English Blog # 15

Immigration is nothing to new to America. Christopher Columbus discovered a land he thought to be “A New World” however; this land was not new in fact it was a land that had been settled on for many years. He documents his voyage saying that he found a group of people known as the Native Americans.  Ever since this time period people from all over the world began migrating to America. As I was reading this article I was reminded of one of our class discussion trying to define “What is an American?” In my opinion there is no clear answer to that question because America has become such diverse nation. For example, the TCU campus is a diverse setting. You can find a wide range of students from all over the world.

While America maybe a diverse nation I feel that America inequality still exists. Ms. Silko said, “While [she and her companion] were stopped, [they] watched as other vehicles whose occupants were white were waved through the checkpoint” (Border Patrol State).  Why are Ms.Silko and her companion being investigated? Had they done something illegal? The answer is even today citizens of America are still being discriminated against because of their skin color.

Ms. Silko describes an incident, “In El Paso, a high-school football coach driving a vanload of his players in full uniform was pulled over on the freeway and a Border Patrol agent put a cocked revolver to his head” (Border Patrol State). Interesting enough incidents such as these are common. Our nation has had a problem with inequality ever since the first settlers arrived. One example is the Native Americans who were originally settled in America they were forced out of their homes and into reservations. These Native Americans were forced to assimilate to the American culture. Another example would be the African Americans who oppressed for so many years. In today’s society Hispanics are suffering from discrimination. Our society today uses words like “alien” to describe immigrants. By using words like “alien” our society is dehumanizing other people.

Immigration can only help our nation not hurt it. Our nation is a land of immigrants. It would be boring if the people of America were all the same. Diversity allows for growth and understanding of the many cultures in the world.  

Bonus Blog # 3

Edith Eaton used the pen name Sui Sin Far as a way of asserting her Chinese identity. Her sister Winifred Eaton on the other hand used the pen name Onoto Watanna assuming a Japanese persona. Both Edith and Winifred assume these pen names to show their readers that they are not just American citizens but more importantly immigrants from other countries.

Mary Antin writes about her experience as an immigrant adjusting to the life of an American. Antin’s family began changing themselves in order to become American citizens.  In Antin’s “The Promise Land” she describes how her families “real names had no pleasing equivalents they ruthlessly discarded,” (The Promise Land, 491). Her family is forced to lose their identities in order to assimilate and become American citizens. Today it is different because diversity is celebrated not discouraged.

In comparison, Sui Sin Far gives readers a surprise twist in “In the Land of the Free”. After many nights Lae Choo is finally reunited with her son after being taken away. Surprisingly the boy is reluctant and clings on to the white woman. The boy tells his mother to go away because he seems to have forgotten her. I believe that this story can be seen as an allegory. The boy’s mother could represent his culture and the white woman could represent his new identity as an American.  And just like in Antin’s story the boy is forced to lose his identity and is forced to forget his culture.

In Onoto Watanna “A Half Caste” the characters are identified by their dialect. For example, Ki-Ku has a dialect that is different from other characters in the story. One example is when Ki-Ku says, “That’d you’ fadder!” Her white father responds by saying, “You must be mistaken!” It can be assumed that Watanna gave her characters are given different dialect in order to show the difference between a foreigner and an American.

These authors are able to show readers how the immigrants were forced to lose their identity in order to become American citizens. The authors all write about the life of an immigrant. The characters in each story deal with “double consciousness” as defined by DuBoise because they will always be Americans that emigrated from other countries.

English Blog # 14

 If I were a soldier in Lieutenant Jimmy Cross’s unit one of the tangible items that I would carry would be the religious charm that I wear around my neck. On the front of the charm is cross and on the back it says, “Fear not for I am with you”.  This charm is special to me because it was given to me by mother who has been my strongest supporter. Also, the religious charm would be a constant reminder that God is always with me even during battle and could inspire me when I have lost my will to continue on. 

Another tangible item that I would carry along with me would be pictures of my family and friends. The pictures would help remind me of the people I love. I would also carry along a Bible to read in order to stay connected with God.  I would bring my iPod and headphones.  Music is important because it can inspire people and can conjure up healthy emotions in a stressful time.

Because I am a soldier I would be required to carry certain tools such as a knife, a gun, and ammunition for protection. I would also wear a flak jacket. Another important tool that I would carry is a flashlight. Whenever I need to see in the dark I could use the flashlight.  I would also carry a water canteen in order to stay hydrated. Also, mosquito netting would be important to carry along. The netting would prevent any diseases that are contracted by a mosquitos bite.

Just as in “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien I would carry some intangible items too. One of those intangible items would be fear. I have always been fearful of fighting in a war and losing my life. The second intangible item would be the lives of the soldiers in my unit as well as my own. When you are in a unit you depend on one another for support and protection.

My hope is that these items would not get in the way of my mission as they did in the story. Because Lt. Cross was so concerned with Martha one of the soldiers in his unit lost their lives. Afterwards Lt. Cross carried around a guilty conscience. If I were a soldier in Lt.Cross’s unit I hope that I do not allow these items to get in the way of my mission.

English Blog # 13 Response to Danielle Hecker Blog # 13: To Achieve or Not to Achieve

Zitkala-Sa had the opportunity to partake in the American Dream. However, she makes it clear that it was not her choice. Zitkala-Sa says, “And though my spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless,” (430).  It seems that Zitkala- Sa was unwilling to assimilate to the American way of life.

Throughout her time at White’s Manual Labor Institute Zitkala- Sa is forced to lose her identity as an Native American. One example is when Zitkala- Sa is forced to cut her hair. Zitkala-Sa explains how the importance of having long hair in the Native American culture. Zitkala- Sa says, “Our mother had taught us that only unskilled warrior who was captured had their hair shingled by the enemy” (431).  Another example would be when Zitkala-Sa says, “My moccasins had been exchanged for shoes,” (431). Zitkala-Sa was not allowed to decide whether or not she wanted to give up her culture. Instead, she was forced to learn the ways of the American society.  While receiving her education Zitkala-Sa seems to have lost her identity as a Native American. When a person loses their culture identity they lose a part of themselves.

What would have happened If Zitkala-Sa never attended the White’s Manual Labor? Would she even consider leaving her home in order to attend college? Americans today are given the opportunity to decide for themselves what they want in life. Zitkala-Sa on the other hand was forced to have an American education and follow certain practices that she did not believe in. I definitely agree with the statement you made “The American Dream is something that people made a conscience decision to achieve, they knew what they wanted, and knew how to achieve it whereas Zitkala-Sa is being forced into education and what the white man views as the American Dream while sacrificing her beliefs, culture, and ways of life.”  

English Blog# 12

 “So it happens that, overawed by the power of the United States to the extent that they can neither themselves throw off the usurpers, nor obtain assistance from other friendly states, the people of the Islands have no voice in determining their future, but are virtually relegated to the condition of the aborigines of the American continent.”

This sentence from Hawaii’s story by Hawaii’s Queen I felt was important because it focuses on an idea that we have discussed all semester. Let me explain, as we have looked into the early settlements of America we saw that the Native Americans were forced to learn a new way of life and as a result the natives to lost their identity as a culture. On Tuesday we discussed the concept of Imperialism and the connection with America. We saw the picture of the Philippine boy being washed who is resisting this bath. America never gave any of these cultures a decision in whether or not to accept the American way of life instead it was forced upon them.  “The people of the Islands have no voice in determining their future.” There is not only one right answer. Early America believed that the only correct way to live life was their own and I believe that is incorrect.