Derek Bell's story, The Space Traders, is a science fiction or political fiction story. Derek Bell believes that racism is permanent (or will always remain and affect every decision in our country). Pretend the trade that he writes about actually is about to happen. Our planet faces a disaster. It has no money to function, no more sources of energy to give people basic services such as a running kitchen sink, and the environment is polluted to the point that people can't walk outside. Aliens arrive, and offer the leaders of our government a trade. The Aliens will restore the planet if the government offers up all of the black people. Based off the reading (B.P. 48-65) and your own beliefs about racism, would our government actually do this trade?
Please write a full listserv comment and practice remaining politically correct! Mr. Schuman will grade your response on the five factors we talked about during the first week of class: formal language (no slang) length (an extended paragraph), references to the text, awareness (of everyone else's comments), and originality (try to present a new theory or make a shockingly unique thesis-statement).
LISTSERV DISCUSSION QUESTION FOUR: Would our government ship all Black people to another planet if aliens offered to restore our economy, resources, and otherwise uncurable diseases?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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Though I know many individuals are going to have many different opinions on this statement, because of the racial content, my thoughts are MY opinions, so no hard feelings. With that said, I believe that the government would allow for the space traders to take all the African-Americans to space. The reason I believe this is because the way the government is today. The United States is in so much debt that they would consider the space traders as a relief. To me, President George Bush's ways of thinking is the easy way out. Though it would cause a lot of heartache to many families, I believe President Bush would not care and think selfishly only about himself.
As a disclaimer, what i am going to say, are my opinions only and i hope i do not offend anyone in the process. i believe our world leaders will commit to this trade because in our world today we still experience racism in our everyday lives. it will benefit us as a country long term as racism never dies, as it has no soul. although Barrack Obama is our president, and its very unlikely that he will sacrafice all the black people in the US, its not his decisoon to make. we will benefit from the clean air to the clean streets, and for all diseases to be gone, a modern utopia that so many dreamed of sadly faulting a race that helped create our country. Like in war, when a soilder is called to battle, he knows he will either return with his helmet or on it, which relates to this as we are all born to create great things and a change in the world, something that shouldnt be taken as a curse, but as a gift. If the world is collapsing and all our resources are being depleted with no way to escape, its only reasonable to sacrafice the few to save the rest.
After reading "The Space Traders" pages 48-65 of the Bulk Pack, I came to the conclusion that our government would ship all the black people to another planet in order to cure diseases, restore our economy, and resources. We live in a world as to which, you will get no where unless you give up one thing in order to get another. In order for everyone else to survive, the government would let black people go without any remorse. They think about the broader picture,which is either living in a famine near death or give up one race to help the others on earth. So, the government feels as though the sacrafice of getting rid of the black people wouldn't make a big difference. The racism that comes about towards a certain group of people is what causes people to sometimes take a step back and look into how the government really works.
After reading "The Space Traders" pages 48-65 of the Bulk Pack, I came to the conclusion that our government would ship all the black people to another planet in order to cure diseases, restore our economy, and resources. We live in a world as to which, you will get no where unless you give up one thing in order to get another. In order for everyone else to survive, the government would let black people go without any remorse. They think about the broader picture,which is either living in a famine near death or give up one race to help the others on earth. So, the government feels as though the sacrafice of getting rid of the black people wouldn't make a big difference. The racism that comes about towards a certain group of people is what causes people to sometimes take a step back and look into how the government really works.
after reading the space traders, i definetely feel that our government would do the trade. our governent would have us african americans shipped out within the next 20 minutes if this was real. our gov't fails to care about its people but only itself. going back to the past in which blacks were already being mistreated, and the way the government treated them before, it took a very long time and many strong african american people to stand up and say "no more."it took a while for the government to finally say and realize that what they were doing and the way they were descriminating wasnt right. til this day there is still lots of racism going on. though most of us may not realize it. In society today, the governemnt basically almost controls everything and will do anything that will help and benefit itself. they dont think about the people. in other words, people dont really have a clear say. on conclusion based on our history and our governemnts ways in the pressnt time, i am more than a 150 percent sure that they will do the trade.
BY JEREL SEETRAM...
i apologize about the spelling mistakes.. dont take points off please. by jerel seetram
Honestly, if this were to happen of course the government would give up all the black people. The US is selfish and cares about noone. Not only that but its not about being black or chinese, the US government would give up any race in the country just to progress and get out of its problems .
