Summary
For the final Apollo project of the 2019-2020 fall/winter semester, I decided to focus on social stigmas that are prominent in the black community. I wanted to specifically focus on the following stigmas: mental health, homosexuality and interracial marriage. The question of why certain stigmas exist is often asked when analyzing any type of stigma among a group of people. Although the stigmas I listed up above can be found among any group regardless of social status, race etc., these negative perceptions are particularly common among the black community. Through research and having conversations with family and friends who are apart of the black community, I not only answered the question of why these negative perceptions exist, but also what historical occurrences might have created them, how they have been passed down from generation to generation and how they can be overcome.
ENGLISH
For the English portion of the project, I specifically analyzed groups of people within the black community who have been directly impacted by the negative perceptions on mental health, same-sex relationships and other stigmas that exist in the black community. Through this analyzation I gained insight on how the views on these stigmas varied depending on each generation. To present these different views, I decided to write a double-exposure spoken word/poem titled "But What Should I Say or Do".
What is a Double Exposure Poem?
The first step in creating this type of poem, was understanding the history behind this style of poetry. The original creator of a this type of poetry was American poet, Greg Williamson. Depending on how the writer constructs the piece, the poem could be read in two different ways: the standard type, by alternating stanzas, by alternating lines, or a combination of both. I was immediately intrigued by this style of poetry and decided to further research on the original creator. Click down below for further information.
ABOUT GREG WILLIAMSON
Born in 1964, Poet Greg Williamson grew up in Nashville. He received his education at Vanderbilt University, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Johns Hopkins University's Writing Seminars. Williamson has published a number of works of poetry, including The Silent Partner (1995) and A Most Marvelous Piece of Luck (2008). He has received numerous awards such as the Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize, a Whiting Award, an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, etc. Williamson has taught at Johns Hopkins University since 1992 and currently lives in the Baltimore and Atlanta area.
Greg Williamson
The second step was to create my own unique spin on this style of poetry. Instead of creating just a double exposure poem, I turned it into a spoken word as well, in which I partially performed in front of the Apollo teachers. I wrote this poem by alternating stanzas, which means although each stanza is from a different "view", it can still be read as one poem. In simpler terms, I wrote this poem in a way that it seems as if it was a conversation between two individuals/generations.
This piece consisted of two different perspectives: an older generation (parent/baby boomers) and a younger generation (child of parent/millennials). Each viewpoint consists of the perception that each generation has on mental health.
Click down below to read, "But What Should I Say or Do" !
This piece consisted of two different perspectives: an older generation (parent/baby boomers) and a younger generation (child of parent/millennials). Each viewpoint consists of the perception that each generation has on mental health.
Click down below to read, "But What Should I Say or Do" !
Social Studies
For the social studies aspect of the project, I researched why certain stigmas exist in the black community. I specifically researched and analyzed historical events that impacted the black community and may have created the stigmas.
What would happen if one historical occurrence would change?
How would that alter the view that blacks have on mental health, interracial marriage and other stigmas?
I decided to create an outliner that showcased certain historical events and their direct connection to stigmas in the black community. I then used this information to synthesize and analyze how changing even one historical element could change how mental health, interracial marriage and among other stigmas, may be perceived among blacks; I ultimately created an alternate history. I decided to create a Prezi to present this alternate history
I focused on the following three historical occurrences/time periods: The Lovings Case, The StoneWall Riots and The Civil Rights Movement. Through my research of the mental health, homosexuality and interracial marriage stigmas, I found that each of those historical elements in some way connected to the stigmas.
The Lovings Case:
The Lovings vs. Virginia was a Supreme Court case that abolished state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States. The defendants in the case were Richard and Mildred Loving, a white man and black woman who were married. Their marriage was viewed as illegal based off of Virginia state laws before the U.S Supreme Court ruled that the "anit-miscegenation" laws were unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.
As a result, interracial couples were able to be rightfully married without being prosecuted against. These relationships slowly began to be more socially acceptable among Americans.
But what would happen if..
..the Lovings were to have hid their relationship?
... they would have quit trying to fight the judicial system?
How would have that not only impacted their family/bloodline, but impacted interracial relationships then and in the modern age?
