...The threat America’s way of life is a quite questionable context to define. What I see here is a Catch 22, where we either allow immigrants and that changes America, or we don’t allow immigrants and that changes America. As John Isbister said, “The essence of American life is that it is composed of different groups, different cultures, races, religions, attitudes, folkways and ideologies, differences that give the country its distinctiveness. Current im-migration is sure to change the mixture, but change is not new; the cultural mixture of America has been changing continuously.” There is no auto defined definition to the American way of life, it is always changing whether we want it to or not. As Charon mentions, “Change occurs in every social organization, and it is ongoing and inevitable”. However, I do see this threat to be almost negligible, our biggest problem is within the racial conflictions of society adapting to a change. America has always been seen as a melting pot of cultures; however the melting pot concept is too vague to define. A melting pot means the society confirms to a new identity, however this is not such the case. The traditions are all varying and different outlooks still; we are not some culture defined as a mix of one pot, but rather a mix of many other pots. This correlates to Charon’s idea of the individual making a difference, “Attempts to influence society are countered by the power of long-standing social patterns that are normally defended by...
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...question is essentially that the differing beliefs on land between the Native Americans and white settlers was what eventually led to the destruction of the Plains Indians’ way of life. To come to a conclusion on this, the factor of land beliefs will have to be analysed and considered. But to compare and make a fair judgement, I will also be examining other factors also. These will include the railroads, US government and the US army. I shall then come to conclusion based on the analysis in my assessment. As it is the subject of the hypothesis for this question, I shall start with analysing the impact of beliefs of land. The primary Belief on land of the Plains Indians was that no body owned it, and that everything belonged to the Great Spirit. The white Americans however believed that land was owned by whoever took it first, or who bought it off the owner. This led to conflicts and therefore partially led to the destruction of the Native American way of life. The white Americans quickly claimed land and would move the Plains Indians around as they saw fit, usually affected by where gold had recently been discovered. This culminated in putting the Native Americans on reservations. In many of the agreements and treaties signed over land the settlers would claim never to go back on their promises “as long as grass grew” and “the mountains stood”. Breaking the promises would have shown the Native Americans that the settlers thought little of their intelligence, and also would instil...
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...lect these Myths. The values of American though can be seen in the movie especially from the main character, Chris Gardner. The movie is based on a true story. It tells about Chris Gardner who is struggling to sell his bones machine. He is abandoned by his wife as the life of the family become harder because Chris can not produce any money. He lives mobile with his son after being driven out of his apartment. Realizing that his expensive bones machine can not change his life, he struggles to find a job. He join a program in Dean Witter stock broker company to be the only who is accepted in the strict competition to be stock broker. Many obstacles he faces in gaining this achievement, but he stays strong and belief that everything will be alright. Although he is strong, he criticizes Thomas Jefferson and his declaration of independence in how he recited the phrase the pursuit of happiness. He just wonders why happiness should be pursued- he compares it with his life in ‘running’ for the happiness. The pursuit of Happiness reflects the typical value of American people and the pursuit of happiness that strongly engraved in the mind of its people. The rights to have a better life in the wilderness of the world support this idea. Chris runs to pursue his dreams for his only son. The strong idea of hard worker and optimistic dominate the character of Chris and most of the successful people depicted in the movie. In this case, the values of American thought that can be seen is the ...
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...Despaired Dreams: The Death of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby. The colors and wonders of a perfect dream are indefinite. Some say that everything good comes to an end , even when it seems that your dreams are going to last forever. Holding onto your hope and perseverance are the first signs of accomplishing the American Dream, but the signs of the death of the American Dream are almost unrecognizable. Walking through life dreaming not knowing when your dream is going to end . The characters in the great gatsby are the dreamers , who have accomplished the american dream. They all fight to the top in order to to get what they want, but soon they will come crashing down. The way that Gatsby builds his world around illusions , having Gatsby being symbol of the american dream, and the desire to rise in society all display the death of the american dream in the The Great Gatsby. If our perception of life isn’t reality , then most likely we won’t be able to see life clearly. If you don’t see life clearly you won’t live up to the full potential of life. Gatsby's perception of life isn’t real. He builds his encounters with others based on...
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...Beliefs in Life The contemporary American society has influenced the American citizens to change the way they perceived others, a stronger belief to have a value to life, and it has made an impact on young children to be socially involved in life some ways. The American citizens now have a stronger belief in themselves to have a value of life. Although living requires financial support and emotional care, they should value life by placing monetary value. The American citizens do not buy people and people do not buy them, because they all are human living in space as in time. They do not want to think of death as a way to escape the American society that has changed them. The way to reach happiness in life are to enjoy what’s best for the citizens...
