the modern american dream

"...I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for of children and our grandchildren." - Barack Obama

 To me, these words exemplify perfectly what it means to be a modern American. Even though slavery was abolished over 200 years ago, and the Civil Rights movement ended a little over 30 years ago, racism and prejudice are still present in today's society. However, modern America is trying as a whole to eliminate these prejudices and move forward as a group. What makes us truly American is accepting that we are all different - except for our ideals for the future.

Frederick Douglass

I was surprised when reading The Narrative of Frederick Douglass to find that it is just as much of a public argument as it is a private account. Douglass introduces the reader to his own situation—his birthplace and the fact that he does not know his own age, then generalizes from his own experience, explaining that almost no slaves know their true ages. Next, Douglass takes this detail of his experience and analyzes it. He points out that slave owners deliberately keep their slaves ignorant, and that this is a tactic whites use to gain power over slaves. This structure recurs throughout his Narrative: he presents his personal experience as a typical slave experience, and then usually makes an analytical point about the experience and what it tells us about how slavery works and why it is wrong. The main tactic of Douglass’s antislavery argument is to analyze the institution of slavery and show how and why it works. The analysis would then demystify slavery and reveal its brutality and wrongness, leaving the readers with no choice but to want to remove the institution. This seems to be an excellent tactic of argumentation, stating facts and analyses that no one can really doubt, and then planting seeds of thought in their mind on how wrong the other side is.

conversations on freedom

Some notes Erik and I took today:

How do we make people free?

Jefferson—free-est when ruled by wisest, free from obligations

Zinn—focuses on how Americans treated other people, freedom is not oppression

Anne Hutchinson—come to America to be free, oppressed anyway

Zinn and Anne Hutchinson talk about non-oppression as freedom, Jefferson justifies

+/- freedom

AH part of white settlement, Jeff mad about provlamation line, Zinn oppressing NA

Jefferson: The common man can be freed by being ruled by the wise.

Zinn: Oh yeah? What makes a man wise? Being white? Rich? A male?

Jefferson: Yes, all of those. Wealth makes him free from financial obligations; wage slaves could never be free. White race makes him free from slavery.

Anne Hutchinson: Males shouldn’t rule society. John Winthrop was not wise, but jealous of my influence. Freedom means living a morally good life. You must be free to determine what a morally good life is based on your own religious views. Religion shouldn’t be hierarchical and rule based.

Jefferson: Women are tied down with children and domestic duties. You cannot truly be free, and will impede the progress of a democracy.

Zinn: Women are only unfree because men enslaved them. Indentured servant women were frequently raped by their owners. Say, Jefferson, didn’t you have an affair with a slave girl?

Jefferson: I’m free to do what I choose because I’m a rich white male!

Zinn: You were also oppressing Native Americans by taking their land to progress your white western democracy. Part of your justification for revolution was wanting to cross the proclamation line. And Anne Hutchinson, were did the land for the Puritan settlements come from?

Anne Hutchinson: The settlements were necessary to provide a place were people could be free to live a morally good life free from the corruption of the Anglican church. Freedom is not the absence of oppression, but the presence of pressures to keep you on the path to holiness.

Jefferson: Yes, society can be improved by having the wise rule and requiring the uneducated to live well.

what constitutes a good conversation?

Throughout the day, we have many different conversations with people. But how many of them are actually good conversation? I think a good conversation is one where everyone involved is able to listen and feel free to ask questions or disagree; where not everyone has to have the same opinion. A good conversation influences the thoughts of the participants, even after the conversation is over, encouraging them to reflect on it and let it impact the rest of their day because it was that meaningful or interesting. People should be open minded and willing to accept new ideas, instead of insisting that only their own are right. On the other hand, people should not be afraid to speak up and voice their own opinions. The best way for a conversation to be good is to have different opinions and ideas come out into the open and be able to float around for others to hear out, whether it's to agree or disagree.

white is might?

Not the best picture, but it's the "Magic is Might" statue from the Ministry of Magic in HP7: an elevated witch and wizard sitting on a throne, crushing naked Muggles (non-witch/wizards). Interesting how status and racism comes across in many cultures - even those that are mythical. The statue is supposed to represent that pure-blood witches and wizards are superior to Muggles or half-bloods, and the other creatures like House Elves, goblins, giants, etc. It's similar to the idea that whites felt superior to black slaves, or the Native Americans in early colonization, and how Hitler felt the Aryan race was superior to pretty much everyone. These "superior" groups wanted to oppress the "inferior" and elevate themselves to be more important and have more power and control. Our reading last night and discussion in class today were interesting, realizing that slavery wasn't always about racial superiority, but more about economic reasons that then turned into prejudice and racism.

home is where the heart and soul is

According to Uptons's "From an American Icon," houses are an integral part of a family's identity.

