Border Wars-Journal 15

In reply to Morgan Willis thoughts on “The Border Patrol State.”  In response to "The Border Patrol State" by Leslie Marmon Silko, there were some things I could definitely side with her on, but then there were other perspectives that I disagreed with her on. I agree whole-heartedly with what Morgan says here. I believe that Silko is trying to make the point that there is biases amongst the Mexican American border but by doing so she only shows one half of the very controversial debate.

Of course, I had sympathy with her for the fact that since she is an Arizona citizen, it seems ridiculous and quite frustrating that she has to be stopped on the road, questioned about her legality, and interrogated to make her feel like some sort of criminal. Being born in Mesa, Arizona, a suburb twenty minutes east of Phoenix and as a former student of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona I completely understood how annoyed she was that even with proof of ID she was mistrusted. However, knowing the history of Arizona I was compelled to agree with the border patrol to pull her over but not in the manner they handled the case.  I can only imagine how frustrated I would be to be an American citizen and be questioned of my intent or nationality when I knew true to myself that I was a legal United States citizen. It would upset me very much to be untrusted and violated by border patrol men who pursued looking in my car and searching me with a dog. I am white college student and have been pulled over by border patrol a few times. Silko describes the border patrol for pulling them over with no “just” cause. But when you are traveling at night you have to expect to be pulled over. When I was moving my belongings from Tucson to Fort Worth I was stopped on the East I-10 to El Paso and the dog sniffed the car. I was annoyed that I knew I did not have any illegal drugs but I understand that they pulled me over because the car was packed and the border has become very dangerous. I too was insulted that they wouldn’t believe that I was a college student just trying to move my belongings into another state.

On the other hand, although, being a white American citizen who was born and raised in Texas, I am very much so supportive on the border patrol process. I agree with Morgan on this point. Although I have not seen the impact of illegal migrants in Texas, Tucson culture and livlihood has changed drastically from the boder patrol process.Living so close to the Mexico border, and knowing there are many hispanic immigrants who try to enter the United States illegally with bad intentions as to be involved with drugs or cause harm or danger through crimes in my country, I definitely feel a sense of security from there being strict border patrol and feel that it is a necessary evil in order to run a successful and safe country. I disagree with this statement. As Silko states, Tucson in a hour drive from the border. Many Americans believe that all Mexican immigrants are coming to America to see drugs and increase crime in our country. While this is true this is not the complete story. Many Mexicans from Sonora are coming to America because they are being mass murdered. As Silko states “a mass migration is already under way; its roots are not simply economic. Border patrol is in place to do perform two tasks: keep druglords out of the country and make sure that people are not entering illegally. I know there are many immigrants coming into America with good intentions, but there are also many who do not have good intentions. After the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001, I feel all Americans are sketchy with immigrants of other nationalities and feel it is only fair and safe to keep strict laws on entering the country, whether it be at the airport, or on highways in states that border Mexico. As Silko states, she felt like she was going to be murdered and forgot about like in the Argentinean “Dirty War” this is an accurate comparison. I too have felt a fear that I was going to be killed, but I agree with Morgan that our sense of security has been compromised and there have been drastic measures to ensure our safety.  It is the only way to be fair to everyone immigrating and the only way to be fair to Americans who just want to feel safe in their home states and not feel like dangerous people are crossing over the border care free with bad intentions. I agree with Morgan, although I can emphasize with Silko’s point that “as proud citizens, we grew up believing the freedom to travel was our inalienable right,” the point that sticks out is citizens. Border patrol is looking for people who are not citizens and if pulling people over that look conspicuous, including myself, ensure that we only have citizens in the country I have to disagree with Silko’s argument.

