One fight that the American government has had a constant uphill battle against is the belief that the system is too big to handle the pressing issues of urban culture. My artifact, the recent movie American Gangster, details the life of storied criminal Frank Lucas and his control of the heroin drug market in the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s. Mr. Lucas is an example of one man who wasn’t able to use traditional means to provide a living for himself, but did what he could to survive and to make the life of his family better. I believe that this example is a microcosm of the great struggle that is found on a daily basis in urban neighborhoods where good opportunities are few and far between. At the same time that local residents are using illegal means just to get by with the basic necessities, the government is trying to shutdown a drug market that has engulfed the inner city lifestyle. It raises the question of whether something can be wrong in the eyes of one while being a lifesaver in the eyes of another. I believe that this also goes along with the semester long theme of government and how it tries to regulate a nation while giving everyone the basic resources to prosper. I intend to use this particular artifact to demonstrate that while there are many problems with the gangster lifestyle, which the movie tries to eliminate the glory from, too often urban citizens have no choice but to adopt this life because of the government’s failure to address the bigger problems of urban life.
In the movie, Frank Lucas used brutal force to acquire control of the Harlem streets, which made him a target by the authorities, but a hero for the locals. With his wealth escalating quickly, he was known to use his money on food and supplies for the members who weren’t able to pay for everything on their own. The kindness that he supplied, albeit through illegitimate means, was not forgotten by the neighborhood, as the community quickly began to revere Frank Lucas, protecting him not only in the neighborhood, but defending him when he was finally brought down by the authorities. However, even with the help, he was eventually sentenced by the system to prison, where he would serve 15 years behind bars. During this time, he provided names of the corrupt officers who had infiltrated the police force. All of this brings me to my key theme, which is based around the difficult choice of deciding if something is wrong, even if it is benevolent to more people than it potentially hurts. In this example, even though Mr. Lucas is selling heroin for all the wrong reasons, in the end, if it is coming back and helping his community, through ridding the streets of corruption and helping out the less fortunate, does he still deserve severe reprimand for his actions?
While this movie was based on one man’s representation of New York City in the early 1970’s, one important question to ask is its relevance to today, and why it was produced only two years ago, even though it is almost four decades from the original event of the plot. Whether or not this was the intention of the creator of the movie, I believe that the timing of this movie had to do with the two wars that America has been fighting over the last decade. Ever since September 11th, the focus of the government, and thus the national media, has been on foreign affairs and trying to solve the problem of instable nations. However, this movie reminds the audience that there is a battle that is waged everyday in the inner city against poverty and discrimination. While the federal government has tried to learn the intricacies of the Middle East, it has brushed aside the problems of America’s cities into one collective category, thus trying to erase narcotics from the culture. By doing this, the government has failed to understand the plights of the struggling American, not realizing that the elimination of drugs takes away a large source of income from the downtrodden, while insufficiently replacing this resource with other jobs for the locals to use to survive.
As the drug epidemic expanded, the average age of the drug dealer was becoming progressively younger as new generations of youths saw this as their one opportunity to be self-sustaining. A study conducted by Robert Fairlie, entitled “Drug Dealing and Legitimate Self-Employment,” analyzed the results of national studies of the spreading of narcotics and the background of the seller. Comparing it to the non-drug dealer, Fairlie exposed the fact that there were many more young men who either dropped out of high school and/or failed to enroll in a school of higher learning. (Fairlie, 546) One theory that could be drawn from these statistics is that these young men failed to see much value coming from furthering their education if they continued to live in a situation that did not provide many opportunities. However, as narcotics were easily accessible during the 1970’s and 1980’s, the easy alternative was to become a drug-dealer and thus be “self-employed.” Even with all of the well known possible consequences, such as incarceration or physical attacks from muggings by desperate drug users, the youth saw it as an opportunity to take a chance against the establishment which was holding them down and to escalate themselves out of the classes defined in urban society.
Another issue in which the government fails to properly address is the strong sense of family that is found in urban settings. Because of the difficult surroundings, extended families often live in closer proximities for reasons such as safety in numbers, saving on expenses when money can be tight, and creating a sense of neighborhood within a foreign community. Because of this, either a father, or if the father isn’t present, an eldest sibling will be a role model for the rest of the family. For example, in the movie, Frank Lucas was the eldest male in his family, and thus he became the leader of his cousins and brothers. As Frank’s mother stated in the movie, if he had become a doctor, his siblings would have become doctors. If he had become an honest businessman, the rest of his family would have followed suit. Thus, the point is the strength of family ties and how much one member of the family can influence everyone else. Too often, brothers and sons would see their fathers and brothers battle back against the establishment. If they failed, it was up to the younger members of the family to pick up where the last one left off. As new generations were growing up, the government had the opportunity to open new doors for the young, showing them a better way to live. However, because this was never placed a high priority, the youth were shaped by their neighborhood, and their destinies were set before they were old enough to either understand the consequences or to clear themselves from potential danger.
I believe that this movie may have forced certain issues into the national spectrum by giving different audiences, of varying types of ethnicities and economic backgrounds, a better understanding of what is happening in the inner cities. As urban culture is mainly composed of African Americans, as well as other groups who are disadvantaged, there is commonly a social divide by the groups who are on the outside looking from a distance. Too often, assumptions are made about the less fortunate that they are either unwilling or too lazy to better their surroundings through the hard work and dedication that has been a blueprint of America. However, the power of ethnicity is underestimated even more than is realized, meaning that African Americans and other ethnicities usually don’t have the same opportunities as Caucasians do in succeeding on their own. What this group doesn’t understand is that when minorities turn to narcotics and other questionable means, it is not by desire, but necessity. If the government is not willing to provide adequate opportunities equally for all citizens, it is unfair to classify minorities as subordinates because of their methods to stay alive.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Firestorm in Vietnam
In his novel, the author Tim O’Brien gives a detailed first-hand narration of the experience in the 1970’s in Vietnam. If I Die In A Combat Zone acknowledges the point that this is merely the description of one man’s view of the view, but I believe that this gives an accurate representation of the general mood found among the American soldiers. With emotions ranging from fear, to anger, to happiness, the author expands on the vast experiences of living in a war zone. Most of all, I believe that O’Brien employs his novel to demonstrate how the soldiers were feeling like pawns being used in an exercise among two major nations. If I had to pinpoint a theme, I would highlight the idea that this novel plays an instrumental role in illustrating the pain and angst that is felt in battle, and the misconceptions that may have been misconceived by outsiders of the war from thousands of miles away.
