What evidence does LBJ offer as proof of the widening economic gap between black and white Americans? How does he explain this gap?
During his speech at Howard University in 1965, Lyndon Johnson expressed his desire for equal outcome policies directed at African Americans. He made clear in this speech that in order for America to be all that it claimed to be, it was “not enough to open the gates of opportunity; all our citizens must have the ability to walk through those gates.”
Throughout his speech, Johnson made multiple references to the struggles of the Negro community in America, primarily economic ones. He observed that there was a widening gap between black and white Americans and gave multiple pieces of evidence as well. He mentioned the rapidly growing unemployment rate for black men, the drastic difference of a black man’s income in relation to a white man’s income (African American families typically made only 53% of an average white American family), and the growing poverty of the African Americans.
Johnson gave two reasons as to why this was. The first was that Negroes were trapped in gateless poverty. They were essentially born poor in a society that was largely apathetic about their struggles. They were in no way able to acquire the necessary skills needed to have a decently paying job. Through no fault of their own, the black community was shut out of the rest of society by a towering, indestructible wall with no way of getting past. The second reason Johnson gave dealt with the past of the black community. It was because of “the devastating heritage of long years of slavery; and a century of oppression, hatred, and injustice.”
The cartoon illustrates his sentiments in that in the beginning, the white child used the black child, held down by shackles, to get to where he wanted to go with no concern for his companion’s well being. No matter what the black child did, said, or felt, the white child continued to climb up to the top of where he wanted to get to. By the time the black child was finally able to stand, the white child was up at the top, apologizing for his earlier actions, saying that he now knows better. But when the black child asks for help, the white child refuses, stating he got there on his own, not even acknowledging the help of the black child. The first three frames represent slavery and the ascension of whites to the top of the economic ladder. The fourth frame represents the freedom of the African Americans, and the final two represent the whites failing to reciprocate the (unwilling) assistance of the blacks, despite the fact that the whites would not be where they were had it not been for the blacks. More than that, the sixth frame highlights the arrogance of the whites, not even acknowledging the actions of their past and building up their own deeds to the point of pompousness.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Robots
According to C. Wright Mills, Americans during the 1950s were Cheerful Robots. Using his excerpt, what you've read in the text, and heard in class, why is that description fitting (don't just repeat or rephrase what's in the Mills article).
In the 1950’s, life in America was based on the desire for perfection. The average American desired little but the perfect spouse, a paying job, and wonderful little boys and girls to keep up the same routine. Americans typically did not want to be special. They did not want to reach above and beyond. There was very little room for unconformity. And so the American men donned their (very similar) work outfits, went to jobs they may or may not have enjoyed, and returned home to their wives and children for meals and evening activities. The American women would stay at home and do household chores, help raise young children, and prepare dinner for their husbands when they returned home.
On the outside, mostly every family was the example of perfection. There were smiles as the men returned from work in their nice cars to their nice homes. When a man and woman married, everyone looked upon them as the “perfect couple.” And every day would bring about the same routine, one that inspired peace and happiness within the nuclear family. However, while the surface glistened with happiness, that happiness did not likely exist at all on the inside. There was no room for individuality. Dreams did not matter unless they were dreams that conformed to society. If one was unhappy with how his or her life was going, he or she would not be allowed to show it lest they be looked down upon by their family and friends. There was no room for unhappiness in this falsely ideal world. And so people went on with their everyday routines. Cheerful on the outside with nothing to show for it on the inside.
As an added note, when I read this prompt, I thought of the movie and novel entitled Revolutionary Road. I thought the movie, at least, depicted the cheerful robot idea quite accurately and really gave the feel about how unhappy people of this era could be.
In the 1950’s, life in America was based on the desire for perfection. The average American desired little but the perfect spouse, a paying job, and wonderful little boys and girls to keep up the same routine. Americans typically did not want to be special. They did not want to reach above and beyond. There was very little room for unconformity. And so the American men donned their (very similar) work outfits, went to jobs they may or may not have enjoyed, and returned home to their wives and children for meals and evening activities. The American women would stay at home and do household chores, help raise young children, and prepare dinner for their husbands when they returned home.
