Heritage Countee Cullen Essay

â€Å"What is Africa to me?† (Cullen, Line 10). Heritage is an African American poem by Countee Cullen that was written during the Harlem Renaissance. Cullen was born in a primarily white upbringing; therefore he had no experience in African culture or heritage and was confused. His African heritage concerns him; yet, because he must adapt to the orders of a mostly white culture that is not concerned with his cultural origins. This poem is primarily the internal conflict of Countee Cullen on the dilemma of a modern African American aware of his rich Native African heritage but stranded in a sterile conformist American culture that offer him only stereotypical insight into his heritage and no true unbiased perception of his own culture. In Heritage Cullen uses literary devices such as imagery, symbolism and irony to show that he is conflicted on his view of his African heritage. Cullen uses imagery as a literary device to show his confusion of African heritage. Thus Cullen begi ns with a question concerning the nature of an abstract and rather remote Africa. â€Å"What is Africa to me, copper sun or scarlet sea, jungle star or jungle track, strong bronzed men, or regal black, women from whose loins I sprang, when the birds of Eden sang† (Cullen, Lines 1-6). This quote shows how Cullen lists some concrete images which serve as specific emphases for his conflicting views of his native land. This shows an African Americans point of view of Africa. For example in the phrase â€Å"jungle star or jungle track†; the first part â€Å"jungle star† has a positive connotation and the second part â€Å"jungle track† has a negative connotation. In a way the positive connotations represent African perspective and the negative connotations represent African perspective. â€Å"Sung by wild barbaric birds, Goading massive jungle herds, Juggernauts of flesh that pass, Trampling tall defiant grass, Where young forest lovers lie, Plighting troth beneath the sky† (Cullen, Lines 13-17). In contrast to the first quotes the second imagery quote shows a purely American perspective of Africa. This quote shows the constant stereotypical view of Africa that Cullen was fed for his whole childhood.  This quote compared to the first show s that Africa was a wild barbaric place. These two perspectives really confused him. Not only does Cullen use imagery as a literary device to show his confusion on his heritage but he also uses symbolism as a literary device that show this too. Cullen furthermore uses a symbolism of the drum to show that even if he tries he cannot block out his heritage. â€Å"So I lie, who always hear, though I cram against my ear, both my thumbs, and keep them there, great drums throbbing through the air† (Cullen, Lines 19-22). This quote shows that he is trying to block out his heritage. Despite this effort he still hears the drum which symbolizes tribal beats from Africa. This shows that American culture has forced Cullen to deny the primitive African rhythms that pulses through his body. â€Å"Who find no peace, night or day, no slight release, from the unremittent beat, made by cruel padded feet, walking through my body’s street† (Cullen, Lines 64-68). In this quote reassures the point that he feels this tribal beat no matter what he does or what his condition he feels the beat within his blood and bones that he cannot get rid of. Not only does the author use symbolism as a literary device to illustrate his dilemma on his heritage but he also uses irony as another tool to show it. Finally Cullen uses irony to show that he still has not come to term about what his true heritage really is. â€Å"I belong to Jesus Christ†¦ although I speak with my mouth thus, in my heart, do I play a double part, ever at thy glowing altar, must my heart grow sick and falter, wishing he I served were black† (Cullen, Lines 96-101). This quote show irony because he states that he belongs to Christ, but later on he states that truly in his heart he wishes his god was black like him. This show that even if he thinks that he has decided which side to choose he still has not truly done so. â€Å"Nor yet has my heart or head, in the least way realized, they and I are civilized† (Cullen, Lines 126-128). This quote shows that he still has not decided yet; but he still ironically he still says â€Å"they and I are civilized†. This is ironic because the line before â€Å"Nor yet has my heart or head, in the least way realized† contradicts this statement. In this African American poem to show that he is conflicted on his view of his African heritage, Cullen uses literary devices such as imagery,  symbolism and irony. The circumstances he grew up with did not show him the perspective of his people; he was constantly give only the American point of view of Africa. This gave him a great internal dilemma of his own heritage because in his blood he had pride. At the end of this poem he is still conflicted about what his stance truly is. The lesson of this poem is that despite where you live and what biased information you are given you can never forget your roots. Work Cited Cullen, Countee. â€Å"Heritage.† The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry. The Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.