The author carves out his niche in the war by explaining exactly when the war first directly impacted him, which was when he was drafted to serve by the government, to the final time he occupied the nation of Vietnam and returned to his home. Within this period of time, he accumulates a vast amount of experience of the warfront and the dangers that are constantly besieging not only him, but the rest of his comrades. With everyone’s personal goal to return home alive and in one piece, the collective mission is not only to fight off “Charlie” and the Vietcong, but to fight off a battle that never ends, which is the battle for life. This remains a constantly challenging fight as soldiers are being repeatedly placed into harm’s way by the forces from above, where the common soldiers, or “grunts,” are forced to do raids into villages where the enemy lies and waits for their arrival, search for mines that are nearly impossible to spot without someone being attacked, and to protect themselves from the ambushes that are all too common against the American bases. Through this all, the author is able to maintain his composure and keep on fighting for himself and fighting for his nation, no matter how little he wants to be an active part in the war.
After completing the novel, I’m under the belief that one of the main themes of the work is the idea of individual survival, with the importance on a soldier’s survival being of greater significance than the victory and success of the United States in Vietnam. The author illustrates the general perception among the soldiers that there isn’t much understanding for the reason that war is necessary in this instance, which I believe is an accurate representation of the beliefs of the Americans still at home. However, Mr. O’Brien believes that while he may not agree with the reasons for battle, his job is to be a soldier and do what he is told, no matter how much he is afraid of the dangers that may await him. “I had neither the expertise nor the wisdom to synthesize answers, the facts were clouded…The war, I thought was wrongly conceived and poorly justified. But perhaps I was mistaken, and who really knew, anyway (O’Brien, 18)?” This difficult decision was faced by every soldier that was being placed into the combat zone, and each one maintained the personal sacrifice and fortitude to push on to battle the enemy at hand.
The author admitted early on in his writing that he was so afraid of the foreboding war that he was making the necessary plans to avoid the service and to hide in a foreign nation. In this instance, he spent time off from his training to research the nation of Sweden and how to acclimate with the people so that he would be able to hide there for the duration of the war. Even though he made it to the point of departure, the author was unable to bring himself to flee his nation, his family and friends, and the life he would leave behind. “It was over. I simply couldn’t bring myself to flee. Family, the home town, friends, history, tradition, fear, confusion, exile: I could not run (O’Brien, 68).” The dignity that kept him from abandoning the life and country that had raised him was too much to personally overcome. This pride in self and in nation was something that the government hoped the ordinary citizens would feel about this foreign war.
I believe that in this writing, the author is sending a message to his fellow Americans that pride in one’s nation should be first and foremost when it comes to making the difficult decisions. Unfortunately for O’Brien and many of the other soldiers, when they returned home, they were met with opposition and anger for taking part in a war that was believed to be wrong on many political and moral levels. Through his words, the author tries to explain that many of the men who went across the Pacific had similar stances as the Americans who remained on the home front, but they went to serve their nation in a time of need. For O’Brien, he had grown up with a father and grandfather who had proudly served the United States in prior wars, so he found it sickening to himself to abandon the tradition of valor and sacrifice that had embodied the persona of American spirit for so long.
I believe that the author explains through his work that while he maintained the qualities of valor and determination, he was human as well, and the loss of life was painful. The soldiers did everything possible to ingratiate themselves to local residents who were merely in the crossroads of a war. “…and made friendships with the villagers. The children brought us crayfish, and we gave out C ration candy bars, a formality at first, but later the exchanges seemed something more than barter (O’Brien, 164).” The locals didn’t choose to be in the middle of a fight, and many of the Americans recognized this, which led to the two groups not only coexisting, but trading security for some of the local goods and services. The co-habitation also extended to times of need. In situations where civilians would be accidentally caught in the crossfire, the Americans would do everything possible to try to save a life. There were multiple instances throughout the work where the author saw helicopters being flown in to save the locals. Again, life was of greatest importance, and it showed that the soldiers were not as heartless as they were portrayed to be by the Americans back home. Not only did these actions support America’s existence in Vietnam among the locals, but it demonstrated that soldiers are humans first, and they were not willing to disrespect that understanding for war.
The author carves out his niche in the war by explaining exactly when the war first directly impacted him, which was when he was drafted to serve by the government, to the final time he occupied the nation of Vietnam and returned to his home. Within this period of time, he accumulates a vast amount of experience of the warfront and the dangers that are constantly besieging not only him, but the rest of his comrades. With everyone’s personal goal to return home alive and in one piece, the collective mission is not only to fight off “Charlie” and the Vietcong, but to fight off a battle that never ends, which is the battle for life. This remains a constantly challenging fight as soldiers are being repeatedly placed into harm’s way by the forces from above, where the common soldiers, or “grunts,” are forced to do raids into villages where the enemy lies and waits for their arrival, search for mines that are nearly impossible to spot without someone being attacked, and to protect themselves from the ambushes that are all too common against the American bases. Through this all, the author is able to maintain his composure and keep on fighting for himself and fighting for his nation, no matter how little he wants to be an active part in the war.
