Prompts

English 102 Prompts

Prompt 1:

I am an intelligent black woman.

What does it mean to be intelligent? How does being black impact the way my level of intelligence is perceived by others? What is it like to be a woman in America in the 21st century?

According to definition, to be intelligent is to have the ability to apply knowledge and skills. To me personally, this means working towards or already holding a college degree and being able to excel in one's courses. Furthermore, intelligence is having wisdom and good judgment. An intelligent person is not only book smart but he/she knows how to successfully interact with the world around them. He/she can think analytically and is a law abiding citizen. An intelligent person is one who is well rounded so they also possess good social skills. 

Though America has come a long way concerning racism, in today's society there is still a certain status quo pertaining to blacks. Often times, this stigmatism placed on blacks leads to a distorted view on their achievements. For example, I as an intelligent black woman was accepted into over ten different colleges/universities. Though as a result of the stereotypes within our society many people try to equate my acceptance to affirmative action versus even considering the fact that I am actually intelligent and equally qualified, if not more, than my white classmates. 

These astigmatisms often stem from select samples of blacks and are overgeneralized, affecting the entire race as a whole. Though, it is very ignorant for people to judge an entire race based upon a small sample, many people do this. I believe this happens because the sample population is confirming their pre existing assumptions; as a result, they only focus on them. Furthermore, when others see blacks excelling they can not fully grasp it, for they still have a negative image of black people in the back of their mind.

Aside from my race, I am also faced with many additional challenges simply because I am a woman. Women, though we play a great role in society, are not looked at as equal to men. For example, some companies still pay women less than a man to do the same job. For me personally, as a black woman, I am a double minority. This causes people to underestimate me. With this being said, their doubt gives me the strive to do even better. To excel past them, to beat the odds at all costs. 

Since we are in the age of technology, woman have easy access to voice their opinions. Woman as a whole are able to fight for their own rights and encourage others to join in. Woman in the 21st century receive education and they understand how society is supposed to work. Therefore, they can stand up for themselves when they realize they are being mistreated. This is what it means to be an intelligent black woman in modern-day society. 

Prompt 2:

As I walked into the room, pencils dropped and silence clinched the air. Everyone turned and gave me an awkward stare. "Class, this is Alexis" said my plump pale principal. I walked to the front of the room to meet my new fourth grade teacher and everyone began to stare. In my heart, there was a growing of despair. What if I'm not smart? I clearly stuck out like a sore thumb in this room full of white chums. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. The smell of fear was in the air. See I was different from everyone else. My hair was braided and my skirt pleated. People are afraid of change and new things. I could feel my face heat up as my eyes began to swell how would I get through this. This classroom of hell. The scarlet fire in the blue eyes of the boys and girls gave me the chills. Though as I looked up to greet Mrs. Jago, I let a little pain go. She assured me that I would fit in and make new friends. Though I was not sure if the awkwardness would end. I was the new girl from a public school. I was not accustomed to wearing uniforms and bringing brown bagged lunches. What if when everyone sees my soul food their face scrunches?

At recess I caressed my small bear. I took her everywhere. She was my only friend. As I looked around I counted the brown faces on the playground. Only two I spotted running around. I kicked the woodchips as my swing swayed in the wind. How would I ever fit in? Then it happened! A girl from class, ran over to me and introduced herself. She was new too! I felt so relieved to know that someone else was going through it too, discovering that I was not the only one feeling a little blue. At the time, we had no clue but Abby became a good friend of mines at that school. 

Later during the week, I was assigned a group for a new project. The red head introduced herself and I started to think maybe I would get along in this new neck of the wood. The other students in our group were all already her friends so they accepted me too. I guess she was the ring leader so I am glad I pleased her. The project went swell. We had to delicately glue our favorite things to a large replica of the liberty bell. Through this assignment I found my own freedom and peace. My mind was at ease knowing my group members accepted me plus I had my dear old friend, Abby. Our bell turned out to be the best in the class. It had everything from pots of gold to pots of greasy fried chicken. Our project won for most creative. Through this, I learned the importance of differences and how they help to create an even prettier picture. 

Prompt 3:

Identity: Intelligent Black Woman

1) How do you define intelligence?

“By having a healthy amount of common sense, book smarts.”

2) What does it mean to be a black woman in 2016?

“It means being conscious, strong, and a protector. It also means being a target,

angry, under valued, and always trying to prove yourself.”

3) What obstacles did you face that are unique to being a black woman?

“Just being stereotyped.”

4) Are there certain expectations associated with being a black woman? If so, where did these expectations derive from?

 “I think the expectation is that most, black women are unemployed single mothers on welfare. They come from the media. There’s a common misconception that black women are uneducated.”