On the outside, mostly every family was the example of perfection. There were smiles as the men returned from work in their nice cars to their nice homes. When a man and woman married, everyone looked upon them as the “perfect couple.” And every day would bring about the same routine, one that inspired peace and happiness within the nuclear family. However, while the surface glistened with happiness, that happiness did not likely exist at all on the inside. There was no room for individuality. Dreams did not matter unless they were dreams that conformed to society. If one was unhappy with how his or her life was going, he or she would not be allowed to show it lest they be looked down upon by their family and friends. There was no room for unhappiness in this falsely ideal world. And so people went on with their everyday routines. Cheerful on the outside with nothing to show for it on the inside.
As an added note, when I read this prompt, I thought of the movie and novel entitled Revolutionary Road. I thought the movie, at least, depicted the cheerful robot idea quite accurately and really gave the feel about how unhappy people of this era could be.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Rights
Read the excerpt from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The U.S. did not immediately ratify the Declaration. What policies and practices within the U.S. conflicted with many of the principles of the Declaration?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was spawned after the atrocities committed during World War II. When the actions done by Nazi Germany became apparent after the War, the world community stated that the newly formed United Nations Charter did not fully define the rights it swore to uphold. Then came the Declaration itself, which was approved with flying colors. However, despite the justice and fairness that came with the document, the United States did not immediately approve the Declaration, and has yet to approve the second part even today.
It is a well known fact that even though America preaches about equality, the nation’s actions have not matched its words. Not now, and certainly not decades ago. And even though the founding fathers declared all men had been created equal, the nation they created under that philosophy never stood by that declaration.
In the time the Declaration of Human Rights was written, racial and gender minorities were still struggling to earn the rights outlined in the documents. The second article of the Declaration states that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” At this point in time, America was still at a stage in which discrimination against all minorities was simply a way of life. Blacks were widely considered unfit for a white society and women were considered unfit to live a “man’s life.” Were America to ratify the document, a few potentially undesirable things may have happened. Either the country would continue as it had and lose the respect of other nations for not following through on their pledge or the government would have to pass legislation to improve the standing of all minorities. And to the average American, of course, that could not be allowed to happen, lest the country be infested with the less fit. Sadly, this is a mindset that is still around to this very day, and doesn't really seem to be fading much at all.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was spawned after the atrocities committed during World War II. When the actions done by Nazi Germany became apparent after the War, the world community stated that the newly formed United Nations Charter did not fully define the rights it swore to uphold. Then came the Declaration itself, which was approved with flying colors. However, despite the justice and fairness that came with the document, the United States did not immediately approve the Declaration, and has yet to approve the second part even today.
It is a well known fact that even though America preaches about equality, the nation’s actions have not matched its words. Not now, and certainly not decades ago. And even though the founding fathers declared all men had been created equal, the nation they created under that philosophy never stood by that declaration.
In the time the Declaration of Human Rights was written, racial and gender minorities were still struggling to earn the rights outlined in the documents. The second article of the Declaration states that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” At this point in time, America was still at a stage in which discrimination against all minorities was simply a way of life. Blacks were widely considered unfit for a white society and women were considered unfit to live a “man’s life.” Were America to ratify the document, a few potentially undesirable things may have happened. Either the country would continue as it had and lose the respect of other nations for not following through on their pledge or the government would have to pass legislation to improve the standing of all minorities. And to the average American, of course, that could not be allowed to happen, lest the country be infested with the less fit. Sadly, this is a mindset that is still around to this very day, and doesn't really seem to be fading much at all.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Comfort Women
Why were the Korean Comfort Women “silent” so long? To answer this question, one thing you will need to think about is how much women’s “worth” is tied to their status as virgins or “sexually pure” and how women who are not “pure” are shamed in societies. You also need to reflect on how rape has been characterized as simply an “unfortunate consequence” of war—this is not true, of course; rape does not “just happen.”
Why could the words and actions of Japanese officials and government be interpreted as attempts to further silence them?
