Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons^™

Impact Of Immigration In Zambia, Sarah Banda

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

The main focus of this paper will predominantly be on African immigrants and the impact of their immigration on the African continent specifically in the country of Zambia. I strongly believe that due to 675,665 immigrants from 57 countries receiving permanent residents status in the United States, among them Nigerian immigrants constituting the top 30 sending nations the economic prospects of many African nations is being compromised. There is no doubt that African is in fact losing many highly skilled people because of this immigration influx. As one of the many African immigrants in the United States, I can't help …

Thugz Theology: Religious Narratives And The Poetic Tradition In Hip Hop, Jenny Portillo

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

Though gangsta rappers are hardly considered bards of prophets, they are the poets and preachers of the modern-day that have chosen to leave the confines of their journals and pulpits. Despite its popularity, rap remains associated with the violence, hyper-sexuality and profanity of marginalized urban neighborhoods, or more simply, the ghetto. Rap lyrics and hip hop beats became the main story telling mechanisms for the urban culture that was born in the impoverished boroughs of New York beginning in the 1970s. Like poetry, the themes of rap lyricism can vary greatly, but there is continuity on the themes between these …

The Exploitation Of College Athletes: Education And Money, Carlton Koonce

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

A football program that has historically struggled to win games, is now winning conference championships year in and year out. The only thing that appears to be able to stop them is themselves. As a result, the university has received record donations from alumni all over the country. The university is expanding with new buildings and facilities that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Ticket prices are through the roof, and games are being sold out in a couple days' time. Not only that, but the applications for incoming freshman have more than quadrupled since the last losing season. …

Affirmative Action In College Admissions: The Past, Present, And Future, Ellen Johnson

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

The Pledge of Allegiance, which supposedly captures the core values of America, is a nostalgic hymn by virtually all citizens of the U.S. We recite it in public schools, at football games, and a wide range of ceremonies and celebrations. From the time we are young, these words become engrained in us, so much so that reciting them becomes second nature. Do we, though, truly practice the concepts held in the Pledge of Allegiance? When we pledge that the U.S. embodies "liberty and Justice of all", do we stop and think of the implications the term carries? Can we, as …

Last Of The Bronx Giants: Mayoral Control, School Reform, And The Fate Of Bronx High Schools, Ben Delikat

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

No abstract provided.

Disaster From Above: New York City Teachers' Perceptions Of School Reform, Elizabeth Baker

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

No abstract provided.

Public Housing In The New York City: The Case Of The Red Hook Houses, Michael Kavanagh

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

In the United States, public housing conjures up negative images of decaying high-rise buildings, places ridden crime, drugs and gangs. This stereotype largely represents society's attitude towards the urban poor that has evolved since the housing movement began in the 1920s. When support for public housing took hold, the United States were living in tenements houses under the most horrific conditions. It is easy to forget that public housing was created in order to provide safe, affordable spaces for working and middle class families to live. However, policy changes, mismanagement, and inadequate funding are among the several factors that changed …

This Land Is My Land: The Evolution And Future Of Urban Homesteading In The United States, Emma Brennan

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

No abstract provided.

Transit-Oriented Development And Sustainability: A Case Study Of The Williamsbridge Metro-North Station In The Bronx, Stephen Erdman

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

The tenets of Transit Oriented Development, a planning philosophy developed during the late 20th century, has informed recent development visions in New York City. Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030: A Greener, Greater New York identifies transit-oriented development as one of the theories it seeks to implement throughout the city as it shapes new development. Likewise, the Department of City Planning's Bronx Sustainable Communities Initiative seeks to implement the ideal of transit-oriented development in the areas surrounding the Bronx's largely underutilized Metro-North stations. However, recent rezonings in the Bronx surrounding the Williamsbridge Metro-North station warrants further investigations into the City's claim that …

Tuzina, Tradition, And Therapy: A Case Study Of Dance/Movement Therapy In Post-Conflict Northern Uganda, Kateashley Clarke

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

Despite great advancement in recent decades, rehabilitation resources for post-conflict communities are often lacking within the humanitarian field. Antonio Donini (2010, p. S233) argues that because humanitarianism is self-defined by those who practice it with little or no consideration for alternative approaches, reinventing a globally accepted notion of 'humanitarianism' is a difficult task. Post-conflict rehabilitation is one of the fields most affected by this 'particularistic' style of humanitarian action, with Western-influenced techniques dominating the spectrum. According to Peter Salama (2004, p. 1810), though mental health is increasingly discussed in policy and research forums as an essential component of emergency programs, …

Narrative Of Flight: Camden, New Jersey In The Post-War Era, Chuck Hovanic

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

Commuters boarding the Speed Line in the small town of Lindenwold, New Jersey witness a rapid change in landscape as their train whisks them towards Philadelphia. Each stop on the train represents a distinct stage of suburban development ranging from the sprawling McMansions of Voorhees to the tightly packed two-family houses of Collingswood. The passengers that board a the various stations accurately represents the demographics of each town. This broad range of people is treated to a memorable, yet brief glimpse of poverty when the train enter the City of Camden. Gliding above decaying row homes and empty streets, passengers …

