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RUBRIC FOR EVALUATION

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GRADE FOR PANEL PAPER: A

Begins with an engaging introduction that engages the reader/audience.

Thesis is specific and clearly articulated. Thesis can be fully explored

within the word requirements of the assignment (900 words). The
interpretation of the image/object is clear to the audience.

The subject matter is significant (not generalized) and important to/for

most readers/audience. Select an image/object and message that is
appropriate for this class/audience.

The purpose/focus of the analysis is clearly presented, (what is your

purpose in sharing this analysis?). Why is the alternative
meaning/interpretation important for the audience to recognize.

Each analytical point (each paragraph contains a distinct analytical point

that connects with the thesis of the essay) is clearly supported with
logical evidence/explanation. The total image/object is broken down
into parts and each part is carefully examined and connected to the
thesis statement.

The analysis supports purpose by connecting to the real world

concerns of people (the essay is aware of the needs of the audience).

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Analysis provides necessary researched information and supporting

evidence when needed. Research is strategically and well-placed.
Background information that is related to the image/object is presented
to the reader/audience. 2 outside sources are required.

Essay is organized (beginning, middle, end). Organization allows the

reader to understand the thesis of the essay. The organization of the
essay leads to an organized presentation.

Voice and tone is appropriate for the subject matter. Humor may be
appropriate, but is contained within the purpose of the essay and
presentation.

Ends with a strong conclusion that does not merely repeat the thesis
statement. The conclusion allows the reader to understand what has
been discovered at the conclusion of the analysis. The audience
understands how to use the information provided in the interpretation
of the image/object.

The overall message is thoughtful and satisfying.

Research is properly cited (works cited or bibliography page).

Research is properly integrated in the essay (proper citation format).

This essay must contain at least one (2) research source in addition to the
materials provided in class.

The essay has been carefully edited (checked for spelling, grammar,
mechanics).

Tia Dunbar
AAS 115
9/30/2016

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Injustices of Minorities
In Asian American Dreams by Helen Zia, chapter eight was about the injustice of
the South Asians that migrated to the United States seeking a better life and hopes of
prosperity for their families and themselves. Like most immigrants that migrated to
America, they realized that coming to America and instantly gaining The American
Dream, was not as simple as everyone thought. The reputation that America holds of
equal opportunity of prosperity shows that the reputation is only valid to those people
who merely come from certain ethnic backgrounds, most acceptable as White people.
The struggles that the South Asians had to face in order to make a living in America was
racism, discrimination, and lack of recognition. Til this day they face just as much
injustice socially and politically as African Americans do in America. As an African
American women, I have experienced multiple racial discrimination toward my cultural
background and will continue to face them throughout my life. This panel paper will
express the constant injustices of South Asian Americans in comparison to African
American lives today, because recognizing and understanding these similarities are
valuable and important for the 21st century in America.
The identity of South Asian workers in America. The vast majority of South
Asians, like the majority of Asian Americans, came to the United States after the 1965
Immigration Act (Helen Zia pg. 200). The South Asians such as, Pakistanis, Indians, and
Bangladesh which are apart of Asia, have been stereotypically seen most in society as
cab drivers. In chapter eight, American society portrays South Asian cab drivers as ,
rude cabbies, manic drivers who dont know the city; dont speak English, or, equally
irritating, speak English with an accent; drive funky-smelling cabs; wear unfamiliar
clothing, such as turbans; and commit a host of other offenses, states Helen Zia. This
quote is relevant to the fact that South Asians were discriminated against because they
would not acculturate into American society. Their public image was a problem for other
Americans because South Asians were culturally disciplined and they naturally
expressed their cultural backgrounds through their obvious accents and their cultural
clothing. Society has a problem with South Asians not changing their public Image to
conform or acculturate to American society which causes Americans to racially
discriminate towards them out of disrespect and hate.
In comparison, African Americans today are discriminated against towards how
they wear their hair in its natural setting. Others would discriminate toward a Black
persons natural hair as being nappy, too big, or out of control. Certain schools and even
jobs put regulations against big hair or dreadlock textures that are in its natural
setting. According to Atlanta Black Star article by Kiersten Willis on July 29th 2016, it
states that Kentucky High schools have racist regulations aimed at African American
hairstyles, ...No dreadlocks, cornrows, twists, mohawks, no jewelry will be worn in the
hair...Hairstyles that are extreme, distracting, or attention-getting will not be
permitted...Hair must be clean and neat with a tapered side/back and at a reasonable
length. These regulations are evident that discrimination is very present in the lives of
Black people and cause barriers in our cultural background in American society today.
Attica, a mother of a child that attended a Kentucky High School, was outraged about
the regulations stating her opinion, The last thing we need to be doing is saying, you

