In response to "The Border Patrol State" by Leslie Marmon Silko, there were some things I could definitely side with her on, but then there were other perspectives that I disagreed with her on.
Of course, I had sympathy with her for the fact that since she is an Arizona citizen, it seems ridiculous and quite frustrating that she has to be stopped on the road, questioned about her legality, and interrogated to make her feel like some sort of criminal. I can only imagine how frustrated I would be to be an American citizen and be questioned of my intent or nationality when I knew true to myself that I was a legal United States citizen. It would upset me very much to be untrusted and violated by border patrol men who pursued looking in my car and searching me with a dog.
On the other hand, although, being a white American citizen who was born and raised in Texas, I am very much so supportive on the border patrol process. Living so close to the Mexico border, and knowing there are many hispanic immigrants who try to enter the United States illegally with bad intentions as to be involved with drugs or cause harm or danger through crimes in my country, I definitely feel a sense of security from there being strict border patrol and feel that it is a necessary evil in order to run a successful and safe country. I know there are many immigrants coming into America with good intentions, but there are also many who do not have good intentions. After the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001, I feel all Americans are sketchy with immigrants of other nationalities and feel it is only fair and safe to keep strict laws on entering the country, whether it be at the airport, or on highways in states that border Mexico. It is the only way to be fair to everyone immigrating and the only way to be fair to Americans who just want to feel safe in their home states and not feel like dangerous people are crossing over the border care free with bad intentions.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Bonus Blog #2
Sui Sin Far, Onoto Watanna, and Mary Antin have multiple similarities and differences pertaining to their immigration into the United States. The main similarity that greatly stood out to me among all of the stories is the characters anxious and somewhat fearful mindset to come to America. They all know they are heading for a better life and more opportunities, but at the same time they are fearful to step into the unknown, into a totally new country they knew nothing about. For exemple, Sui Sin Far writes of the man and woman with their young son coming into America. They are more excited than ever to start a new life in a great new country. This comes to a halt when they realize they can't bring their son with them and he ends up being withheld from them for months. This turns their initial positive feelings into great depression.
The main difference I noticed was the opportunity of education, which was only presented in Mary Antin's "The Promised Land." Although the young girl feels somewhat guilty for her chance at exciting education, since her sister must go to work in a factory and isn't able to attend school, she can't contain her bursts of joy due to her eagerness to jump into an American school. Her father values this chance at education, as she quotes "Father himself conducted us to school. He would not have delegated that mission to the President of the United States." He himself knows how greatly important this new adventure is, which is reciprocated to his daughters excited emotions. They both know this is the beginning of the rest of her life, and a great education is the opportunity she needs to succeed and have a better chance of leading a successful life and having a good job.
The main difference I noticed was the opportunity of education, which was only presented in Mary Antin's "The Promised Land." Although the young girl feels somewhat guilty for her chance at exciting education, since her sister must go to work in a factory and isn't able to attend school, she can't contain her bursts of joy due to her eagerness to jump into an American school. Her father values this chance at education, as she quotes "Father himself conducted us to school. He would not have delegated that mission to the President of the United States." He himself knows how greatly important this new adventure is, which is reciprocated to his daughters excited emotions. They both know this is the beginning of the rest of her life, and a great education is the opportunity she needs to succeed and have a better chance of leading a successful life and having a good job.
Lieutenant Jimmy Cross' Army
If I were a soldier in Lieutenant Jimmy Cross' unit, I would probably carry a lot of possessions outside of what I was required to carry. As a regular soldier, I would more than likely be required to carry guns, clothes, food, and all the other necessary materials a soldier carries. But I would also be very tempted to carry around many other things that were important to me.
If I was allowed to, I would more than likely have to have my cell phone with me. Now, I know in these earlier times, cell phones weren't around, but referencing in today's time, I would definitely like to have my phone with me, to be able to keep in contact with all of my family and friends and use the internet to keep up with news and current events that took place back at home. I would also definitely carry a few pictures of my loved ones so I would feel like I was carrying them along with me on my journey. Along with the pictures, I would always have with me some paper and pens in order to write home to family and friends, and I would also carry letters that had been sent to me, so that I could pull them out and read them whenever I felt homesick or sad.
