african american lit paper

african american lit paper african american lit paper African American Literature Paper Sarah A. Perkins March 2, 2015 ENG/301 African American Literature Paper African-American literature is literature that was written and published in the United States by African – American writers. Much of this writing began during the American Revolution and has continued to flourish and thrive throughout Western society. Many of the themes and issues explored within this literature include the role of African Americans in society, racism, African culture, civil rights, slavery, and social equality. Many African American writers would expound upon these ideas through various literary conventions and forms to help build their stories and create a relationship with the readers. Some common literary conventions that can be found in African American writing are the use of imagery, character, and language. Some common literary forms were oral forms, visual forms, and auditory forms. Jourdon Anderson, W.E.B. DuBois, and Maya Angelou are three prominent African American writers that composed masterful works using some of the various literary conventions and forms stated above. Jourdon Anderson was a writer during the post – American Revolution era. His work â€Å"To My Old Master† (1865) is a letter that he wrote in response to his former slave owner requesting that he come back to work on his farm. Jourdon- , who was emancipated at the time and had moved to Ohio to find work, responded with this letter which soon became an immediate media sensation after its publication in the New York Daily Tribune in 1865 (Breed, A., 2012). In the letter Anderson tackles two themes common in African American Literature: Slavery and freedom. These themes are clearly seen through Anderson use of tone and language. At first glance the letter seems nothing more than a polite response to his former master’s request. But it is clear as one continues on that Anderson’s harbors antipathy for his former master. In the opening paragraph, he states, â€Å"I have often felt uneasy about you† (Anderson, J., 1865). He applies the word â€Å"uneas y† as a euphemism to disguise his abhorrence for his former master without explicitly stating it. By doing this, he maintains his polite language and demeanor yet successfully drives home his sense of anguish at his former oppressor with his sarcastic tone. Since this work is written as a letter, it is clearly oral in form. Which means that, by design, this work is meant to be read aloud with stress on specific syllables and words to emphasize the meaning. For example, Anderson states â€Å"As to my freedom, which you say I can have† (Anderson, J., 1865). The parenthetical he uses, â€Å"which you say I can have† provides a sense of sarcasm to the reader/listener because Anderson is underlying the fact that his former master still believes that he has control over Anderson’s life. He then continues to clarify his thought by adding the statement, â€Å"there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-Ge neral of the Department of Nashville† (Anderson, J., 1865). When read aloud, this statement is very definitive and final in nature, lending to his thesis: I am free and I never again will be a slave. W.E.B. DuBois was a poet during the early Twentieth Century. His work, â€Å"The Song of the Smoke† (1907) was a poem that was written tackling the themes of African Americans in society and social equality. It is often understood as an affirmation of Black pride and Black acceptance. This poem was first published in 1907 in the magazine known as Horizon, one which he himself edited. (Thompson, E. 2001, p.215). DuBois employs the use of imagery and language to emphasize his thesis: African American lives are important and impactful. He opens the poem with, â€Å"I am the Smoke King/I am black!† (Dubois, W.E.B., 1907, L/1-2). Here he uses the image if back smoke against a grey visage. We can see that DuBois is using the contrasting elements to show that, despite the

Forensic Science essays

Forensic Science essays Crime today is at an extreme high. However, forensic science has been there to help solve every crime committed. Science is the technology used to help forensic teams to analyze and solve crimes. What can look obvious to the naked eye could actually be a whole other story. Evidence can range from hair samples, to DNA, to semen, to finger prints, and many more. Over the years, forensic science has helped revolutionize law enforcement. Forensic science has been around for a long time and many of the old techniques are still used today. Many people have contributed to the start of forensic science. Edmond Locard was a physician who established one of the first crime laboratories in 1910, in Lyon, France(Crime Laboratory 909). He helped develop various methods to investigate crimes. Alphonse Bertillon developed a method of identifying persons according to their measurements. This method is called the Bertillon method(Crime Laboratory 910). However, by late 1910, fingerprinting had replaced the Bertillon system almost entirely as a more accurate method of identification. This new method was developed by Sir Francis Galton. The first crime laboratory in the United was established in Los Angeles in 1923. Today, the nation has over 250 crime laboratories(Crime Laboratory 910). Many other organizations would soon be developed. The FBIs crime laboratory was organized in 1932. It ranks as one of the finest in the world(Crime Laboratory 910). A crime laboratory uses several different techniques to identify and analyze evidence. Such techniques include microscopic examination, chemical treatments, and the use of special instruments. The most effective type of evidence is DNA identification. It has the power to save people and to prosecute the guilty. DNA helps to identify potential suspects involved in a crime, exonerate a...