The Korean Comfort women, to put it lightly, went through Hell and back. They were kidnapped, raped, and tortured, both physically and psychologically. Whatever respect they had for themselves was lost. They were broken. And so for the longest time, they did not speak. To speak was to admit to the world the pain they suffered. To expose themselves emotionally after having built up miles worth of walls to try and protect themselves from the reality of the terrors they went through. To admit they were shamed and impure, and risk being isolated and looked down upon by society. They had been wronged, but they feared the rest of the world would not look at them with the sympathy they deserved.
Throughout essentially all time, rape has not viewed as horrible of a crime as it truly is. It seems to be universally accepted that men fighting in war have needs that need be fulfilled by any means necessary. It matters not how or who gets harmed so long as the soldiers succeed in their mission, whatever it may be. It could be a mother of three children who simply happened to be in the vicinity at the time or prisoners of war. Regardless of whomever it may be, it is, as stated above, regarded as an "unfortunate circumstance of war." That said, the Comfort Women were very much aware that were they to speak out, justice would hardly be served, and that, if anything, they would be the ones more likely to be harmed for reasons stated above. The ones responsible for the cruelty they faced would more than likely be let off with a slap on the wrist, they believed.
Now, however, they speak up because they want the Japanese to pay for what they did to them. They wish the shame they once had and still have to fall to the Japanese. The Japanese government, however, is more than willing to try to allow the cruelty to go unnoticed. They have tried to settle things with the victims privately many times by paying them out of the notice of the public eye. The women, however, will never rest easy until the Japanese own up to what they did. And even then, the physical and emotional scars will still remain.
Why could the words and actions of Japanese officials and government be interpreted as attempts to further silence them?
The Korean Comfort women, to put it lightly, went through Hell and back. They were kidnapped, raped, and tortured, both physically and psychologically. Whatever respect they had for themselves was lost. They were broken. And so for the longest time, they did not speak. To speak was to admit to the world the pain they suffered. To expose themselves emotionally after having built up miles worth of walls to try and protect themselves from the reality of the terrors they went through. To admit they were shamed and impure, and risk being isolated and looked down upon by society. They had been wronged, but they feared the rest of the world would not look at them with the sympathy they deserved.
Throughout essentially all time, rape has not viewed as horrible of a crime as it truly is. It seems to be universally accepted that men fighting in war have needs that need be fulfilled by any means necessary. It matters not how or who gets harmed so long as the soldiers succeed in their mission, whatever it may be. It could be a mother of three children who simply happened to be in the vicinity at the time or prisoners of war. Regardless of whomever it may be, it is, as stated above, regarded as an "unfortunate circumstance of war." That said, the Comfort Women were very much aware that were they to speak out, justice would hardly be served, and that, if anything, they would be the ones more likely to be harmed for reasons stated above. The ones responsible for the cruelty they faced would more than likely be let off with a slap on the wrist, they believed.
Now, however, they speak up because they want the Japanese to pay for what they did to them. They wish the shame they once had and still have to fall to the Japanese. The Japanese government, however, is more than willing to try to allow the cruelty to go unnoticed. They have tried to settle things with the victims privately many times by paying them out of the notice of the public eye. The women, however, will never rest easy until the Japanese own up to what they did. And even then, the physical and emotional scars will still remain.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Freedoms
Of FDR's four freedoms, the goal of freedom from want and freedom from fear especially reflect American and European experiences during the 1930s and 1940s. Briefly explain what FDR meant by "freedom from want" and "freedom from fear" and explain how the desire for these freedoms was the result of American and European experiences during the 1930s and 1940s.
By Freedom from Want, FDR called for healthy economic relationships and understandings throughout the world, which would then lead to a healthy peacetime life for citizens of the world. Many of the problems of the world seemed to stem from some sort of economic misunderstanding. One nation may have gotten angry with another due to an economic decision, and would then issue a decree in an attempt to hinder the other nation's progress until whatever insult they felt had been suffered had been dealt back properly. Economic understanding throughout the world would effectively cut off these sorts of feuds.
By Freedom from Fear, FDR called for the reduction of arms, slowly, but enough so that over the course of time, no nation would be able to wage war against their neighbor. Thus, the world would be free from the fear of a sudden attack from other nations, as, unbeknownst to the world at this time, they would soon come to fear greatly.
