Back To Mencken's America Analysis

In an editorial in the Miami Herald, Leonard Pitts vocalizes that America, despite its ludicrous behavior, still has the aptitude for change through highlighting the woes that plague the once united nation and through inciting hope with his consequent words. Within Pitts rather frank expressions, one can determine just “how far down the rabbit hole” America and its marred character has fallen. A country once renown for its overwhelming acceptance has become a perpetrator of insults vulgar enough to induce controversy, Hilary Clinton being just “that bitch” as if she is merely a mean girl in high school, not a top-tier politician. Pitts even casually broods “about secession”—an idea entirely alien to what the somewhat “United” States prevails

In Edward L. Hudgins article, What is an American?, Hudgins defines an American in ways I had not thought of before. Hudgins stated all these ideas about Americans being driven to do their best and meeting challenges head-on. I would like to think that being an American means everything Hudgins stated, however I think Hudgins is giving the optimistic answer of what being an American means. What Hudgins explains as being an American is what I believe most Americans were like when the country was first founded. The idea of taking risks and working until the risks paid off is one that most Americans do not believe because the possibility of actually achieve one’s dream is extremely less likely today than it was when the country was first established.

America is a nation that is often glorified in textbooks as a nation of freedom, yet history shows a different, more radical viewpoint. In Howard Zinn’s A People's History of the United States, we take a look at American history through a different lens, one that is not focused on over glorifying our history, but giving us history through the eyes of the people. “This is a nation of inconsistencies”, as so eloquently put by Mary Elizabeth Lease highlights a nation of people who exploited and sought to keep down those who they saw as inferior, reminding us of more than just one view on a nation’s history, especially from people and a gender who have not had an easy ride.

Franz Boas’s who is regarded as the father of anthropology and the founding chair of the study at Columbia University is one whose illustrious career and struggles have left a lasting impact on the field. Boas’s life long projects dealing with immigrant populations and their environments and his avocation of human rights are noble and virtuous qualities all anthropologists should hold near and dear.

Social workers fulfill a unique role in policy creation because that is a time for them to advocate for the oppressed or individuals who are attempting to cope with the stresses of everyday life. Most social workers have the opportunity to work hands on in the field with clients during some point in their career, and during that time they are able to get a clear understanding of the problem the client is experiencing. In The Other America, Harrington makes mention of the poor and how they lost their connections to the world; that clearly depicts the importance of the social workers’ involvement with the creation of policy (Harrington, 1962). Since those living in poverty have been referred to as “politically invisible,” social workers are

In Ralph Ellison's "What America Would Be Like Without Blacks" The author describes and analyzes the idea of “purging” African Americans from north America. To support this the author describes how they became deeply ingrained in “white “American culture in a short period of time. They began to influence aspects of society such as speech, music and dance. These changes to society where readily adopted without true origin being noticed. The authors work can be described as opinionated description, because it lacks the objectivism of most expository writing. the author fully describes the idea and he gives support information, but within his word choice it’s clear to the reader that the other has a very strong opinion on the black purge.

The poem America by Claude McKay is on its surface a poem combining what America should be and what this country stands for, with what it actually is, and the attitude it projects amongst the people. Mckay uses the form of poetry to express how he, as a Jamaican immigrant, feels about America. He characterizes the bittersweet relationship between striving for the American dream, and being denied that dream due to racism. While the America we are meant to see is a beautiful land of opportunity, McKay see’s as an ugly, flawed, system that crushes the hopes and dreams of the African-American people.

Wiesel often uses references to history in order to ground his claim in ideas proven to be true; however, the historical facts are not always well known by global citizens. In the text, he brokenheartedly highlights a moment in American history not often taught in classrooms: "Sixty years ago, its human cargo--nearly 1,000 Jews--was turned back to Nazi Germany. And that happened after the Kristallnacht...And that ship, which was already in the shores of the United States, was sent back." What is the effect of the facts presented? Why isn't this fact common knowledge in American history? What does the effect on the audience show about their beliefs? How does the combination of the fact and the emotive sentence, "I don't understand," further

Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle in their book “Rereading America” feel that commencing college is a very disturbing experience. So many things we have to deal while starting college, but the major challenges are expanded difficulty levels and higher expectation which we are not familiar over the years of high school. In order to solve this issue, we have to remodel ourselves by taking up the challenge and rethink about our strength and flaws. To succeed in college we need to be mentally strong and dedicated towards our goal.

Richard Rodriguez, in his article, “Does America Still Exists?” states that America is the nation of united diversity. It is a country where everyone is welcomed and treated equally. He expresses his confusion about the real definition of America when he talks about how the people in America are into racism and differences despite the country being made up of immigrants. The author asserts that America does exist, first by defining America, and by showing the inter-connection between people born from different regions of the world. The responsibility of the people is to stop being racist and staying with the people of own origin only but reaching out and mixing with others as one nation.

With the inauguration of Donald Trump rapidly approaching, there has been a much needed resurgence of interest in the progressive movement around the country, as well as an awakening to the need of an actual revolution by more moderate liberals. The Republican sweep of all levels of government indicates an all too familiar conservative backlash against the social progress that has been steadily building over the last eight years. Historically, this has ultimately led to the empowerment of emboldened racists and bigots of all ilks, which we are presently seeing.

The documentary America the Story of Us: Bust summarizes the transition from the prosperous and roaring 20s to the struggling Depression. Focusing on events and causes leading to the Depression as well as its effect on the American population during the time, the film gives an overlook of one of the most unfortunate times in American history. Beginning with the public’s distress during the stock market crash the depression began to spiral as people lost jobs from layoffs, lost homes due to foreclosure, and lost many of life’s basic necessities. The prosperous 1920’s was behind them and the publics high consumerism and production rates of the time reached an all-time low. After summarizing the causes of the Depression the documentary continues bringing attention to the building of the Hoover Dam and how its completion boosted American moral and started the slow and hard fight out of the Depression.

Within March and many different primary sources, an array of themes are revealed and reflected upon, often discussing life during the 19th century in America. Through such themes, the constant joys and struggles of life are divulged. For instance, the theme of hypocrisy is introduced in a multitude of 19th century sources, including speeches and poems. Additionally, the theme of hypocrisy is expanded upon in March by the characters of Mr. March and Marmee, as their ideals often juxtapose their actions. Hence, both March and the different primary sources combine to demonstrate the timeless theme of hypocrisy, addressing the notion of what is promised and what is truly given.

Much credit was given to six men, for creating the foundation of America. The first 4

I was always interested in understand wf the american (capitalize proper nouns) culture. When I first came here I noticed that americans are really independent and self-reliant individuals, so for the research I chose the topic “American friendship” so I could understand better what americans think about friendship. According to the author of the book American Ways (written by Gary Althen with Janet Bennet), americans do not like to feel dependent on someone or that someone become V dependent on them. The author also said that americans have different groups of friends. Friends to go to the movie, to study, and so on.