Double Consciousness and the Perception of Identity in Nella Larsen’s Passing
“Double consciousness, or the “sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others” (Du Bois 3), is an explanation for the black perception of identity, which Du Bois argues is dependent on how black citizens think whites perceive them. Du Bois’ theory applies to many situations outside the obvious perception of racial identity, and its basic assertion plays a critical role in Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel Passing through its effects on the main character’s perception of herself and others. In this essay, I aim to explore how W.E.B. Du Bois’ theory of double consciousness affects protagonist Irene Redfield’s perception of her own identity as well as her perception of Clare Kendry’s identity and how double consciousness helps to construct the novel’s commentary on racial identity.
Race in itself holds this inherent danger simply because a racial identity cannot be defined without a conflicting racial identity-black does not exist without white, nor does white exist without black-yet, as Baldwin vows, “it is precisely this black-white experience which may prove of indispensable value to us in the world we face today” (175). When Americans learn this, the conflict between racial identity can be understood and, one day, resolved.”
— Jordan Javelet
Gymnema Sylvestre: An Ancient Herbal Remedy for Diabetes Mellitus
“Although using alternative treatments may not reduce the incidence of diabetes, there is significant reason to believe it can slow it down and, in certain cases, reverse the progress of the disease. Gymnema sylvestre is an herb currently prescribed in the Indian Ayurvedic healthcare system to treat patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Originating from the ancient Santal tribes of India, gymnema has been used for centuries as a safe and effective “anti-diabetic remedy” (Leach, 2011). By understanding Gymnema sylvestr’s benefits of safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness, US scientists may be able to offer an exciting new treatment for diabetics and new investigative research that may lead to finding a cure.
Today, millions of people are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and millions more are expected to be afflicted with the disease in the coming years. Furthermore, diabetes remains one of the most expensive diseases to live with in the world. It is important to continue to research and explore innovative ways to combat this disease which significantly reduces the quality of life for so many. By funding research for Gymnema sylvestre and using Ayurvedic healthcare as a model, scientists can broaden the scope of treating diabetes. Studies suggest that further research may lead to drug independence for type 2 diabetics , as well as safe supplementation to reduce the amount of insulin needed for type 1 diabetics . More remarkable, however, is gymnema’s unique ability to regenerate damaged beta cells in type 1 diabetes. If scientists can delve into the secrets of how these beta cells are regenerated, there may be a cure for autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in the near future.”
— Collin Hayes
The Cantonist Struggle and the Birth of the New Jew
“The author of this article has worked hard to combine the Cantonist memoirs, testimonies and poems with official surviving imperial decrees and dispatches, to provide a balanced narrative of how the Cantonist system contributed to the original assimilation and renewal of Jewish identity in the late Imperial era.
Therefore, while Nicholas I’s Cantonist system was successful in undermining the autonomous authority of the Kahal and in partially Russifying the Jewish minority, it failed to fully assimilate Russia’s Jews, due to the awakening of Jewish identity by institutionalized anti-Semitism and feelings of otherness.”
— Aaron Bornstein
Externalities from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
“These benefits and costs that affect individuals other than the decision maker-these external effects-have been termed externalities and can be either positive or negative. Positive externalities produce a benefit to a party other than the decision maker, whereas negative externalities harm an otherwise uninvolved party (Browning and Zupan 2009). There are many applications of the theory of externalities in the economics literature of today; one such example examines the consequences of industrial agriculture, namely livestock production in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
CAFOs are the source of numerous externalities that affect many people. The harm that they cause will be difficult to quantify and correct given current environmental, economic, societal, and political conditions. Though there are potential solutions or mechanisms that could be used to correct these externalities, problems with implementation are likely to arise.”
— Ellen Bast
Le corps, les rêves, et les récits: La recherche d’une identité «construite» dans L’Enfant de Sable
“Qui sommes-nous ? D’où venons-nous ? Comment nous définissons-nous ? Dans le roman de Tahar Ben Jelloun, L’Enfant de sable, le lecteur se plonge dans un récit qui est plein de malheurs, de douleur et d’incertitude en ce qui concerne l’identité. Est-ce qu’on se définit par notre enfance ? Par notre passé ? Notre corps ? Selon les lois promulguées par la société dans laquelle on vit et a grandi? Ce texte nous fait entrer dans le monde de personnages qui tentent de se trouver face aux obstacles qu’ils doivent affronter.”
— Kathryn Walker
Obama Administration’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy
“The following is a review of the Obama Administration’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) released in July of 2010. Each of the four sections of the NHAS are outlined in detail followed by a critical analysis, rooted in public health theory, of the effectiveness of each section and the likelihood of achieving section benchmarks by the year 2015. The report will focus specifically on how well the Obama Administration plans to address co-risk factors such as homelessness, low incomes, and low education levels in populations that are at high risk for HIV. The conclusion provides a summary of suggested additions or revisions to the strategy as well as a list of best practices that could lead the country to further success in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
However, many reports indicate that the goals of the NHAS, even if successful, will not make a significant dent in the overall domestic crisis. Despite a significant push to re-allocating funding to at-risk communities, the NHAS will not be successful in closing the inequity gap in HIV/AIDS if it does not take more significant actions to alleviate the burden of co-risk factors such as housing, poverty, and lack of resources that devastate the same communities devastated by HIV/AIDS.”
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— Maia Gibbons