During this time, the world was hardly free of want or any fear. Europe was being ripped apart by a devastating war. America, despite reluctance to enter the war, had been attacked by the Japanese. If anybody truly wanted to be free from want or fear, action needed to be taken.
America, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, was a nation wracked by paranoia and fear. As such, steps needed to be taken to assure that they could remain safe. American troops were at last sent to battle the powers that had been attempting to take down their European allies for so long, as well as avenge the deaths of those at Pearl Harbor and keep their nation safe.
On the American home front, people were weary. The nation was beginning to pull out of a major economic depression. The war, however terrible it may have been, had served as an economic catalyst of sorts. The soldiers of the war needed military supplies. America soon dedicated their resources to their allies, and in return, was given money for their services. In the recovery process, however, the peoples' economic fear became fear for their very lives as the devastation of war scorched their great country. Fortunately for them, it became clear that the war was not to be fought on American soil. That did not, however, fully pacify their fears. So they worked hard for the troops to finally be rid of these fears. To be rid of the plagues that had long haunted them.
As bad as conditions were in America, Europe was faring far worse. The first ones impacted by war were the Europeans themselves. Despite all the warnings that had come over the many years that Hitler and the Nazi Party had been active, there was no preparation for what was to come. War came fast and hard. France, one of the main powers in the Great War, had fallen. Great Britain was under direct assault, and every day the country still stood was nothing short of miraculous. Hitler’s influence was expanding. His power was growing. Fear gripped the entire continent. But still they fought.
Hitler, in his arrogance, then launched an assault on the Soviet Union, with whom he had proclaimed neutrality. The Soviet’s fear soon turned into anger, and soon became full blown retaliation. The Soviets and Americans, despite uneasy relations with one another, joined into an Alliance with Britain and the parts of Europe who resisted the Axis powers.
Until the end of the war, it was the want of freedom of fear that empowered America and their European allies. After all, were they to stop pursuing this freedom, everything they held dear to them may have been destroyed in an instant.
By Freedom from Want, FDR called for healthy economic relationships and understandings throughout the world, which would then lead to a healthy peacetime life for citizens of the world. Many of the problems of the world seemed to stem from some sort of economic misunderstanding. One nation may have gotten angry with another due to an economic decision, and would then issue a decree in an attempt to hinder the other nation's progress until whatever insult they felt had been suffered had been dealt back properly. Economic understanding throughout the world would effectively cut off these sorts of feuds.
By Freedom from Fear, FDR called for the reduction of arms, slowly, but enough so that over the course of time, no nation would be able to wage war against their neighbor. Thus, the world would be free from the fear of a sudden attack from other nations, as, unbeknownst to the world at this time, they would soon come to fear greatly.
During this time, the world was hardly free of want or any fear. Europe was being ripped apart by a devastating war. America, despite reluctance to enter the war, had been attacked by the Japanese. If anybody truly wanted to be free from want or fear, action needed to be taken.
America, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, was a nation wracked by paranoia and fear. As such, steps needed to be taken to assure that they could remain safe. American troops were at last sent to battle the powers that had been attempting to take down their European allies for so long, as well as avenge the deaths of those at Pearl Harbor and keep their nation safe.
On the American home front, people were weary. The nation was beginning to pull out of a major economic depression. The war, however terrible it may have been, had served as an economic catalyst of sorts. The soldiers of the war needed military supplies. America soon dedicated their resources to their allies, and in return, was given money for their services. In the recovery process, however, the peoples' economic fear became fear for their very lives as the devastation of war scorched their great country. Fortunately for them, it became clear that the war was not to be fought on American soil. That did not, however, fully pacify their fears. So they worked hard for the troops to finally be rid of these fears. To be rid of the plagues that had long haunted them.
As bad as conditions were in America, Europe was faring far worse. The first ones impacted by war were the Europeans themselves. Despite all the warnings that had come over the many years that Hitler and the Nazi Party had been active, there was no preparation for what was to come. War came fast and hard. France, one of the main powers in the Great War, had fallen. Great Britain was under direct assault, and every day the country still stood was nothing short of miraculous. Hitler’s influence was expanding. His power was growing. Fear gripped the entire continent. But still they fought.
