Reflection wk 11 December 16 (Barack Obama Speech on Race)

                “I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas.  I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton’s Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas.  I’ve gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world’s poorest nations.  I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slave-owners-an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters.  I have brother, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for a s long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.  It’s a story that hasn’t made me the most conventional of candidates.  But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts-that out of many, we are truly one.” (Barack Obama Speech on Race)

            President Barack Obama spoke deeply about his roots in this paragraph.  He spoke of their origin, work and contribution to his life that has made him the individual he is.  I admire this passage because it took me to the beginning of the class of G.K. Chesterton “What I Saw in America”.  I enjoyed how he mentions his story that is seared into his genetic makeup that this nation is more than the sum of its parts-that out of many, we are truly one.  

Reflection wk 10 November 18 (DuBois)

1.      Why are African-Americans supposed to be more sensitive to the gap between our inner essence and external appearance? 


African-Americans is suppose to be more sensitive to the gap between their inner essence and external appearance as they are in a world which yields them no true self-consciousness, but only lets them seem themselves through the eyes of others of measuring their soul by the tape of the world that looks on in amused contempt and pity(DuBois).  In other words African-Americans were not given the chance to be seen for who they really are instead they constantly fight to be seen and measured by a world that have enslaved them, enhance their external appearance are usually displayed while the inner essence have been suppress because of the oppress they have undergo.

2.      Why does DuBois say the history of whites and blacks are inseparable?

DuBois says that the history of whites and blacks are inseparable because the Black man wishes to make it possible for a himself to be both a Black and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellow, without having the doors of opportunity closed roughly in his face; he may feel that to obtain this self-consciousness he needs to learn the knowledge of the white man as they often have to measure up to the world.

3.      Why is the 'color line' the most pressing problem of the 20th century according to DuBois?

The ‘color line’ is the most pressing problem in the 20^th century because n the Pacific states in the West anti-Chinese and anti-Japanese feelings had already boiled over into full race riots. Legislation had also been passed limiting the number of Chinese and Japanese immigrants and putting strict limits on citizenship. In the South, lynching was escalating. The first official segregation laws are passed supposedly intended as a way of diffusing more extreme forms of violence. In the North the conflict over industrial jobs was repeating itself as in the South, as some blacks begin migrating to the North for the first time. Also forms of “scientific racism” are coming into vogue at this time.  All this was conducted on the theory that white is the supreme race and other race were constantly oppress to prove this theory.


4.      Why the South is considered a 'marginal region'?

The South is considered a ‘marginal region’ because In the South, lynching was escalating. The first official segregation laws are passed supposedly intended as a way of diffusing more extreme forms of violence. The conflict over industrial jobs was repeating itself as in the South, as some blacks begin migrating to the North for safety.

5.      How do low wages damage the work ethic?


Wages damage the work ethic amongst black and white men and caused prejudice and poverty.  It show racism and brought animosity amongst the two.  But, the vast amount of prejudice between the two could not bring the inevitable self-questioning self-disparagement, and lowering of ideals which ever accompany repression and breed in an atmosphere of contempt and hate.

6.      Why is the church as an institution so important in African-American communities?


The church was important in the African-American communities as the buildings were community centers.  They housed schools and meeting places for other organizations.  Anti-slavery societies often met in churches and they provided schools and various voluntary associations for the black community.  The churches provide a strong togetherness amongst the black community.

7.      What is fatalism?

A doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them; also: a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine 


8.      How is fatalism associated with sensualism?


Fatalism  is a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them; also: a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine; while sensualism is the doctrine that the good is to be judged only by or through the gratifleation of the senses.  They both associate themselves as without a fixed advance that makes human powerless but they are given a reason to gain strength and should be grateful for the hardship that now makes them strong.

9.      How are themes of emancipation used in the Bible?

Reflection wk 9 November 11(Social Darwinism)

          “A large number of essayists, ministers, politicians, and others focused on the successes of leading entrepreneurs and financiers, and praised their achievements and the proof these leaders provided of the opportunities available to all.  The message was that riches were to be gathered, and merit was measured by money.  The masses were taught to respect thrift and hard work, which when added to virtue, were lauded as the means by which individuals such as John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan had amassed their fortunes,  famous in this campaign were the McGuffey’s Readers, books for elementary schools that systematically taught orthodox patriotic, moral, and social values.  An estimated 122 million copies were printed in several editions used and reused all across the country.” (Social Darwinism)

           

            This paragraph started out discussing the modern day riches of politicians and financiers and how they were praised upon their achievements and are proven to be the ones that are considered as the fittest which explains the theory of Social Darwinism.  Social Darwinism is a theory that was theorized by Charles Darwin, which stated that the fittest will survive; however when Charles Darwin came up with this theory he spoke in light of the evolution of man diseases that affect man and those who could/would survive various diseases.  Now in modern day’s man as interoperated this theory as only the fit will survive in society according to their social status and financial means.  This explains the job market, education and living facility for our fellow American.  It proves the racial segregation in schools, cities and business.  This theory have been absorb incorrectly by so many people that it now create an uneven balance scale in our social life.