 

6) How does being an intelligent black woman affect your daily life?

“Trying to stay calm in the face of ignorance while also trying to inform and educate people on things like Black Lives Matter and why there are certain things you can’t say.”

7) How does slavery make you feel, concerning the perception of women during these times? 

           

“Sad. It was sad that those women were sold, beaten, raped, and basically treated like a piece of meat.”

8) How are black women treated today in comparison to during slavery? 

“Black women are still being treated like meat. Sexual objectification I think is the main comparison.” 

9) Are black woman still in bondage today? Explain why or why not?

“Yes. Not physically, but mentally through the way we are portrayed on tv through reality tv and social media.”

10) Does being educated help to undermine discrimination? 

“No, because [often times] the saturation in the media reaches further and the attempts to explain the struggles of a black woman are often glanced over as ‘anger’.”

11) If at all, how do you differentiate being intelligent and being educated?

“Yes, because it is possible to have one without the other and both can be completely removed from being conscious to the oppression within our society.”

                                                                                                    Participant 2 

1.     How do you define intelligence?

Intelligence to me is being able to solve any problems that you face. Whether you were born with a certain intelligence or acquired it over time through experiences, intelligence is something that differs among people depending on their strengths and weaknesses.

2.     What does it mean to be a black woman in 2016?

To be a black woman in 2016 means navigating the world knowing that people will always perceive you to be a certain way even if you’re not. For example, it is still a common stereotype to believe that black women are loud, rude, and hard to get along with.

3.     What obstacles did you face that are unique to being a black woman?

Some of the obstacles I faced is learning to love myself for who I am even though I don’t fit the standards of European beauty. Growing up and having darker skin and coarser hair than my friends made me feel less beautiful and wanted. I also learned that I don’t need to act a certain way just because I’m black and I don’t need to conform to views of how people see me.

4.     Are there certain expectations associated with being a black woman? If so, where did these expectations derive from?

The biggest expectation of black women is being able to stay strong and stick by their men at all times. Being a “strong black woman” has been a stereotype ingrained in the black women of our society. We are supposed to take everything that is thrown at us and pretend that we are happy and ok. If black women show any emotions toward some of the obstacles they face, whether good or bad, they are deemed an “angry black woman”. As far as sticking by their man no matter what, this mainly deals with the notion that black woman should be with black men even if they don’t want to be with us. It’s ok for black men to date women of other races but as soon a a black woman turns around and does the same thing, she is considered a sell out.

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6.     How does being an intelligent black woman affect your daily life?

Trying to pursue a career in medicine as a young black woman can be difficult because I’m already a minority within a minority. There aren’t many black women in STEM so I believe that it is my duty to change that so more doors can open for younger woman who have the same goals.

7.     How does slavery make you feel, concerning the perception of women during these times?

During slavery, black women had to deal with their children being taken from them, their husbands being killed, and not having control over their own bodies. We weren’t viewed as people but as property.

8.     How are black women treated today in comparison to during slavery?

Black women are definitely treated better than they were during slavery. Some of the stereotypes that are associated with women today stem from being enslaved.

9.     Are black women still in bondage today? Explain why are why not?

Black women in a literal sense aren’t in bondage today. But we still face some discrimination based on stereotypes.

10.  Does being educated help to undermine discrimination?

Walking down the street no one will be able to tell that I’m educated. In that sense discrimination can still take place. Once people hold a conversation with me discrimination can be undermined but only to a certain extent.

11.  If at all, how do you differentiate being intelligent and being educated?

I think being intelligent and educated is the same thing. Going to school builds a person’s intelligence.

Prompt 4:

Cook, Daniella Ann, and Tiffany Williams. "Expanding Intersectionality: Fictive Kinship Networks as Supports for the Educational Aspirations of Black Women." Western Journal of Black Studies 39.2 (2015): 157. Web. 

Jay, M.L., Packer-Williams, C.L., & Jackson, T.O. (2010). Are we change agents or pawns? Reflecting on the experiences of three African American junior faculty. In C.C. Robinson & P. Clardy (Eds.), Tedious journeys: Auto ethnography by women of color in academe (pp. 97-118). New York: Peter Lang.

Tate, W. F. (1994). From Inner City to Ivory Tower Does My Voice Matter in the Academy?. Urban Education, 29(3), 245-269 

The author of this article, shares the identity of an intelligent black woman. She is from a southern Christian household. This article highlights inequality within education. It explains that in order to effectively challenge inequality one must analyze a person’s social identity and be able to contrast it to that of others (Cook). It also describes the concept of the ‘Critical Race Theory’. According to Tate, this theory is, “a multi-epistemological tool and as an analytical tool is informed by three suppositions” (Tate 246). These suppositions suggest that in the United States, race is a significant factor in inequality, property is valued over human rights, and understanding oppression in America derives from analyzing race and property (Tate 247) 

Direct Quote:

 “As Jay, Packer-Williams and Jackson (2010) observe, ‘Given the relative push to diversify the academy, institutions seem to be diligently attempting to increase their numbers of faculty of color without attending to the hostile environments we are invited to enter’” (p. 103).

