August Wilson / Afro-American Playwright
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A 9 page discussion of the contemporary black playwright August Wilson and several of his works including but not limited to : 'The Piano Lesson' and 'Two Trains Running.'
Filename: Augustwi.wps

August Wilson's 'Fences'
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A 4 page overview of August Wilson's play 'Fences' with special consideration of the importance of Troy and the impact that this main character has on the development of themes like racial separation and struggle. This paper also looks at Troy's impact on his family and the way in which Wilson provides an insightful look into the culture and history of 1950's black America.
Filename: Fences.wps

August Wilson's 'Fences' # 2
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This 7 page paper examines how racial discrimination, African-American culture and family life were depicted during the 1950s in August Wilson's Pulitzer prize-winning play, 'Fences.' The paper provides an overview of the entire play, but focuses primarily upon Act I. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: Fences2.wps

August Wilson's 'Fences' / Significance Of The Title
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A 5 page paper on this 1987 Pulitzer prizewinning play. The paper comments on the relationship between the title and the fences the characters erect around themselves, symbolized by the fence Troy Maxson builds on his property. It concludes that African Americans have interiorized three hundred years of racism and allowed it to warp the way they think of themselves, and building emotional fences is a form of self-defense. No additional sources cited.
Filename: Auwilson.wps

The Trope Of Jazz / Blues In Black Literature & Poetry
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A 15 page research paper which explores the profound connection between blues and jazz and African-American literature and poetry. The writer relates how music was the only source of creativity allowed blacks during the slave era, and how this caused a rich musical heritage to be developed which has carried over into works of such writers as Langston Hughes and Toni Morrison. The 'Coltrane poems,' which were inspired by the work of the great jazz musician, John Coltrane, are also explored. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: Litpoet.wps

Contributions Of African-Americans To Music & Art
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A 5 page research paper which examines the multiple contributions of black Americans beginning in the colonial period and giving a brief overview to the present. The writer's covers such topics as the Harlem Renaissance, African-American contributions to music (Joplin, Coltrane, etc.), and the works of contemporary novelist Toni Morrison. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: Afamart.wps

The Movement Against Apartheid
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This 14 page paper presents a view of Apartheid and the movement against Apartheid in the 1980s and early 1990s. This paper considers the role that religion played in the movement against Apartheid in South Africa, as well as the roles of Steve Biko, Desmund Tutu, indigenous religions, and Nelson Mandella. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: MHbiko.wps

The Issue of Slavery and the US Constitution
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A 10 page research paper that examines what the framers of the Constitution included regarding the institution of slavery. The writer addresses why slavery was included when, presumably, the nation was founded on principles of equality and also details the ongoing debate as to whether the framers of the Constitution regarded slavery as a constitutional right. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: 99slcon.rtf

Religion And Slavery
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An 8 page paper rationalizing the existence of slavery through religion. In Antebellum times here in America, slavery was justified through religion in many ways. Even African American spokesmen often claimed that God sent slavery to the African American in order to teach them about suffering and truth. The white man used religion as an excuse mainly in the context that the African American was no more than an animal and as such was entrusted to them so that the they might teach the African American about religion and the path of righteousness. This is not to say that this reality was righteous, for it was not, but it was the excuse many used for the mistreatment and the enslavement of the African American. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: Slavargu.wps

A Comparison of Slavery in Greek and Roman Times with Slavery in the Americas
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A 12 page review of the institution of slavery in ancient times and that which existed in the 'New World' after colonization by European peoples. Discusses the encomienda system in Central and South America which essentially enslaved the Native Americans of the region and the use of black slaves in the Americas as well. Provides period quotes from Frederick Douglass and Alexis Tocqueville illustrating two different views of black slavery in the Americas. Compares the similarities and differences and summarizes that in the Americas the distinction between slave and master was more often racially based and therefore the slave seldom achieved a societal position of equal which was possible in Rome and Greece. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: PPslaveR.wps

Abraham Lincoln's Trip to Freedom / How He Came To Believe Slavery Was Wrong
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This five page-paper presents the story of Abraham Lincoln's journey to the presidency and the abolishment of slavery. Bibliography lists four sources.
Filename: CWAbelin.wps

African Slave Trade / 3 Views
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A 5 page analysis of three articles on the origins of slavery. Eric Williams, Winthrop D. Jordan and David Brion Davis offer three contrasting views on the origins of slavery and how slavery interacted with the development of racism. While each view is logical and based on historical fact, the three perspectives differ considerably in their basic premise. The writer discusses each while analyzing their similarities and differences. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: Ast3view.rtf