Hello Professor G. and classmates,
I'm having a difficult time deciding on a research question. I was certain I'd want to research Native Americans, but after writing my first assignment in the voice of a young African American slave girl, I feel compelled to research the period before the Civil War (perhaps early 1800's)?
It's tricky because obviously the men and women who came to America to be sold into slavery did not do so voluntarily; so they don't really fall into any of the categories Castles discusses (I guess you would call it a "forced migration")?
Perhaps my research question would be: What was the difference in numbers of African American immigrants to the United States before and after the Civil War. In other words, once slavery was abolished, did African Americans from other countries want to come to America?
Please let me know what you think of this research question. I'm happy to change it if doesn't fulfill the research project requirement. Thanks!
4. LISA RAO
Hi Henry,
Thanks for the encouragement. I just posted this in the "questions" section of the discussion board, I guess I should post it here as well, and get classmates opinions on my research question. Here goes:
Hi Professor G. (and classmates!)
I'm still been pondering my research question! After a little bit of web-surfing, I've decided I definitely want to write about Marcus Garvey--how is it possible I've never heard of this man before you mentioned him?!? I think he's a fascinating person and I'd love to write and do more research about him.
Still having a bit of a problem in forming a "question." (Hahaha, I feel like I'm on Jeopardy! -- "Please make sure to phrase your answer in the form of a question.")
How is this for starters--(I can refine/change my question as I go along, right?) What was Marcus Garvey's influence on racial pride in America?
Please let me know if it's okay for me to continue on this theme as I write my introduction.
Thank you!
Lisa
03/06/13, 06:27 am
3. HENRY CHAO
Hi Lisa,
No worries! You're not the only one having difficulty coming up with a topic, it took me awhile to come up with a topic to work on and even still, I am unsure about it! I think it would be an interesting piece to read if you were to go the route the professor suggested and discuss the reverse migration to Africa. I look forward to reading your work and assisting you however I can.
Regards,
Henry
03/05/13, 09:12 pm
2. ANGELA ISAAC
Hi Lisa,
I think this is a very interesting topic. I look forward to reading your essay and watching your progress on it. Good luck.
03/01/13, 06:07 pm
1. Bradley Gardener
Lisa,
Yes! It is no easy task to come up with a research question this early in the semester. I see where you are going with your question - it might be a really interesting paper to talk about reverse migration to Africa - specifically Liberia. You could also discuss Garvey and the UNIA. Actually - no one has researched this topic in this class before - I think it would be a great way of putting the slave ship and the great migration in perspective.
Let me know what you think (you can email me if you have questions)
02/25/13, 08:44 pm