I personally believe that the laws that were in place (19th/20th century to 1967) to prevent interracial relationships, would have existed much later. As a result, the bloodlines stemmed from interracial marriages decades ago, would not exists today. I also believe that the views of such relationships would not be as accepting as they currently are; the stigma would be even more prevalent.
The StoneWall Riots:
The Stone Wall Riots began June 28, 1969, when NYPD officials raided a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City called the Stonewall Inn. Police officials were "roughly hauling employees and patrons out the bar" and as a result, people began to fight/"riot" back. This lead to six days of protests and clashes between law enforcement. The Stonewall Riots marked the beginning of the gay right movement in the United states and around the world.
But what would happen if..
...the LGBTQ community did not resist law enforcement officials that day?
How would that have impacted not only the LGBTQ community, but the black community?
I personally believe that the laws in place that protect the rights of those apart the LGBTQ community, would have been in place much later and as a result, many in the community would have had to suffer even longer than they were. I also believe that the stigma in the black community surrounded around homosexuality would be even more prevalent. Many blacks were involved in the movement and riots and as a result, the black community saw their suffering, the hope, determination and the viewpoints began to shift. If Stonewall riots were to not have occurred, the stigma would still be very much prevalent as it was before the riots.
The Civil Rights Movement:
The Civil Rights Movement was an organized effort by black Americans to end racial discrimination and gain equal rights. It began in the late 1940s and ended in the late 1960s. The movement resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1957 being made along with other laws and the abolishment of Jim Crow laws. During the movement (and even before then and now), many blacks went through traumatizing experiences and as a result, the mental health of blacks was negativity impacted. Due to not being able to have access to certified doctors and counselors, blacks resorted to creating these ideas that what they were experiencing was weakness and could be be easily be fixed, but in reality it was mental illness. These morals and ideas have been passed down generation to generation and many still live by it. I personally believe that if the mental health of blacks was catered to during the Civil Rights Movement, the black community would not live by these negative morals and would be be educated on their mental health and how to properly live/combat mental illnesses/diseases.
Click down below to be redirected to the outliner and read more from the Prezi !
What would happen if one historical occurrence would change?
How would that alter the view that blacks have on mental health, interracial marriage and other stigmas?
I decided to create an outliner that showcased certain historical events and their direct connection to stigmas in the black community. I then used this information to synthesize and analyze how changing even one historical element could change how mental health, interracial marriage and among other stigmas, may be perceived among blacks; I ultimately created an alternate history. I decided to create a Prezi to present this alternate history
I focused on the following three historical occurrences/time periods: The Lovings Case, The StoneWall Riots and The Civil Rights Movement. Through my research of the mental health, homosexuality and interracial marriage stigmas, I found that each of those historical elements in some way connected to the stigmas.
The Lovings Case:
The Lovings vs. Virginia was a Supreme Court case that abolished state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States. The defendants in the case were Richard and Mildred Loving, a white man and black woman who were married. Their marriage was viewed as illegal based off of Virginia state laws before the U.S Supreme Court ruled that the "anit-miscegenation" laws were unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.
As a result, interracial couples were able to be rightfully married without being prosecuted against. These relationships slowly began to be more socially acceptable among Americans.
But what would happen if..
..the Lovings were to have hid their relationship?
... they would have quit trying to fight the judicial system?
How would have that not only impacted their family/bloodline, but impacted interracial relationships then and in the modern age?
I personally believe that the laws that were in place (19th/20th century to 1967) to prevent interracial relationships, would have existed much later. As a result, the bloodlines stemmed from interracial marriages decades ago, would not exists today. I also believe that the views of such relationships would not be as accepting as they currently are; the stigma would be even more prevalent.
The StoneWall Riots:
The Stone Wall Riots began June 28, 1969, when NYPD officials raided a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City called the Stonewall Inn. Police officials were "roughly hauling employees and patrons out the bar" and as a result, people began to fight/"riot" back. This lead to six days of protests and clashes between law enforcement. The Stonewall Riots marked the beginning of the gay right movement in the United states and around the world.
But what would happen if..
...the LGBTQ community did not resist law enforcement officials that day?
How would that have impacted not only the LGBTQ community, but the black community?
