Short Ethic Study Eassy

Short Essay Assignment

Often times when we hear an opposing view we assume that its’ source is evil or negative. This is especially true when the perspective is stereotypical or racist. My observation is that most bigots are not racist cognitively or intentionally and many times they are unaware of the stereotypes that they are applying to others. Often times, bigots have developed their beliefs through life experience. This essay challenges you to examine a situation from the perspective of a bigot.

You should think of this as a reflection on how a bigot(s) got this belief. Your goal is not to pass judgment on your chosen bigot’s belief but rather to use your research to see how their point of view developed into a perspective. This assignment will ask you to see the world from another’s point of view—to develop empathy with people you don’t necessarily agree with.

PROMPT:

Present an argument for the perspective of the person or homogeneous group who opposes interracial relationships, sex and/or marriage. Choose a character/person from a movie, book or from your life’s experience. Make sure that you introduce your 2

character/person and the movie/story or life experience in the first paragraph of your essay.

Write from the THIRD PERSON perspective and analyze a person or homogenous group that you’ve observed or been a part of who have expressed a bigoted view about interracial relationships. As examples, re-watch the scenes from Jungle Feveri at Paulie’s shop and at Drew’s “war council” at Cyrus’ house.

In both scenes, there is a homogenous group of people (same race and gender) discussing interracial relations. Both groups express an attraction for interracial sex at some point in the conversation (“curiosity”), yet both groups are strongly opposed to a deeper interracial relationship, such as marriage.

In your essay, research what types of forces create this shared group bigotry towards deeper interracial relationships. Write as if you were an investigator and draw on your outside research to help us empathize with how they (the bigot) developed their perspective. You should research the time period, major personalities and terms that defined the cultural history of the bigot you are immersing yourself in.

Your overall goal is to present a crisp, succinct perspective on a single moment as presented in Claudine Chiawei O’Hearn’s Half and Half, a movie that we’ve viewed thus far or your own life experience. You must deal with perspective as defined in the Announcements of Week #4, so shy away from anecdote and personal beliefs (including those passed to you by your parents/mentors).

Be careful to use support from outside sources other than word-of-mouth anecdotes. I challenge you to remove your beliefs from the body of the paper. Within your essay, please include facts that led your character/person to his/her bigoted perspective. Pull these facts from the movie/story or life experience that you’ve choose AND your outside research materials. Remember to cite the sources every time using Chicago Manual.

NOTE: You must follow the Paper Requirements listed below. As a way to clarify how this essay is graded, I included the Assessment below. If you have any questions or need further clarity on this assignment, please post your questions in the Q&A section of the Discussion Board. 3

i Spike Lee. “Jungle Fever” (1991)

ASSESSMENT:

This essay encompasses 25% of your total grade and is broken down as follows:

* Following Paper Requirements (5 points)

* Thesis (5 points)

* Support (5 points)

* Organization (5 points)

* Content (5 points)

PAPER REQUIREMENTS:

Your paper should be no less than 3 full pages and no more than 4 pages
12-point, Times New Roman font
Double spaced
Standard margins
Include page numbers
Include a cover sheet (see attached sample provided), which is not to be included in your page count.
Include a bibliography (see attached sample provided), which is not to be included in your page count.
Endnotes (sample provided at the end of these instructions)
Document in Chicago Manual Style
3 Scholarly sources – 1. Half and Half, 2. print source (book or journal), 3. other source (online, movie, or another book).
Must be a Word 1997 Document