Malcolm "X" Reading

The autobiography of Malcolm "X" is a text that should be read by anyone who is unfamiliar with their own identity regardless of race. It accomplishes telling an entertaining story and teaching the moral views that Malcolm had. The beginning  of the autobiography consist of only stories. It has a light feeling to it even though some scenes are rather harsh. Toward the end (where I'm currently reading) The book is packed with intellectual thoughts from Malcolm and endless enlightening points. This has the true power to actually influence some one into changing their ways of thinking. I personally question some of my methods of living after I read some chapters. The most significant aspect of this book is the way Malcolm is a dynamic character. He has gone through so many stages in his life that the reader shall never know what he will get into next. This keeps readers in constant surprise. Many know Malcolm as the civil rights activist but he has so many events in his life that lead him up to that. It's surprising that he didn't have a simple upbringing and then got into the civil rights position. Due to Malcolm's leadership and drive, not only do the people of his time stand behind him in support but the reader will as well. Everything he does will get the reader's support as he attempts to accomplish his goals, whether they are good or bad. I personally am in support of all of Malcolm's endeavors. I want to see him succeed which makes me enjoy the book that much more. The feel of this autobiography seperates it from a "normal" history lesson. It gets you involved with his life and the book tugs at your own thoughts and opinions. (294 words)

Hiding the Reservation

When people come to Whitney Young, there is a feeling that everything about you has to be as grand as the school itself. If you are below the assumed initial standards then you do feel the need to "hide the reservation" about you. This could result in a lot of change about you to a point where you become a new person or simply a minor adjustment. Once you get comfortable with the school and all it has to offer you get the feeling that you don't need to hide any aspects of yourself. This ecspeially happens when you find a social crowd that shares the same qualities and interest as you. You gain comfort within these groups and your true self arises while the need to "hide the reservation" diminishes because you don't feel ashamed. If you were to be in a social crowd that didn't fit you then you would want to "hide the reservation" in you whether that  be below the standards or above them. You don't want to stand out in a way that gets you negative attention.

Jr at Whitney Young

In the book "A Part-time Indian" the main character Junior goes to a school outside of his reservation and becomes an instant outcast on his first day. This is because all the students at his new school, Rearden, had similar aspects of their lives such as economic status, social class, and living areas while Junior was completely different. If Junior were to attend Whitney Young his experience would be complete opposite. This school is diverse in race, culture, and social status which means Junior wouldn't be singled out by everyone. With the school being so diverse it forces students to be open minded since they have to be around it. He would soon enough find a social group to fit into. Junior was a smart person who enjoyed basketball and drawing. These qualities would have placed him in groups of students that flock to those interests. He wouldn't have to hide the fact that he's Indian because he'd be just another race thrown onto the "mixing pot" of Whitney Young. Since he wasn't the wealthiest of people he might be separated from certain crowds because this school offers off-campus lunch. Junior wouldn't be able to afford to eat out so it would be in his favor to have lunch with students who eat cafeteria food. He might be ashamed of his poverty but there would be no need to hide it. He would be an outcast as long as his personality was sub par.

Gatsby and Raisin in the Sun American Dream

The American Dream presented in The Great Gatsby is defined by the flashiness of wealth. Gatsby himself came upon his fortune by inheriting it from his friend. Gatsby started out his lifestyle as a poor farm boy and got to his successful stage with the luck of meeting the right people. He didn’t have to experience the struggle of trying to accomplish his dream which does take away the full experience of the American Dream. The true American Dream is “starting from the bottom” and working your way out of your status, whether that be through wealth, education, or having a family. In the end you must be happy with what you’ve accomplished. This also contradicts Gatsby American Dream because he was not happy with his life. All his wealth and popularity didn’t mean anything to him. He would only find true happiness if he had a relationship with Daisy. She would complete his American Dream and his life.

The American Dream presented in The Raisin in the Sun is defined in two ways. Characters like Mama want to have a stable and healthy family relationship while characters like Walter want to raise their social status through money. Mama feels as though having a strong and stable family is fulfilling the American Dream because it is what brings her the most happiness in life. She wants to raise her family with enough guidance so that they can get the opportunities she did not have such as a good education. Walter’s American Dream consists of making money and becoming rich. He doesn’t like the way he’s living and he wants to get into a lavish lifestyle that money can buy. That is what he feels will make him happy. This is relatable to Gatsby’s earlier vision of the American Dream.