I personally believe that the laws in place that protect the rights of those apart the LGBTQ community, would have been in place much later and as a result, many in the community would have had to suffer even longer than they were. I also believe that the stigma in the black community surrounded around homosexuality would be even more prevalent. Many blacks were involved in the movement and riots and as a result, the black community saw their suffering, the hope, determination and the viewpoints began to shift. If Stonewall riots were to not have occurred, the stigma would still be very much prevalent as it was before the riots.
The Civil Rights Movement:
The Civil Rights Movement was an organized effort by black Americans to end racial discrimination and gain equal rights. It began in the late 1940s and ended in the late 1960s. The movement resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1957 being made along with other laws and the abolishment of Jim Crow laws. During the movement (and even before then and now), many blacks went through traumatizing experiences and as a result, the mental health of blacks was negativity impacted. Due to not being able to have access to certified doctors and counselors, blacks resorted to creating these ideas that what they were experiencing was weakness and could be be easily be fixed, but in reality it was mental illness. These morals and ideas have been passed down generation to generation and many still live by it. I personally believe that if the mental health of blacks was catered to during the Civil Rights Movement, the black community would not live by these negative morals and would be be educated on their mental health and how to properly live/combat mental illnesses/diseases.
Click down below to be redirected to the outliner and read more from the Prezi !
But What Should I say or Do
But What Should I Say or Do?
But what should I say or do?
I try to understand your point of view,
keeping in mind that you are my parent, therefore I should respect you
But who should I run to while I tear my mind into two?
It's one thing after another like an iron weight on my chest,
I crawl to the door hoping you’re home
But your there getting a good-nights rest.
But what should I say or do?
I just don’t understand your point of view.
I went through worse at your age; you'll make it through.
Just stop thinking about it and let it rest.
What was that? You have what on your chest?
But, you’re here at home, so why are you so worried?
You haven’t even really lived life down in the dirty-dirty?
But that’s not the point.
It’s like a continuous silent film playing in my mind
But when the climax occurs I hear the whole plot at the same time.
Everytime I take ten steps ahead, I’m veered off the track.
Look, I try your methods but I still feel like I’m being held back.
I tried praying, the resting and a home-cooked meal
But none has worked and you still don’t know how I feel.
But that’s not the point
You don’t get better right away.
If you keep on praying, resting and eating away
trust me you’ll feel better by the end of day.
Now what’s this track of yours and why have you veered off?
You probably not working hard enough or maybe you need a few days off.
I’m tryna tell you it’s that media of yours child,
just take one day off and you’ll sleep safe and sound.
But you see,
I do that too.
I can go a whole day without “the media” and still do what I gotta do.
But when I get home and I get in that bed,
The opening credits start rolling in the back of my head
I replay every step and very breath of my day
hoping I didn’t make any mistakes along the way.
and sleep never comes, I just watch that movie play.
But you see,
I can do that to.
I only go on Facebook and watch the TubeYou.
See that might be the reason!
You in be in bed to much, dreamin’
and watchin’ all those movies that cuss.
I think I understand now what’s going on with you,
See that’s why I’m your parent, I know you.
But do you really?
Do you see the tears in my eyes at every reunion?
When the old-heads start asking questions:
“How you been doing?”
and all I can say is I have been doing.
I can’t text or call the people who may understand me.
I feel like I’m in a steel box.
I feel like I have nobody.
But do you really?
You have me!
See I went through the same thing,
I didn’t have nobody.
But did you know what I did?
I got up each day even if I just wanted to stay in bed.
After I cried so many tears and prayed to my Lord,
I did what I had to do, even with my heart torn.
But what should I say or do?
I’m not you
and I still can’t understand your point of view.
See, maybe I should have just kept this to myself
and kept on going through life in my shell.
I love you, you know I do
But maybe this is the one thing in life,`
that a parent can’t fix or heal.
Maybe I have to look in the mirror to understand how I really feel,
and hopefully one day you’ll recognize the child you know,
the one you raised and helped to grow
before life started to rain and takes it toll.
-- = Current generation (Millennials/Gen Z)
-- = Older generation ( Baby Boomers/Gen Y)
But what should I say or do?
I try to understand your point of view,
keeping in mind that you are my parent, therefore I should respect you
But who should I run to while I tear my mind into two?
It's one thing after another like an iron weight on my chest,
I crawl to the door hoping you’re home
But your there getting a good-nights rest.
But what should I say or do?
I just don’t understand your point of view.
I went through worse at your age; you'll make it through.