Hitler, in his arrogance, then launched an assault on the Soviet Union, with whom he had proclaimed neutrality. The Soviet’s fear soon turned into anger, and soon became full blown retaliation. The Soviets and Americans, despite uneasy relations with one another, joined into an Alliance with Britain and the parts of Europe who resisted the Axis powers.
Until the end of the war, it was the want of freedom of fear that empowered America and their European allies. After all, were they to stop pursuing this freedom, everything they held dear to them may have been destroyed in an instant.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
War - Southern African American
Dear Malcolm,
It has been a long time, my brother, since I have seen or heard from you. What, since you moved North, you don't feel as if your family matters anymore? Or are you just ashamed to be associated with where you used to live? Knowing you, it's probably since you went and lost all your writing utensils and the like and are just too lazy to go get some more. It's nice to see some things haven't changed.
It’s funny, really, how I say that. It makes it seem as if I don’t want change when that’s entirely untrue. I envy you, you know. I wish I could leave this place like you did and travel up north where things aren’t quite as hectic as they are down south. I don’t really know what’s stopping me. After all, thanks to this war we have going on, immigrants are being kept out of the states quite efficiently, meaning that there’s a ton of available work. The factories are hiring all the white folks and immigrants like crazy, meaning that all the jobs that were left behind are now available. Not to mention, even if the immigrants weren’t being prevented, there would more than likely be enough jobs for most of us anyway, considering all the new factories opening nowadays to make killing machines and the like for the war. I’d like to say my main concern is money, seeing as how my family and I are somewhat short in regards to our finances. But we’d more than likely make more money up north than down here. I assume things are working out for you, but I never hear from you, so I’d be lying were I to say you give me hope for moving north. I must beg you to write me back and tell me what you think I should do. You’ve experienced the north. You’ve experienced the south. You were always a little better off than me and my family, so if you’re struggling right now, it’s a sure-fire sign that I have no business even considering a move.
You’ve been gone for about a year now, I believe. Let me tell you something. If you indeed are faring better or even the same up north as you were down here, you made the right choice to move. The white Southerners are becoming less and less tolerant of us with each passing day. Now that there aren’t as many of us to stand up to them, their actions just become more and more despicable. I’m speaking primarily of those in the New Ku Klux Klan. I had thought the Klan was simply a distant memory… one that was hard to forget, but one that could no longer harm us. But they’re back, and it’s not a comforting feeling. They have lynched many a black soldier coming home from war in their uniforms. Can you believe that? They have lynched men who have been trying to fight in order to keep this country safe. I’ve long been shocked and surprised and simply disgusted with the actions of these people, but this is outrageous. When two black men attempted to vote in Florida, the Klan attacked the black community. They attacked us for trying to vote. For trying to help better this country. The 15th amendment gives us the right to vote. But these southerners and their Jim Crow laws have completely robbed us of the liberties that we have fought for for so long. I’m sick of the discrimination. I’m sick of the violence. I’m sick of being treated like I’m less than dirt. But I’m so frightened of moving. I can’t explain it. I know what risks I’m taking for still living down here in this bigoted southern society. Brother, I need your help. I need you to help shove off some of this doubt. To help me gain the courage to take care of my problems once and for all.
I can’t tell you how much I wish you were here right now. Well… not here. Nobody in their right mind would actually want to be here right now. I just wish I was in your presence. You’ve always been the smart one. You’ve gotten us both through so many hardships. I just ask you this one last time to help me. I love you, brother. I miss you, and I really hope you’re doing well. Tell Katherine I say hello.
Please keep my family in your prayers. We need all we can get.
With Love,
Trevor
It has been a long time, my brother, since I have seen or heard from you. What, since you moved North, you don't feel as if your family matters anymore? Or are you just ashamed to be associated with where you used to live? Knowing you, it's probably since you went and lost all your writing utensils and the like and are just too lazy to go get some more. It's nice to see some things haven't changed.