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...of dreams and opportunities. Immigrants entering America took these characterizations to heart. The dreams and aspirations of stable, wealthy, and happy lives in America became known as the “American Dream”. The basic idea of the American Dream generally has stayed the same throughout time, although the majority of Americans seem to take the Dream for granted. The first settlers arrived to the New World in search of a treasure: life, liberty, and freedom. This treasure was and still is the American Dream. Now people from all over the world come to America in search of the same Dream; some even die trying. People were not as materialistic as people are now; they just wanted happiness. As time passed, people became more materialistic and began to take for granted what they were born with. However, the “American Dream” hardly ever turns out like any individuals have anticipated. America is often considered as the “best country” in the world, but behind this façade, many people struggle daily to earn enough money to survive. America has had its times of despair and advances but through it all we have learned new ways, cultures, and overall advancements in life. Throughout the American Ways book we were given to read and analyze, there were many things about American life that not only related to now but also showed us lessons learned and conflicts repeated through time. To myself and maybe others, the pieces presented to me in class had the ability to bring me into...
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...The Chinese Exclusion Act was brought to light, and ultimately put into action because the Chinese were more successful and hardworking than Americans, threatening American profits. People were sickened by the racial differences they were constantly being judged for. Society at the time was also somewhat frightened the “Chinese” way of life is going to significantly impact the American way of life. People supported the Chinese Exclusion Act due to economic impacts such as, working for less and making it difficult for Americas to find work. As the workingmen said “every avenue of labor, of every sort, is crowded with Chinese slave workers . It was impacting the jobs available for Americans during this time. Since Chinese...
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...liberties. Mr. Will Herberg says Americans are optimistic. He wrote that the American Way of life encourages unity. He perceives this unity to be a somewhat positive aspect of the American Way of Life. He implies that Americans generosity and philanthropism,which can be good, leads to the one of the negative aspects of the American outlook. These qualities lead to Americans being easily ready to indulge in conflict around the globe. American’s vision for the world is one that mirrors its own. It is because of this vision that we see any threat or challenge of our vision as a problem. He implies that our common religion is the driving force behind our idealism. He also implies that it is our idealism that leads to us considering any struggle we become engaged in as a religious war. The Bill of Rights guarantee certain rights to citizens of the United States. One of the rights guarantee is freedom of speech. This “new patriotism” is one that ostracizes anyone who does not conform to the already established American Society. This new patriotism restricts Americans freedom of speech, and labels anyone who chooses to speak against it as disloyal or communist. He employs that the new patriotism is one that goes against tradition American which were founded on the right to protest, another right guaranteed by the bill of rights. Herberg's helps to show the violations of civil liberties because of his in debt critique of the american way of life. His analysis points...
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...Jim Crow Laws completely separated African Americans and Caucasians. These individuals were constantly divided and discriminated against. Jim Crow Laws limited African Americans from participating in aspects of life common to a Caucasian. These laws were a big deal in the Southern United States, and enforced racial segregation. Due to Jim Crow Laws, life after the Civil War for African Americans in the South was socially, educationally, and economically separated from whites. Jim Crow Laws separated whites from blacks socially in many ways. Caucasians had a better social life compared to African Americans. A “negro,” as they were called at the time, and a white person were not allowed to play games like chess, cards, dominoes, checkers, etc....
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...Calvert 1 Rebekah Calvert Mrs. Parman English Comp I (1113) 29 October 2015 The Life of Being A Red Cross Volunteer Volunteering is someone giving up his or her time just so they can be a helping hand to someone that they have never met in some way. Also, volunteering is an extremely amazing way to connect with the community. By being a volunteer, a person has a way to reimburse the community that raised everyone in it. This also gives a person an entire new perspective on life and how people in the community may have to live. Helping out can open eyes to show someone respect for others and their community. Volunteering can also bring light to someone what they may want to with their life. Someone may learn that they either want...
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...America White picket fences and a comfortable savings account are a couple things that people often associate with the American dream. Most people believe that this idea is becoming less achievable as time goes on. It also goes back to how a person defines the American dream, is it the rags to riches story that most people only hear about, or does it go deeper than that. Now I believe the American dream is about securing a life that is content and debt free. Having a life where one doesn’t have to be burdened by bills and living paycheck to paycheck. In the essay, “ Is the American Dream Over?” by Cal Thomas, he blatantly puts blame on the government for diminishing views of the American dream. Thomas says, “ The creation of government that is out of control, and thus out of touch robs every citizen, preventing fulfillment of the original American dream(569).” He thinks that society has put too much faith in the government. Even though it seems as if the American dream no longer exists working hard towards your goals make it very attainable. Thomas then refers to Bob Herbert’s composition, “ Hiding from Reality,” disagreeing with him that the American dream is alive and one should not put too much dependence in the government. A person needs to take initiative of his or her own lives and put in the necessary work to make it happen. I agree with Thomas, the American dream is very much a reality the necessary steps to achieve this dream is a good education, respectable core values...