After completing the novel, I’m under the belief that one of the main themes of the work is the idea of individual survival, with the importance on a soldier’s survival being of greater significance than the victory and success of the United States in Vietnam. The author illustrates the general perception among the soldiers that there isn’t much understanding for the reason that war is necessary in this instance, which I believe is an accurate representation of the beliefs of the Americans still at home. However, Mr. O’Brien believes that while he may not agree with the reasons for battle, his job is to be a soldier and do what he is told, no matter how much he is afraid of the dangers that may await him. “I had neither the expertise nor the wisdom to synthesize answers, the facts were clouded…The war, I thought was wrongly conceived and poorly justified. But perhaps I was mistaken, and who really knew, anyway (O’Brien, 18)?” This difficult decision was faced by every soldier that was being placed into the combat zone, and each one maintained the personal sacrifice and fortitude to push on to battle the enemy at hand.
The author admitted early on in his writing that he was so afraid of the foreboding war that he was making the necessary plans to avoid the service and to hide in a foreign nation. In this instance, he spent time off from his training to research the nation of Sweden and how to acclimate with the people so that he would be able to hide there for the duration of the war. Even though he made it to the point of departure, the author was unable to bring himself to flee his nation, his family and friends, and the life he would leave behind. “It was over. I simply couldn’t bring myself to flee. Family, the home town, friends, history, tradition, fear, confusion, exile: I could not run (O’Brien, 68).” The dignity that kept him from abandoning the life and country that had raised him was too much to personally overcome. This pride in self and in nation was something that the government hoped the ordinary citizens would feel about this foreign war.
I believe that in this writing, the author is sending a message to his fellow Americans that pride in one’s nation should be first and foremost when it comes to making the difficult decisions. Unfortunately for O’Brien and many of the other soldiers, when they returned home, they were met with opposition and anger for taking part in a war that was believed to be wrong on many political and moral levels. Through his words, the author tries to explain that many of the men who went across the Pacific had similar stances as the Americans who remained on the home front, but they went to serve their nation in a time of need. For O’Brien, he had grown up with a father and grandfather who had proudly served the United States in prior wars, so he found it sickening to himself to abandon the tradition of valor and sacrifice that had embodied the persona of American spirit for so long.
I believe that the author explains through his work that while he maintained the qualities of valor and determination, he was human as well, and the loss of life was painful. The soldiers did everything possible to ingratiate themselves to local residents who were merely in the crossroads of a war. “…and made friendships with the villagers. The children brought us crayfish, and we gave out C ration candy bars, a formality at first, but later the exchanges seemed something more than barter (O’Brien, 164).” The locals didn’t choose to be in the middle of a fight, and many of the Americans recognized this, which led to the two groups not only coexisting, but trading security for some of the local goods and services. The co-habitation also extended to times of need. In situations where civilians would be accidentally caught in the crossfire, the Americans would do everything possible to try to save a life. There were multiple instances throughout the work where the author saw helicopters being flown in to save the locals. Again, life was of greatest importance, and it showed that the soldiers were not as heartless as they were portrayed to be by the Americans back home. Not only did these actions support America’s existence in Vietnam among the locals, but it demonstrated that soldiers are humans first, and they were not willing to disrespect that understanding for war.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Improving The American Way of Life
As the 1920’s changed into the 1930’s, the definition of the “American Way of Life” morphed along with the times. The focus that was the 20’s, which was centralized around civilization, adapted in the 30’s to have a greater emphasis on culture. Along with the literature that noted the change, the new ideas were also reflected in both the speech of former President Herbert Hoover and in other forms of art and media of the times. All of these signs emphasized society’s desire to move on from a period of pain and distrust and move to reinvent an American lifestyle that was created not only by the people, but was intended for the people.
Before we can look at the visual aids that reflected the new thoughts of the 1930’s, it is important to redefine the desires and goals of Americans. As America progressed, there was a common belief to move away from industry, and urban society, and move into a new faith of the social sciences. Sparked by new literature and media, there was a renewed sense of nationalism found among Americans, which led to their acceptance of so many new social focal points. “Certainly few, if any, decades in our history could claim the production of such a vast literature-to say nothing of a vast body of films, recordings, and paintings-that described and defined every aspect of American life (Susman, 157).” This new found motivation to inspire the common folks, who were still feeling the devastating effects from The Great Depression, was met with great enthusiasm, as they were looking for any new reason to put their past behind them. The creation of new works of literature were ways for writers to document, and remind, the country of the great values that had been established as guidelines for furthering the health of the nation. Fortunately for the citizens, not only was their great improvement in the literature, but there was an advancement of other technologies, such as sound, which served multiple purposes in advancing the nation.
The introduction of sound to movies, or “talkies,” along with its addition to Big Band music, to enhance their appeal, as well as to political speeches, gave a human connection to those objects which may have had a distant feeling to them. No longer would the audience be lost in the silence of their own thoughts, creating their own interpretations. Instead, sound allowed ordinary people to forget their everyday situations and think about something completely different, through mediums such as radio shows and movies. Finally, other new inventions of the time, such as the development of photography and a greater emphasis on organized sports, allowed everybody to participate, regardless of one’s education level. “The whole idea…makes it possible to see, know, and feel the details of life, its styles in different places, to feel oneself part of some other’s experience (Susman, 159).” This expansion on common ideals allowed all Americans to unite, not through class distinctions, but as American citizens, with no distinction of backgrounds.
This new “American Way of Life” was not only a social movement, but was a foundation for great political thought and debate. I believe that President Herbert Hoover, and his belief of a “laissez-faire” approach to American government was the ideal representation of the social setting. In his speech, This Challenge to Liberty, he raises many critical faults of the plan presented by President Roosevelt, as he emphasized that government couldn’t and shouldn’t have an overwhelming force over the people. “You cannot extend the mastery of government over the daily life of a people without somewhere making it master of people's souls and thoughts (Hoover, 9).” This thought is represented through all of the new social innovations, as free-market capitalism allowed consumers to decide, and not the “unseen hand” of the government, what they desired to escape the times. As there may have been a general disconnect between the American public and the government, with blame of the Great Depression resting squarely on their shoulders, it was important for the government not to intercede into everyday lives anymore than absolutely necessary.