Other items I would carry around would probably consist of toiletries and necessities. This would include toilet paper, tooth brush and tooth paste, a brush, deodorant, soap, and extra clothes for certain weather conditions, such as a good jacket or an umbrella for rain.
The final thing I would carry with me would be a camera to take pictures of all the amazing places I saw all over the world, and to bring back to my family to show them the journey I had been on. Many soldiers get to travel all over the world and visit countries they would not otherwise get to experience, so I would definitely want pictures. Along my journey, I would also always carry my special memories of times in the past with my loved ones, family, and friends.
If I was allowed to, I would more than likely have to have my cell phone with me. Now, I know in these earlier times, cell phones weren't around, but referencing in today's time, I would definitely like to have my phone with me, to be able to keep in contact with all of my family and friends and use the internet to keep up with news and current events that took place back at home. I would also definitely carry a few pictures of my loved ones so I would feel like I was carrying them along with me on my journey. Along with the pictures, I would always have with me some paper and pens in order to write home to family and friends, and I would also carry letters that had been sent to me, so that I could pull them out and read them whenever I felt homesick or sad.
Other items I would carry around would probably consist of toiletries and necessities. This would include toilet paper, tooth brush and tooth paste, a brush, deodorant, soap, and extra clothes for certain weather conditions, such as a good jacket or an umbrella for rain.
The final thing I would carry with me would be a camera to take pictures of all the amazing places I saw all over the world, and to bring back to my family to show them the journey I had been on. Many soldiers get to travel all over the world and visit countries they would not otherwise get to experience, so I would definitely want pictures. Along my journey, I would also always carry my special memories of times in the past with my loved ones, family, and friends.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The School Days of an Indian Girl
The school days of an Indian Girl by Zitkala-Sa displays a sad story of an Indian girl who faced many challenges and hardships in her journey to reach college. Through boarding school in her childhood, she definitely did not experience anything near resembling an American dream. In the school taught by white women, the little Indian girl suffered so many hardships that is rare for American kids to encounter. She was mistreated, yelled at, physically punished, kept on a strict schedule, and was forced to have a certain appearance and lifestyle that was molded by the whites.
This one particular sentence stood out as so shocking to me that I could never imagine having to deal with. "I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit." If anyone ever cut my hair or did anything to my appearance against my will, I can't imagine how violated I would feel. This is definitely not an example of living the American dream, because she had absolutely no freedom and no say for herself.
As she progresses in life, she advances and accomplishes the achievement of being fortunate enough to attend college. To me, college is one of the most current icons of the American dream since it's a privilege that is so common in today's world that people pursue in order to lead a successful life and get a good job. In this sense, the Indian girl was definitely experiencing the American dream.
"Later, the decision of the judges awarded me the first place. Then there was a mad uproar in the hall, where my classmates sang and shouted my name at the top of their lungs; and the disappointed students howled and brayed in fearfully dissonant tin trumpets. In this excitement, happy students rushed forward to offer their congratulations. And I could not conceal a smile when they wished to escort me in a procession to the students' parlor, where all were going to calm themselves." This was truly one of the first times the girl felt included and happy with her life. She had succeeded and accomplished something very great that she could take great pride in. She finally felt accepted and like one of the others in this moment.
This one particular sentence stood out as so shocking to me that I could never imagine having to deal with. "I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit." If anyone ever cut my hair or did anything to my appearance against my will, I can't imagine how violated I would feel. This is definitely not an example of living the American dream, because she had absolutely no freedom and no say for herself.
As she progresses in life, she advances and accomplishes the achievement of being fortunate enough to attend college. To me, college is one of the most current icons of the American dream since it's a privilege that is so common in today's world that people pursue in order to lead a successful life and get a good job. In this sense, the Indian girl was definitely experiencing the American dream.