In institutions they try to ‘fix’ racism by simply creating an illusion of color in power so that people will think there is equality. Though in reality, this does not correct the issue it is just a cover up

Kennedy, Joy L. "The HBCU Experience: Liberating Or Not?" The Urban Review 44.3 (2012): 358-77. Web

Often times when discussing the subject of an intelligent black woman they are associated with attending an HBCU. This is because HBCU’s are intended to cultivate young black women. Though these schools do provide insight that many predominantly white institutions overlook there is still an equality gap between intelligent black women and intelligent black men. Black women are still faced with discrimination even amongst their own. According to Kennedy, even at HBCUs, “the African American woman’s voice is usually relegated to the margins within social and academic framework” (1). This illustrates that women are treated as less than men. For example, at my university our Black Student Union, which is a combination of a social and academic based organization, is ran by the men. Woman were only permitted to run of lower level positions such as secretary and treasurer. 

Ngwe, Job Elom, and O. Oko Elechi. "human Trafficking: The Modern Day Slavery of the 21st Century." African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies : AJCJS 6.1/2 (2012): 103-19. Web.

            This article makes a comparison between slavery during the 1800s to slavery during the 21st century. Though African-Americans today are not legal slaves , we are enslaved to other things. Nqwe states, "Unfortunately, human trafficking appears to have replaced this abhorrent activity as the modern day slavery of the 21st century” (1). Human trafficking is one example. It is just as degrading as human smuggling yet it occurs and there is not great outrage over it. Black woman are a large target for human traffickers. Furthermore, African-Americans, even the intelligent women, enslave themselves mentally. They allow white prejudice to effect their lifestyle. Unfortunately, as a result they settle for their poor treatment since it is an upgrade from not even being considered a full human.

Prompt 7:

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You are in a new classroom. It is coted with white walls, white desks, and white people. You and another student are the only people of color. 

You remind yourself that this is what you, an intelligent black woman, signed up for by attending a prominent Predominantly White Institution. As you take your seat you motivate yourself. You try to find the good in the situation. You embrace your difference, as the melanin in your skin, glows in the dull white room.

This is nothing new to you though. You have been 'the colored girl' all throughout high school. You took honors classes whereas most of your black friends settled for the CP classes. These are classes officially know as college prep but presented as Colored People classes. 

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In class one day your class is instructed to read a book excerpt aloud. You are forewarned that the author is black. In the back of your mind you know it was only chosen since it is Black History Month. Nevertheless, your interest is sparked.

Each student takes turns reading the assigned poem aloud. So far, it is a very interesting piece. The writing is about a black women experiencing racial injustice.

/

Then it happens. Your worst scholastic nightmare comes to life. Without forewarning nor disclaimer a hateful word is read aloud by a white student. Though you saw this word on the paper beforehand you did not brace yourself to hear it aloud, especially not from a white student. As soon as this word rolls off of her tongue it is like a dagger in your neck. This hateful word is rooted in oppression and abuse and it really hurts your soul to be reminded of it. 

/

When you speak out in class on cultural issues you feel like a black hole in the midst of their white innocence. No one can relate to your struggles. They are not aware of the pain in your life that has stemmed from their ancestors.

As you sit in your desk you see your dreams deferring. You refuse to allow them to dry up like raisins in the sun though. You decide that you are going to allow your dreams to ooze like wounds in run.

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You take it upon yourself to voice your feelings. Even though your mind is telling you "no" your pride is telling you "go". You take that first step out of your seat and towards the teachers desk. You wait patiently for her acknowledgement. You then muster up the courage to address her on her presentation of this sensitive writing.

You explain to her that you were offended. Not only did she allow such hateful words to be read aloud but she gave no forewarning. Then, she did not even follow up on the issue afterwards. You explained to her that even just hearing this word from a white classmate truly hurts. The teacher assures you that she will make an announcement. "Phew!" what a relief, you think.

/

You return to your seat with a sense of accomplishment as the teacher quiets the class to make an announcement. Though to your astonishment the teacher does not offer an apology. Instead she basically disregards that you felt disrespected and says that she must respect the poet at all costs.

Again you feel this dagger in your neck. Your heart stings but your lips remain silent. You resume working on your assignment.

/

You refuse to let this temporary feeling of defeat and outcast define your future. Therefore, you continue to attend this class. You put on a strong face and are determined to receive the most out of it.