What Would You Carry? Journal 14

     In the excerpt from “The Things They Carried,” Tim O’Brien makes a point to say that the things that soldiers carried were divided into different sections: physical necessities, personal necessities, war emotions and personal emotions. If I were a soldier in Jimmy Cross’s unit I believe that I would divide the things I carried in a similar fashion. I would carry food rations, medications for known diseases, protective clothing to deal with the tropical climate, and weapons for protection. These are the basic items that come to my mind when I think of war because each is crucial and vital for the chance to survive will in Vietnam. However, I think that the most important physical necessity I would bring is a journal. I would bring a journal, not because I enjoy writing, but if I was able to express my thoughts on paper maybe I would not have to carry the emotional toll the soldiers and Lieutenant Cross carry around after Ted Lavender dies. I think that a journal would also give me the time to daydream about happier times and events so that I would be able to focus on survival when I was out in the field. In the excerpt Cross says, “they shared the weight of their memories.” I think that they had to share their memories because they were too horrific to keep bottled in their minds. During the war, the soldiers depended on themselves to stay sane and cope with all their emotions; likewise a journal would have been a healthy way for the soldiers to deal with all the pain and horror they witnessed on a daily basis. Finally Cross says, “imagination was killer.” I believe that by keeping yourself occupied would not allow your mind to wander and by doing so you would not be able to come up with the numerous ways you could end up being killed or awful events that you were likely to witness while you were at war.

Extra Credit Blog

      After the Revolutionary War, the United States felt entitled to expand westward. As they had finally be relieved of life under the British crown, it was time to make a name for themselves and acquire power and colonies; in order to accomplish this they followed the steps of British Empire and created the American Empire. Starting first with the Native Americans, they pushed them westward in order to expand “white civilization.” As seen in the readings about Hawaii the same steps to acquiring the new “state” were seen in the removal of the Native Americans. Imperialism works when there is a common belief to conquer territories because the people they are moving need saving. In the case of the Native Americans and the Hawaiians, they needed saving from becoming more savage and uncivilized. Throughout my history classes, I have always been taught that Americans only moved westward because the land was rightfully theirs or that the people that they took control over desperately needed their help because their government system was failing. In contrast to the popular belief, the Hawaiian government seemed to be a well-oiled machine, the royal family appeared to be loved by the citizens. People were respected and appreciated and there was a mutual trust between the royals and Hawaiians. Secondly, imperialism has always been portrayed as something positive and something that all Americans were aware of. In the Queen’s narrative she states “Thus, understanding perfectly the kind of men sent one after another by the so-called Republic of Hawaii to Washington, I was easily able to separate truth from falsehood in the accounts inspired by the missionary party, published by them or their agents in Honolulu, written from thence to the press in America, or invented by enterprising scribblers for the purpose of deceiving the American public.” I had always thought that Americans supported the expansion westward, but it appears that it was a few greedy state officials who wanted more power and wealth. Personally, I found it very intriguing that a country based on the principles of honor, justice, equality and acceptance has achieved these idealistic goals through a dark and deceptive past. Although we are very lucky to live in a country where we are free to act as we see acceptable, it is interesting that we only have these rights through acquiring new territories and embracing the dark side of imperialism. Very ironic that in order for us to produce the light we need the dark.

Journal 13- Indian Girl and the American Dream

Zitkala-Sa or Red Bird’s story is not completely unique. The American Dream, or the fire in your soul to become on top, the absolute best is something that has inspired Americans from the settlements in Plymouth Rock to modern times. In Red Bird’s story it is hard to see how she is able to accomplish the American dream at first but as she matures and realizes that power in her voice she knows that success and the Dream is in her reach. Her years at White’s Manual Labor Institute encourage the pursuit for the American Dream; although they push her further away from her humble beginnings and Indian traditions, they light a spark in her to show the world the Sioux Indians in an artistic manner. I believe that they do this because they try to de-Sioux her. They cut her hair and require her to learn American customs and manners. But because of this she decides to enter college against the blessing of her mother. This is important to reaching the American Dream because she states that she had always been respectful of her mother and now was doing something for herself. When she enters an orator’s competition in college she realizes that she wants what Americans want; success and glory. She says “the little taste of victory did not satisfy a hunger in my heart. In my mind I saw my mother far away of the Western Plains, and she was holding a charge against me.” The first part of the sentence “taste of victory” is common amongst all dreams. I believe that this is the first time that Zitkala-Sa realizes that she is more than just a Sioux Indian but that she is talented and that people want to hear her story. This inspires her to pursue teaching and trying to make the native traditions artistic so that white men and women can understand her heritage. I believe that this sentence is her first glimpse at what the future holds for her and that she wants to push forward even if it means going against her mother. The second part of this sentence “holding a charge against me.” In her mother’s generation and the Indians before her all saw the “white man’s education and power” negatively. The white men had pushed them away from their native grounds and had tried to put an end to the cultural traditions. Her mother does not understand how something so American or white can be something positive in her daughters’ life. I believe that Zitkala-Sa thinks her mother is disappointed because she associates this dream with destruction and greed. But Zitkala-Sa wants to use the American Dream to bring cultural awareness within her own community and to the white people who she originally thought to be a “cold race whose hearts were frozen with prejudice.” 

