Sociology of Culture Commons^™

Once Upon An American Dream: What The American Dream Means To Different People

Symposium of Student Scholars

One of the most prominent ethoses of the United States of America is that of the “American Dream.” While James Truslow Adams was the person to coin the term “American Dream,” the concept dates back to the Declaration of Independence, which states that all men have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” While the “American Dream” can be thought of as a single concrete goal, Ştiuliuc argues, however, that “it constitutes a cultural narrative with manifold implications in the multiple and distinct immigrant stories that created America” (2011:364). In order to determine the validity of this …

Where Are The Resources?: Discussing Mental Health In Students Of Color On Utk’S Campus And The Call For Action, Zhannae S. Cummings, Diandra Walker

Black Issues Conference

Racial minority groups experience disparities in mental health and are prone to having more detrimental outcomes than their white counterparts. Current events have heightened the exposure of racial injustices experienced by communities of Black, Indigenous and people of Color (BIPOC). Given this context, the elimination of mental health disparities in people of Color requires critical attention and diligent work more so now than ever before. Culture, climate, and intrinsic bias leave some institute of higher education more challenged in promoting and supporting education for students of Color. Therefore, the purpose of this presentation is to educate participants about mental health …

Respectability Politics: A Mirror Into The Black Community, Max Ray A. Davenport Jr, Elisha M. Brewer

Black Issues Conference

Program Abstract

This presentation seeks to provoke deep and meaningful discussion related to issues of respectability within the African American community. More specifically, this presentation seeks to prompt audience members to critically evaluate the social practices of African American people that are deeply-seated in elitism and promote a culture of exclusion. By gaining a deeper knowledge of how racialized policing behaviors negatively affect our community, we aim to provide audience members with strategies for enduring and overcoming this issue.

Program Summary

The primary purpose of this presentation is aimed at facilitating a thought-provoking discussion centered around respectability politics. In achieving …