It’s funny, really, how I say that. It makes it seem as if I don’t want change when that’s entirely untrue. I envy you, you know. I wish I could leave this place like you did and travel up north where things aren’t quite as hectic as they are down south. I don’t really know what’s stopping me. After all, thanks to this war we have going on, immigrants are being kept out of the states quite efficiently, meaning that there’s a ton of available work. The factories are hiring all the white folks and immigrants like crazy, meaning that all the jobs that were left behind are now available. Not to mention, even if the immigrants weren’t being prevented, there would more than likely be enough jobs for most of us anyway, considering all the new factories opening nowadays to make killing machines and the like for the war. I’d like to say my main concern is money, seeing as how my family and I are somewhat short in regards to our finances. But we’d more than likely make more money up north than down here. I assume things are working out for you, but I never hear from you, so I’d be lying were I to say you give me hope for moving north. I must beg you to write me back and tell me what you think I should do. You’ve experienced the north. You’ve experienced the south. You were always a little better off than me and my family, so if you’re struggling right now, it’s a sure-fire sign that I have no business even considering a move.
You’ve been gone for about a year now, I believe. Let me tell you something. If you indeed are faring better or even the same up north as you were down here, you made the right choice to move. The white Southerners are becoming less and less tolerant of us with each passing day. Now that there aren’t as many of us to stand up to them, their actions just become more and more despicable. I’m speaking primarily of those in the New Ku Klux Klan. I had thought the Klan was simply a distant memory… one that was hard to forget, but one that could no longer harm us. But they’re back, and it’s not a comforting feeling. They have lynched many a black soldier coming home from war in their uniforms. Can you believe that? They have lynched men who have been trying to fight in order to keep this country safe. I’ve long been shocked and surprised and simply disgusted with the actions of these people, but this is outrageous. When two black men attempted to vote in Florida, the Klan attacked the black community. They attacked us for trying to vote. For trying to help better this country. The 15th amendment gives us the right to vote. But these southerners and their Jim Crow laws have completely robbed us of the liberties that we have fought for for so long. I’m sick of the discrimination. I’m sick of the violence. I’m sick of being treated like I’m less than dirt. But I’m so frightened of moving. I can’t explain it. I know what risks I’m taking for still living down here in this bigoted southern society. Brother, I need your help. I need you to help shove off some of this doubt. To help me gain the courage to take care of my problems once and for all.
I can’t tell you how much I wish you were here right now. Well… not here. Nobody in their right mind would actually want to be here right now. I just wish I was in your presence. You’ve always been the smart one. You’ve gotten us both through so many hardships. I just ask you this one last time to help me. I love you, brother. I miss you, and I really hope you’re doing well. Tell Katherine I say hello.
Please keep my family in your prayers. We need all we can get.
With Love,
Trevor
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Alonzo
It’s 1920 and you, Alonzo Vasquez, are a Mexican immigrant to the United States. While you love your new country, it is very important to you that your family remember and honor your culture and traditions, many of which are tied to your homeland. You are increasingly worried that your children, in the process of becoming “American,” are ignoring the importance of their heritage. Why is it so important to you that your family retain some cultural connection to Mexico and your Mexican heritage? What evidence is there that your children are being wholly “Americanized?” What conflicts has this created between you and your children?
My name is Alonzo Vasquez, and I somewhat recently moved to America in an attempt to make a better life for myself and my family, without whom I would be naught but a hollow shell of a man. We moved to this country from our native land of Mexico, not because we disliked living in Mexico. Rather, quite the opposite. Being of Mexican descent is, aside from my family, the object of my greatest pride. But the fact of the matter is we were suffering whilst living in Mexico. We were making nowhere near enough money to survive off of, let alone flourish upon. We had long heard of the many places and opportunities for financial success in America, and after much deliberation, we finally left our beloved homeland to attempt to find the key to our financial success.
Since we've been in America, our financial situation has changed slightly, but it is nowhere near enough. I suppose we fell victim to the traps set by over exaggerated rumors, seeing as how this country is not like what I expected. It was foolish and unrealistic to think that when we came here, things would immediately change. That the American people would regard us as equals. That all of a sudden, wealth and happiness would be ours. Foolish indeed, for none of this has happened, nor do I expect it to happen for a good long while. Sure, conditions are, in a way, better here... I make more money. The standard of living is far improved. But it's nowhere near what I had hoped for.
