Final Blog...Reflecting

Over the course of this class I have definitely learned a lot about myself, my culture, and my family. But I feel that this last week and working on the family history was when my interest in this class really took off.

I find myself very lucky to be who I am, and live in the family that I do. After completing the family history I really found out how much the world around me makes me who I am. It really got me to reflect on how I make the decisions I do. If I think back to what my ancestors had to deal with it really makes me think about how easy we have it today. Through my life my family has instilled some standing values that I will take with me for the rest of my life, and these same values were the ones my grandparents instilled in my parents. My parents have always been ones to provide for there children, and that’s how my grandparents are. Our family has always had the opportunities to find jobs and excel in society. One thing that I feel that my family has always had going for them was that they have always lived in up and coming communities of the time. This really helped our families flourish because they provided us with a safe area to grow up in. And if you asked me I think living in safety might be the most important thing a family can have.

One privilege that I feel I inherited for the generation before me was really one that was evident throughout high school. Since my brother and sisters all attended the same high school I did, years before, the high school community pushed me to be the best I could be. Because all my brother and sisters were so successful the teachers and administrators who remembered my older siblings expected the same from me. No matter what situation came across my high school community really kept and eye on me and never let me fall behind. I think that this was such a huge advantage for me because it instilled such a great work ethic in me and a pivotal time in my life. Without this occurring in my life I really cannot see myself being where I am today.

For some really when my family history comes up and when I learned my ideals I can’t stop thinking about my years in high school. My family was very engaged in my high school community even before I was a student there. During this time I feel that my parents really started to try and turn me into a successful human being. The best thing about this time in my life was being in the diverse make up of my high school, which included all races. This was the first time I was really put into this situation and I hit the ground running. And since it was a catholic high school they did there best to ensure that we were all on an equal playing field. I think that these were the four most important years of my life. And I thank God every day for them.

Blog 4....

The African American Civil Rights movement was one of many hardships. During its early year very little respect was given to its leaders and followers. African American civil rights were something that many current Americans did not want to give to this group of people and they weren’t going to stop short of anything to stop it from happening. During this time in American History some of the most violent acts took place place between the brothers and sisters of this country since the Civil War.

 

During the 50s and 60s African American men and women faced hardships almost incomparable to anything people face today. Men and women were sexually assaulted, beaten, and harassed. The worst problem is that there was nothing that they could do about it. African Americans of this time were free, but they weren’t “free.” The “free” I am speaking of is one of equality and peace. They received nothing such. Some groups in our country still fight for there rights to this day, African Americans included.

 

But when it came to hardships and acts of physical violence there was nothing crueler then the lynching problems they face. African Americas, who committed crimes against what the “white man” deemed so, were hung in public and made examples of. In my minds there is nothing more hay ness in our history than this epidemic right here, this could only be compared to the Salem Witch Trials. In both these troubling times in history men and women were being killed for doing next to nothing.

 

To combat these things new leaders in the Civil Rights movements began to emerge. Most of these leaders had firm ideals on how they wanted to fight back. Some took a non-violent approach, like Martin Luther King Jr., and others, such as Malcom X and The Black Panthers took a more “hands on” violent approach.  But both tactics made and impact and both side accumulated huge followings.

 

The argument MLK had for his approach was most likely a drop off of his religious background. He felt that we were all brothers and sisters of God and even through their struggle African Americans should not stoop the level of violence. While The Black Panthers felt, and eye for an eye. They believed that the only way the “white man” would listen and change his mind and his ways.

 

No matter what acts were taking it’s hard to argue which side had made greater strides for equality. While MLK used peace, more violent advocates used fear to make their points. Either way huge strides were made for civil rights during this time, and it make up and very large part of American History. Whether we like to think about it or not, this point in time shaped the way our country is today. Civil Rights leaders of this time faced some trouble things that hopefully we will never have to face again. Men and women like: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, Rosa Parks, and Stokely Carmichae were truly innovators of their times. 

Ethnic Studies Blog 3...

Mexican and Japanese Immigrants 

Mexican Americans:

As we read in class Mexican American's have been a part of our country for a very long time. They first came into our country to escape the poor working conditions and economy of Mexico. There first jobs were pretty much they was we stereo-type most Mexican American's today, as laborers (i.e. farmers, field workers, and lawn maintenance.) 

Japanese Americans:

After reading these sections from class we found out how and why the Japanese immigrated to the United State, and how they struggled through poor wages and working conditions to survive. But the first that came into mind for me was how these Japanese we persecuted in the United State during WWII. By this time in our history these immigrants had help build our country and made lasting impressions. Then these people who were born and raised in the US were put into internment camps, if thats not struggle, I do not know what is. 

Both these groups came to the US looking for a new start. As for the Japanese immigrants to me showed tremendous strength and resilience in become as educated as they did. And they haven't stopped. Even today we stereo-type this group of people as "the smart ones." And if you asked me I think these early generations is where these thoughts started.  As for Mexican Immigrants it's sad to think that we still see this group of people the same way we did before. My sister had recently moved to Texas and I've visited a few times and was totally surprised at what I had seen and heard. Some of the comments I heard about these people were really harsh. It's no secret that many of these people are illegal immigrants, for example, I spoke to my sister and she said out of 6 man crew that does her yard only one can speak English. They, just like there ancestors and just trying to make a new life better than the one they had in Mexico. Yet we are trying to kick these people out of our country instead of giving them a chance to become legal citizens. Doesn't the Statue of Liberty, a great icon of our nation say, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free?" I think we should start living up to that.

To me the biggest issue that both these groups faces was assimilation. Americans tend to be pushy in our ways and are always trying to get other people to believe and act the way we act. The reason I picked these two group is because out of all of them I feel that both of these groups have stood fast in there ways better than an of the others. Japanese and Mexican Americans are incredibly proud of there heritage and where they came from. For these people to keep there traditions alive for this many years in the United State is amazing. 

