COMING SOON COMING SOON COMING SOON THIS WEBPAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION Racism and Black Consciousness A class Project The Sociology Seminar Students There will be a special Sociology Seminar on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, for all students in all sociology classes. During that period, groups of sociology students will make a brief presentation to the audience. The audience will be made up of the rest of sociology students and their guests. You are therefore free to invite anyone to attend either for moral support or as a witness to your social intellectual performance. For those of you intending to deal with the public in your future careers, this is your rare opportunity for a priceless experience. Racism and Black Consciousness If it is true that racism, more or less like cancer, attacks and destroys the mind, how does it manifest itself among Black American ? All minds are vulnerable to this cerebral plague but its manifestations differ from group to group depending on a group’s position in the social hierarchy. The question is how does the effect of racism manifest in the minds and behavior of African Americans? To learn more and discuss this complex issue, read the following material: 1. Kupper, Leo, Race Structure in the Social Consciousness (an Excerpt from Leo Kupper, “Race Structure in the Social Consciousness”, Civilization, Vol. 20, 1970, pp. 88-103). 2. Harold R. Isaacs, Blackness and Whiteness. (Excerpt from Harold R. Isaacs, ‘Blackness and Whiteness’, Encounter, August 1963, pp.12-15) Should we ignore or turn a blind eye to the effects of racism upon African Americans or confront the issue? Is it possible that racism within ourselves, might be a hindrance to the realization of our own full potential? What then should be done to treat or assist those who may be severely afflicted with the problem? Those are the issues to be critically addressed at the seminar. Read Chapter 9, the two additional readings assigned, and any other relevant source and prepare to express your point of view on this problem. Do not confuse or forget the focus which is how racism in our own minds affects our own maximum potential development and performance. More details such as grade points, reading materials and penalties will be announced from time to time. You will later be assigned a specific group and question to discuss but until then, you are seriously advised to keep reading!. Additional Compulsory Reading The following readings are, in addition to the textbook, compulsory for each and every student in this course. Questions from these readings will be included in tests for Chapters 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 16. Most importantly, these readings will serve as the basis for discussion in the sociology seminar. Professor: Kajumba, Samuel. 1. Is it possible that racism, as an ideological parasite, unconsciously acquired from our past and present social environment and lodged within our mental structures, might work as an obstacle to the development and realiza- tion of our own full potential? We should not confuse the issue here with the familiar and well known problem of racial prejudice and discrimination imposed upon us by other powerful groups. Rather, the point at issue is whether the effects of racism embedded at the core of our own perception hinder us from maximum development? 2. What are the specific variables which characterize the effect of racialism on our own psyche or ideological parasite. Elaborate more or clarify on ideological parasite. Because it is so difficult, we are always looking outside, and fail to cleanse our own minds.