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Short Essays and Responses

Short Essay 4

In order to understand the situation of American blacks, we must not throw out earlier ways of conceiving American identity. Instead, we must adapt these conceptions and combine them with the psychology of victimization described in Wax’s book in order to understand the situation of American blacks. Additionally, we must consider institutions such as slavery and structural racism that have put blacks at a disadvantage while searching for equal opportunity in society. Although Wax cites that race-based discrimination accounts for a small portion of disparity, and advocates for reforming culture instead of utilizing government programs and structural changes, a mix of these approaches is essential in order to empower blacks and allow them to align with the modified view of American identity that is the “deconstructionist” identity introduced by Huntington in Who Are We?

            Wax asserts that victimization by blacks has been a “defining part of group identity throughout our national history” (97). Further, Wax explains the distinction between the internal and external locus of control. A person with an external locus of control “tends to believe that his destiny is largely out of his hands. The most important forces in his life are bad luck or social impediments such as discrimination” (98). On the other hand, a person with an internal locus of control “regards his fate as largely a product of his own actions, decisions and choices. Such a person ignores or discounts external barriers” (98). Wax goes on to assert that some evidence shows that blacks tend to have more of an external locus than whites. Most of Wax’s argument is that blacks focus much more on external forces that are out of their control, hence the title of the chapter “The Psychology of Victimization”. Even though Wax has a well thought out argument, she fails to fully recognize that whites have had advantages over blacks and other minorities since the beginning of America. Although a shift to an internal locus of control would benefit all members of society, something like this will take time. Also, in order to have a national identity for all, it is essential for people to be more understanding of past institutions such as slavery that left blacks at a disadvantage. Additionally, we must draw back on the strong national identity that was largely created by whites in order to allow minority groups to align with an identity that is more accepting and full of other subnational identities.  

            Wax outlines the two approaches to improving the situation for blacks in America. The first is government programs and structural changes such as education and employment remedies. The second approach is “an inner focus on reforming the culture and altering individual values and behaviors” (95). Wax argues that the government programs and structural changes have outlived their usefulness, and we must look toward reforming culture and altering individual values and cultures. Additionally, Wax argues that many people turn to blame race-based discrimination for many issues in society, yet this “explains a very small part of existing differences in educational attainment, jobs, wages, family structure, consumer credit rates, and involvement with the criminal justice system”(95). Although Wax argues that an approach utilizing both structural changes and cultural changes has proved to be futile, it is still necessary. Drawing back on government programs would make the situation for blacks even worse. Although cultural change is a novel idea, it seems unattainable and also does not contribute to a deconstructionist identity. We must be accepting of culture, instead of changing it. Continuing government programs as well as promoting an internal locus of control will allow for improvements for both blacks and society as a whole.

            In order to understand the situation of blacks, we must adapt the Anglo-Protestant view of identity, and create a more deconstructionist identity. As pointed out by Huntington in Who Are We?, “in the 1960s and 1970s they began to promote measures consciously designed to weaken America’s cultural and creedal identity and to strengthen racial, ethnic, cultural, and other subnational identities” (Huntington 143). Continuing to adapt a deconstructionist identity and developing a sense of empathy for past hardships will allow blacks and other minorities to be empowered and improve their condition. Overall, it is seemingly impossible to change a culture, but with a combination of government programs, a deconstructionist identity, empathy, and a promotion of the internal locus of control, we can better understand the situation of American blacks and help American blacks rise above disparity. 

6 replies on “Short Essay 4”

I think that your essay is very well organized. You did a great job of having the body paragraphs follow the exact structure of the introduction. You also effectively summarize many of Wax’s arguments in a highly succinct way, ensuring that your explanation of her ideas does not sidetrack the reader from the point that you are developing. One thing you could potentially improve has to do with your opinion on all of this. In the conclusion, you have a sentence that clearly spells our your position on the question. In the introduction, you say your conclusion but over the course of many sentences. While your position certainly isn’t lacking in the introductory paragraph, I did not finish reading that paragraph with a clear understanding of your position, whereas your conclusion made it very clear what you are arguing. I think your essay would benefit from making you opinion stand out right in your introduction so that I know what to look for as the piece goes on and you develop your argument.

You bring up a lot of good points in you essay. I agree with the statement that you made of shifting the locus of control. I find that even if blacks in America were to shift this there would still be a problem with the equality in America. If the white community is in charge of who gets the benefits then there will always be this inequality happening in a vicious circle. Even if blacks were to push themselves forward as Wax says they should it wouldn’t fix the problem. In the instance of education you see that the government, which is mostly white males, will draw district lines for schools. These lines are made, and you see that lower class blacks are sectioned off into one school system. The schools that are given are underfunded and have teachers who do not push the students as far as they would in other districts. These are walls that are put up for blacks in America, and they are not something that can be changed based on the mindset of the victims as Wax says they should.

I felt as though this essay did a good job in displaying the various ideas that Wax presents throughout her book. There was a fair balance in favor and against the topic question that made the paper flow well. Despite this, trimming down your thesis statement and avoiding block quoting would make this essay stronger. The thesis sentence was strong, but too lengthy and putting Wax’s words into your own would convey your viewpoints on this matter in an efficient manner.

Overall, very good essay. Aside from the few writing improvements we discussed in class, the only feasible way I could see you improving this essay would be by bringing up some modern examples and offering potential solutions. This would bring a additional level of support to your argument and would really just strengthen the essay overall.

I found that overall this is a great essay with powerful points that support your argument as a whole. I find that you did a great job addressing your viewpoint on the chapter “The Psychology of Victimization.” I agreed when you stated that “Most of Wax’s argument is that blacks focus much more on external forces that are out of their control, hence the title of the chapter ‘The Psychology of Victimization’. Even though Wax has a well thought out argument, she fails to fully recognize that whites have had advantages over blacks and other minorities since the beginning of America.” I find this statement that you make is necessary and is missed by Wax in her argument. Although it is necessary to recognize that people do have some control and must take responsibility for there own actions by having an internal locus of control, it cannot be disregarded that those who are marginalized have a disadvantage that they as an individual cannot deconstruct themselves. Your essay would have been strengthened if you applied either real would applications and either solution to those specific issues of solutions to the issues as a whole.

After reading your essay, I thought that you did a very well job expressing you point, Bobby. Your statement that reflected Wax’s argument that applied to the psychology of blacks when they are told what they can and cannot do really gives them a short leash while they are trying to progress in society. This idea that people would restrict another race after they have already gone through so much would be completely detrimental to their egos.
For a group of people to “bounce back” or be respected in society they must first be completely accepted and welcomed into said society. In my mind, this can only come from healing over time and the associative process that will allow any member of any race to be able to achieve any socioeconomically status that they would or could want to achieve.

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