Ashli's Blog

The era of political party polarization has seen a rise in recent years, with individuals becoming increasingly divided along party lines and less willing to engage with those who hold different political beliefs. This phenomenon has had a number of negative effects on society, including increased divisiveness and a decrease in the ability of elected officials to compromise and work together for the common good. One of the main contributing factors to this trend is the widespread use of social media. In this essay, I will discuss how social media has played a role in the rise of political party polarization and its effects on society. One of the key ways in which social media has facilitated the rise of political party polarization is by providing a platform for individuals to express and reinforce their political beliefs. Through the use of hashtags and targeted advertising, individuals are able to connect with like-minded individuals and form virtual echo chambers where their views a...

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a 1967 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Stanley Kramer, and starring Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, and Katharine Hepburn. The film tells the story of John and Christina Drayton, a middle-aged couple who are surprised to learn that their daughter, Joey, is engaged to a black man named Dr. John Prentice. The film explores the issues of racism and prejudice in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement. At the time of its release, interracial marriage was still illegal in 17 states, and the film was praised for its progressive portrayal of interracial relationships. The Draytons initially have reservations about their daughter's engagement, with John expressing concern about how the couple will be received by society. However, they eventually come to accept the relationship and offer their support. Joey and Dr. Prentice face discrimination and prejudice from members of their community, including a restaurant owner who refuses...

The Band of Angels is a thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of slavery and the human spirit. Through the character of Amantha Starr, the movie shows the devastating effects of slavery on individuals and families, as well as the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity. As a young white woman who is forced to confront the reality of slavery after she discovers that she was born into it, Amantha represents the privilege and naivety of those who were born into a world where slavery was a given. She is initially rebellious and defiant when faced with her new reality, but eventually comes to accept her fate and adapt to life as a slave. This movie helped me understand a lot of how crazy the South during this time was. Whether you looked African American or not it did not matter, so long as you had a drop of African American blood flowing through your veins you were considered a slave. Amantha could walk down any street posing as a free and wealthy...

The Reconstruction Era Amendments were a series of amendments to the United States Constitution that were passed in the aftermath of the Civil War. These amendments were designed to address the issues of slavery and racial discrimination, and to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, had equal rights under the law. The 13th Amendment, which was passed in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment marked the end of slavery in the United States and was a crucial step towards ensuring that all Americans were treated equally under the law. The 14th Amendment, which was passed in 1868, extended citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. This amendment also guaranteed all citizens equal protection under the law and prohibited states from denying any person "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" or from denying any person "the equal protection of ...

In the past, traditional religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have generally viewed slavery as a social institution that is at odds with their religious principles. While the Bible and other religious texts contain passages that discuss slavery, most religious scholars and leaders today interpret these passages as being specific to the historical context in which they were written, and not as a general endorsement of slavery. The Abrahamic religions, which include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all have a shared history and heritage, and thus share many of the same religious principles and values. One of these principles is the idea that all human beings are created equal, and are therefore entitled to the same rights and dignity. This principle is clearly stated in the Bible, in the book of Genesis, where it says: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27). This principle is also ...

The assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were significant events in American history that occurred within a short period of each other. Both men were prominent figures in the civil rights movement and their deaths had a profound impact on the country. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who is best known for his role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He was a key figure in the fight for racial equality and was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray was eventually convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison, but many believe that King's assassination was the result of a conspiracy involving multiple parties. Robert F. Kennedy, JFK's younger brother, was also a prominent figure in the civil rights movemen...

In class I had the privilege of watching a mock trial of the famous Board of Regents v Bakke Case. This is what I learned from this mock trial: Board of Regents v. Bakke was a landmark Supreme Court case that was decided in 1978. The case arose from a dispute over a University of California medical school's affirmative action admissions program, which set aside a certain number of seats for minority applicants. Allan Bakke, a white applicant, was twice rejected by the school and argued that the program violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bakke, holding that the university's admissions program was unconstitutional because it imposed a "strict racial quota" on applicants. The Court emphasized the importance of ensuring that public institutions provide equal opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The decision in Board of Regents v. Bakke has had a significant impact on the use...