Just stop thinking about it and let it rest.
What was that? You have what on your chest?
But, you’re here at home, so why are you so worried?
You haven’t even really lived life down in the dirty-dirty?
But that’s not the point.
It’s like a continuous silent film playing in my mind
But when the climax occurs I hear the whole plot at the same time.
Everytime I take ten steps ahead, I’m veered off the track.
Look, I try your methods but I still feel like I’m being held back.
I tried praying, the resting and a home-cooked meal
But none has worked and you still don’t know how I feel.
But that’s not the point
You don’t get better right away.
If you keep on praying, resting and eating away
trust me you’ll feel better by the end of day.
Now what’s this track of yours and why have you veered off?
You probably not working hard enough or maybe you need a few days off.
I’m tryna tell you it’s that media of yours child,
just take one day off and you’ll sleep safe and sound.
But you see,
I do that too.
I can go a whole day without “the media” and still do what I gotta do.
But when I get home and I get in that bed,
The opening credits start rolling in the back of my head
I replay every step and very breath of my day
hoping I didn’t make any mistakes along the way.
and sleep never comes, I just watch that movie play.
But you see,
I can do that to.
I only go on Facebook and watch the TubeYou.
See that might be the reason!
You in be in bed to much, dreamin’
and watchin’ all those movies that cuss.
I think I understand now what’s going on with you,
See that’s why I’m your parent, I know you.
But do you really?
Do you see the tears in my eyes at every reunion?
When the old-heads start asking questions:
“How you been doing?”
and all I can say is I have been doing.
I can’t text or call the people who may understand me.
I feel like I’m in a steel box.
I feel like I have nobody.
But do you really?
You have me!
See I went through the same thing,
I didn’t have nobody.
But did you know what I did?
I got up each day even if I just wanted to stay in bed.
After I cried so many tears and prayed to my Lord,
I did what I had to do, even with my heart torn.
But what should I say or do?
I’m not you
and I still can’t understand your point of view.
See, maybe I should have just kept this to myself
and kept on going through life in my shell.
I love you, you know I do
But maybe this is the one thing in life,`
that a parent can’t fix or heal.
Maybe I have to look in the mirror to understand how I really feel,
and hopefully one day you’ll recognize the child you know,
the one you raised and helped to grow
before life started to rain and takes it toll.
-- = Current generation (Millennials/Gen Z)
-- = Older generation ( Baby Boomers/Gen Y)
Stigmas in the black community:
how did it all start?
how did it all start?
THINKING SKILL: Synthesis
Formal Definition: The combination of ideas to form a theory or system.
Connection to "Stigmas in the Black Community" :
I incorporated the thinking skill synthesis through the double exposure spoken word and alternate history I created.
One of the first steps in writing my double exposure spoken word, was researching and watching various spoken words. I analyzed aspects such as how they were written, how they were preformed, the meaning behind them etc. I then synthesized some of these aspects into creating my own spoken word. Down below are a few of my favorite spoken words I came across in which I used as inspiration:
Shihan This type love Def Poetry Jam
Second Guessing
Ernestine Morrison Performed 'The Average Black Girl' on Arsenio Hall Show
2016 NPS Finals - House Slam - Ashley Davis & Oompa "Simon Says"
Darius Simpson & Scout Bostley - "Lost Voices" (CUPSI 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uvej9fs_jk&feature=share
As explained previously, I researched and analyzed historical events that may have created particular stigmas in the black community. I then used this information to synthesize and analyze how changing even one historical element could change how mental health, interracial marriage and among other stigmas, may be perceived among blacks; I ultimately created an alternate history ( this alternate history explanation can be found in the "Social Studies" section on this page).
APT: AFTER PROJECT THOUGHTS
Unlike the other project ideas that I throughly thought about before starting the Apollo process, I started the process as soon as I become interested in this project idea. I had good amount of personal knowledge about this idea due to the fact that I am black and have experienced and seen just how these stigmas can impact individuals. I wanted a deeper understanding of these stigmas and sit down with my family/friends to apply this new knowledge and discuss how we can overcome them. Thanks to the Apollo Program, I was able to do learn and about something that is close to my heart.
What a wonderful way to end my junior year in the Apollo Program!
What a wonderful way to end my junior year in the Apollo Program!
Annotated Bibliography: Project 4 | |
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