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cant be you, you cant express your culture, you cant express your heritage, Attica told
reporters. We want you to be like your white teachers and the white administration that
we have at this school and your white classmates who have not had the same life
experience as you...Its about policing our kids hair. I dont want our kids hair to be
policed. Theyre already policed enough, she added (Willis 2016). The comparison that
South Asian and African Americans face in American society are very similar as they are
constantly discriminated against by naturally abiding by their cultural backgrounds.
Racialized Police brutality within the minority category. The South Asian
community can relate to the constant police brutality and injustices African Americans
face. In chapter eight, Helen Zia informs that cab drivers were also contesting unfair
tickets and harassment by police and the Taxi and Limousine Commission. When
cabdriver and organizer Saleem Osman, a former lawyer in Pakistan, was beaten and
jailed by a New York cop in a racial incident, the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence
quickly mobilized its network among cab drivers and within the Asian American
community (Helen Zia pg. 203). South Asians were racially terrorized by the authority
they depended on for equal protection amongst their community. In comparison, African
Americans are constantly terrorized by authorities as they are stereotypically accused of
carrying weapons, being violent or in possession of drugs. According to News One
article by Kirsten West Salavi in 2012, she gathers data research compiled by the
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Black Left Unity Network, and U.S. Human Rights
Network, the picture of how often...Black people are victimized by police in this country
becomes startlingly clear. (Kirsten 2012). She goes into further detail of the victims that
have been murdered by police officials in the year of 2012. Thirty cases of state
sanctioned or justified murder in Black people in the first 3 months of 2012 have been
found (due to under-reporting and discriminatory methods of documentation), it is likely
that there are more that our research has yet to uncover...Of the 30 killed people, 20
were definitely unarmed. 2 probably had fire arms, 8 were alleged to have non-lethal
weapons...12 were innocent of any illegal behavior or behavior that caused a threat to
anyone ( although the killers claimed they looked suspicious); In most cases, where
planned, investigations of the deaths have not been completed.(Kirsten 2012). This
evidence reveals the number of people of African descent targeted by police that
shows that the race of the citizens is still a deciding factor in how he or she is treated.
(Kirsten 2012). Furthermore, South Asian and African American communities face
similar tribulations in racial categories, caused by a predictable amount of white
communities or people of caucasian descent, under law authority.
In conclusion, this panel paper has demonstrated the constant injustices of South
Asian Americans in comparison to African American lives today. From discrimination to
racism, the similarities that minorities have between each other are substantially
coincidental as the majority of the white populations rarely seem to experience social
disadvantages. Economically disadvantaged minorities are also obviously segregated
from predominantly white communities that are usually living in middle class areas.
Learning about the history of South Asian Americans and finding its similarities within
the African American History has gave my mind a growth mindset about unity. That if
people work together as minorities not just dominant ethnic race, we could learn about
the similarities in our everyday culture, and work together to fight against the mindset of
stereotypes and fight the system that is keeping minorities away from uniting.

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Oppression is a vital importance in the comparison of these two cultural backgrounds

and visual judgement related negatively. Recognizing and understanding the similarities
of South Asians and African Americans are very valuable and important for 21st century
America because racism and discriminatory injustices still play a role in minorities as it
shows that race of the citizens is still a deciding factor in how he and she is treated.
(Kirsten 2012).

Work Cited Page

@ATLBlackStar. "Kentucky High School's Racist Hair Policy

That Bans 'Dreadlocks, Cornrolls, and Twists' Sparks Controversy Atlanta Black Star." Atlanta Black Star. N.p., 2016. Web. 03 Oct. 2016.
Zia, Helen. Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an
American People. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000. Print.
@newsone. "Killers Behind The Badge: NewsOnes
Investigative Series On Police Brutality In Black America." News One
Killers Behind The Badge NewsOnes Investigative Series On Police
Brutality In BlackAmerica Comments. N.p., 28 July 2016. Web. 03 Oct.
2016. <http://newsone.com/2023676/police-brutality-against-blacks/>.

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