1. Ruth Gilmore says that capitalism will stop being racial capitalism, when all the white people disappear from the story. What’s the connection between “whiteness” and racism, do you think?

The connection between whiteness and racism is racism is being judged based on your race . while on the other hand whiteness is a way to describe a race one will say. The white majority is those who had the most power where the darker your skin color was the less power or say you would have.

2. Gilmore makes the point that criminals are actually being created by the criminal justice and prison system (she says “the category of ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated”). According to Gilmore, how does that happen, how does the prison system create new “criminals“? Do you agree with her view? 

I agree with what Gilmore is saying. How jails are created and maintained on the inside gives an individual into a flight or fight state of mind. Being that they are in jail they cannot take “Flight” into consideration leaves them with no other choice but to fight their way through their jail time.

3. Describe how your understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”?

Liberation struggle is the needs of people. Some people who are struggling together may come together and try to find a better outcome. Struggling together is better than struggling alone.

What did the Supreme Court decide in the Wal-Mart case? And more importantly, how did it justify its decision? (HINT: the key word here is “commonality” (and how it related to “class-action lawsuit”). Try to understand what this legal terms means, as it is key to the court’s decision).

Woman discrimination has been a problem for a while. As for the Wal-mart case is where the woman finally tried to take matters into their own hands. The women decided to sue for a lawsuit.  As evidence was shown the Supreme Court decision still hasn’t been helpful towards women. In this case they was all discriminated by their sex. Everything was supposed to be equal no matter what the gender was. But the women were payed like based on their sex whether if they did the same job as a man , the man will end getting paid more. 

In what ways is the court system better suited to protect the individual, than are the elected branches of government (such as Congress and the President; or the Mayor of NYC and the NYC City Assembly)? Give an example to illustrate your argument.

I do feel as if the court system is better suited to protect an individual because when discussing a case it gives the opportunity for those who are allegedly committing  the crime a voice and a chance to hear over the case. And is giving a fair chance to be held legally representative to uphold the knowledge of the court or law. I feel as if other than the ones who are being held in court , the ones who are free are also being protected because the court’s job is to protect the citizens from crime. And if they are putting the ones who do their wrong doing in jail they won’t be able to Influence the good ones to do bad. 

2. Think about how federal judges get to become judges – unlike Presidents, Mayors and members of Congress (and other legislatures), they are not elected, but rather appointed. Many Americans have thus called the federal courts system, and especially the Supreme Court, anti-democratic PLACES IN OUR GOVERNMENT. Do you agree that the Supreme Court, for example, is an anti-democratic part of our government? What could be the reason for this way of choosing judges in federal courts? (HINT: think about our discussion of “Federalist #10”, and which social class plays a leading role in our government system.) 

I do agree that the Supreme Court is an anti democratic part of the government because it is not elected by the citizens. The president is the one who has the power and passes the power to the court to be able to appoint and make justice happen. The people are not giving a word

Or power to elect who is in the courtroom which means the court is not a representative of them. 

1. P. Williams writes in her essay, that the war on terror is a new type of a war. What’s new about it, how is it different from traditional wars?

  But in this war targets are often unarmed civilians, rather than the people who fight for our country. Aiming at civilians is causing more of an impact. They want their point to be heard so aiming at civilians does that because it is causing fear. 

2. In what ways does the “Roving Wiretaps” of the Patriot Act seem to violate the Bill of Rights? Which amendment(s) does it seem to violate and why?

Roving wiretaps violates the bill of rights due to privacy. Government is giving the power to basically spy on citizens’ internet activity to even a call one may get. Which is the right of freedom of speech. Another right that is being violated is the fourth amendment due to the fact that they are allowing government officials to allow sneak and peek warrants when in the constitution it states the government cannot obtain a conduct search without obtaining a warrant and having proof of probable cause to believe that the person has committed or plan on committing the alleged crime.

3.What about “Sneak and Peek” Warrants?

Sneak and peek warrants are warrants that allow authorities to search the homes and property  without being notified or informed.  Sneak and peek warrants violate the fourth amendment as I mentioned in question 2. Warrants should be provided to government officials who are able to prove the alleged person did the crime or is planning too. 

1. Describe how you understand the “Establishment Clause” and the related “Lemon Test”.

The establishment clause is the first amendment to the constitution on the constitutional right of freedom of religion. Allowing the citizens to be whatever religion they choose but for the government to not show favoritism to one specific religion. To have equality for each religion as one. 

2. Is burning the US flag protected by the First Amendment? Explain by referring to the relevant court case discussed in the reading.

Burning the US flag is protected by the first amendment. In the case of Texas v. Johnson , it has been ruled that the burning flag is a form of symbolic speech which is protected by the first amendment.

