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Full-Text Articles in American Studies

The Myth Of The White Minority, Andrew Pierce Dec 2014

The Myth Of The White Minority, Andrew Pierce

Andrew J. Pierce

In recent years, and especially in the wake of Barack Obama’s reelection, projections that whites will soon become a minority have proliferated. In this essay, I will argue that such predictions are misleading at best, as they rest on questionable philosophical presuppositions, including the presupposition that racial concepts like ‘whiteness’ are static and unchanging rather than fluid and continually being reconstructed. If I am right about these fundamental inaccuracies, one must wonder why the myth of the white minority persists. I will argue that by re-envisioning whites as a minority culture struggling against a hostile dominant group, and by promoting …


Journalism In A Pr World, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Apr 2013

Journalism In A Pr World, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Mike Niman discusses the future of journalism in a PR-dominated communication environment. In particular, he examines the migration of talent from journalism to the PR industry, the collapse of mainstream journalism and the role of an emergent alternative media as American journalism goes through metamorphosis from what it was to what it could become. Journalism is a social good that should equip people to understand and resist spin. Niman argues that mainstream American journalism, rather than rising to this challenge, has transparently succumbed to serving as an arm of the corporate PR industry, thus laying the groundwork for its own …


Journalism In A Pr World, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Apr 2013

Journalism In A Pr World, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Mike Niman discusses the future of journalism in a PR-dominated communication environment. In particular, he examines the migration of talent from journalism to the PR industry, the collapse of mainstream journalism and the role of an emergent alternative media as American journalism goes through metamorphosis from what it was to what it could become. Journalism is a social good that should equip people to understand and resist spin. Niman argues that mainstream American journalism, rather than rising to this challenge, has transparently succumbed to serving as an arm of the corporate PR industry, thus laying the groundwork for its own …


De (Re) Constructing Ideas Of Genius: Hip Hop, Knowledge, & Intelligence, Toby S. Jenkins Jan 2013

De (Re) Constructing Ideas Of Genius: Hip Hop, Knowledge, & Intelligence, Toby S. Jenkins

Toby S Jenkins

No abstract provided.


Women Of African Descent: Persistence In Completing A Doctorate, Vannetta L. Bailey-Iddrisu Dec 2012

Women Of African Descent: Persistence In Completing A Doctorate, Vannetta L. Bailey-Iddrisu

Vannetta L. Bailey-Iddrisu

This study examines the educational persistence of women of African descent (WOAD) in pursuit of a doctorate degree at universities in the southeastern United States. WOAD are women of African ancestry born outside the African continent. These women are heirs to an inner dogged determination and spirit to survive despite all odds (Pulliam, 2003, p. 337).This study used Ellis’s (1997) Three Stages for Graduate Student Development as the conceptual framework to examine the persistent strategies used by these women to persist to the completion of their studies.


A. Philip Randolph And Boston's African-American Railroad Worker, James R. Green, Robert C. Hayden Sep 2012

A. Philip Randolph And Boston's African-American Railroad Worker, James R. Green, Robert C. Hayden

James R. Green

On October 8, 1988, a group of retired Pullman car porters and dining car waiters gathered in Boston's Back Bay Station for the unveiling of a larger-than-life statue of A. Philip Randolph. During the 1920s and 1930s, Randolph was a pioneering black labor leader who led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He came to be considered the "father of the modern civil rights movement" as a result of his efforts to desegregate World War II defense jobs and the military services. Randolph's importance as a militant leader is highlighted by a quote inscribed on the base of the statue …


When Black Meets White In The Heart Of Worship: A Case-Study Of Musical Changes In A Multiracial Church, Serge A. Volpe Jun 2012

When Black Meets White In The Heart Of Worship: A Case-Study Of Musical Changes In A Multiracial Church, Serge A. Volpe

Serge A Volpe

The Worldwide Church of God began as a denomination relying on certain Jewish practices and other Euro-centric distinctions to define its' identity. In the New York City area, African-American churchgoers exceeded that of whites; yet church liturgy retained its European-American flavor. When the denomination underwent transformation in the 1990s, many congregants were unable to accept changes, including new musical styles, and reacted in a manner inconsistent with what church leaders had hoped for. This thesis examines what some African-Americans experienced during this period when liturgy changed to include music representative of their culture. Interviews were conducted with African-American churchgoers from …


Finger Lickin’ Good: An Analytical Investigation Into The Urban Diet, Jennifer T.R. Tomlinson Mar 2012

Finger Lickin’ Good: An Analytical Investigation Into The Urban Diet, Jennifer T.R. Tomlinson

Jennifer T.R. Tomlinson

In this analysis, the origins, customs and implications of fast-food culture will be explored with important focus on the customs of fast-food urban eating. Research indicates that lower-income urban areas are more likely to consume fast-food. The high consumption of fast-food subsequently results in the development of social and economical implications, which include health implications, economic dilemmas, a disconnection between consumers and their consumption and issues of social classification. This analysis also explores the customs of fast-food culture of Pine Hills, Florida with added emphasis on Pine Hills’ cultural uniqueness.