“We want a land of health, and greater recreation for everybody. We want more opportunity for the creation and care of beauty and those things which satisfy the spirit (Hoover, 56).” Once again, President Hoover is bringing forth the importance of satisfying the American body and spirit over economic and political issues. Hoover argues that allowing the public to regroup mentally will lead to a better rebound than the New Deal could ever hope, even if it doesn’t lead directly to new jobs. According to Hoover, if the government overextends themselves into the daily lives of the everyday American, it may make them discontent and unwilling to work in new public works jobs, stalling any possible recovery from the Great Depression. However, if there is a general satisfaction found among the masses, they are going to be more willing to get back into the workforce and put the dark days in the past.
One of the murals that I believe represents President Hoover’s viewpoint on American policy is “And the migrants kept coming,” by Jacob Lawrence. I believe that this image demonstrates free will at its finest, as the viewer is shown hundreds of people waiting on the train platform with all of their possessions in hand. Another aspect to consider is that there are no faces shown in the mural, which demonstrates that at this point in time, everyone is equal. However, each and everyone has the opportunity to strike it rich and make a name for themselves, and not be restrained by a social program that doesn’t differentiate, such as the New Deal. Next, with an unknown future ahead of them, there is a general nervousness that is spread across the platform. However, at the same time, there is probably an excitement found among the travelers, as each one of these people are taking a chance with their lives by moving to new parts of the country for new economic opportunities. Each and every one of the migrants wants the next opportunity to secure economic fortune without any direction or instruction from the federal government.
The second mural that I believe emphasizes the feelings of President Hoover is “Industrial Life,” by Seymour Fogel. In the picture display, the viewer is shown what appears to be one man at four different points in his career, with him going from a novice position to one that requires knowledge and experience. At the beginning of the picture, the man is seen doing manual labor outside, followed by working the machines of the factory, proceeded by looking at designs of either a machine or building, with his conclusion coming as a scientist examining different ingredients. This progression of labor shows Hoover’s position that anyone can achieve any position to better themselves so long as they have the determination and will to succeed. This differs from the position of President Roosevelt, where there is uniformity found between all of the workers, with very little opportunity to distinguish themselves from the rest of the majority.
A second element that I considered to be a distinguishing characteristic which relates to President Hoover is the fact that the beginning of the mural begins in the morning and conclusion of the normal is at the same time as the sun is setting. I believe this illustrates Hoover’s thoughts of a complete and successful life being one with great personal achievement, which has been noted in this mural. Not only do the jobs in the illustration become progressively more advanced, but the clothing that the man is wearing also becomes progressively more dignified. As there is a move away from manual labor and a progression towards skilled labor, the clothing also increases in importance to match the position. This goes against Roosevelt’s proposal for employment because Hoover recognizes the need for more than just “simpleton” work. For the United States to stay competitive, the country is going to need workers to fill the roles of higher importance, which requires individuals to have the drive to desire a higher position instead of being allotted into a certain slot because of government actions.
Before we can look at the visual aids that reflected the new thoughts of the 1930’s, it is important to redefine the desires and goals of Americans. As America progressed, there was a common belief to move away from industry, and urban society, and move into a new faith of the social sciences. Sparked by new literature and media, there was a renewed sense of nationalism found among Americans, which led to their acceptance of so many new social focal points. “Certainly few, if any, decades in our history could claim the production of such a vast literature-to say nothing of a vast body of films, recordings, and paintings-that described and defined every aspect of American life (Susman, 157).” This new found motivation to inspire the common folks, who were still feeling the devastating effects from The Great Depression, was met with great enthusiasm, as they were looking for any new reason to put their past behind them. The creation of new works of literature were ways for writers to document, and remind, the country of the great values that had been established as guidelines for furthering the health of the nation. Fortunately for the citizens, not only was their great improvement in the literature, but there was an advancement of other technologies, such as sound, which served multiple purposes in advancing the nation.
The introduction of sound to movies, or “talkies,” along with its addition to Big Band music, to enhance their appeal, as well as to political speeches, gave a human connection to those objects which may have had a distant feeling to them. No longer would the audience be lost in the silence of their own thoughts, creating their own interpretations. Instead, sound allowed ordinary people to forget their everyday situations and think about something completely different, through mediums such as radio shows and movies. Finally, other new inventions of the time, such as the development of photography and a greater emphasis on organized sports, allowed everybody to participate, regardless of one’s education level. “The whole idea…makes it possible to see, know, and feel the details of life, its styles in different places, to feel oneself part of some other’s experience (Susman, 159).” This expansion on common ideals allowed all Americans to unite, not through class distinctions, but as American citizens, with no distinction of backgrounds.
This new “American Way of Life” was not only a social movement, but was a foundation for great political thought and debate. I believe that President Herbert Hoover, and his belief of a “laissez-faire” approach to American government was the ideal representation of the social setting. In his speech, This Challenge to Liberty, he raises many critical faults of the plan presented by President Roosevelt, as he emphasized that government couldn’t and shouldn’t have an overwhelming force over the people. “You cannot extend the mastery of government over the daily life of a people without somewhere making it master of people's souls and thoughts (Hoover, 9).” This thought is represented through all of the new social innovations, as free-market capitalism allowed consumers to decide, and not the “unseen hand” of the government, what they desired to escape the times. As there may have been a general disconnect between the American public and the government, with blame of the Great Depression resting squarely on their shoulders, it was important for the government not to intercede into everyday lives anymore than absolutely necessary.
“We want a land of health, and greater recreation for everybody. We want more opportunity for the creation and care of beauty and those things which satisfy the spirit (Hoover, 56).” Once again, President Hoover is bringing forth the importance of satisfying the American body and spirit over economic and political issues. Hoover argues that allowing the public to regroup mentally will lead to a better rebound than the New Deal could ever hope, even if it doesn’t lead directly to new jobs. According to Hoover, if the government overextends themselves into the daily lives of the everyday American, it may make them discontent and unwilling to work in new public works jobs, stalling any possible recovery from the Great Depression. However, if there is a general satisfaction found among the masses, they are going to be more willing to get back into the workforce and put the dark days in the past.
