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.