Going Anti-Postal: What Kind Of Nation Won't Fund A Post Office, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Feb 2012

Going Anti-Postal: What Kind Of Nation Won't Fund A Post Office, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


Ron Paul + Potheads = Racist Dopes, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Feb 2012

Ron Paul + Potheads = Racist Dopes, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Ron Paul’s popularity, given his history of racism, is troubling. More troubling, however, is the willingness of his supporters, an odd coalition of one-percenter corporatists and anti-war pothead libertarians, to ignore or excuse these views. Read more: http://artvoice.com/issues/v11n5/getting_a_grip


This'll Kill Ya: Pepper Spray And The Modern Lexicon Of "Less Than Lethal" Oppression., Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Dec 2011

This'll Kill Ya: Pepper Spray And The Modern Lexicon Of "Less Than Lethal" Oppression., Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


I Didn’T Mourn Steve Jobs, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Nov 2011

I Didn’T Mourn Steve Jobs, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Apple is good at separating consumers from their money, but the price its workers pay is much greater, writes Michael I. Niman


What Code-Mixed Dps Can Tell Us About Gender, Elena Valenzuela, Joyce Bruhn De Garavito, Ewelina Barski, Maria De Luna Villalón, Ana Faure, Yolanda Pangtay, Alma Ramírez Trujillo, Sonia Reis Oct 2011

What Code-Mixed Dps Can Tell Us About Gender, Elena Valenzuela, Joyce Bruhn De Garavito, Ewelina Barski, Maria De Luna Villalón, Ana Faure, Yolanda Pangtay, Alma Ramírez Trujillo, Sonia Reis

Ewelina Barski, PhD

There has been a growing interest in the examination of the steady state of simultaneous bilinguals. An understanding of what leads to the possible weaknesses in the grammar of early bilinguals can contribute to our understanding of the possible causes of the apparent characteristic ‘failures’ in second language acquisition (Montrul 2008). Spanish has a gender feature for nouns (Carroll 1989) and gender agreement for determiners and adjectives. Problems with the acquisition of gender marking on the noun and/or with gender agreement are well-known in the L2 literature (Hawkins 1998; Fernández–Garcia 1999; Franceschina 2001; Bruhn de Garavito and White 2002; White …


The Shanti Sena “Peace Center” And The Non-Policing Of An Anarchist Temporary Autonomous Zone: Rainbow Family Peacekeeping Strategies, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Feb 2011

The Shanti Sena “Peace Center” And The Non-Policing Of An Anarchist Temporary Autonomous Zone: Rainbow Family Peacekeeping Strategies, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

This article utilizes ethnographic methods and government documents to examine the self-policing and peacekeeping strategies of the Rainbow Family, a nonviolent acephalous intentional community that holds massive weeklong gatherings around the globe. It is a case study that examines the efficacy of these methods, comparing them to those traditional police agencies employ under similar conditions. It contextualizes these strategies by examining other utopian and anarchist communities and movements such as Critical Mass bike rides. This study demonstrates how smiling, chanting, listening, social pressure, and social capital all play into forming a more effective and less violent approach toward peacekeeping.


I Am The Enemy: A Unionized Public Employee Speaks Out, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Feb 2011

I Am The Enemy: A Unionized Public Employee Speaks Out, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

According to right wing commentators, university professor Michael I. Niman is one of those public employees responsible for the coming downfall of Western civilisation


I'M Okay, You're Criminally Insane: Life In A Neurotic Fear State, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Jan 2011

I'M Okay, You're Criminally Insane: Life In A Neurotic Fear State, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Michael I. Niman finds a direct line between the shooting of an Arizona congresswoman and the creation of a neurotic fear state. Mixed in with all the logical, rational condemnation of violent rhetoric, however, is a bit of kneejerk lunacy