"The house owes its importance to its association with the family.  All the indigenous and immigrant cultures who have lived in what is now the United States have identified the family as the core institution of their societies, although they have defined it in very different ways.  However they are defined, families are complex institutions.  Shared values bind them, but internal divisions distinguish their members as individuals and according to their assigned roles, as spouses, parents, children, servants.  Equally important, families have histories - gene pools, genealogies, family stories and traditions: they are constellations of memories that surface in surprising ways from one generation to the next."

Buying a house is one of the most important things a person does in his life, almost the same as getting married or having a first child. It marks a milestone in life and the mark of a new family moving away from their established families, embarking on their own individual journey. People raise children, entertain hobbies, entertain other people, entertain themselves in a house. Everything inside of it is individual to that particular family, and the architecture and landscape, as well as the furnishings and items inside of the house, help to tell the story/history of that family. We know so much about people in American history due to the things found in houses, and the way the houses were constructed. Houses are an amazing dense fact used to describe American history and life.

Monticello

In 5th grade, my teacher took us on a field trip to Monticello. I remember walking around outside - it was a gloomy day and everyone was running around in the mud. Last night's reading brought me back to everything I saw back then, but it made me wish I could go there now, after reading the history behind the architecture and landscape. I would like to notice the architectural details Jefferson installed and analyze the reasons he did so - to make a political statement, to create an identity with the "American House," because he was inspired by neo-classicism and French architecture.  It would be so enlightening to actually see the things we read about. That's one of the things I love so much about living near DC - a lot of the things I read about in history classes are the things I have access to see almost any day I want. Maybe I'll go to Monticello this summer...

epitaph?

I know this was kind of a joke in class, to make a blog about what I want on my epitaph... but maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to write out what I'd like to be known for; what I would like to have accomplished by the time I die.

So:
Here was buried Jessica Guzman
Instrumental in the solution of displaced peoples and refugees all over the world
Influential in international relations from 2020-2060.
Loved mother and wife.

the architecture of education

I was sitting in Regents while I was reading David Orr's Architecture and Education earlier today, which is fitting, as it seems to manifest a lot of the same ideals that Orr writes about. Here's an excerpt from the St. Olaf website about Regents:

Regents Hall is a sustainable or “green” building that serves as a teaching tool and speaks to the integrity of a St. Olaf education. A green building has measurably lower operating costs, minimizes the impact on the environment and promotes whole health for its users. With features such as a green roof, reliance on passive solar lighting, and the minimization of chemical and biological waste, Regents Hall is not simply a model for responsible environmental stewardship but a daily working example of sustainability in practice.

 Orr talks about the idea of an academic building being able to tell a story; to teach students as much as the professors inside them do; to contribute to the occupants' overall well-being. He goes on to explain the project he started at Oberlin College to build a sustainable building that implicitly teaches its inhabitants to be more sustainable, to "promote ecological competence and mindfulness, and to show our problems are solvable and that we are connected to the larger com­munity of life." I feel like Regents does that, at least a little bit, by using recycled materials, a green roof that helps lower heating and cooling energy, its water conservation methods, having abundant natural light from all its large windows, and the list goes on. It's neat that a building can show us better ways to live sustainably just by its architectural design.

Jefferson's architecture

Last night's reading was actually pretty interesting to me. For one, I like the idea that one of our Founding Fathers developed interests in other areas, and became a pretty skilled professional at it. How many of our politicians these days are known for designing college campuses as a way of making a political statement? I think it would be important if our political leaders were involved in communities in more ways than just representing them - why not be skilled in architecture or landscaping or community-event-planning or managing local businesses? There's a certain comfort in knowing that our politicians are also one of us, not just an abstract sort of figure. Remember when the locals could have dinner at the White House? Just walk right in and say "Hey" to the president? Obviously we have crazy people now a days and security is definitely a necessity, but if our governors or senators could find more ways than one to relate to their populace - more ways to connect on an everyday level, to be more like one of us.

