, and the deep rooted beliefs of what we once thought to be true. In the society that we are living in today, is the existence of many prejudice however with the effort to reduce these problem we are like to face less prejudicial issue. The results of prejudice can and have been very ruthless in earlier times; this is still a major problem among most groups and even countries today. It is recommended that each individual re-evaluate themselves and make a conscious effort to reduce whatever prejudice we may hold as our prized treasure.