Reflection wk 8 November 04 (Abraham Lincoln)

           “No man can vindicate the character, motives and conduct of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, except upon the hypothesis that they referred to the white race alone, and not to the African, when they declared all men to have been created equal that they were entitled to the same inalienable rights, and among them were enumerated life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,  the Declaration was adopted for the purpose of justifying the colonists in the eyes of the civilized world in withdrawing their allegiance from the British crown, and dissolving their connection with the mother country.”

            In this paragraph Abraham Lincoln make notice of the motives of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He stated that its purpose of equal opportunity was not aimed toward African American.  It was to break there ties with the mother country “Great Britain”.  They wanted break their allegiance from the British crown and the Declaration of independence was used to justify the colonist in this new civilized world.

            I choose this paragraph on the note of equal rights and justices for all, as equality seem to be a mere myth in this country.  I say a myth as America is built on three things Racism, Capitalism and Feminism, and taking these three things in mind it shows that equality is truly a myth and the Declaration of Independence was created for whites to gain independence and dissolve their connection with the mother country.  Taking in mind the current job market and how they are filtering job application by asking race and ethnicity.  We are faced daily with various reminder that there is no equality in America.

Reflection wk 7 October 28 (Henry David Thoreau)

“If the unjustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go: perchance it will wear smooth certainly the machine will wear out.  If the unjustice has a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of unjustice to another, then, I say, break the law.  Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine.  What I have to do is to see, at any rate, that do not lend myself to the wrong which I condemn”. (Henry David Thoreau)

            Thoreau is stating that if what you find to be an unjustice a part of government let it go and not follow with the probability of it wearing out; taking in mind if the unjustice that he refers to as a machine have any parts that can be damage action should be taken into doing so.  Whether the solution may seem evil go ahead and do it as long as it demonstrates a solution to this unjustice and show that you oppose it.  He further states that you use yourself as an instrument that may stop this unjustice as it show that you are against this unjustice.

            I choose this paragraph as many people have been faced with lots of credit card dept, especially since the recession.  Some as chosen not to pay them until they are in the position do so; however like Thoreau they are the ones that have come to agreement with creditors that now pose a problem.   Thoreau seem to not remember that being part of a country and choosing a government system was a choice that was made by all to eliminate natural liberty.  Yes he did oppose however in the end he had to pay, like all those who are not paying those depts they will have to pay it as this will affect their credit.

Reflection wk 6 October 21 (Alexander Hamilton)

                “While all believed that the credit of the new government should be established, these were highly controversial proposals.  First, the new taxes appeared to be laid disproportionately on tea and the other widely used consumer items and on activities carried on only by back-country farmers, such as making whiskey out of whatever surplus grain they could not transport to eastern markets.  Second, the current holders of Revolutionary War bonds and other obligations were speculators and financiers who had avidly bought at very low discounted prices; to pay them back at full value would result in enormous profits for them and nothing for the people who had actually provided the money in patriotic response to the urgent call of Congress.  James Madison led the fight in the House of Representatives to pay the original purchasers at least some proportion of their investment, but Hamilton’s argument prevailed.  This issue precipitated the first in the series of internal conflicts that soon drove Madison and Thomas Jefferson to form a political party to oppose the Federalists.  Third, some states had already paid back their wartime debts, and their representatives objected to contributing further revenues to pay the unpaid debts of other states.  Fourth, a national bank would overshadow state banks and give its wealthy investors additional power and profit and did not appear within the Constitution’s grant of powers to Congress.”  (Alexander Hamilton’s Program)

            What was interpreted from this paragraph was that the credit that the new government created was controversial for consumers and country farmers; while persons that had purchase War bonds were cashing them in at full value making a huge profit and nothing was there for the genuine patriots.  While some states have managed to pay the debts they refuse to contribute to the debts of other states, and national banks were form to overshadow state bank which would provide huge profit for wealthy investors and power.  This led Madison and Jefferson to form a political party that opposes the Federalists.