I also like the idea that Jefferson used architecture to make a political statement - to make it as unlike European/British architecture as much as possible, to make distinct differences from already-known structures, and to tie in the American spirit with the materials he used. It's a subtle but pretty effective way of creating a new identity for the newly independent people, to create a sense of American structure and ornamentation, American ideas of living.

scary thought..

So, I woke up this morning feeling super happy that the high for today in Northfield is going to be 68 degrees (according to my phone). I decided to wear a dress in celebration of the lovely weather in November - in Minnesota. After telling my friend Regan how happy I am about this weather, she said it didn't make her too happy just because it's only because of global warming that we're getting this, and how scary it is that only 50% of the newly elected Republican party accept global warming as a fact. Definitely a damper on my weather-induced happiness.

Getting Involved

A lot of the Tea Party's political platform is not focused on the social controversies that are present in today's world - mainly just on the financial crisis. That being said, we can not just assume they have no social views. There are a lot of differing views that can be found, and I think it is important to remember that just because they have many different ones does not mean they do not have any set views. It is important for us, as the rising generation of America, to pay attention to all of the stances they put out and ascribe our own opinions as to what we agree with or don't agree with, and most importantly just form opinions in general. I feel like a significant number of the younger generations are ignorant of what's happening politically - they either don't know or just don't care. It's so important, for the benefit of our country's future, for us to start caring and get involved. The best way to start is to educate ourselves to what's going on, what each party stands for, what we ourselves stand for  - what we agree with and what we want to happen, and who will best carry out our goals and hopes for America. That being said, I'm actually kind of excited to write this editorial on the Tea Party. :)

Literary Style in the Declaration

The Declaration of Independence is an interesting piece of work. There are many literary elements to it that contribute to its meaning and effectiveness for sure. Stephen E. Lucas' article from the National Archives website pointed out all of the techniques Jefferson, Locke, and the others used to make their point clear. It's crazy how words on a page can convey such a huge message. I only hope my writing could ever be that effective to affect such a large group of people and convince an entire country to do as I say!

Zinn's Idea of History

Zinn's writing makes it seem as though he believes the Revolution was more of a myth than an actual event - something used to inspire the American people to come together and find their sense of patriotism. He does not talk about the Tea Party as an actual event that shaped history, but more of a contributing factor to the huge illusion of the Revolution. Zinn seems to focus more on the people behind the events - Like Thomas Paine and his Common Sense articles - than the actual events, as a way of rooting down to the core the actual history of America. This is pretty effective in terms of learning the truth, but I think it is still important to detail the events of the past as well, instead of just the people.

rockin' the vote

Since I'm an out-of-stater, my roommate helped me find this quiz so I could figure out who to vote for today. Maybe this would be useful to you guys, too!

losing the young'ins

According to this article, Meghan McCain, daughter of Senator John McCain, insists that because of their different "sensibilities about a plural society," the Tea Party is not going to gain any support from the younger generation. She says that, "...revolutions start with young people. Not with 65-year-old people talking about literacy tests and people who can't say the word 'vote' in English." I would have to agree with this - that political parties in general need to appeal to the future of our country more than the aging generations, since we're the ones that are going to experience the effects of political choices. Shouldn't we have the opportunity to agree wholeheartedly with a party, the opportunity to vote and actually make a difference for us and our children, instead of our parents' generation?


One of the paragraphs quotes the Washington Post: “only 42 percent of black youth 18-25 felt like ‘a full and equal citizen in this country with all the rights and protections that other people have,’ compared to a majority (66 percent) of young whites.” The same was true of 43 percent of Latinos in the same age bracket." This might literally be the most terrifying thing I have ever read. America is quickly becoming more and more diverse, which exemplifies our ideals of freedom and acceptance; yet, how can we truly call ourselves American if our citizens don't feel secure?


No offense to my elders, but I feel like the most important thing we could ask for from a political party is one that is relevant to the younger generation. 

Ben as the Epitome of the American Dream

Ben Franklin's autobiography is not quite one of the most gripping novels I've ever read in my 18 years but it does exemplify a lot of what it means to be American. His dedication to improve himself and go from rags-to-riches is one of the elements people think of when they think of the American Dream. He was the youngest son in a large family that was not quite prominent in society, as shown by the fact all the sons started work at young ages. He writes (endlessly, it seems) about his experiences in school and work, mentioning how he was when he started out and how he applied himself to become better than those in his field, portraying him as a youth with a strong work ethic. He is careful throughout the book to describe how he became successful through skills and hard work - basically creating the legend of the American Dream.

