2. Put "Our America" into perspective by comparing the text to one or two of the other texts we have read on this theme. All the texts should be covered when this discussion ends:
What are the differences in the view on the American Dream?
What views on the American people are conveyed in the texts? - sum up differences.
Is America presented as an example for the rest of the world or the opposite? Provide evidence?
1. Sum up the differences that LeAlan Jones sees between the "two Americas". Provide evidence from the text.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand there is 'the American' who is supposed to have life, liberty, prosperity and happiness.
On the other hand there is 'the African American' who is due pain, poverty, stress and anxiety.
2. Put "Our America" into perspective by comparing the text to one or two of the other texts we have read on this theme. All the texts should be covered when this discussion ends:
American Rethoric.com:
Arnold S is very patriotic and really feels American : 'I was so proud that I walked around with the American flag around my shoulder all day long.'
LeAlan says he is supposed to feel American, but it is hard because he lives in second America: 'An American that doesn't wave the red, white, and blue flag with fifty stars for fifty states. I live in a community that waves a white flag because we have almost given up.
Also, Arnold S chose to come to America and become an American and follow his American Dream. LeAlan lives there (second America), not because he chose to but because he has to.
Although they both have a different view of America, they do have the same goal/believe: If they all stand together they will be able to solve the problems.
Is America presented as an example for the rest of the world or the opposite?
Provide evidence?
LeAlan Jones experiences two different kinds of America, a white America and an African-American America. He describes the life in the ghetto, where the African-Americans are living, as completely opposed to the white America:”In the ghetto, our laws are totally different, and our language is totally different, and our lives are totally different. I’ve never felt American, I’ve only felt African-American.” (Line 4-7). He uses The Declaration of Independence to make his point when he says:”An American is supposed to have life, liberty, prosperity, and happiness. But an African-American is due pain, poverty, stress, and anxiety.” (Line 7-9). But he is not citing The Declaration of Independence correctly, which is helping him to make his statement; however, the words from The Declaration of Independence are twisted. An American is not supposed to have life, liberty, prosperity, and happiness, but all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”. This means that Americans are not supposed to have prosperity and happiness, but they have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and that is a big difference. The American Dream is depending on “the pursuit of happiness”, and the means are life and liberty.
ReplyDeleteMartin
1. Sum up the differences that LeAlan Jones sees between the "two Americas". Provide evidence from the text.
ReplyDeleteLeAlan feels that there are two different Americas. In the ghetto, the laws are totally different, the language is totally different, and the lives are totally different.
An American is supposed to have life, liberty, prosperity, and happiness.
An African-American is due pain, poverty, stress, and anxiety.
2. Put "Our America" into perspective by comparing the text to one or two of the other texts we have read on this theme. All the texts should be covered when this discussion ends:
Our America:
This is our city, this is our neighborhood and this is our America.
We must come together – no matter what you believe in, no matter how you look. I believe in my heart that we can make this happen. Not me by myself. Not you by yourself. I’m talking about all of us as one, living together in our America.
Martin Luther King:
We cannot walk alone.
… the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaves owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
… one day little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as sisters and brothers.
With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together.
What are the differences in the view on the American Dream?
“All men are created equal” – in this text LeAlan has another point of view, because he feels that there is two different Americas. One America for the African-American (The ghetto) and one America for the Americans.
What views on the American people are conveyed in the texts? - sum up differences.
An American is supposed to have life, liberty, prosperity, and happiness.
An African-American is due pain, poverty, stress, and anxiety.
Is America presented as an example for the rest of the world or the opposite? Provide evidence?
No. America is not a good example in this text because it shows how they provide people in different groups in the society.
Ther are alot of very relevant points raised, especially the contrasts in the texts- Luina's flag comment, Martin's use of the declarationand Maria's use of "Our America".
ReplyDeleteTowards the end of his article he mentions "We" alot. You can compare this to the way that MLK uses the phrase " All of God's children". It refers to every race in America, not just the negroes. Americans, whether they are black, white, rich or poor have to face and deal with the problems together as a nation-Our city, our neighbourhood, our America(Thanks Maria!). The ghetto problem cannot be ignored and swept under the carpet. It has to be dealt with AND EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES STATED IN THE DECLARATION.