If the government had to chose, they would go along with the trade. The reason i say this is because the economy is horrible. Especially at a time like this. I definitely agree with Karen. Even though there is a lot a racism today, i think it has nothing to do with the trade. Its not just a racial thing. With an offer like this, the government will be willing to give up anything just because of how bad our economy is. The US is so much in debt that its ridiculous! This trade would be a relief to all the people of the America. I also think the government would go along with this trade for the simple fact that the United States is greedy! The people of America can careless about everyone else. Everyone just cares about themselves so that's another reason why i say the government will definitely go along with this trade! In this world, we all believe "it's everyone for themselves".
After reading The story space traders I would have to disagree with Jerel, Donya, Diana, and David; the government would not do this trade at all. People feel that because racism occurred and may still do, but if you look beyond that the government we have today is better then what was back then. We are all based on equality within one another. We also have an african American President that is all about equality within all Amereican. The trade will also be declind due to there are some African Americans with the heart and courage to fight for the right of their people. david says " it is only reasonable to sacrafice the few to save the rest" in which I believe that is not politically correct and what I am saying is constructive criticism. why make a sacarfice for your country if this is the land of the free; all Americans should have the choice whether or not they want to be traded. Again I highly disagree that this space trade will have ever occurred.
i would have to disagree once again with Andre for the simple fact that your trying to prove something by saying "its not fair". Your right, African Americans will stick together and fight for their people but that doesn't change the fact on whether or not the government will go along with the trade or not. Whether or not we have a African American president, that does not change the fact that our economy is bad. Having a African American president doesn't change that fact! The president doesn't make the choice to go along with the trade or not. You have to think outside the box, not just because we have a African American president!
Okay so what if the economy is bad we are in it as a country. all of you are blaming just African Americans for the simple fact it is easy to do. We are in debt do the actions of the governments choices. How about we Americans vote for the government to be traded and build something amungst ourselves to have a stronger and better living. So during the trade we will trade off Bush and all republicans and make a democratic country only. Think outside the box if we are able to vote for who we want we should be able to vote for what we want. You cannot just say African Americans being traded to space will solve all issuses. that to me is a level 1 maybe 1.6 argument.
Okay just to get this out there no one is blaming it on African Americans at all. We are saying if that was the trade then the government will go along with it. Your trying to make this a racial issue when i mentioned its not a racial issue because the government will trade if it was any race! This is not a race matter so your taking this trade to the next level trying to make it a racial issue. No one blamed it on African Americans at all. but the government will do anything to make the economy better.
well i think the government would definately send all african americans to space,because they are all racists in my opinion.
As much as I have many doubts about the way the United States Government, this is one offer I know the US would not take. I know this question was presented last-year and the president was Bush at the time so the possiblities in what the Government would actually do have changed. Now that we actually have an African-American President in office, I highly doubt he'd ever give in himself also in exchange for a country: his country. I'm not a big fan of Obama till his term is actually over and I see what he have done and how it might have helped the US. One question that arises in my mind while I read this is, would Obama make it a double-standard in which he's half white? Would he make so he can stay? Thinking about my question now, I know he'd never betray many of the black people who voted for him and not only for him to have them all obliverated from the world. After skimming through the Space Traders story, I have to disagree with Jerel, Donya, Diana, and David but agree with Andre. I know in my strongest belief, that won't ever happen or be considered.
Even though many people believe that our government and leaders will be smart enough to make the right choice, I tend to differ. Based on what my fellow classmates have stated, I agree with Faybeyon and Andre to an extent. I'm not focusing on the point fact that our president is "black", but a leader. Leaders tend to think about everyone who benefots from his/hers decisions. This is where I agree with Jerel, Donya, Diana, and David. Racism still exist, if not, we would not feel so strongly about this topic. So, in order to save all of us if aliens did come and offer a trade, our president would make the trade. Plus, hypothetically speaking, if all African Americans were taken away. Then how would it be consider racism? They won't exist anymore. The only people left would think nothing of it. Just that our world was miraculously saved.