One of the murals that I believe represents President Hoover’s viewpoint on American policy is “And the migrants kept coming,” by Jacob Lawrence. I believe that this image demonstrates free will at its finest, as the viewer is shown hundreds of people waiting on the train platform with all of their possessions in hand. Another aspect to consider is that there are no faces shown in the mural, which demonstrates that at this point in time, everyone is equal. However, each and everyone has the opportunity to strike it rich and make a name for themselves, and not be restrained by a social program that doesn’t differentiate, such as the New Deal. Next, with an unknown future ahead of them, there is a general nervousness that is spread across the platform. However, at the same time, there is probably an excitement found among the travelers, as each one of these people are taking a chance with their lives by moving to new parts of the country for new economic opportunities. Each and every one of the migrants wants the next opportunity to secure economic fortune without any direction or instruction from the federal government.
The second mural that I believe emphasizes the feelings of President Hoover is “Industrial Life,” by Seymour Fogel. In the picture display, the viewer is shown what appears to be one man at four different points in his career, with him going from a novice position to one that requires knowledge and experience. At the beginning of the picture, the man is seen doing manual labor outside, followed by working the machines of the factory, proceeded by looking at designs of either a machine or building, with his conclusion coming as a scientist examining different ingredients. This progression of labor shows Hoover’s position that anyone can achieve any position to better themselves so long as they have the determination and will to succeed. This differs from the position of President Roosevelt, where there is uniformity found between all of the workers, with very little opportunity to distinguish themselves from the rest of the majority.
A second element that I considered to be a distinguishing characteristic which relates to President Hoover is the fact that the beginning of the mural begins in the morning and conclusion of the normal is at the same time as the sun is setting. I believe this illustrates Hoover’s thoughts of a complete and successful life being one with great personal achievement, which has been noted in this mural. Not only do the jobs in the illustration become progressively more advanced, but the clothing that the man is wearing also becomes progressively more dignified. As there is a move away from manual labor and a progression towards skilled labor, the clothing also increases in importance to match the position. This goes against Roosevelt’s proposal for employment because Hoover recognizes the need for more than just “simpleton” work. For the United States to stay competitive, the country is going to need workers to fill the roles of higher importance, which requires individuals to have the drive to desire a higher position instead of being allotted into a certain slot because of government actions.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Overcoming False Pretenses
At the changeover from the 19th to the 20th century, there was a period of transition where the responsibilities of the American woman were in flux. As old beliefs meshed with new ideas of the refined concept of the role of the American woman, immigrant women and black women were forced to reevaluate their positions in society and change to accommodate the mindsets of white women. The validity of these beliefs aside, black women and immigrant women struggled to overcome demeaning significations and to create a new representation of these “foreign” women.
At the end of the 19th century, leading into the beginning of the 20th century, a widespread belief was found among white American constituents that immigrant women and black women were inferior in a multitude of ways compared to the New Woman definition. Whether it was the manner in which they raised a family or their intelligence levels compared to white women, it was commonplace to find these women mistreated. Unlike their male counterparts, not only were these women expected to maintain the home life, but if a family was a short on money, these women had to work exhausting hours in squalid conditions to help make ends meet. All the while, this demographic was being paid less than white American women who held similar positions, mainly because owners and managers believed that not only were foreign women less capable of working as productively as white women, but it was thought that their skill set was much more limited than potential white American women workers. To change this widespread notion in America, it was going to take hard work and dedication to persuade American citizens that these “different” people were up to the challenge to be productive and add to American society.
One interesting aspect of the times, and something that became a model representation of the mindset of the late 19th century, was the emergence of cosmetics and the important role it played in so many different women’s’ lives. However, one item in particular that should be noted is the distinction in use of this good between white women and black women nearing the end of the 19th century. For example, working class white women were hesitant in the usage of cosmetics because of their cultural traditions, which told them to be prudent in their spending and professional in their appearance. Colored women, on the other hand, were known to be greater proponents for usage, even though it came with a tag of being a “woman of the night (Peiss, 373).” This title of being a lower class woman for wearing makeup, and other cosmetics, was a stigma which was difficult to break. Finally, some black women were persuaded to use cosmetic touchups to look “whiter,” therefore making these women more acceptable in society. This act of trying to cover up one’s skin color, because it was considered a weakness, was a prominent indicator of the behavior of the times.
While these social stigmas would have been difficult for any demographic to overcome, different groups of colored women were able to exploit these commodities and turn them around to become an advantage by creating a new representation for their abilities. For instance, beauty parlors became central institutions for colored women in the urban setting. This became a destination of choice, where women would be able to meet and create a community setting with other women, discussing issues central to their lives. This sense of belonging which was created allowed colored women to feel more a part of society and not to be the downcasts as portrayed by white women. A secondary result of the cosmetics boom for African American women was the potential for starting businesses around beauty. Colored women, such as Madame C.J.Walker and Annie Turnbo Malone, were able to capitalize on the expanding market and create great amounts of wealth for themselves. Not only did this bring new products to new segments of the population, but it demonstrated that African American women had just as much potential to create successful business enterprises as not only their female white counterparts, but their male peers as well.
It is important to consider that immigrant women did not only face challenges from outside forces, like the American women, but also from within their own households. As the men knew that the women were of little value without husbands, they were able to take advantage of the women by controlling their wages. For example, Sara Smolinsky explained how any money that she made from her job in the paper-box factory went directly to her father, where he had the authority to do what he pleased. Often times, its use was not for the betterment of the family. “I was the thinnest, smallest girl in our shop, and I earned by piecework bigger wages than the big women. And yet, when I’d bring home the wages to Father, he’d never let me have the money to buy myself something I needed (Yezierska, 89).” Her mother was heard advocating on Sara’s behalf, arguing that she didn’t have proper clothing for the winter weather, but to no avail. Reb Smolinsky knew that he had the final say in any financial matter, and if he thought his personal needs for the wages would better help the family, then so be it. Sara, like all other immigrant women, was completely helpless in these situations.