/

Prompt 8:

English 102                                  I Am an Intelligent Black Woman                           Alexis Martin

Kristen Kaschock                                                                                                                 02/12/16

According to definition, identity is the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. Individuals embody multiple identities. One of my dominant self-identifiers is being an intelligent, black woman. In America, black women are already double minorities. As a result, there are many exclusive obstacles that they are presented with when trying to achieve greatness. This study was performed to help understand what it is like to be a member of this identity in modern-day America, highlight the history of intelligent black women, and analyze the applied definition of intelligence.

Black women have a rich yet heart breaking history. Though it begins way before this, my focus is the 1600s and beyond. During this time is when many black women in America were forced into slavery. During slavery, black women had little to no rights and were treated very inhumane. I think blacks are still enslaved mentally, although we are not in physical bondage. Both of the women that I interviewed, Jade and Lara, share this viewpoint. Furthermore, Jade said, “Black women in a literal sense aren’t in bondage today. But we still face some discrimination based on stereotypes.” A lot of the stereotypes we experience today, stem from prejudices verses actual facts. According to Ngwe, “Modern day slavery differs remarkably from ancient slavery in several ways according to Bales and Cornell” (2008). Ngwe has done prominent research and even he assures us that slavery is still in existence. They just don’t use chains and whips. It has just been modernized.

            Although, prejudices and judgments stem from various places, a lot of them come from within our own black communities. Unfortunately, most women are never taught to love themselves. This is a problem that should have been addressed at home. One can not rely on the education system to instill these morals into our children. The majority of daily interactions are at home, and according to research, “Common to all feminist traditions is the assertion that both science and gender, and to some extent racism, are social constructions that are constructed by individuals based on their daily interactions with others” (Pinder 65). Racism, including how one views her own race, starts at home. Young black women must be taught to love themselves by those they interact with on a daily basis. 

            Often times self love can be hard. Even when instilled in us at an early age, the environment in which we live can have a detrimental impact on one’s foundation. In my experience, I can go into a situation with confidence yet still result in defeat. For example, when I was in the fourth grade, I took great pride in being an intelligent black young lady. Though, when I transferred to an all white school I began to forget who I was. I could only identify myself by my skin color, for this is how I was perceived to everyone around me. I was raised to love myself and my dark skin but the racism that I experienced choked me and smuggled out all remnants of my pride. In my experience, although having a strong foundation can help, it will ultimately deteriorate when one is surrounded by racism and prejudice.

            It is the year 2016, and America’s First Lady herself is a highly intelligent black woman yet she still receives a lot of judgment and aversion. To some people, despite her degrees from Princeton and Harvard, she is undeserving of this office simply because she is black. As expressed by Lara, “To be a black woman in 2016 means navigating the world knowing that people will always perceive you to be a certain way, even if you’re not.” This statement also proves very true in my own life. For example, within the Drexel community, many have assumptions that since I am here enrolled in such a prestigious institution, it must be due to affirmative action or some other outside forces. People very seldom ever actually look at a black woman in today’s society without judgment. Weather this judgment happens internally, outward, direct or indirect, these prejudices are still very evident in our culture.   

            In addition to preconceptions, the expectations of a black woman even within her own community are often unfair. In my experience, I have found that this is because black men do not have the same high regard for their black women as we do for them. My peer, Jade, agreed with me. She said:

The biggest expectation of black women is being able to stay strong and stick by their men at all times. Being a “strong black woman” has been a stereotype ingrained in the black women of our society. We are supposed to take everything that is thrown at us and pretend that we are happy and ok. If black women show any emotions toward some of the obstacles they face, whether good or bad, they are deemed an ‘angry black woman’. As far as sticking by their man no matter what, this mainly deals with the notion that black woman should be with black men even if they don’t want to be with us. It’s ok for black men to date women of other races but as soon a black woman turns around and does the same thing, she is considered a sell out.

In addition to voicing the expectations of black women, this participant also expanded on that of black men. She highlights the double standard within the black community. Woman are expected to behave a certain way. Whereas men are allowed to do whatever they please and expect no negative retaliation from us black women. We are just supposed to support them even in their wrong doings.

            On average black women are more educated than black men. Though does that make us more intelligent? Some would argue that intelligence and education are not the same. I personally agree with this. I feel as though education pertains to standardized knowledge whereas intelligence is knowing how to analyze and apply that knowledge. With that being said, I do believe that though they are different there is a strong correlation between the two. Participant one feels as though it is possible to have just one without the other but Participant two disagrees. Participant two argues that they are the same for, “Going to school builds a person’s intelligence.” Though this is true, in my opinion, going to school is not the only way to build intelligence.