Tax The Rich, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Dec 2010

Tax The Rich, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


Tax The Rich, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Dec 2010

Tax The Rich, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Fed up seeing your life become increasingly stressed with more debt and less cash in your pocket? Michael I. Niman has the answer, in three words


Our March Toward Intolerance, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Aug 2010

Our March Toward Intolerance, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


We're Marching Toward Intolerance, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Aug 2010

We're Marching Toward Intolerance, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


Bp's Dumb Investors Demand Their Dividends, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Jun 2010

Bp's Dumb Investors Demand Their Dividends, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


What Code-Mixed Dps Can Tell Us About Gender, Elena Valenzuela, Joyce Bruhn De Garavito, Ewelina Barski, Maria De Luna Villalón, Ana Faure, Yolanda Pangtay, Alma Ramírez Trujillo, Sonia Reis Jun 2010

What Code-Mixed Dps Can Tell Us About Gender, Elena Valenzuela, Joyce Bruhn De Garavito, Ewelina Barski, Maria De Luna Villalón, Ana Faure, Yolanda Pangtay, Alma Ramírez Trujillo, Sonia Reis

Joyce Bruhn de Garavito

There has been a growing interest in the examination of the steady state of simultaneous bilinguals. An understanding of what leads to the possible weaknesses in the grammar of early bilinguals can contribute to our understanding of the possible causes of the apparent characteristic ‘failures’ in second language acquisition (Montrul 2008). Spanish has a gender feature for nouns (Carroll 1989) and gender agreement for determiners and adjectives. Problems with the acquisition of gender marking on the noun and/or with gender agreement are well-known in the L2 literature (Hawkins 1998; Fernández–Garcia 1999; Franceschina 2001; Bruhn de Garavito and White 2002; White …


Rethinking Language Contact, Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón Jun 2010

Rethinking Language Contact, Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón

Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón

You can find here an overview of my thesis research project, related to the topic of Multilingual Language Education.


Escenario Lingüístico Multilingüe: Una Evidencia De Vitalidad Etnolingüística, Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón May 2010

Escenario Lingüístico Multilingüe: Una Evidencia De Vitalidad Etnolingüística, Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón

Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón

No abstract provided.


It's Enouch To Make You Die Laughing, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Mar 2010

It's Enouch To Make You Die Laughing, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.


The Politics Of Snow, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Feb 2010

The Politics Of Snow, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

‘Snowpocalypse’ isn’t an act of god; it’s a combination of anti-tax southerners and a changing climate, says Michael I. Niman


You Can’T Be Nonviolent Without Violence: The Rainbow Family’S Nonkilling Nomadic Utopia And Its Survival Of Persistent State Violence, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Dec 2009

You Can’T Be Nonviolent Without Violence: The Rainbow Family’S Nonkilling Nomadic Utopia And Its Survival Of Persistent State Violence, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Since 1972, the Rainbow Family of Living Light, a nonhierarchical nomadic community, has been holding large temporary gatherings in remote forests around the world to pray for world peace and to create a model of a functioning utopian society. Wherever and whenever they gather, the temporary Rainbow city remains essentially unchanged, modeling what anarchist theorist Hakim Bey calls the Temporary Autonomous Zone (TAZ). Revolutions, Bey writes, seek permanent change and, in doing so, lead to violence and martyrdom. Revolutionaries aim to hold territory. The TAZ, by contrast, does not directly engage the state, but instead “liberates an area (of land, …


The Political Tsunami: Not All Death And Destruction Is Natural, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Dec 2009

The Political Tsunami: Not All Death And Destruction Is Natural, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Unlike many disasters that befall the Third and Fourth Worlds, the 2004 Tsunami was both large and unique enough to dominate the western press. The stories in the mainstream media, however, were rather simplistic, sticking to a feel good script of nations uniting to offer aid to the tidal wave’s unfortunate victims. Meanwhile, without much media attention, the Indonesian government used the cover of the Tsunami and the ensuing relief efforts, to intensify its war against rebels in its break-away Ache province – which suffered from the brunt of the Tsunami. Also ignored by the western mass media, was the …


The War On Twitter, Michael I. Niman Ph.D. Oct 2009

The War On Twitter, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

Michael I. Niman tells how the Feds busted a Twitter tweeter and impounded Curious George and Buffy videos in a terror probe.


Temporary Migrants: Coping With Language Barriers... Temporarily?, Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón Oct 2009

Temporary Migrants: Coping With Language Barriers... Temporarily?, Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón

Maria Eugenia De Luna Villalón

No abstract provided.