Pocahontas

Here's an excerpt from the Pocahontas paper Erik & I worked on together:

Pocahontas is an important figure in American culture, yet since little is actually known about her. Her story seems to be more of a fairy tale than actual proven history. Several perceptions have been created throughout the ages, strengthened with pop culture, poetic literature, and art such as the statue here at Gravesend. 

What we know about Pocahontas is based on the accounts of other people, such as John Smith, John Rolfe, and other settlers. She was eleven years old when she saved John Smith, who was twenty-eight. Pocahontas was captured and held hostage in Jamestown, where she was then converted to Christianity and baptized as Rebecca. John Rolfe gained the permission of Powhatan and the governor, Sir Thomas Dale, to marry her in April 1614. The union brought peace with the Native Americans for eight years. With her husband and several other Native Americans, Pocahontas went to England in 1616. There she was received as a princess and presented to the king and queen. In 1617, she took ill and died at Gravesend, where she was buried. There are no documents from Pocahontas herself. Even the accounts Rolfe and Smith have written of her are portrayals....

The Gravesend Pocahontas holds her beauteous head high. Her skin is an earthy bronze brown. She is one in a long line of Pocahontases. At the beginning was the real girl. Then comes her portrayal in historical documents, and the engraving as a fine English lady. A new, “noble savage” Pocahontas emerges from the wilderness and gets frozen in bronze at Jamestown. She is exotic and sexy. At Gravesend, she steps onto a pedestal and becomes a larger than life mother goddess. The Gravesend statue resembles Fig. 5 (a painting of Isis) in many ways. Both are idealized and perfected presentations. Draperies that emphasize breasts flow into nature. Both are ideas embodied as a figure more than a realistic portrayal of a person. That is the crucial point in the evolution of Pocahontas: she has gone from a flesh and blood human to an immortal icon of the feminine.

saving the small shops

The discussion in class today about buying locally vs. buying imported goods reminds me of something my aunt told me. She lives in a small town in Wisconsin and one day when we were talking about the recession and how we don't like shopping at Wal-Mart because it's so bad for our economy, she told me her personal resolution is to avoid shopping at all the huge chains, and instead try to spend her money at the smaller, local businesses near her home. She told me that if she spends at least $50 a month at her favorite local store, it could be saved from going out of business. I feel that if the majority of people shopped only at the local, family-owned businesses in America it could really save us from the predicament we're in. However, I don't know much about Econ and all the details of capitalism, etc etc... so maybe this isn't such a great idea as I think it is. Feel free to comment and discuss with me if you know more about it than I do or have a different opinion!

Room Inventory

This is what I managed to bring all the way from Maryland and fit in half of a dorm room:

school books
reading books
clothes
photos
toiletries
linens
pens, pencils
paper
notebooks
desk organizers
food
bed
desk
dresser
fridge
dishes
shoes
lamps
electronics
seating (chairs)
bags/suitcases
DVDs
hair dryer
hair straightener
nail polish
medicine
laundry detergent
dryer sheets
swiffer duster
windex
hats
scarves
mittens
make-up

The American Dream

Upon reading Cullen's The American Dream last night, I realized how true Foner's description of freedom is. It is something "constantly created and recreated," it "embodies not a single idea, but a complex of values," it is the "oldest of cliches and the most modern of aspirations." It "binds the culture together and exposes the contradictions between what America claims to be and what it actually is." Cullen's description stays pretty true to these notions, pointing out that every American is proud to say they are free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, yet every American's definition of these things is different. Every bank teller, every professional athlete, every doctor are all working toward the American Dream. Yet the things they do every day to achieve that dream are completely different. It seems fitting to me that this is so - America is considered the cultural melting pot, and it makes sense that in one country with a billion different people, there's one word with a billion different connotations.

The Free People are also Free Thinkers

One of the greatest freedoms that is present in the 21^st century is the freedom to an education. This science textbook represents the freedom we have to an education, the freedom to learn about modern and unconventional concepts, the freedom to further advance technology and cure diseases. Our government pays for the public school systems throughout all 50 states, and financial aid opportunities are there for secondary schooling. People from all over the world come to the United States for better education. The law requires that children attend school from the ages of 5-8 to 14-18 (depending on the state). This right to education makes our country unique and our people extremely fortunate. This freedom verifies that we have the right to think for ourselves, while other countries that lack this excellent education system may not. It proves that the free people of the 21^st century are also free thinkers; that our government does not limit our learning, but instead enhances and encourages our education.