Nietzsche And Darwin, Babette Babich

Working Papers

Abstract

I argue against the popular view of Nietzsche as Darwinist and I concur with other Nietzsche scholars who have also noted that other authors worked in Nietzsche’s thinking in association with Darwin, not only Spencer and Malthus but also Roux and Haeckel among others which also for Nietzsche included Empedocles and other ancient scientists. Nietzsche offers plain condemnation of Darwin’s views but he is also often associated with Darwin owing to Darwin’s racism and his own vision of rank-order. I conclude with an emphasis on style and Nietzsche’s reading of antiquity to highlight the distinction he sought to make …

Global Warming And Fordham University Students, Annie Worden

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

So far, the human race has raised the global temperature 1 degree. We have done so by implementing a social and economic system that relies on burning fossil fuels an in which success is measured by growth. So far, the United States' wealth, the lavish lifestyles that everyone wants to live, and those who are fortunate enough to live them is made possible by depending on fossil fuels and an absolute acceptance that growth is the end all measure of success. Yet we have reached a point in history where we can no longer measure success based on continued growth …

Calhoun, Annie, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Interviewers: Mark Naison, Maxime Gordon, Dawn Russell

Interviewees: Annie Calhoun, Will Calhoun

Date: May 18, 2012

Summarized By: Eddie Mikus

Annie Calhoun has resided in the Bronx for over 50 years and is a leading community activist through her presidency of the Fish Bay Organization. Her decision to take up activism demonstrates the challenges that many minority groups face in American society as well as their to actively participate in governmental affairs.

During her childhood, Calhoun was raised in North Carolina in a family that, despite being African-American, owned land and grew tobacco. Every Friday night, she and her family …

True North: Transportation Issues In Riverdale And Edenwald, Amelia Zaino

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

No abstract provided.

Risky Business: How Policy, Demographic And Economic Changes Have Left The Lower East Side Empty During Daytime Hours, Dustin Molter

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

"When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it's a sign you're getting old". This statement by world renowned Mark Twain perfectly describes change as it often works. When the 'old' is noticeably transitioning to the 'new', the old's age truly starts to show. The unfortunate thing is that this change, and ultimately any type, is inevitable. Whether abrupt or subtle, sought after or fought against, change occurs. In turn, it is the inevitability of change which prompts out need to adjust to such changes. People, places and things alike all change in different ways, and …

Black, Phil, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Interviewee: Phil Black aka Felix Sarpong

Interviewer: Renee White

Date: May 3, 2012

Summarized by Daniel Matthews

Felix Sarpong, known as Phil Black, is a Ghanaian American native of the Bronx who works as an educator and music producer in the Bronx community. Phil Black was born in the Bronx on October 14^th, 1974, and he spent most of his life in the borough. His mother worked as a housekeeping supervisor and was involved in Ghanaian politics, while his father was a teacher. His parents emigrated from Ghana in the late sixties. They moved the family there during …

Calderon, Julio, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Julio Calderon is a Bronx resident who moved to the borough after having lived in Chicago, Illinois. Although he is currently a professional musicians, he was witnessed street life in both Chicago and New York City.

Calderon was born in Chicago to a young mother and father. Growing up, Calderon says that he got into his first fight while he was in the first grade. Furthermore, Calderon says that several of his good friends passed away as a result of joining Chicago’s street gangs. Specifically, Calderon said that 10 of his friends dies as a result of gang violence and …

Black, Phil, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Felix Sarpong, known as Phil Black, is a Ghanaian American native of the Bronx who works as an educator and music producer in the Bronx community. Phil Black was born in the Bronx on October 14^th, 1974, and he spent most of his life in the borough. His mother worked as a housekeeping supervisor and was involved in Ghanaian politics, while his father was a teacher. His parents emigrated from Ghana in the late sixties. They moved the family there during his early childhood years so that Black and his older brother could learn the language and the …

Fernandez, David, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

David Fernandez is a part-time music teacher for the WHEDco music school. Additionally, he has also worked as a professional musician and as crisis para-professional in the New York City Public School system. Mr. Fernandez believes that the traditional manner of teaching students music theory is not always the best one; instead, he teaches them in a manner that permits them to actively learn the concept at hand.

Mr. Fernandez was born in Brooklyn, but moved to Youngstown, Ohio, during his childhood. He was musically exposed in his household, as his father was a backup performer to several major artists …

Milagros, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Milagros is a former teacher in the Bronx who immigrated to the United States from Cuba. In her interview, she discussed her experience escaping from Castro’s government as well as the manner in which society had shaped her identity.

Prior to living in the United States, Milagros resided in Cuba for 20 years. She stated that in Cuba, race was not as important as it was in America. Instead, status was determined by which family you had been born into. However, she did say that neighbors in Cuba were like relatives to her family, and recounted incidents where she had …

"College Un-Readiness: The Lack Of Financial College Readiness In Nyc High Shools", Dominique Coleman

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

Purpose

- The purpose of this research is to explore the rate of financial college readiness amongst New York CIty Public High School Students.