Klansville USA is a 2013 documentary film directed by Rory Kennedy. The film explores the history of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States during the 1960s, with a particular focus on the state of North Carolina. The Ku Klux Klan, also known as the KKK, is a white supremacist hate group that was founded in the southern United States in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Klan has a long history of violence and terrorism against African Americans, as well as other minority groups. In the 1960s, the Klan experienced a resurgence in North Carolina, partly as a response to the Civil Rights Movement and the desegregation of schools. The Klan adopted a more mainstream appearance, often holding public rallies and parades rather than conducting secret meetings. Klansville USA explores the Klan's activities in North Carolina during this time period, as well as the response of the state's government and local communities. The film features interviews with former Klan members, as well as ...

  Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark Supreme Court case that was decided in 1896. The case arose from a dispute over a Louisiana law that required racial segregation on railroads. Homer Plessy, who was of mixed race, refused to sit in the "colored" car on a train and was arrested for violating the law. Plessy argued that the law was unconstitutional because it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which states that no state shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The Supreme Court, however, ruled in favor of the state of Louisiana, arguing that the law did not violate the Equal Protection Clause because it applied equally to both white and black passengers. The Court's ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson effectively upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws, known as "Jim Crow" laws, throughout the United States. The ruling established the "separate but equal" doctrine, ...

Before learning about The Supreme Court of the United States in class and then researching it more on my own I truthfully knew very little about one the world's most powerful courts. Following my research these were the most important details I learned: The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has the power of judicial review, the ability to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional. The Court is made up of nine justices: the Chief Justice of the United States and eight associate justices. The Supreme Court primarily hears cases on appeal from lower federal courts and state supreme courts. This means that the Court typically does not hear a case until it has been through the lower courts, and it only has the power to review the legal issues raised in the case, not to re-try the facts of the case. When the Court hears a case, the nine justices meet in a private conference to discuss the case and to vote o...

Harriet Tubman was an African American abolitionist, humanitarian, and an armed scout and spy for the United States Army during the American Civil War. Born into slavery in Maryland, Tubman escaped to Philadelphia in 1849 and successfully  made about thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved families and friends using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the Union Army, becoming the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. Tubman's remarkable life and achievements have made her a significant figure in American history and a symbol of courage and determination. She risked her own life countless times to rescue enslaved individuals, and her work as a scout and spy during the Civil War helped the Union Army to victory. In addition to her work as an abolitionist and military leader, Tubman was also a prominent advocate for women's suffrage an...

Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical romance film, adapted from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel of the same name. The film was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming. Set in the American South against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction era, the film follows the story of Scarlett O'Hara, a strong-willed and determined young woman, and her romantic pursuit of the charming and roguish Rhett Butler. One of the most iconic and enduring films of all time, Gone with the Wind was a critical and commercial success upon its release, winning ten Academy Awards and becoming the highest-grossing film in history at the time. Its enduring popularity and cultural significance have cemented its place in film history as a true classic. The theme of Gone with the Wind is the enduring power of love and determination in the face of great adversity. Throughout the film, Scarlett O'Hara's love for Rhett Butler and her determination to surviv...

Hazel Scott was a talented and accomplished musician and actress who broke barriers in the entertainment industry. Born in 1920 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Scott moved to New York City with her family when she was a child. She began studying classical piano at a young age and quickly gained recognition for her musical talents. Scott attended the Juilliard School of Music and graduated in 1939. She went on to have a successful career as a jazz pianist, playing with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. She also performed on Broadway and in Hollywood, appearing in several films, including "The Flame of New Orleans" and "The Heat's On." Scott was a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, and her talent and determination helped pave the way for other black performers. She was one of the first black women to host her own television show, "The Hazel Scott Show," which aired on the DuMont Television N...