Assignment #2

Assignment (Due 9/24): Choose a quote from Chesterton and write it out on your blog. Under that write your interpretation of what you think the author is trying to say. Then, after that write out your own explanation of the meaning of this passage and why you chose this specific quote. Next class, we will talk about the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.

Quote:"In truth it is inequality that is the illusion. The extreme disproportion between men, that we seem to see in life, is a thing of changing lights and lengthening shadows. A twilight full of fancies and distortions....It is the experience of men that always returns to the equality of men; it is the average that ultimately justifies the average man. It is when  men have seen and suffered much and come at the end of their elaborate experiments, that they see men under an equal light of death and daily laughter; and none the less mysterious for being many (p. 19)."

Interpretation: The quote above states exactly what kind of world we are living on. One were one becomes equal after suffrage or needs. The inequality in different origins and different ethnicity is nothing but a color. A shadow is more like a mist. Inequality exist because of the american experiments. As stated in the reading Americans are afraid of Immigrant because they don't know whether they bringing death or life into their country.Following the rules of the system they have built is very cruel. It is very disproportional and unfair. At the end end of the day is all and "experiment" and the different or the others (non citizen) will always get questioned like Chesterton did when filing out his passport at the american consulate.

I chose this quote because to me is the whole central idea of whats going on then and today still. The inequality in immigration status is a very big controversy. Should Americans treat immigrants with so or no little respect. Like stated in the reading "to travel is to leave the inside and draw dangerously near the outside". Immigrants are leaving their country were they are safe and are taking  a big step in wanting to join this country for a better life. So why does it have to be so difficult to allow a new culture to embrace their learning's and their beliefs in our society. It is a ridicule to ask such shame questions like they did to Chesterton while filing out his passport. Immigrants invest their life in the country they take the jobs that Americans don't want or are to high class to do. So yes we are all human beings with different color skin but that doesn't give Americans the right to deny new or maybe even better.

Assignment #1

Assignment Due 9/17: Choose a quote from Bourne and write it out in your blog. Under that write your interpretation of what you think the author is trying to say and explain that. Then, after that write out your own explanation of the meaning of this passage and why you chose this specific quote and how it relates to this class.

QUOTE: "Of course paternity or maternity suggests a sense of obligation to the parent as well. Instead, nationality is a more or less made up idea. This is not to deny the influence or power that this idea has over people. In fact, cultural constructs such as nationalism seem to have even more influence over people, than supposedly "natural behavior." Nationalism persists: because many share this value already, because it is supported by the state, and because it gives people a sense of meaning in life."

Interpretation: The author that wrote this quote i believe was trying to make a connection with how a parent has an obligation and how nationality has the same value but different. People have to help each other with their beliefs and have to be there for each other as a country. Yes Nationalism does persist because people give it a meaning. Paternity and Maternity have duties in which they need to work together and approach. Nationalism is the devotion to ones country making it not so different in meanings.

Meaning: This passage is mainly about letting new and different people in the country and how people can work together to give life a meaning. Of course many americans fear immigrants coming in to their country and think about the adaptation they are going have to do to fit in. Variety in ethnicity is not a bad thing or is it for the country. Multiculturalism is never bad and if immigrants leave their someplace to come and be part of the american life why should we make it difficult for them.I chose the quote above because life can relate so much to being a parent. As a parent myself theres many obstacles that i approach daily and i believe that as a country we all see it too. If we dint have a diversity in our country what would our country really be like. Same as a parent if we dint have a little one to look after and be our next generation, what is life going to be like 20 years from now. This relates to this class because people are afraid of change sometimes and since politics have so much to do with change is a great importance to learn about these struggles.