Ethics: BLM

Additional information if needed
Gender: Male
Race: white
Religion: catholic

PHIL 1171

You must answer THREE out of eight questions.  Type answers and upload file to D2L Assignments folder by 11:59pm by November 15^th, 2020.  Late submissions will not be accepted unless approved by instructor.  Be sure to demonstrate an understanding of theories and critical thinking skills.  Standard rules of academic honesty apply.  Do this alone, and you may use lectures, readings and scholarly resources.   

Question One (Black Consciousness):  Some of you are aware of or involved with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement that began in 2012 after the death of Travon Martin.  The organizers and activists for BLM see this as a long-term “movement” rather than a protest “moment”.  Similar ideas and movements are found in local groups such as We Are Ubuntu www.weareubuntu.com, the Young Muslim Collective and the Black Liberation Project among many others.  I want you to first read the “About”, “Programs” and “Healing Justice” sections of their website www.blacklivesmatter.com.    After you have done research, I want you to explain similarities and differences between this movement and at least TWO of these theories: Ubuntu, PanAfricanism, Black Consciousness and Black Womanism (Anna Cooper).  Finally, I want you to offer a critique to Black Lives Matter.  What do you agree with in this movement and what do you disagree with?  Be sure to give clear reasons.

Question Two (Non-Collaboration):  Robert Sobukwe introduced the principle of “non-collaboration” for African people in a liberation struggle, and PanAfricanism and Black Consciousness used this in the struggle against Apartheid.  First, explain what this principle means and why it is important in relation to overcoming certain forms of oppression.  Second, why did “non-racialist” philosophies of Ubuntu and African Socialism disagree with this principle?  Finally, do you agree with this principle?  In other words, are there situations when exclusive practices for a particular group of people are morally good?  If so, give a real example.   

Question Three (Land in South Africa):  In 2005, the shack-dwellers movement known as Abahlali baseMjondolo in South Africa emerged and has become one of the largest movements of poor communities to struggle for land, economic rights, housing and work.  Largely based in urban areas, the movement has attracted serious political and scholarly attention.  They are not just a movement for economic rights – they are also developing ideas in philosophy (they have their own shackdwellers university!)  For this essay, I want you to do some research on the movement and their ideas.  Their website is www.abahlali.org where you can find essays, videos, news, etc… on this website.  A good introduction to the movement is under the “Introduction” section called “We are the Third Force” by S’bu Zikode.  Documentaries have been made on the movement such as the award-winning “Dear Mandela” (which you can watch on youtube).  Last summer, the new acting South African president of the ANC Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he would launch a new land redistribution program.  More to the point, the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) party is promoting “expropriation of land without compensation” which means that the government takes ownership of all land and leases it to businesses, mortgages, rentals, etc… so that it will benefit all South Africans. Today, Black South Africans make up 80% of the population but own only 1% of land; White South Africans make up 9% of the population and own over 40% of land – the rest is public or owned by national or international corporations.  Some argue that land redistribution is necessary for a just society, while others support the private ownership of land acquired under colonialism and apartheid.   After you do some research on land redistribution in South Africa, answer these questions.  First, explain two key social, historical and economic factors that are most important to this debate in South Africa.  Second, choose the strongest ethical theory or philosopher in your view and answer this question: do you agree that it is morally right for the land to be redistributed to Black South Africans?  Why or why not?  Third, given your views on South Africa, do you believe that land in the United States should be redistributed to victims of colonialism and apartheid in US history, such as Native American and African American people?  Why or why not.  

Question Four (Mass Incarceration):  On July 14^th, 2015, President Barack Obama gave a speech at the 106^th National Convention of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, est. 1909) where he focused on the rampant injustices within the criminal justice system and recommended changes in policing, sentencing, drug crimes, rehabilitation and other issues.  Many have said that this is unprecedented for a president to call for these kinds of changes.  For this question, watch his speech here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBkFE3sErE8  After watching his speech, I want you to explain 3 injustices in the criminal justice system that President Obama mentioned and give reasons why you agree or disagree with his view.  Second, I want you to choose one theory in the Virtue Ethics tradition (Aristotle, Cooper, Nussbaum or Held) and explain how this theory would apply to Criminal Justice.  Third, give three examples of how this Virtue Ethics theory would implement some of President Obama’s recommendations to reform our criminal justice system.    

Question Five (Eid as Academic Holiday):  On February 1^st, 2018, Matthew Palombo and Nadia Mohamed published an opinion piece on the City College News website for Minneapolis College: http://citycollegenews.com/2018/02/01/why-eid-should-be-an-academic-holiday-an-open-letter-to-the-mctc-community/  In our long essay, we argue that Minneapolis College should make the two Islamic religious holidays of Eid as academic holidays (no classes).  After you read our essay, I want you to apply some of the elements of Virtue Ethics - Aristotle, Cooper, Nussbaum, Care or Islamic Feminism - to answer these TWO questions:  1) Would canceling classes for Eid enable students to cultivate more the virtues, skills and capabilities to fulfill the purpose of higher education?  Why or why not?  2) Would canceling classes for Eid create a more inclusive and equitable academic environment for all students – including non-Muslims?  Why or why not?   

Question Six (Islamic Veiling):  In our look at Islamic Ethics and Islamic Feminism, what is “Imperial Feminism” (or Western Feminism), and how is this used to portray Muslim women as essentially oppressed?  Give one example of Imperial/Western Feminism in the media, your own experiences or observations.  Second, explain “Islamic Feminism” through some of the scholars discussed in class.  Finally, I want you to think about the common practice of veiling (wearing of hijab).   The Muslim veil (particularly the niqab) has many different meanings and practices, and many countries are moving to ban the niqab such as Canada, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Chad and Tunisia.  Watch this interesting CNN debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWJRam64dQY  on the French laws.  Using your understanding of Islamic Feminism, Gender Jihad and at least one other philosopher from Virtue Ethics, explain how veiling might increase a woman’s power, agency and freedom in society?  

Question Seven:  Islamic Ethics, Jihad and Religious Freedom:  Under Apartheid in South Africa, an important moral debate emerged within Muslim communities.  The racist Apartheid government offered to protect Muslim communities and their religious practices in exchange for them not being actively involved in the revolutionary struggle and “keep the peace”.  Some scholars argued that Muslims should not involve themselves in jihad (a struggle against oppression) against the government since it provided religious freedom to Muslims; other scholars argued that Muslims have an obligation to do jihad against the oppressive system of South Africa, even though it meant they would be targeted as “terrorists” and their religious freedoms lost.  In light of your understanding of Islamic Ethics, Farid Esack and Islamic Liberation Theology, which side do you agree with and why?  In other words, which is more important: protecting religious freedom for one’s religious community or struggling for justice for all?  Be sure to give clear examples from the lectures and readings.     

Question Eight (Euthanasia):  Read the case of Tracy Lyn Latimer (below).  First, do you agree with Robert Latimer’s decision (even though it was illegal)?  Why or why not?  For the next part, I want you to choose the STRONGEST theory or philosopher and give 3 reasons why you either agree or disagree with his decision from a moral perspective.  Second, do you believe that Latimer received a fair sentence?  Third, do you believe this kind of action – or a similar kind of action - should be legalized?  Explain your reasons.