The only way it was possible to break out of her father’s reign was to venture out and create a new life of her own, regardless of what society thought about her chances for survival. Sara was a revolutionary in her own family in the fact that she was independent enough to desire a new life for herself, and she was going to sacrifice herself to get out of her father’s autonomy. “I’m smart enough to look out for myself. It’s a new life now. In America, women don’t need men to boss them (Yezierska, 137).” Sara took the initiative to remove herself from the destructive situation and decided to move to New York City, to get her own job, to take classes at night, and to start anew. This determination was the epitome of what was necessary for immigrant women to command respect in America. Even when people doubted her ambitions, she fought through, taking a job laundering clothes and trying to advance her position through hard work and persistence. Her role proved that women were strong to not only take care of themselves, but that they could be thrive in independence just as any man could.
Another aspect of a woman’s life from an immigrant background which characterized their situation in American society was their lack of power to find a man for love and not to be arranged with a man based on superficial reasons. For example, in the novel Bread Givers, there are multiple cases where Reb Smolinsky frightens away potential suitors from his daughters because they don’t meet the standards that have been setup by the father. The readers are introduced to Berel Bernstein, a cutter from the local market, who is a potential suitor for Bessie. However, the match never happens because the father is unwilling to lose Bessie, his most productive daughter when it comes to earning wages for the family, to a complete stranger. Reb is insistent that Berel should pay some type of dowry to the Smolinsky family to compensate them for their future losses. Mr. Bernstein refuses this potential transaction and leaves Bessie behind, eventually marrying another woman, leaving Bessie heartbroken and hopeless. This situation was not uncommon in America, as old cultures from previous countries, where family was first and foremost, clashed with the new American culture, leaving many women in similar predicaments.
Finally, in response to this culture’s representation of women as weak and having only one role in a family, which would be to keep up with the domestic responsibilities, immigrant and colored women needed to prove that they could be self-sufficient and had the capabilities to make decisions for themselves. This revolutionary new idea, which came to be known as the “New Woman,” was portrayed in literary tales as being more attractive to possible “heroes,” or suitors, than the alternative, which was the woman keeping up a home life. According to Ann Kaplan, author of Romancing The Empire, “Marriage is described here not simply in the rhetoric of political conquest…but in the language of political collaboration, the language of desire. Voluntarily chosen by the woman, rather than forcibly imposed, marriage represents the modern alternative to both empire and revolution (Kaplan, 108).” Simply put, the institution of marriage was being reinvented by the New Woman, giving her the freedom of choice in what she wanted out of life. As these women continued to increase their skills and knowledge, their worth became more than just helping to create a family, thus making it more difficult for fathers and potential suitors to use marriage as a bargaining chip.
In summation, the plights that were suffered by all colored people and new immigrants at the end of the 19th century were something that few groups of people have had to experience. Further examination reveals that specifically women of these two groups had to overcome many artificial boundaries that were established by the dominant American society during the times. To accomplish these feats, new tactics were employed, with the main goal to show that they were all equally worthy as the white women. These new strategies, including increasing their position by becoming independent in regards to wages, husbands, and education, would be deemed successful in the transition to greater acceptance across America. This example of self-determination is one that should be admired for the strength and perseverance that prevailed in these trying terms.
At the end of the 19th century, leading into the beginning of the 20th century, a widespread belief was found among white American constituents that immigrant women and black women were inferior in a multitude of ways compared to the New Woman definition. Whether it was the manner in which they raised a family or their intelligence levels compared to white women, it was commonplace to find these women mistreated. Unlike their male counterparts, not only were these women expected to maintain the home life, but if a family was a short on money, these women had to work exhausting hours in squalid conditions to help make ends meet. All the while, this demographic was being paid less than white American women who held similar positions, mainly because owners and managers believed that not only were foreign women less capable of working as productively as white women, but it was thought that their skill set was much more limited than potential white American women workers. To change this widespread notion in America, it was going to take hard work and dedication to persuade American citizens that these “different” people were up to the challenge to be productive and add to American society.
One interesting aspect of the times, and something that became a model representation of the mindset of the late 19th century, was the emergence of cosmetics and the important role it played in so many different women’s’ lives. However, one item in particular that should be noted is the distinction in use of this good between white women and black women nearing the end of the 19th century. For example, working class white women were hesitant in the usage of cosmetics because of their cultural traditions, which told them to be prudent in their spending and professional in their appearance. Colored women, on the other hand, were known to be greater proponents for usage, even though it came with a tag of being a “woman of the night (Peiss, 373).” This title of being a lower class woman for wearing makeup, and other cosmetics, was a stigma which was difficult to break. Finally, some black women were persuaded to use cosmetic touchups to look “whiter,” therefore making these women more acceptable in society. This act of trying to cover up one’s skin color, because it was considered a weakness, was a prominent indicator of the behavior of the times.
While these social stigmas would have been difficult for any demographic to overcome, different groups of colored women were able to exploit these commodities and turn them around to become an advantage by creating a new representation for their abilities. For instance, beauty parlors became central institutions for colored women in the urban setting. This became a destination of choice, where women would be able to meet and create a community setting with other women, discussing issues central to their lives. This sense of belonging which was created allowed colored women to feel more a part of society and not to be the downcasts as portrayed by white women. A secondary result of the cosmetics boom for African American women was the potential for starting businesses around beauty. Colored women, such as Madame C.J.Walker and Annie Turnbo Malone, were able to capitalize on the expanding market and create great amounts of wealth for themselves. Not only did this bring new products to new segments of the population, but it demonstrated that African American women had just as much potential to create successful business enterprises as not only their female white counterparts, but their male peers as well.