            I choice this paragraph because Alexander Hamilton aim was rapid growth and expansion and to do so he worked on arm forces and by sending men to war he manage to make the rich richer and the poor continue to struggle; this brings back the memory of When George Bush became president, within 6 months of his election Bush manage to send troops to war, 911 and watch the stock market crash, and the person that seem to have benefited from these events were those who were already wealthy.  With the 911 dilemma and the stock market jobs were lost and poor/lower class started to suffer as jobs, home and benefits were lost; while the rich were able to file bankrupt and still live a wealthy life the poor continues to feel the pain of all that have happen.  

Possible Mid-Term Questions

1. As an African/Caribbean/Latino/American what does the creed of America mean for you? Do you think how society is today the Creed of America stands for all Americans? What would you define as being patriotic to America?
2.  What are the difference between federalist and anti-federalist?  How have the two impacted America historically?
3.  What is Liberty? List and define the two types of liberty?  Do you think that the Amendments written affects our liberty? If yes/no explain?

Reflection wk 5 October 14 (Federalist 54)

“It is not contended that the number of people in each State ought not to be the standard for regulating the proportion of those who are to represent the people of each State.  The establishment of the same rule for the apportionment of taxes will probably be as little contested; though the rule itself, in this case, is by no means founded on the same principle.  In the former case, the rule is understood to refer to the personal rights of the people, with which it has a natural and universal connection.  In the latter, it has reference to the proportion of wealth of which it is in no case a precise measure, and in ordinary cases a very unfit one.  But notwithstanding the imperfection of the rule as applied to the relative wealth and contributions of the States, it is evidently the least exceptionable among the practicable rules and had too recently obtained the general sanction of America not to have found a ready preference with the convention.” (Federalist No. 54)

This statement is in reference to portion of representative in each State; it also brought to light the apportionment of taxes which the rule does not apply equally to all members of State, as person of wealth in this period of time seem to gain more from the head count within State.  During 1620-1800 slave would not be counted as they were property of slave owners, however for State such as New York they would be counted as 3/5; although not a whole number they still made numbers for the State.  This process still today affect the economy in New York when you take in light the prison system where prisoners from New Jersey are counted; although they are members of New Jersey they are counted in New York as they are being held in New York prisons.  Only difference is they are now counted as whole and not 3/5.

I choose to reflect on this portion of federalist 54 as many may say slavery as been abolish, however  as the 13 amendment states “neither slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted”:  This means that slavery have been abolish except for those who have been convicted of a crime.  Federalist 54 no longer counts them as 3/5 however they remain slave of the State because of their conviction and they continues to make larger numbers for the State.

Reflection wk 4 October 4 (The Constitution of the United States of America)

AMENDMENT VI

                In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial Jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witness against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witness in his favor and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

This states that anyone that is accused of a crime should receive a speedy trial, under the stat or district the crime have been committed and that the Jury of the state be aware of the crime committed by the accused.  It also states that this individual as the right to a counsel of his choice to defend him. 

                In review of the current justice system in America this amendment is one which has not been followed accurately.  There are people that have been locked up and have not been tried for the crime they have been accused of.  I may be looking too deep as the Amendment did not give a full definition of a speedy trial which may lead to people being locked up for a long time but not tried.

Reflection wk 3 September 23 (Samuel Adams essay)

"In the state of nature, every man is under God, judge and sole Judge, of his own right and the injuries done him: By entering into society, he agrees to an Arbiter or indifferent Judge between him and his neighbors; but he no more renounces his original right, than by taking a cause out of the ordinary course of law, and leaving the decision to Referees or indifferent Arbitrations.  In the last case he must pay the Referees for time and trouble; he should be also willing to pay his Just quota for the support of government, the law and constitution; the end of which is to furnish indifferent and impartial Judges in all cases that may happen, whether civil ecclesiastical, marine or military". Samuel Adams

My interpretation of the quote is that man/woman is under Gods’ judgment and his/her sole judge, however they choice to give up this by entering into society and coming into agreement with an Arbiter.  Although, he/she as not renounces his right but has taken the course of law of relieving themselves of the trouble of making a judgmental decision between their neighbors, by doing so they have appointed referees which we call government.  By appointing a referee for time of trouble they should pay for the support of the government by dedicating or extending themselves in time of civil matter and also by paying taxes.

I choose this paragraph because a lot of people question why after they have left their home land for changes, they are bombarded by more laws and taxes.  This paragraph explains  that this is a choice made by an individual for a new life and it come with them choosing a government/referee system to by pass them making a judgmental decision on their own.