The need of Shield Law in China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The need of Shield Law in China - Research Paper Example In accordance to this, if the journalists are threatened they are free to file a petition in the court with respect to federal prosecution as per the guidelines of this law (Pavlik 189-192). THESIS STATEMENT China’s media censorship has often been accused or alleged to be vague. Restricting the transparent flow of information, journalists or the reports are also reported to be imprisoned if the government believes that the news or the information is to compromise political benefits in China. Focusing on these issues, the thesis intends to reveal the need and the importance of Shield Law in China. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF SHIELD LAW Journalism in China represents a dominant as well as bias role played by the government with respect to media censorship. The problem related to journalism represents that the content as well as the communication of the news event to the general mass is staggering in the recent years with the emergence of increasing internet users (Schlesinger, â€Å" Challenged in China†). ... ersonalities acting in the chain of command of the governance system in China with the motive to stop the information from being conveyed to the general public. Thus, apparently, the prevailing situation within China related to journalism demands for a shield to protect the journalists and the informers from revealing any confidential information concerning the sources in a court under any circumstances (Schlesinger, â€Å"Challenged in China†). To be precise, Shield law represents the rules and the regulations that protect the reporters from being forced to unveil any confidential information in the court (Reporters Committee, â€Å"The Reporter's Privilege Compendium: An Introduction†). The implementation of Shield law therefore aims at providing a privilege to the reporters with respect to the disclosure of any information which can cause significant effects on the reputation of the other parties involved in the event reported. As the law states that a journalist or a reporter cannot be forced by law to reveal the information or the sources of the information, it is quite likely that influences in terms of restrictions from influential political parties will be reduced, and therefore, a proper flow of information can be maintained adhering to the rights of audiences to information. Shield Law further reveals that a reporter cannot be forced to testify the information that entails the news, sources and stories which directly or indirectly signifies the doings of a particular cohort. In addition, the implementation of the Shield law protects the journalists’ right to non-disclosure of information and sources of information even if the information has been revealed during dissemination of the story with respect to the source or information, on the grounds of

How does the internet effect social change Essay

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E-goverment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Case Study Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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Republican government in US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

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Custom Coffee Essay Example for Free

Custom Coffee Essay I believe Custom Coffee Chocolate mission is to establish a small cafà © where they and their customers could indulge their love of good coffee and fine chocolates. Bonnie and Stacy, recent college roommates, wanted a location that got a lot of foot traffic from shoppers and businesses. Their desire was to target a place near the university because they knew and understood those customers well. The purpose of the cafe’ is to serve unique coffee blends and specialty chocolates, and the business plan included purchasing only fair trade coffee and chocolates made by a few local suppliers. SWOT ANALYSIS: Strengths – Having a good location where public transportation is not a issue. The owners will be selling products that are considered to be good quality, near top of the line. Customers have the options of eating in or taking out their purchases. Weakness – The shop is pretty small, and can only hold a certain amount of customers, and they will need more funding to expand. Opportunity – The opportunities are unlimited, expanding the menu to include baked chocolates, desserts, tea and other beverages. If the businesses continue to grow, Bonnie Stacy may be able to start a small franchise. Threats – I don’t detect any threats, unless a similar business moves in the same location. Bonnie Stacy are doing all the right things to make their cafe’ affordable, and customer friendly. It is a nice place for friends and family to meet and chat while having a cup of coffee or reading the newspaper. Comfort is always important to me, so I like the idea of them having comfortable seating. Putting up a website and blog page might be helpful to customers and potential customers, for information and feedback. I don’t believe that delivery would be a good thing right now, maybe in another six months. Great job Bonnie Stacy, you knew what you wanted and went for it. I wish you much success.