CULTURAL   GENOCIDE:  
POSITION PAPER PROMPTS  

Option 1  

The International Arts Council has thoroughly documented   the fact  that individuals and groups from western industrialized   societies are  entering remote residential areas of Africa seeking   opportunities to  conduct business with individuals creating art   or archiving art and  archaeology items. They are acquiring pieces   of significant importance and quality for prices ranging from   $5.00 to $20.00 U.S.A. currency.  These items are being taken out   of the country and are being sold at  auction to private   collectors in the western countries, for prices  ranging from   $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 in U.S.A. currency.  

The I.A.C. has decried this practice as "cultural   genocide". They  have insisted that all involved parties   immediately cease and desist  from the practice. The matter is   being debated in art circles and in  the scholarly community but   is getting little airing elsewhere.  

Compose a position paper on this issue. Define the term "   cultural  genocide". Show why this label should or should not be   applied to this situation. State your position and argue for   acceptance/support of  the stance you have taken. Support your   claims with logic, life  experiences, and historical facts. Limit   your work to two letter size  pages, written in twelve point   fonts, with one inch margins and one  and a half line spacing.  

Option 2  

Mr.  Lowery, President of the famous Swan Gallery of New   York City held a  press conference to announce the great success   of their public auction of original Afro-American documents. The   items offered at public  auction were manuscripts dating from the   colonial era through the  Harlem Renaissance. He expressed great   interest in conducting other  such sales as soon as suitable   materials could be gathered.  

Historians, biographers, sociologists and literary   specialists have  decried this practice as "cultural genocide".   They have insisted that  all involved parties immediately cease   and desist from the practice.  The matter is being debated in some   scholarly circles and by some talk show hosts, but is getting   minimal attention in general.  

Compose a position paper on this issue. Define the term "   cultural  genocide". Show why this label should or should not be   applied to this situation. State your position and argue for   acceptance/support of  the stance you have taken. Support your   claims with logic, life  experiences, and historical facts. Limit   your work to two letter size  pages, written in twelve point   fonts, with one inch margins and one  and a half line   spacing.