Franklin D. Roosevelt, Economic Bill of Rights

The quote I chose for this week states "All of these rights spell security, and after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to New goals of human happiness and well being."

This statement exemplifies the importance of security when you refer to freedom. The very meaning of being stable and free is independence. In fact, Roosevelt felt that if the security in one's own country wasn't' secure the very existence of peace throughout the world would not last. So this was a priority post war to ensure the country's lasting security.

I chose this quote because, even after 67 years this statement from the Economic Bill of Rights is a necessity for Americas continued growth. America is made up of some of the weathiest people in the world yet a great amount of individuals are poverty stricken and many not far from it. So at least if one have a sense of obtaining a sense of security and independence it would keep patriotric activity alive.

Barack Obama Speech on Racism

"Throughout the first year of this campaign, against all predictions to the contrary we saw how hungry American people were for this message of unity."

I believe Barack Obama's illustration of his path to presidental candidacy to be an historical one. The people of America was in search of a new coalition, one that was ultimately impossible in the past. Thie new coalition would bring about unification of all races despite the odds. The people of America have restrained their racial grievances in order to accept a presidental candidate who would not otherwise be worthy to serve as president.

I chose this quote because it illustrates the progress of America. Race is often a predominant factor in most political affiliations however, Barack Obama overcame this impeding obstacle by being in the right position at the right time. The tragedy of 911 along with the many other disasters that have plaqued America has called for a new world order. One of peace and unity. Barack Obama is the perfect one for the job because not only is he one of the most intelligent presidents this country has ever had he's also a peaceful one.

W.E.B. DuBois

1. Why are African-Americans supposed to be more sensitive to the gap between our inner essence and external appearance?
Years and years of racism contributed to insecurities and the question of self worth of African Americans. Dubois believed that African Americans always look at themselves through the eyes of others.

2. Why does DuBois say the history of whites and blacks are inseparable?
Dubois believed that historically and socially the two were inseparable because one could not exist without the other. DuBois believed in order to attain the American dream African Americans had to assimilate to European norms. Consequently, the racial domination contributes to building a nation.

3. Why is the color line the most pressing problem of the 20th century according to DuBois?
“According to DuBois, this veil is worn by all African-Americans because their view of the world and its possible economic, political, and social opportunities is so hugely different from the White people. The veil is a visual manifestation of the color line. Slavery was being practiced at this time. Part of this problem caused the Civil War. Most African Americans consider it both a blessing and a curse. DuBois refers to it as a gift of second sight according to Wikipedia.”

4. Why is the South considered a ‘marginal region’?
The South has a tendency to be unstable and resistant to change. The south is reluctant to change and oppression runs deep. White Supremacy warrants them to set their own standard of rules and regulations.

5. How do low wages damage the work ethic?
It undermines and demeans minorities. It causes poverty and inhibits change. It may also have an impact on work ethics. It force people to toil long hours for little or nothing which effects the family socially.

6. Why is the church as an institution so important in African-American communities?
The church play a major role in African American family because it was a refuge during times of slavery. In fact, they have long been the centers of communities, serving as school sites in the early years after the Civil War, taking up social welfare functions, such as providing for the indigent, and going on to establish schools, orphanages and prison ministries. As a result, black churches have fostered, built strong community organizations and provided spiritual and political leadership, especially during the civil rights movement. Churches are significant to most family’s way of life and it comes before everything else. In contrast to this, the church a person is affiliated with often identifies who they are. However, DuBois was a free thinker and he felt that the church constricted free thinking. He also, felt the church didn’t support equality because religion could not be taught in school.

7. What is fatalism?
Fatalism is when everything is determined by fate.

8. How is fatalism associated with sensualism?
Sensualism involves the process of excessive pursuit of sensual pleasures and interests. This is associated with fatalism because the pursuit of pleasure or interest could determine your fate. For example, You want to get married so you pursue a mate of your liking and eventually that pursuit will lead to marriage.

9) How are themes of emancipation used in the Bible?
The biblical book of Exodus is an example of emancipation because the Jews were held captive for many years by the Egyptians then they were freed with the help of God. This corresponds with our diligient activists and presidents who emancipated the slaves out of captivity.

Abraham Lincoln

The phrase I chose for this week is the Lincoln address which states “Lincoln tried to redefine the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.” In his redefining he specifically referred to the words dedication and conception. “He said the country was born with liberty (conceived) and dedicated to liberty.”

Just exactly does this mean? Specifically speaking Lincoln exemplified that the right to revolution or shall we say liberty is guaranteed without question because it’s conceived. Whereas, the journey to equality is a long road traveled but it’s still in the making.

I chose this passage because the word equality and the US Constitution are symbolic. This just shows that although we all see and hear the word equality we all share very different meanings especially involving the Constitution.

Possible Midterm Questions

1. Why was the Constitution invented? Who were the main entities responsible for its existence? Who was in favor of adopting the Costitution and who opposed the Constitution?

2. Who makes up the governing body of Congress? What is the purpose of each branch of Congress and how does this affect the United States as a whole?

3. What is the Declaration of Independence? What was the sole purpose for its invention? Name at least two forefathers and their role in the development of the Declaration of Independence.

Assignment 2

     The qoute I chose for this week is from the Declaration of Independence and it states "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, libery and the pursuit of happiness."

     Basically this quote is emphasizing that all men are born with equal rights to live a life with liberty and a choice to pursue happiness.

       It is an American dream to have the freedom to pursue a life of happiness and liberty.  However, I dare to disagree with the whole essence of the quote.  This holds true to me  because it's missing the essential elements to make it feasable.  It's just the nature to say it and have it written but imposible to achieve.  This is due to both the prejudice and unrealistic attitudes of those who make the world go around.  The inequality of both liberty and economical status impedes the nature and quality of the statement.

What is America?

What is America?

     The quote that intrigued my interest was when the British gentlemen wanted a passport for America.  The quote said “they put in my hands a form to be filled up, to all appearance like other forms I had filled up in other passport offices.  But in reality it was very different from any form I had ever filled up in my life.  At least it was a little like a freer form of the game called “confessions” which my friends and I invented in our youth: an examination paper containing questions like, If you saw a rhinoceros in the front garden what would you do?

     Basically in my opinion the British man who wanted a passport to enter into America had met up with an unfamiliar proposition.  He was no longer a child and the questions imposed were real. He wasn’t in a cut and paste situation, the form was detailed and to the point.  In fact, the very answers to the questions could be fatal if he didn’t answer them correctly.  Consequently, he thought the form to be an ‘interference with liberty unknown among all ancient despotisms and aristocracies.” Did he want to reveal his innermost secrets and why did he have to?  As the passages continues he gets a better understanding of how America is governed and sees not the idiocracy of the form but the true meaning behind the questions.

     I chose this quote because just like anyone else this British gent assumed all that apply to one country or entity apply to all.  He had no real concept or clue about America’s way of life.  He like others assume rather than know what to expect when it comes to America.  America is embellished with so many different cultures that American standards have been compromised to the point of no return.  Certain questions are a must even if the person can adamantly lie on the form.  In my opinion if a stranger who I’ve never met and I didn’t know anything about wanted to come stay at my house for a week or more I would want to know everything about the person even down to what kind of underwear they prefer to wear.  If it was a man, does he like to wear woman underwear and if it was a woman would she prefer to wear men underwear? Who would be coming with them and why do they have to stay with a stranger? A third degree as the police calls it.