Journal 11 Hawaii's Queen

“Perhaps there is a kind of right, depending upon the precedents of all ages, and known as the “Rights of Conquest” under which robbers and marauders may establish themselves in possession of whatsoever they are strong enough to ravish from their fellows. I will not pretend to decide how far civilization and Christian enlightenment have outlawed it. But we have known for many years that out Island monarchy has relied upon the protection always extended to us by the policy and assured friendship of the American republic.” Imperialism is the thought process of any given nation to expand; these nations believe that they have the right to acquire and gain control of foreign areas and essentially these nations believed that by taking over a mass of land they were saving them and making them a stronger land. The Queen states “Rights of Conquest,” in her speech, which I interpret as if we, Americans, have a right to explore and conquest is the idea of manifest destiny ever actually achieved? Apparently no, the United States has a greedy hand and no matter what nothing will ever satisfy. Finally she says, “assured friendship,” throughout history the United States has been known to deceive people by first offering a hand of help but this hand eventually becomes greedy and thus we feel like we are meant to take control because we have been such good friends.  The Hawaiians feel betrayed because they trusted America to take care of them and are confused why we see the country as a financial gain and not as a sovereign government. 

What Does Being an American Mean

In our first writing assignment of the semester we read a poem written by Langston Hughes. He cried out against the racial prejudice he received because he was a black man. The words that come to mind are “one day they will see how beautiful I am and be ashamed.” He wrote this in response to the lack of respect and how inhumane and cruel white people were to blacks. My perplexing question is again “who is an American?” As we have gone through the class, we have learned about the struggles and difficulties different groups of people went through in American history. We have learned that all these groups are technically American because we live in a melting pot society. However, after the civil war, many African Americans were still judged and tortured based on their skin color. After reading “As the Lord Lives, He Is One of Our Mother’s Children” and the poems of McKay two things significantly stuck out to me. First in McKay’s poem “America” he states “Although she feeds me bread of bitterness and sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love the cultured hell that test my youth.” I believe that this relates to the idea of what is an American, because although African Americans have not been completely accepted into white society, it shows that they are still committed. This also made me think of the concept that Americans will be ashamed of their actions. Reflecting back on our treatment of African Americans in modern times, it is embarrassing to think that we would condemn a group of people based on skin color. Especially since I believe an American is combining all the heritages that fought to become a citizen in our nation. I believe America should be, for the most part, all-inclusive for those who want to be apart of it. Finally in Hopkin’s story, Stone admits that he is under investigation for murder and that he will be killed if the Reverend decides to turn him in, even though he has repeatedly spoke of his innocence in the matter. This is unique and important in two aspects. First, this shows that some Americans are trying to change. It does not matter if you are black, white, mixed racial background. Fifteen hundred dollars was a small fortune back then and it would have been easy for the Reverend to have not listened to Stone and cashed in the reward. Instead he allows him to stay until the danger is passed. I feel like this shows that American society was starting to change and not jump to the first conclusion as had happened in Colorado. Second, I believe that this is a change in what an American is. I do not feel like the town was judging African Americans because it shows that they were horrified when people were beaten within an inch of their life. I think it is important again to reflect on what an American is at this point in time and see how over time it has changed and become more flexible; this in turn has allowed us to create an all-inclusive society.