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...Douglas. Aspects of Negro Life. ( Modernism Period) 2 Initial reactions Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery to Reconstruction (1934) is an art piece painted by Aaron Douglas. He was an African-American painter during the Harlem Renaissance movement. As the title suggests, the painting is a description of the history of African-Americans from slavery through reconstruction time. The art piece is divided up into different sections and highlights the racism toward African-Americans. On the left side of the painting you see black people with drums and a crop growing in the background. This section of the painting shows a time where Africans were free and not slaves. Moving a little to the right, we see oppression and slavery through the black people being hunched over in the painting. Towards the middle of the art piece we see a person standing up pointing and showing the desire to fight against slavery and to the right of him you see people with their fists up and ready to fight against the oppression and slavery. This piece of art explores Negro heritage from left to right. I like this piece of art because of the soft colors and the neutral appearance of the silhouettes of people. This painting describes African-American culture and their struggle to end slavery. Everything in this painting describes life of African-American and their struggle in the 1900’s. Historical Context Douglas’s painting Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery to Reconstruction...
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...The American Dream will never truly have a solid definition; it is ever evolving, molding into a new meaning as society develops and changes. It is like a fire; ever turning in one way or another; impossible to grasp, but yet never changing its basic identity. Throughout its history, the United States has endured many trials and obstacles. These trials have changed the way American citizens view the Dream’s preliminary ideals. Regardless of its history and the people involved in its development, America’s dream will always be—at the very least— loosely based on the principles upon which it was founded—those of life, liberty, and the endless pursuit of happiness. When the United States was initially founded in the late 1700’s, it was viewed as a pioneering wilderness; an escape where a person was free to believe what he or she wanted without opposition. Indeed, a home where people could start a new life, free from the pressures of religion and the government they bore in the lands they came from. Over time, others began to hear of this great new land and they too sought after this dream of freedom. These people saw America as a beacon which gave them hope of a new life. The interpretation of the American Dream has evolved over time. Conflicts have arisen, injustice has spread, and many have been martyrs as a result of the Dream that they believed in. For instance, in the 1800s, it was the white Southern man’s Dream to own slaves and property. The black man, however, had a very...
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...media proposes for years. Entertainment media is how Americans attract the way of life. The social influences relay on the media entertainment for positive and negative images to help transform the minds of people. The culture of Americans have always been through television, computers, and entertainment. The values of our culture have been acknowledged though media, and influences of behaviors showed though media. Something that can make a person laugh will last a life time. It encages people to think that the time they may spend in life fill more pleasurable. The influence of entertainment give out a since of structure in the heart, to bring happy and enjoyable inspirations though entertainment. Media is here to help people move on in life. It gives directions to the dos and don’ts in the American culture. Entertainment media gives off laughter, joy and peace. Those are the influences of entertainment media. That is what entertainment media strive for to their audience. When consumers began to watch their favorite show on television, it gives them joy to see that famous actor that makes them laugh. The subscribers then feed into the advertisement, and then try to reclaim whatever that movie or book was trying to sell. This is all done to appeal the consumer into the buying state of mind, but at the same time satisfying their pleasure. That is a since of directing the behavior of the mind. This have been the true American culture for years. Look at the images on YouTube it makes...
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...Voiceover in American Beauty “My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood. This is my street. This... is my life. I'm forty-two years old. In less than a year, I'll be dead”- Lester Burnham narrates through voiceover in the opening of American Beauty. Although voiceovers tend to be cliche, American Beauty, Sam Mendes’ satirical film centered upon American suburbia, utilizes this tool to strengthen its message. Lester, the protagonist, hooks the audience through the use of voiceovers on three separate occasions in the film- the opening sequence, the beginning of his last day of life, and the final scene. Film critics often argue the “show, don’t tell” method of movie making, but Lester’s narrations are very brief and serve a meaningful purpose. An anonymous author from Script Magazine writes in the article, “How to Show, Don’t Tell”: “A lot of dialogue can be avoided because actions define characters. What we watch characters do tells us so much about who they are and what they want.” While this is true in some cases, the author’s comments do not apply to American Beauty at all. “Showing” Lester’s actions would not create the same mood of suspense as “telling” Lester’s thoughts do. Thus, the voiceovers implemented in American Beauty work in an ironic way because “telling” actually creates mystery among the viewers. During Lester’s initial voiceover, the camera is filming from above with a bird’s eye view, showing a snippet of everyday life in American suburbia. ...
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