"Later, the decision of the judges awarded me the first place. Then there was a mad uproar in the hall, where my classmates sang and shouted my name at the top of their lungs; and the disappointed students howled and brayed in fearfully dissonant tin trumpets. In this excitement, happy students rushed forward to offer their congratulations. And I could not conceal a smile when they wished to escort me in a procession to the students' parlor, where all were going to calm themselves." This was truly one of the first times the girl felt included and happy with her life. She had succeeded and accomplished something very great that she could take great pride in. She finally felt accepted and like one of the others in this moment.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Bonus Blog
After reading Howells' story "Editha," I had a whole different perspective on the meaning of patriotism and imperialism. On the subject of the Spanish-American War, the Americans chose to fight a battle on their own terms that had the potential to desecrate an entire generation of people. At this time, there was no draft in place, but many young Americans still strove for war and had the hunger to fight and defend their country.
Editha's husband, George, was not one of these men initially. I found it very confusing that Editha was the one eager for her husband to jump into battle, and George was very apprehensive. Relating with today's world, where there is no longer a draft in place again, and people go to war by choice, it is very common that women, whether they be girlfriends, wives, mothers, or sisters, dread the men in their life going to war and risk death. But these roles were definitely reversed in Editha.
It's ironic, because reflecting on this story, I found that if the rules we have today applied back then, and women were allowed to go to war and fight for their country, Editha would probably not have been near as eager and enthusiastic to enlist in the war. Although she pushed and blackmailed her husband into war, because she was so sure that it was the right, patriotic thing to do, if it came down to her herself having to actually be put into battle and put her life on the line, she probably would have had much different of a perspective.
This truly showed her selfishness that she didn't mind her husband risking his life for her personal pleasure. She knew she would love him more and feel a greater sense of pride to be his wife if he went to war, fought for his country, and returned back to her as a hero. She wasn't realistic that his life really was at risk and he could very much so potentially die in battle and not return home to her. But she didn't care, because all that mattered was that she got what she wanted. She preferred to live in her own little world full of naive and selfish tendencies, which in turn made her appear crazy and out of touch with reality.
Editha's husband, George, was not one of these men initially. I found it very confusing that Editha was the one eager for her husband to jump into battle, and George was very apprehensive. Relating with today's world, where there is no longer a draft in place again, and people go to war by choice, it is very common that women, whether they be girlfriends, wives, mothers, or sisters, dread the men in their life going to war and risk death. But these roles were definitely reversed in Editha.
It's ironic, because reflecting on this story, I found that if the rules we have today applied back then, and women were allowed to go to war and fight for their country, Editha would probably not have been near as eager and enthusiastic to enlist in the war. Although she pushed and blackmailed her husband into war, because she was so sure that it was the right, patriotic thing to do, if it came down to her herself having to actually be put into battle and put her life on the line, she probably would have had much different of a perspective.
This truly showed her selfishness that she didn't mind her husband risking his life for her personal pleasure. She knew she would love him more and feel a greater sense of pride to be his wife if he went to war, fought for his country, and returned back to her as a hero. She wasn't realistic that his life really was at risk and he could very much so potentially die in battle and not return home to her. But she didn't care, because all that mattered was that she got what she wanted. She preferred to live in her own little world full of naive and selfish tendencies, which in turn made her appear crazy and out of touch with reality.
Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen
"For this reason she clung with tenacity to the affection and constant attentions of her son, and no man could be more devoted than was General Dominis to his mother." (ch. 4)
This sentence really stood out to me because it is a custom in today's world more commonly for males to be close with their moms, but it is not something I thought was common in past times. I was always under the impression that in past times, males would move out of the house early on, create their own life, and not really turn back to their family they were apart of growing up. Today, it is much more common for people to remain close with their parents, so this struck my attention since General Dominis was so loyal to his mother, even as an adult. It is obvious that family ties were a priority with this culture.
This sentence really stood out to me because it is a custom in today's world more commonly for males to be close with their moms, but it is not something I thought was common in past times. I was always under the impression that in past times, males would move out of the house early on, create their own life, and not really turn back to their family they were apart of growing up. Today, it is much more common for people to remain close with their parents, so this struck my attention since General Dominis was so loyal to his mother, even as an adult. It is obvious that family ties were a priority with this culture.
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