Reflection wk 2 September 9 (John Winthrop)

“For the other point concerning liberty, I observe a great mistake in the country about that.  There is a twofold liberty, natural (I mean as our nature is now corrupt) and civil or federal.  The first is common to man with beasts and other creatures.  By this, man, as he stands in relation to man simply, hath liberty to do what he lists; it is a liberty to evil as well as to good.  This liberty is incompatible and inconsistent with authority and cannot endure the least restraint of the most just authority.  The exercise and maintaining of this liberty makes men grow more evil and in time to be worse than brute beasts: omnes sumus licentia deteriores.  This is that great enemy of truth and peace, that wild beast, which all of the ordinances of God are bent against, to restrain and subdue it.  The other kind of liberty I call civil or federal; it may also be termed moral, in reference to the covenant between God and man, in the moral law and the politic covenants and constitutions amongst men themselves.  This liberty is the proper end and object of authority and cannot subsist without it; and it is a liberty to that only which is good, just, and honest.  This liberty you are to stand for, with the hazard (not only of your goods, but) of your lives, if need be.  Whatsoever crosseth this is not authority but a distemper thereof.  This liberty is maintained and exercised in a way of subjection to authority; it is of the same kind of liberty where with Christ hath made us free.” (John Winthrop)

Winthrop seems have found liberty in this country to be a mistake; he described it as a twofold liberty, which was natural and civil or federal.  He defined natural to be one which man do what he list or roam about as he feels free like a creature and civil and federal as one that is bind with moral law and is the covenant of politics.  He further states that civil or federal liberty is exercised in a way of subjection to authority as if without civil or federal liberty man would be in his natural form of liberty free to do as pleased in this country.

I choose this quote because growing up, when asked what is liberty my first thought would be freedom from interference, obligation, restriction from anyone or authority the power of my right to do, think and speak as I would wish; however, after reading this segment of the essay I learnt that this liberty may be define as evil as well as good liberty as this would be defined as my natural liberty and not civil or federal liberty which is based on moral law along with authority over these moral law.  It is strange how growing up you are thought one thing but out in the world it is a whole different meaning to life itself. 

Reflection wk 1 September 2 (G.K Chestorton essay)

“Of course this generalization about America, like other historical things, is subject to all sorts of cross divisions exceptions, to be considered in their place.  The negroes are a special problem, because of what white men in the past did to them.  The Japanese are a special problem, because of what men fear that they in the future may do to white men.  The Jews are a special problem, because of what they and the Gentiles, in the past, present, and future, seem to have the habit of doing to each other.  But the point is not that nothing exists in America except this idea; it is that nothing like this idea exists anywhere except in America.  This idea is not internationalism; on the contrary it is a decidedly nationalism.  The Americans are very patriotic, and wish to make their new citizens patriotic Americans.  But it is the idea of making a new nation literally out of any old nation that comes along.  In a word, what is unique is not America but what is called Americanization.  We understand nothing till we understand the amazing ambition to Americanize the Kamskatkan and the Hairy Ainu.  We are not trying to Anglicise thousands of French cooks or Italian organ-grinders.  France is not trying to Galliscise thousands of English trippers or German prisoners of war.  America is the one place in the world where this process, healthy or unhealthy, possible or impossible, is going on.  And the process, as I have pointed out, is not internationalization.  It would be truer to say it is the nationalization of the internationalized.  It is making a home out of vagabonds and a nation out of exiles.  This is what at once illuminates and softens the moral regulations which we may really think faddist or fanatical.  They are abnormal; but in one sense this experiment of a home for the homeless is abnormal; but in one sense this experiment of a home for the homeless is abnormal.  In short, it has long been recognized that America was an asylum.  It is only since Prohibiton that it has looked a little like lunatic asylum.”

What I interpreted from this paragraph of G.K. Chesterton’s essay is that America is a land that gives those who may not have an identity some identity, by putting cross the idea of nationalism by simply subtracting internationalism.  This idea have made those who were once exiled or considered as vagabonds now patriotic citizens, by making them Americans; by taking old nation of different ethnic background they have managed to create a new nation regardless of the scars that many have bore over historical times. 

I choose this paragraph because of a conversation that was brought up in class about why we are called African Americans instead of being called according to the place we all immigrated from; as I am an immigrant from the Caribbean and like many others from the Caribbean I have embraced America as my new country which make me an African American.  Although, not American born I remain patriotic to the country and continue to make use of this asylum that have become a home for many like myself.  American has given me an identity along with an opportunity to build and be a strong black woman.