It is important to consider that immigrant women did not only face challenges from outside forces, like the American women, but also from within their own households. As the men knew that the women were of little value without husbands, they were able to take advantage of the women by controlling their wages. For example, Sara Smolinsky explained how any money that she made from her job in the paper-box factory went directly to her father, where he had the authority to do what he pleased. Often times, its use was not for the betterment of the family. “I was the thinnest, smallest girl in our shop, and I earned by piecework bigger wages than the big women. And yet, when I’d bring home the wages to Father, he’d never let me have the money to buy myself something I needed (Yezierska, 89).” Her mother was heard advocating on Sara’s behalf, arguing that she didn’t have proper clothing for the winter weather, but to no avail. Reb Smolinsky knew that he had the final say in any financial matter, and if he thought his personal needs for the wages would better help the family, then so be it. Sara, like all other immigrant women, was completely helpless in these situations.
The only way it was possible to break out of her father’s reign was to venture out and create a new life of her own, regardless of what society thought about her chances for survival. Sara was a revolutionary in her own family in the fact that she was independent enough to desire a new life for herself, and she was going to sacrifice herself to get out of her father’s autonomy. “I’m smart enough to look out for myself. It’s a new life now. In America, women don’t need men to boss them (Yezierska, 137).” Sara took the initiative to remove herself from the destructive situation and decided to move to New York City, to get her own job, to take classes at night, and to start anew. This determination was the epitome of what was necessary for immigrant women to command respect in America. Even when people doubted her ambitions, she fought through, taking a job laundering clothes and trying to advance her position through hard work and persistence. Her role proved that women were strong to not only take care of themselves, but that they could be thrive in independence just as any man could.
Another aspect of a woman’s life from an immigrant background which characterized their situation in American society was their lack of power to find a man for love and not to be arranged with a man based on superficial reasons. For example, in the novel Bread Givers, there are multiple cases where Reb Smolinsky frightens away potential suitors from his daughters because they don’t meet the standards that have been setup by the father. The readers are introduced to Berel Bernstein, a cutter from the local market, who is a potential suitor for Bessie. However, the match never happens because the father is unwilling to lose Bessie, his most productive daughter when it comes to earning wages for the family, to a complete stranger. Reb is insistent that Berel should pay some type of dowry to the Smolinsky family to compensate them for their future losses. Mr. Bernstein refuses this potential transaction and leaves Bessie behind, eventually marrying another woman, leaving Bessie heartbroken and hopeless. This situation was not uncommon in America, as old cultures from previous countries, where family was first and foremost, clashed with the new American culture, leaving many women in similar predicaments.
Finally, in response to this culture’s representation of women as weak and having only one role in a family, which would be to keep up with the domestic responsibilities, immigrant and colored women needed to prove that they could be self-sufficient and had the capabilities to make decisions for themselves. This revolutionary new idea, which came to be known as the “New Woman,” was portrayed in literary tales as being more attractive to possible “heroes,” or suitors, than the alternative, which was the woman keeping up a home life. According to Ann Kaplan, author of Romancing The Empire, “Marriage is described here not simply in the rhetoric of political conquest…but in the language of political collaboration, the language of desire. Voluntarily chosen by the woman, rather than forcibly imposed, marriage represents the modern alternative to both empire and revolution (Kaplan, 108).” Simply put, the institution of marriage was being reinvented by the New Woman, giving her the freedom of choice in what she wanted out of life. As these women continued to increase their skills and knowledge, their worth became more than just helping to create a family, thus making it more difficult for fathers and potential suitors to use marriage as a bargaining chip.
In summation, the plights that were suffered by all colored people and new immigrants at the end of the 19th century were something that few groups of people have had to experience. Further examination reveals that specifically women of these two groups had to overcome many artificial boundaries that were established by the dominant American society during the times. To accomplish these feats, new tactics were employed, with the main goal to show that they were all equally worthy as the white women. These new strategies, including increasing their position by becoming independent in regards to wages, husbands, and education, would be deemed successful in the transition to greater acceptance across America. This example of self-determination is one that should be admired for the strength and perseverance that prevailed in these trying terms.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Reinvention of America
With this being my first post in my blog, I decided to use the forum to discuss my observations of the crowd’s behavior and composition during the Inauguration festivities on Tuesday morning. After attending the event, and seeing some of the coverage on the major networks that preceded the ceremony, I feel confident in my ability to characterize the patrons into a few different general categories.
One of the most analyzed aspects of this event in the weeks leading up to the ceremony was the great diversity, both in age and race, that was going to be found in the crowds because of the election of President Obama. With a campaign based on change for all, it was easy to understand why so many different groups would feel an affinity to his bravado and his campaign. However, that was never more evident until yesterday. Any analyst with a rudimentary understanding of the current American position would comprehend the significance of the great turnout by the African-American community. At a superficial level, it could be easy to claim that this increased turnout was solely because of the color of President Obama, which makes a presumption that African-Americans only voted for him because he is “one of their own.” However, I find this pretense to be unfair to the African-American community, which was feeling a great distrust towards government after the last eight years, regardless of how fair that may be. After the catastrophic event of Hurricane Katrina, and the efforts that ensued in the New Orleans community, many members of the African-American community were left feeling that they were “separate but equal” Americans. With the campaign of Mr. Obama, it became easy for the community to associate with him because of his background in community work in urban Chicago neighborhoods. There was a revitalization of belief that someone with an understanding of the plights of the urban communities would be legitimately concerned with fixing the wrongs that burdened so many. Hence, the turnout for the inauguration among African-Americans was not only large, but it was also monumental in size and historical significance.
