ASSIGNMENT

Assignment

Assignment

Answer to Question 1

Ronald Takaki identifies two emerging perspectives—particularism and pluralism. The culture war over the content of the curriculum is presented as a debate, a clash of ideas: Allan Bloom, Diane Ravitch, and Arthur Schlesinger versus Gerald Graff, Henry Louis Gates, (Kennedy, 2002, 87) and Takaki himself.

According to Ronald Takaki multiculturalism teaches tolerance of racial and cultural diversity. The relationship between race and culture has been the subject of increasing legal, including LatCrit, analysis. Contrary to popular belief, culture is not some monolithic, fixed, and static essence. Any culture is constantly changing, affected by interaction with other cultures, especially in an era of globalization. We must acknowledge, for example, that Anglo American culture in this country has been indelibly influenced by Mexican culture while Mexican culture has been forever transformed by its interaction with Anglo culture. Indeed, (Kennedy, 2002, 87) with technological innovation over the last century, "American culture" has influenced the world. To add to the complexity, culture in any society also is the subject of continuing internal dissent and debate over its contours.

Ronald Takaki states that during the 1920s, mass European immigration was slowly coming to a halt, while immigration from non-European countries was rapidly increasing. At the same time, the incorporation of post-Civil War blacks and other non-white Americans into mainstream society signaled the need to address existing racial categorizations. While a biological basis of racism helped to keep whites above non-whites, white Americans saw biologism as too incoherent an approach to race.

Answer to Question 2

Indentured servitude, which amounted to virtual slavery for the length of contract, was a primary source of labor in the colonies. Most emigrated from various parts of Europe and were looking to start a new life. This form of labor was contractual. Individuals who indentured themselves contracted with their employer or a ship's captain for the payment of passage and the provision of food, clothing and shelter. In return, the individuals provided themselves as a labor source, (Howard, 1995, 307). Many were young adventure seeking males. Generally in their late teens and early twenties, they looked upon the new world for chances for success. Thousands of women also entered into these agreements and often worked off their debts as domestic servants. The endurance of the indenture was usually 4 to 7 years, but many times varied given unknown variables.

Sickness, disability or pregnancy usually extended the servitude contract due to lost service time. Women worked the same hours as the men; consequently; unlike white servants, pregnant slaves, blacks, were expected to continue labor until their child was born, (Howard, 1995, 307). Most servants willingly took it upon them selves, except for a few convicts, to enter into the labor contract. On the other hand, almost all slaves were forced into servitude.

There were success stories of people who had started as indentured servants and later became prominent citizens, but the number was probably very small. The dark side to the labor systems consisted of those who completed their service, but could not afford to ...