There are variables to the American Dream but in the end result you should be happy. The fact that these stories are set in different time periods and areas doesn’t alter anything. Gatsby’s Dream embodies both Walter and Mama’s Dream. At first Gatsby believed having a great life was through gaining wealth like Walter thinks. He believed money would bring happiness but he saw all the materialistic items were meaningless. He soon wanted a relationship with Daisy. He knew that being with her would bring happiness. That relates to Mama’s Dream because she wanted happiness through the relations of other people. That stability and support comforts a person to do the best they can. Since Gatsby with secured financially he had nothing other than to get that comfort another person provides.  Walter doesn’t have the best socio-economic status but he does have a stable family which fills the “whole” Gatsby didn’t have. So Walter would not want more after he gained his wealth. It’s as if Gatsby’s American Dream is backwards considering what he had and what he wanted in the end. Both stories, however, didn’t accomplish their dreams because of misfortune. The stories represents the strive for the American Dream because that is the base of the experience.

 

Protest Song

Bob Marley- Get Up Stand Up

Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Preacher man no tell me
Heaven is under the earth
I know you don't know
What life is really worth
Isn't all that glitter is gold
Half the story had never been told
So now you see the light
You stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Most people think
Great God will come from the sky
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high
But if you know what life is worth
You would look for yours on earth
And now you see the light
You stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
We're sick and tired of your ism and skism game
Die 'n' go to heaven in the Jesus name, Lord
We know when we understand
Almighty God is a living man
You can fool some people sometimes
But you can't fool all the people all the time
So now you see the light
You stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight

This song is protesting oppression. This oppression normally comes from governments and other authorities that dictate laws and rules for its people. Their law making can be unfair or highly unfavored by the masses yet, since they are the few in power they do what they please. This song addresses the issue by talking to the average citizens. Its an empowering song that's telling people to "get up stand up, stand up for your rights. get up stand up, don't give up the fight." The artist believes that everyone should fight for the rights they deserve and that their government should be giving them. "Most people think Great God will come from the sky Take away everything And make everybody feel high But if you know what life is worth You would look for yours on earth" This is a figurative or a symbolic line because it talks about not putting all of your issues into someone's hand so that they can fix them. Instead its saying to take matters into your own hands. I chose this song because Bob Marley was an artist known for the powerful messages in his songs so I knew this one would be a promising turn-out. The subject matter isn't directly significant to me because as a teen I feel my life is satisfactory and I don't particularly pay attention to polictics in a detailed manner so to me, everything seems to be fine. I know this song does relate to audiences that belong to the LGBT community whoare fighting for marriage rights. The simple yet meaningful hook and rhythm of its reggae style makes it a catchy song to be heard over-and-over again which can instill the message of the song into its listeners.
(314 words)

Community Inquiry Project Proposal

-In doing this project I plan on exploiting the way the American Dream is viewed as something that is pursued to obtain a comfortable life and start a family.

-The neighborhood I live in is North Beverly. This a predominantly African American neighborhood.

-I plan on Interviewing my grandmother, the neighbor to the left of my house, and the neighbor to the right of my house.

-The parts of the American Dream that I think are present in my neighborhood are the happiness resulted from family, a comfortable and sustainable home to live in, and the hopes of making a brighter day for the younger generation.

American Dream

In The American Dream's Empty Promise it speaks about what the American Dream was but tells of how it is deteriorating. It speaks of how the phrase itself is used by politicians to get people to think they will help America in ways such as instilling proper health care and restoring the economy. It's as if the American Dream has become a commercial ideal that doesn't have any substance behind it. My idea of the American Dream is gliding away from uncomfortable poverty and into a fulfilling life that doesn't have worries due to economical issues if you work hard.This article proves a point that this is harder to achieve in this day and age due to the economy. You can't follow the steps of going to college then getting a successful job anymore. With this obstacle being put in place it means you have to work that much harder to succeed yet knowing the "Dream" is still attainable. The simplicity of accomplishing the "Dream" is longer here and is a coined term to win politics but the will to succeed is what America represents so if you embody that mentality you are living the Dream even when you aren't at you final goal. 
(204 words)