P1+Jordan+S+and+Clay+B

1. Richard Wright
Clayton Buller



Richard Wright lived form the years 1908 to 1960. His father left his family when he was 5 and him and his brother had to live at an orphanage at a time. They then lived with their grandparents. Wright wrote his first book in 1924, however his grandmother kept no books in the house and allowed none to come in. Throughout his life he took a lot of odd jobs. In 1935 while in New York he wrote some short stories and novels, but they were never published until his death. His first major publishing accomplishment was his award winning collection of short stories named //Uncle Tom's Children//. His book //Native Son// was the first best selling novel by an African American author. This book led him to become one of the most rich and well known African Americans of his time and today.

Rayson, Ann. "Richard Wright's Life." //Modern American Poetry.// 2000. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. 

2. Segregation
Clayton Buller



Segregation has been a very big issue in our country's past. Segregation separated whites from African Americans in just about every way imaginable. African American children had to enter rundown schools. Drinking fountains were divided by color, even restrooms could not be used by the same race. African Americans worked for very little to nothing and were dehumanized by the white man. African Americans were wrongly accused of crimes, beaten for no reason, and thrown in jail for the smallest of things. Through time revolutionary leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. led African Americans to the freedoms and rights that they deserved.

" A century of Racial Segregation, 1849-1950." //The Library of Congress.// Web. 10 Jan. 2010. 

3. Jim Crow Laws
Clayton Buller



Jim Crow Laws were the laws that were passed to discriminated African Americans further. African American students were divided from whites in public schools. This also regulated the places any African American could go for entertainment. Even vital transportation from place to place was a segregated affair for African Americans. In the early 50's groups tried to crush the segregation for public transport, however it did not go anywhere. Fines were issued for African Americans who did not follow the laws that were set out for them. The African American population was not without clever leaders though. In 1956, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks led the black through the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In 1964, Johnson passe the Civil Rights Act, opening up the world to African Americans as whites knew it.

"Jim Crow Laws." //Spartacus Educational.// Web. 10 Jan. 2010. 

4. New Deal Programs that benefited whites over blacks
Clayton Buller



Most African Americans during the 30's voted democratic. Roosevelt was the person they looked to for support, however Roosevelt had his own agenda. He did not want to displease the southern whites. Many of the jobs and projects offered little to no benefits to African Americans. Whites got the first opportunity at jobs and got the highest salary given from those jobs. Agriculture got slammed hard, and as stated by Digital History, " The story in agriculture was particularly grim. Since 40 percent of all black workers made their living as sharecroppers and tenant farmers, the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) acreage reduction hit blacks hard" (Digital History). Although blacks were largely discriminated against, a few gains for civil rights were made. The National Youth Administration gave equal funds to both African and White students.

"African Americans and the New Deal." //Digital History.// 2006. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. 

5. The Scottsboro Trials
Clayton Buller

The Scottsboro Trials were a series or trials against 9 black men for the alleged raping of 2 white females. Decades pasted between the trials, and the boys became known figures. The trains they were on were watched over and many people claimed stories of these boys. "Hoboing" was a common past time for people, such as riding trains hoping for any money or action. They would constantly search for jobs and when one city didn't have any available, they would ride a train to the next. Over the trials, 8 of the 9 men were tried and sentences to death, the other being spared for the time being because of his young age. Rape was considered one of the lowest crimes in the south.The men recieved varying sentences, from death, to 75 years in prison.

Linder, Douglas O. "The Trails of the Scottsboro Boys ." //Famous American Trials.// 1999. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. 

6. Harlem during the Great Depression
Clayton Buller

Harlem During the Great Depression was a very grim place and time indeed. Poverty struck the vast majority of families and African American's in general got hit the hardest. The standard for living greatly decreased. Couple this along with the decreasing amount of jobs and the lowering to minimum wages, it brought the economy of Harlem down to about zero. Morality dropped to an all time low for many of the citizens of Harlem. Although the hospitals were very understaffed, disease decreased and overall tuberculosis and pneumonia related deaths decreased. Officials tried to boost the economy and living conditions of Harlem, but the plan fell through.

Greene, Larry A. "Harlem in the Great Depression, 1928-1936." //Columbia University Libraries.// 1979. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. 

7. Free Will
Jordan Schlueter



Free Will is simply the belief that humans have the ability to think and act for themselves. Consequentially, external forces do not determine the desires those who are free willed. It the exact opposite of fatalism. Some people argue that free will is having no external force whatsoever. In this case, everything is an original manifestation of mind, and no external forces shape it in any way. Others believe that free will is a decision of the beholder, within a fatalistic environment.

Carroll, Robert T. "Free Will." //The Skeptic's Dictionary//. 13 Dec. 2009. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. .

8. Fatalism
Jordan Schlueter



Fatalism is the belief that all things are predetermined and divinely appointed. As a result, humans are not capable of altering their own destinies. However, many still believe in the ability to have a free will in a fatalistic life. People act upon their own free will, but ultimately fulfill their destiny in the process. This general philosophy matches with many religious views.

"Fatalism Definition | Definition of Fatalism at Dictionary.com." //Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com//. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. .

9. Literary Naturalism
Jordan Schlueter



Literary Naturalism is basically a philosophy that believes humans are the sole product of environment. Forces such as heredity, social life, and physical life are to blame for the outcome of each individual. It sprouted out from Realism during the mid 1800s and continued its influence throughout the early 1900s. It is highly influenced by the theories of Charles Darwin. It tries to give scientific reason for the actions of man.

"Naturalism (literature) -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 10 Jan. 2010. .

10. Marxism
Jordan Schlueter



Marxism is a system developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Their doctrine states that a socialist government is the most powerful and efficient. In this form of society, everything is commonly owned and everyone is given equal responsibilities. It is the complete opposite of capitalism. There is no freedom of choice, and there is no competition for jobs. Marxism is a very government controlled doctrine, where people work for their country.

"Marxism Definition | Definition of Marxism at Dictionary.com." //Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. .

11. Jean-Paul Sartre
Jordan Schlueter



Sartre was a French philosopher who lived from 1905 to 1980. He is well-known for his contributions to the existentialist philosophy. He was also a novelist. Many of his books are about a man who is very lonely and terrified about making decisions. The man is living in a meaningless world and then dies. His stories reflect the existentialist thinking.

Flynn, Thomas. "Jean-Paul Sartre." //Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy//. 22 Apr. 2004. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. .

//Comments//:
 * Format and information are very good
 * Many entries did not meet format length or requirements of PIE and ICE
 * MLA is off with websites URL's
 * Overall nice job!