Andre and Yeritza are going back and forth once again. This time, I agree with Andre, but not for the reasons he puts forward. Our government leaders probably would not do this "absurd" trade, because of the potential side-effects. Although shipping all of the African-American citizens away might bring about the benefits that Derek Bell proposes, it would also cause civil unrest (Bell 27). People of all races who disagree with the trade could potentially riot, thus causing an economic loss. Overall, the government's decision has nothing to do with fairness, but rather everything to do with efficiency. Smart leaders, whether racist or not, would not risk the political backlash that this trade entails.
With my own opinion of the government and reading the bulk pack, yes the government would get rid of all the black people. In life everybody is a little selfish and people are willing to make sacrifices that not only benefits them but helps the whole economy as one. Yes, getting rid of all the black people seems a little racist but if I was in the government's position and they wanted to take all the white people I might let them if it's going to benefit me and what I control. Sometimes you have to flip the script and ask yourself, "would I have made the same decision"?
My personal opinion is that I think that the government would consider on the trade. The reason why is, because we are in a economy crisis that affects all Americans in negative ways that can hurt people financially. The other reason is that we as people are consuming lots of earth natural that is very limited. Our government will do anything to restore the economy the way it was. Our current President George Bush he would had done the trade , because he is selfish he don't care other people. Our government would do the trade, because facts is that they know they need help, and the government are desperately looking a easy way out in order to improve our needs. The United States there are racism against African Americans that government faced. I believe our governments leader would do the trade in order to end the feud. I strongly believe that this trade would be done, because this is the only chance we could benefit our economy, and the earth; sorry to say it but the trade would be done. Many people believe in this phrase "when desperate times comes desperate measures" even the government.
I agree with everyone who wants the black people to be sent away. Under one condition; the place they are going to is safe. It is not humane to send them off to worse conditions then the ones the earth is on. They should also get the opportunity the other humans are getting. If it goes ithis way it will benifit everyone. I also understand that a lot of people have loved ones. It would also be benificial if others had the option to leave with the aliens.This would benifit earth because it would reduce the population. Their would be more resources to go around. Reducing the chance of such thing ever happening again. We should keep contact with everyone who is being shipped of. I think both groups of people (group earth/group alien) should work together and make the situation as flexible as possible. We dont want everyone to be happy with the outcome. Without the satisfaction of the people it would only cause more chaos. Something that is not good for anyone. This is a time when everyone should be working together. It would teach people the power of sacrifice, and how grateful you have to be for what we have. We will learn to become more responsible and take care of our planet. This is a one in a life time opportunity. If the earth does not take it their would be no more earth.Just wasted planet and no humans at all.
I think that given the oppertunity to help our economy and cure all the "uncurable" and terminal diseases, i Believe that our government would send all the "Black" people to another island. I beilive this because i think that if one leader has a terminally ill sibling, daughter or parent it is pretty hard to turn down an oppertunity to cure them. It is especially hard if You love the person deeply. I belive that thats how wars and arguments escalate because of involvment of a loved one. I dont think as much people would want to go to war or iraq perhaps if a loved one wasnt hurt or killed. I belive that for most people that is more then enough reason to want revenge. They are not caring if they are hurting or killing someone elses family therefor starting a chain reaction and escalating war. Together, if someone high in our goverment is affected i do not belive they would think twice about sending any group of people to another island.
The governments job is to protect everyones safety, or atleast the majority. If we were to be in a bad economy, i think they would do watever they can to restore it. Therefore by aliens offering to take all the black people to another planet, would be like an angel sent from above. I dont think the government would endanger everyones safety, just for a specific group of people. I dont beleive the goverment would just do this to towards black people, im sure that if the aliens would have offered to take another specific race, they would have also made the trade. The government would not sacrifice everybody just for a specific race. The government is going to think diferently, if the black people stay then everyone will suffer, if the aliens take them with them then the majority will be saved. All they going to have in mind is how to save the country, and sending the black poeple away would be the only way to go.
After reading "The Space Traders" I think that the government would most definatly trade all us blacks to fix the economy. One, because the economy already downsizes African Americans, by putting us in poverty filled neighborhoods, and by basically not giving us a chance. They would probably give us away without hesitation because in their minds blacks arent important. Now if the deal was to give away all the world's white people then they would deny it as soon as possible. That shows how racism is still alive and kickin. and after reading The Space Traders by Drake Bell. It basically proves it. And also I agree with Yeritza and whoever anonomous is and beautyrush and all the other people who said the same thing I said.
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