Design/methodology/approach

- The research methodologies employed in this paper consist of interviews and internet research.

Findings

- Scholarships, if that, are the only resources that NYC public high school counselors relay to students in terms of financing their education. Students are not given supplementary resources in the event that scholarships do not cover the entire costs of tuition.

Practical implications

- I believe this is a direct correlation to the student debt crisis. Had students been …

Ahmed, Ramatu, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Interviewee: Ramatu Ahmed

Interviewer: Dr. Mark Naison

Date of Interview: March 10, 2010

Summarized by Sheina Ledesma

Ramatu Ahmed is a leader in the Ghanaian community in New York City. She is currently a committee member of the National Council of Women of the United States and the Harlem Hospital’s Medina Clinic but is actively involved in many other projects and organizations that are working towards the improvement of the lives of women who live in both Africa and America. One of her greatest passions is bringing awareness to the issue of the lack of availability of higher education for …

Henry, Ray, Bronx African American History Project

Oral Histories

Ray Henry is a native Bronxite who has worked for the Housing and Preservation Department. During his life, he has served as an active leader within the Bronx African-American community and was also a witness to the Morrisania burnouts. His life, therefore, tells the story of a struggle that many Bronx residents faced throughout the 1960s.

Henry was born in 1952 and lived in several Bronx locations as a child. During his youth, he introduced the concept of the Battle of the Bands to the Bronx community. Additionally, at the age of 17, he served on the successful campaign to …

"From Military Space To Community Space: The Readaptation And Reuse Of New York's Armories", Eve Rossmere

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

The purpose of this paper will be to make a case for adaptive re-use as a sustainable and valuable way to preserve historic buildings, while simultaneously providing the community with useful structures. This will be done by examining three New York armories as a case study, two of which have been readapted while the other is under negotiation. After evaluating the first two armories, the Park Avenue Armory on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and the Park Slope Armory in Park Slope, Brooklyn, this research will then be applied to the incomplete Kingsbridge Armory. To fully comprehend the value …

Willie Horton And The 1988 Presidential Campaign: A Tale Of Two Narratives, Jose Soba

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

On the morning of April 4, 1987, Maryland police apprehended a convict by the name of William R. Horton.¹ Horton was a Massachusetts inmate participating in the state's furlough program. Horton had received ten furloughs. On his tenth furlough, Horton failed to return to prison, instead heading to Maryland.² There, Horton assaulted a man by the name of Clifford Barnes, tying up Barnes in the basement of his home.³ When Barnes' fiancée Angela Miller arrived, Horton proceeded to assault the woman, raping her twice.⁴ Horton then fled the home in Barnes' Z28 Camaro, as was captured …

"Ain't No Stopping Us Now": The Fordham Business Improvement District And The Future Of The South Bronx, Fiorela Hamzaraj-Aliaj

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

When you first think of the Bronx throughout the 20^th, up to the 21^st century, what are the type of images that come to mind? Do you imagine The Bronx as a 1940's crime engulfed night, threatening businesses and wealthy merchants everywhere? Do you imagine a hazardous, toxic and drug infested environment during the 1970's, streets filled with hopeless youth wondering aimlessly into desolate buildings in search for cocaine? Or do you imagine a vibrant city full of penetrating, colorful cultures continuously filling up the open air with blasting music joyfully playing on a hot summer's day …

Portrait Of A Drug: Representations Of Crack In The New York Times, 1985-1995, Noel K. Wolfe

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

As an eleven-year-old, he tried alcohol; at twelve he smoked marijuana; and by sixteen he was stealing car radios to support his cocaine habit.¹ Over a four-month period he spent $4,000 on crack and cocaine.² This boy from Long Island was given a choice: jail or drug rehabilitation––he chose the latter.³ Janet, an 18 year old from Harlem, had a different choice. Janet found out she was pregnant around the same time that crack became more prevalent in her neighborhood.⁴ She quickly became a crack addict and her addiction continued even after the birth of her …

A River Runs Through It: Community Access To The Bronx River In Tremont And Hunts Point, Matthew Bodnar

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

Rivers that run through urban areas are often neglected and forgotten. This is because the primary services that they provide for major cities are transportation and shipping. Many urban waterways have become polluted as a result and fail to reach much of their potential. New York City's rivers and waterfronts are not typically a place were people seek recreation in the form of swimming or boating, except for a few places such as Coney Island, City Island, and Rockaway Beach. Other waterways that could be assets for their communities are also sometimes overlooked. After living in the Bronx three years, …

"Misplacement And A Side Of Stigma: The Treatment Of Esl And Special Need Students In A Bronx Middle School", Estefany Lopez

African & African American Studies Senior Theses

The public school educational system in New York City, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, has long been suffering form under funding and budget cuts which lead to important and vital programs being removed or merged, larger classroom sized and general downsizing of schools, including staff. Students of minority groups, Latinos as a focal point of this research, are often misplaced in programs or have certain needs neglected all together. The present study will attempt to demonstrate how this neglect is prevalent using George J. Werdan III, or PS MS 20 as a case study (an elementary school located in the Bronx)––with …