3. What does it mean when someone says “I’m taking the Fifth”?

I’m taking the fifth means you will be silent or refuse to answer until you meet with an attorney to know that whatever you are saying wouldn’t be used against you.

1. Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.

In the federal government citizens have the right to participate in their government by registering to vote and voting in elections. As for confederation do have a role in the government on the democratic process. In a unitary system they have the responsibilities and powers of government tend to be fairly clear-cut. 

2. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

I understand division of power as power that is being divided between the government. With this structure it helps and stays on top of how the government works. And one wouldn’t have too much power than another. 

3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal government had major influence on the actions that’s going on during covid 19 pandemic. Federal government was the one who basically put their foot down. Helping to make sure the state was going on lockdown for the appropriate amount of time. Giving residents simply of covid test to make sure they are being properly tested. And even providing quarantine sites so one family member who is positive doesn’t get the other family members tested positive.

1. Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2, which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in this process? In your comment, make sure you clearly specify the difference between the two classes by giving examples from the readings.

The constitution was written by the upper social class. It was written so that the lower class wouldn’t have too much of a say so when it came to things. The upper class is made up of wealthy people who are business or who have multiple properties. On the other hand, the lower class were the ones who financially struggled to get where they are at. The constitution was made to basically keep power in favor of the higher class. 

2.Would you say that the social class structure of early United States society was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.

I don’t really feel as if the social class structure has changed as much. I do see things in today’s society and how they are still things that’s in favor of the upper class, those with more money. For example housing is one of the main things people do have issues with and it is mostly possible for the other classes to be able to afford the new housing. Due to it being too expensive.

3. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy? Hint: think about how to answer this question by discussing it in terms of social classes.

The people who wrote the constitution were so afraid of democracy because they believed that the power would be put into the wrong hands. Which will cause problems because the government wouldn’t be working the way it was supposed to. A government is made to have structure if it doesn’t have structure things will be hectic.

1. What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of?

Faction is a small organized dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics. Which is probably why the faction reminds me of political parties. It’s a group who have the same ideas or same shared goals and want to be brought together as one to accomplish them or to at least see some type of change. 

2. According to Federalist #10 (written by James Madison), what is the source of wealth (private property)? What factor explains why some people get to possess wealth by owning private property, and others don’t (thus remaining poor)? This is a key question, because it shows how the authors of the Constitution thought about the difference between different classes of Americans! HINT: focus on the passage that begins: “The diversity in the faculties (WHAT DOES FACULTIES mean or refer to?) of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not les….”

Not everyone has the same opportunities to become wealthy. Being born into a wealthy family you are basically handed down the money through inheriting it. You wouldn’t have to work as hard as others to get what you want. On the other hand not everybody has the privilege to have money basically given to them. Poorer people have to work for the lifestyle they work sometimes they may even have to work more than one job to be able to provide for themselves and family. 

3. Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?

I do  agree with the explanation because people are born into wealth while others have to struggle. Nine out of ten percent of the time the poorer people  are the ones who are working for the ones who were born into rich families. 

4. What is the core mission (“first object”) of the US government? Does this surprise you, does it sound different from what our society today seems to suggest the core mission of the government is? Explain.

Their core mission is the promotion of general welfare. In today’s society welfare is meant to help the public . Giving them benefits for health, peace and safety. This help has especially helped those who are not financially stable to provide for themselves. And with the help it gives them a hand in their everyday life.  

5. Given the discussion in questions 1-4, are you surprised that Federalist #10 is not in favor of democracy, and supports a Republican (representative) form of government? Why would the author dislike a (pure) democratic form of government? Hint: think about how this question connects with the social classes…

No , federalist #10 favors a Republican (Representative) form of government  because it demonstrates that the proposed government was not likely to be dominated by any faction.

1. Which statistic on wealth inequality in the US (discussed on p. 29) made the biggest impression on you? Explain why?

The money that is being put in is from the capitalist. With the money being put in it is producing the labor of the workers. With what the workers are working they receive their wage from their work. While depending on the value which is time and effort put into their labor. Gives the capitalist better profit which is kept to them. Which seems unfair due to the simple fact most of the workers are overworking themselves to receive barely minimum wage to support their families. While the capitalist receives an over-limiting profit while not doing no work. 

2. What could be some of the implications of living in a society that has such huge wealth inequalities? Do you see this dynamic getting played out in everyday life in our society? How so? Example?

With the society we live in, money is needed. To have the life you want, money is needed. Yes it is a dynamic that is getting played out in everyday life.  Having your dream job may cause you to need a higher level of education. But not everybody has the finances to probably reach that. Which will have them struggling to work the low wage jobs in order to provide for their family.