Ethnic Studies Week 2 Blog....

During this period in time slavery was a vital part of the economy in America. Without it, it could be argued, that the United State would not have thrived as much as it did. Plantations, especially in the south were massive. In the early years of the United States it would have been impossible and not as economically feasible to be harvested without slaves. Even though slavery was completely wrong the conditions it brought should have never been put into place, it was seen as the only way things could get done on these massive plantations. To end slavery, the United State would have needed to make huge changes in more than just the way they farmed. And these changes would eventually come.

Slave holders saw slavery as something that was overly efficient in many ways. Slave holders could own as many slaves as they could afford, and as mentioned in the reading, children born from a slave were automatically under the ownership of the slave owner. If slavery had not existed it would have been impossible to harvest the massive plantations. This could have made huge changes to our history. Without slaves plantation owners would have to have smaller fields, or worse in there minds, pay to have them harvested. Who knows what this could have done to the agricultural economy of the time.  At the time slavery was such a vital part, at least in the eyes of the supporters, escaped slaves could have been found and returned from anyone who found them. 

Slavery has been ingrained in countries well before the United States. Early empires would conquer areas and force them into slavery or to fight for them in upcoming conflicts. This difference here is that most of these people were taking from Africa and sold like property. How people could morally do this I don't know. But it was the way of times. It wasn't only African-Americans who were sold into slavery, many poor Europeans were as well. Although, as we found out in our reading the work these people had to do was completely different, and in most cases was much easier and working conditions were not as bad. Also, most Europeans could actually have a chance to buy they freedom as working as an indentured servant, African-Americans did not have this ability. But what strikes me most about this society is how they could treat these slaves the way they did, especially since many slaves fought in the Revolutionary War where we fought for equality and freedom. Without these slaves fighting for the United State some people may argue that we would have never won the war. 

For slavery to come to an end its obvious it would have taken drastic changes and a visionary to stand up for equal rights. I think we can all agree that there were many people out there who were against slavery and voiced the opinions, but they didn't have the influence. In steps Abraham Lincoln. It took for the president of the United States, and the Civil War to finally end slavery. For some people it pretty easy to see why such a terrible thing as slavery, that it took so much for it end when it shouldnt have been in place in the first place. But even after the war when all the slaves were freed they still had to suffer years of oppression. It just doesnt seem fare. 

We can see social control like this all over the world. People are still working in terrible conditions for minimal pay in places like China, Thailand, and Indonesia. We hear about it all the time, so called "sweat shops" pumping out massive quantities of product and making huge profits for their usually north american owned companies. It's hard to believe that companies like Nike can manufacture a pair of shoes over seas for under $5, and we pay over $100 here in the US. And on top of it, the workers who make these products make less than $5 a day and in some cases are children. 

Ethnic Studies Week 1 Blog....

Well all the know the story about the first Thanksgiving when the pilgrims came over to what is now known as the United States, but what is not as well known is the way the Native Americans were actually treated. If I think back to my earlier days of school I can easily remember the talk of the "savage" Native American culture but I can only recall a very few number of circumstances when the discussion turned to negative affects of the English settlers.  

When the English settled this land they encountered many new things, one of which being the Native American culture. They saw this culture as strange and barbaric, mainly because it was nothing like their own. So, in true English ideals of the time they tried to changed these peoples way of life; just like they did in Ireland years before. The English settlers in both of these instances felt that if they had their way, and made these changes it would better suit the existing cultures chance of survival. The irony is, that both these cultures survived for hundreds of years before the English even interceded. 

Going back to the aforementioned statement about early education on the topic it wasn't until much later that I was taught about what truly happened.  I think this is a huge problem. We start teaching younger generations this notion of Americans have always done what they want, when they want. And, they are not filled in on the consequences of decisions made. For instance, I was unaware of Thomas Jefferson's stance and attitude toward the Native Americans until i read about it in this class. Which is strange since I have always been into American History, but mainly that which centers around war and international conflict. But I think I should have at least heard a blip about Jefferson's thoughts toward Native Americans. We harold this man as an icon of our country, as a founding father. His ideals of freedom and equality are some of which we center our government around today. Where were these ideals when it came to the natives?

One way I like to think about this when ever the topic is brought up is to put myself in the shoes of both parties and try and see how I would have felt. If I were an English settler who brought over change, sickness, and death I think it would have given the Native Americans a pretty good reason to become a bit aggressive toward me. I know today if someone came into my house and tried to change things there would definitely be some issues. Also, what if the rolls were reversed? If someone else decided to come into England and colonize them, change there way of life, I find it very hard to believe that the English would sit by and let it happen. Much like the Native Americans weren't going to just let their way of life be changed. We all obviously now know what happens from here. The English move in and annihilate  entire Native American populations with violence and disease. The natives are forced from there lands and made to change the way they live. 

In today's society we can see this happening between the United States and the Middle East. Although it has not gone as far as colonization, both sides are trying to implement there way of life onto the other. The prime example here is the United States' take over and governmental change of Iraq. These actions were taken because of terrorist attacks on the US. After which the people of the US began to stereotype all Middle Eastern people as terrorists. There were instances where it didn't matter if they were from Persia, India, or any other country dominated by Muslim or Islam. They were considered a terrorist by some. Even if they had lived in the US all there lives. 

In conclusion it is no wonder why some countries find the United States as the "big bully." Ever since we came over to this continent we've tried to implement our ways, and try and prove they are so much better than what is already in place. Don't get me wrong, a lot if not most of the time we try and make changes for the better. It's the manner we go about making those changes that can sometimes be suspect.