1. An important component of personal self-knowledge is knowledge of the effects that one’s character and actions have upon others. Historical self-knowledge can be said to involve understanding the effects that one’s culture or nation or people have upon others. In a thoughtful essay of rich detail, discuss this statement in terms of ethnic groups or sub-cultures within the United States (or within the North American colonies that became the United States). Begin your essay with a thesis question. Focus, of course, on race, ethnicity, and gender. Include reference to illustrative and well-chosen examples of events and persons. Use your own words throughout: no more than three minimal brief quotations, please. Cite like this: [Lepore 116], [Collins 208], [Lepore 83], [Spires Module 8]
2. Consider this statement by Columbia Professor Barbara J. Fields, Ph. D. “If the things that the Civil War was fought over have not been resolved, then it can be said that the Civil War is not over. And if it is not over, it can still be lost.” (You may agree with Dr. Fields or not; that is not the point of this question.) Personally, I would diagnose the United States as suffering from a 156-year-old case of PTSD. Identify some of the unresolved components of the Civil War, focusing, of course, on race, ethnicity, and—if possible—gender. Explain why your examples are unresolved Make a prognosis re: the consequences of loss for our Republic and its people. Begin your essay with a thesis question. Focus, of course, on race, ethnicity, and gender. Include reference to illustrative and well-chosen examples of events and persons. Use your own words throughout: no more than three minimal brief quotations, please. Cite like this:, [Collins 208],, [Spires Module 8] .
What is the legacy of slavery, and how does this legacy continue to affect Americans in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender? Identify and discuss a person or group of persons that you feel has made an effective effort to move toward justice in this regard.
What is the legacy of Reconstruction, and how does this legacy continue to affect Americans in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender? Identify and discuss a person or group of persons that you feel has made an effective effort to move toward justice in this regard.
What are the historical sources of hate crimes in the United States, and how do they continue to affect Americans in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender? Identify and discuss a person or group of persons that you feel has made an effective effort to move toward justice in this regard.