I am freedom (for some)

I Am Freedom (for some)

I am freedom for some

I wonder for the rest, will it come?

I hear prayers and gunshots in my name

I see flags and bodies, crosses and graves

I want no more blood, arrogance isn’t brave

I am freedom for some

I pretend that I’m for everyone

I feel empty and lost

I need so much at a cost

I worry for the forgotten

I cry for the down trotted

I am freedom for some

I understand that I’m rare

I believe that I’m shared

I dream that you care

I try to be there

I hope it I swear

I am freedom for some

I’m the trigger, you’re the gun.

4-28-11

1. We will be talking a lot about MLK and Malcolm X in class. Many would argue that these men were vastly different in their methodology.Yet others would argue that there were no differences between the two. Check out this doc, which provides you with quotes from both men. Using what we discuss in class and also what you infer from the doc/quotes, discuss in a blog post whose methodology was more effective in accomplishing goals set by the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. King and Malcolm X shared many ideas. This can be seen in the quotes as well in any of their speeches. They believed in equality. In the fight for freedom – however their styles and methods of change and progress varied. Malcolm X had turned to a radical movement. Empowering blacks by violence believing that by resisting arrest and fighting back they would achieve their goal – Dr. King however used civil disobedience and peaceful methods to not only obtain the support of the people but the respect of them as well. I am a firm believer that Dr. King’s method of peace was by far more affective and has ensured that future generations do not carry the hostility that armed conflict would have brought.

4-28-11

1. Gain an understanding for the term meritocracy. The ideology that anyone who works hard enough can acheive the American Dream has been touted by many organizations throughout American history. Evaluate whether or not you believe that this ideology is true, based on the testing results of the third graders in A Class Divided, where the students perform better on the phonics task when they are in the group labeled superior than when those same students are in the group designated as inferior.

American Dream is something that is defined by the individual. However the basic idea is that people can achieve life, liberty, happiness and wealth through working, believing and overcoming challenges. Yet not all people can be included in this category. For some Americans it is impossible to achieve the American dream simply by working hard. For those who are black or Hispanic they face the idea that they are inferior and that they are stuck in poverty. For gays they believe they must be sheltered or they cannot get jobs or advance in the workplace. Women as well face similar struggles. De Facto Discrimination plays a huge role in this. A Class Divided highlights this. It proves that young people’s discrimination stems from what they learn from adults. Now in American society we tend to look at the groups like this.

Black People – Angry, uneducated, poor and rebellious.

Hispanic – Illegal, cheap labor, don’t speak English.

Woman – Emotional, weak, good for sandwich making.

Gays – Odd, drag and heretics.

These concepts that we’re taught by society have raised us to be that way. Regarding grades and the inferiority complex that is not a surprise to me at all. Black students and Hispanic do poorly because they are made to think that is all they can do. In reality there is no, no scientific reason why Hispanic and Black people shouldn’t doing just as well in school as your standard white student.

4-28-11

1. We recently discussed the events that took place at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Fifty years after those events, there is still a civil rights struggle going on; one example of this took place in Jena, Louisiana. Read the NY Times article "Louisiana Protest Echoes the Civil Rights Era". In a blog post, discuss your reaction to the Jena article and also discuss how the Jena and Little Rock incidents are similar. Be sure to answer both parts of the question for full credit.

It sickens me that in this modern day racism like this can persist among the youth of America. It is interesting however. That reverse racism is now occurring. In place of whites segregating and mistreating blacks it would appear years of oppression and de facto segregation have led to hostility. This has been seen for as long as racism has occurred. Malcolm X practiced this method. Which proved to only cause more hatred on both sides – I thought this compared well to the Little Rock incident at least regarding the involvement of the President and the hostile tensions that followed. However times are different and this article doesn’t mention whether the attacks were race motivated. As far I could tell it happened that five black kids beat up a white kid. I’m interested to read the testimonies of the case.

April 15th

Our family was as old as the republic itself. As long as it has existed we defended it. I am proud of my heritage. Being the only son I couldn’t help but wonder what great conflict I would fight. I’d read the news every so often. Keep hearing about the Communist. I wonder if I’ll fight in Moscow or maybe Minsk. I hear it’s pretty beautiful when it isn’t buried in thick snow. Can’t help but feel bad for the Jerry’s who froze during the battle of Stalingrad. Regardless I’m almost ready to head off to West Point. I’m hoping that the GI Bill pays for all of it. It’s amazing how past all the wars and conflicts not a single member of my family has died. I hope I’m not the first. Anyway we’re getting a visit from Senator McCarthy this evening so I should get gear and head out. Till we meet again.

Television and film had widely altered the way we think and act. This has been present numerous times in history. During the Vietnam War the people of the United States watched live as we saw our soldiers getting shot and blown up. It has also made us naïve at the same time. Nowadays people watch ‘reality television’ which actually has been counterproductive to society. Shows like the Jersey Shore have replaced the classic shows which promoted family and humor. Political pundits and plain out imbeciles like Glen Beck have plagued the ‘news’. Feeding their opinions into what should be non-partisan, plain and simple news. Since the founding of television, broadcasters and writers have been able to alter the way we think and view things. In many occasions it has been positive in others it has been negative.

http://www.adclassix.com/ads/62logcabin.htm

This not only features racism but sexism as well. Portraying the classic Aunt Jemima whom personifies the typical “mammy” or southern servant or slave – she cooks and judging by her head piece she also cleans. This ad shows a woman’s place and shows the stereotypical image of what society thought a black woman’s place was in the world.

McCarthyism Impact on Society: McCarthyism was fundamentally a witch hunt of Communism which restricted the right of Freedom of Speech. People whom were innocent were trialed in front of Congress and had their lives and careers ruined. It was caused by a fear of communism and the sheer stupidity of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Communist “Witch Hunt” and impact on those accused: It ruined many lives and forbid the film and music industry from producing ‘questionable’ material which should be protected under the United States Constitution.

Space Race impact on government policies : Space race led the launch of Sputnik and the Apollo missions. In 1969 the United States successfully landed a man on the moon. Our flag still waves there today.

Cold War mind set for the United States Government and public: People lived in fear of what would happen to them, their family, their friends and their neighbors. A possible impending nuclear threat looming as well.

Relationship of suburbs, automobiles, and roads: Caused by the baby boom and growth of Middle Class, an excess of automobiles followed by roads made suburbs more practical.

Baby Boom: Following a lack of babies being born during World War II a huge number of births occurred more commonly known as the baby boom.

Urban-Suburban Pattern: While urban areas still grew. Suburbs now became the optimal place to live and play, while many places became ‘commuter towns’.

GI Bill: Following WWII members of the military now received special benefits such as medical care and free finances to go to cool.

Expansion of the Middle Class (why were things “affordable”): Global competition was halted following World War II the United States had numerous factories that were reworked for the purpose of producing goods. New Deal polices led to the birth of unions and employee benefits.