What's worse, however, is the loss of our native culture in our family. The American family is quite a bit different than the Mexican one. I respect that... I do not, however, respect the efforts of my family to try and become "Americanized." In Mexico, it is the man who bears the burden of raising and supporting his family. The woman stays in the house, transfers the values of the family, and tends to the children. But now my wife has the desire to leave the house and find work like many of the American women. She is one of the few Mexican-American women that understand the English language. Very often she attempts to force me to learn it as well. I grudgingly do so, only because I believe it will help me advance in my job. I feel as if with each word I learn, I lose a bit of my heritage along with it.
The children do not understand why I'm so insistent on remembering where we come from. They do not realize what struggles our ancestors were faced with. What battles our nation fought. These struggles and battles define our lives to this day. Without the past, we would not be who we are in the present. Our way of life is sacred to those who understand what we went through... but my children do not understand. As such, they are distancing themselves from our culture. They choose to associate themselves with the white children from their school, and have taken it upon themselves to learn their mannerisms and now act as a typical American child does. They always seem to be out with their friends, never spending any time with the family. I feel as if I've lost them. What happened to the days when children were to help with chores and respect their father? Did I miss something entirely? Did I wake up in some form of alternate reality?
I suppose I did. Because America, in comparison to Mexico is just that. I hope and pray every day that things will somehow improve... go back to the way they're supposed to be.
But my cries are blown away with the wind. The cold, bitter American wind.
My name is Alonzo Vasquez, and I somewhat recently moved to America in an attempt to make a better life for myself and my family, without whom I would be naught but a hollow shell of a man. We moved to this country from our native land of Mexico, not because we disliked living in Mexico. Rather, quite the opposite. Being of Mexican descent is, aside from my family, the object of my greatest pride. But the fact of the matter is we were suffering whilst living in Mexico. We were making nowhere near enough money to survive off of, let alone flourish upon. We had long heard of the many places and opportunities for financial success in America, and after much deliberation, we finally left our beloved homeland to attempt to find the key to our financial success.
Since we've been in America, our financial situation has changed slightly, but it is nowhere near enough. I suppose we fell victim to the traps set by over exaggerated rumors, seeing as how this country is not like what I expected. It was foolish and unrealistic to think that when we came here, things would immediately change. That the American people would regard us as equals. That all of a sudden, wealth and happiness would be ours. Foolish indeed, for none of this has happened, nor do I expect it to happen for a good long while. Sure, conditions are, in a way, better here... I make more money. The standard of living is far improved. But it's nowhere near what I had hoped for.
What's worse, however, is the loss of our native culture in our family. The American family is quite a bit different than the Mexican one. I respect that... I do not, however, respect the efforts of my family to try and become "Americanized." In Mexico, it is the man who bears the burden of raising and supporting his family. The woman stays in the house, transfers the values of the family, and tends to the children. But now my wife has the desire to leave the house and find work like many of the American women. She is one of the few Mexican-American women that understand the English language. Very often she attempts to force me to learn it as well. I grudgingly do so, only because I believe it will help me advance in my job. I feel as if with each word I learn, I lose a bit of my heritage along with it.
The children do not understand why I'm so insistent on remembering where we come from. They do not realize what struggles our ancestors were faced with. What battles our nation fought. These struggles and battles define our lives to this day. Without the past, we would not be who we are in the present. Our way of life is sacred to those who understand what we went through... but my children do not understand. As such, they are distancing themselves from our culture. They choose to associate themselves with the white children from their school, and have taken it upon themselves to learn their mannerisms and now act as a typical American child does. They always seem to be out with their friends, never spending any time with the family. I feel as if I've lost them. What happened to the days when children were to help with chores and respect their father? Did I miss something entirely? Did I wake up in some form of alternate reality?
I suppose I did. Because America, in comparison to Mexico is just that. I hope and pray every day that things will somehow improve... go back to the way they're supposed to be.
But my cries are blown away with the wind. The cold, bitter American wind.
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