A second significant demographic that changed during this specific Inauguration was the ages of the attendees. Unlike past elections, this one had a significant following among the youth voters, with an accurate microcosm of the nation seen on the GW campus throughout the Fall semester. This significant change is quite similar to the one that was seen in the change in the prior example with the mindset being the important reason for the great differentiating factor among past elections. It is of no small importance that President Obama is a youthful 47 years old, which differed from presidents of the past, including the notorious example of Ronald Reagan, who didn’t assume the office until he was in his 80’s. While the young generations of the past felt a cultural disconnect because the two groups were of almost two completely different generations, President Obama, with two young children, found it easier to connect with the youth of today’s generation. For example, his employment of the internet, considered a significant reason for his success of being elected to President, is a relatively recent phenomenon that is most associated with the younger generations of today. For all of these reasons and more, the representation of the younger generation was never more evident than it was yesterday. There was a sense of a renewal of spirit among this demographic with a tangible concern for domestic and international politics that probably hasn’t been seen before. With children of every age at the ceremony, along with thousands of college students from not only the DC metropolitan area, but other universities across the nation, it was evident that yesterday’s event was one of historical proportions that may never be witnessed again.
The final aspect of the crowd that I observed that was different from past similar celebrations was the behavior among the patrons of the crowd. With a great mix of citizens attending the celebration, with all different races, ages, and economic backgrounds being represented, it would not have been surprising to find some differences in the air among the different groups. However, this pretense couldn’t have been further from the truth. With it starting at the concert on Sunday, and the feelings carrying over to yesterday, there were genuine feelings of care and brotherhood among the witnesses. What I can only attribute to the sense of national pride and success being first and foremost on the minds of everyone in attendance, there was communication between all of the parties on the mall, with genuine interest in the backgrounds of the different patrons. People were willingly taking pictures of complete strangers, helping them to capture this moment in history. Finally, there was jubilation among all through songs and prayers that united the people on a level deeper than any superficial level, such as wealth or race. Yesterday, there was no differentiation, only equality for all. On Tuesday, we were Americans first.
What I saw today along the National Mall was a piece of history that I feel privileged to have witnessed firsthand. Whether or not success is seen in America because of the practices by President Obama remains to be seen. However, what was evident today was that pride in nation is stronger than anything else that can be formed in our lifetimes. What was seen seven years ago on September 11th, 2001, was rekindled today, which was a spirit of optimism and hopefulness that we can overcome anything that is presented in our way. As Americans, we believe that no outside agent has the potential to bring down what has been formed over the last 250 years. Yes, I believe that all of this was seen today through the representation of the crowd of the Inauguration. Whether or not this ideal holds true remains to be seen. Only time will tell.
One of the most analyzed aspects of this event in the weeks leading up to the ceremony was the great diversity, both in age and race, that was going to be found in the crowds because of the election of President Obama. With a campaign based on change for all, it was easy to understand why so many different groups would feel an affinity to his bravado and his campaign. However, that was never more evident until yesterday. Any analyst with a rudimentary understanding of the current American position would comprehend the significance of the great turnout by the African-American community. At a superficial level, it could be easy to claim that this increased turnout was solely because of the color of President Obama, which makes a presumption that African-Americans only voted for him because he is “one of their own.” However, I find this pretense to be unfair to the African-American community, which was feeling a great distrust towards government after the last eight years, regardless of how fair that may be. After the catastrophic event of Hurricane Katrina, and the efforts that ensued in the New Orleans community, many members of the African-American community were left feeling that they were “separate but equal” Americans. With the campaign of Mr. Obama, it became easy for the community to associate with him because of his background in community work in urban Chicago neighborhoods. There was a revitalization of belief that someone with an understanding of the plights of the urban communities would be legitimately concerned with fixing the wrongs that burdened so many. Hence, the turnout for the inauguration among African-Americans was not only large, but it was also monumental in size and historical significance.
A second significant demographic that changed during this specific Inauguration was the ages of the attendees. Unlike past elections, this one had a significant following among the youth voters, with an accurate microcosm of the nation seen on the GW campus throughout the Fall semester. This significant change is quite similar to the one that was seen in the change in the prior example with the mindset being the important reason for the great differentiating factor among past elections. It is of no small importance that President Obama is a youthful 47 years old, which differed from presidents of the past, including the notorious example of Ronald Reagan, who didn’t assume the office until he was in his 80’s. While the young generations of the past felt a cultural disconnect because the two groups were of almost two completely different generations, President Obama, with two young children, found it easier to connect with the youth of today’s generation. For example, his employment of the internet, considered a significant reason for his success of being elected to President, is a relatively recent phenomenon that is most associated with the younger generations of today. For all of these reasons and more, the representation of the younger generation was never more evident than it was yesterday. There was a sense of a renewal of spirit among this demographic with a tangible concern for domestic and international politics that probably hasn’t been seen before. With children of every age at the ceremony, along with thousands of college students from not only the DC metropolitan area, but other universities across the nation, it was evident that yesterday’s event was one of historical proportions that may never be witnessed again.
The final aspect of the crowd that I observed that was different from past similar celebrations was the behavior among the patrons of the crowd. With a great mix of citizens attending the celebration, with all different races, ages, and economic backgrounds being represented, it would not have been surprising to find some differences in the air among the different groups. However, this pretense couldn’t have been further from the truth. With it starting at the concert on Sunday, and the feelings carrying over to yesterday, there were genuine feelings of care and brotherhood among the witnesses. What I can only attribute to the sense of national pride and success being first and foremost on the minds of everyone in attendance, there was communication between all of the parties on the mall, with genuine interest in the backgrounds of the different patrons. People were willingly taking pictures of complete strangers, helping them to capture this moment in history. Finally, there was jubilation among all through songs and prayers that united the people on a level deeper than any superficial level, such as wealth or race. Yesterday, there was no differentiation, only equality for all. On Tuesday, we were Americans first.
What I saw today along the National Mall was a piece of history that I feel privileged to have witnessed firsthand. Whether or not success is seen in America because of the practices by President Obama remains to be seen. However, what was evident today was that pride in nation is stronger than anything else that can be formed in our lifetimes. What was seen seven years ago on September 11th, 2001, was rekindled today, which was a spirit of optimism and hopefulness that we can overcome anything that is presented in our way. As Americans, we believe that no outside agent has the potential to bring down what has been formed over the last 250 years. Yes, I believe that all of this was seen today through the representation of the crowd of the Inauguration. Whether or not this ideal holds true remains to be seen. Only time will tell.
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