#10-An Aha! Comparison

In response to Catherine R.’s blog. When I first read “The Wife of His Youth” and “Learning to Read,” I thought that they had nothing in common. After I had read  “The Wife of His Youth” and “Learning to Read,” I had the same though process. I thought that they were very good personifications of what life would have been like immediately after the war. Such as taking advantage of education or trying to be connected with love ones once again; but I did not see the overall picture. However, after thinking about the characters of both pieces, I had an Aha! Moment when I realized that they have more in common than I originally had thought. The “Aha! Moment!” is important to readers because it makes us think about the point the writers are trying to convey to their readers. Charles W. Chesnutt does not write a beautiful short fiction story to show us his writing style; as soon as I realized this, I was able to understand why Chesnutt and Harper wrote about the reconstruction era from the “black” point of view.

Both works tell the stories of slave women who had a goal that they wanted to accomplish. Even when others commented on their age or the low likelihood that they would accomplish their goal, they both continued to press on and eventually reach their desired goals. Chloe from “Learning to Read” wants to learn to read, especially so that she can read the Bible. “Folks just shook their heads” and told her that she was “too late,” but she didn’t give up until she was able to read the Bible and hymns. Another ‘goal’ that she was able to accomplish was the sense of independence that she felt after she had learned to read and procured a house of her own. I disagree with Catherine on this partially. I believe that both of the women wanted to have a sense of independence and self-reliance. This is clear in “Learning to Read,” when Aunt Chloe says “and I felt as independent as the queen upon her throne.” Similarly, we see this in “The Wife of His Youth” not through the old woman but through Mr. Ryder. I believe that independence was a huge part in the emancipation of slaves. For the first time in their lives slaves were counted as a whole person. Not two thirds as previously. Independence was a way for slaves to live by their own social standards and own values instead of being obedient to the white supremacy of the country. I believe that Mr. Ryder feels liberated by emancipation and is why he was content for being alone and independent for so long. It is not until he sees Miss Dixon that he even considers marriage again.

The Chloe character of “The Wife of His Youth” is ‘Liza Jane. ‘Liza is a freed slave woman who has been searching for her husband for twenty-five years. She comes to Mr. Ryder, who she has been told knows most everyone in the area, to ask if he has heard of her husband, Sam Taylor. Mr. Ryder responds by reminding her that her husband my have died or she might not even recognize him because of the large amount of time that has passed since they’ve last seen one another. ‘Liza is still convinced that neither of these is true, and she is determined to find him. While the story does not say so explicitly at this point, it is implied that Mr. Ryder is the husband that she has been searching for, and this is confirmed at the very end of the story. I think that this is an interesting point of view. I had not thought about the similarities that the freed slave woman “Liza” and Chloe may have had. I think that this is an interesting find between the two readings because I think that this shows the changes that the war had taken on emancipation of slaves. Physically, I believe that the women described in the story are the same and emotionally I believe that they each have a desire to be filled, but this is where they differ. Chloe believes that knowledge will set her free “knowledge didn’t agree with slavery” and Liza believes that knowing about her husband will set her free. Although Liza does not recognize Mr. Ryder as her husband, I think it is important that the reader sees this because it shows that they war signified the end of one chapter and beginning of another. For Mr. Ryder, being associated with the Blue Vein society, and becoming a respectable member of society was the beginning of the next chapter and for Liza finding her husband was the end of her chapter.

Both of these stories are examples of the strong determination that many African Americans, slaves and free alike, were required to have during this time period. Strength and perseverance are the perfect words to describe reconstruction era. Especially for African Americans; both women show extreme determination to find and fulfill what slavery limited them. Although it was difficult (learning to read at an old age, and finding her husband) both women persevered and found what they were looking for. Even though these works did not appear to be similar, a closer look revealed that the woman character from each displayed a quiet determination that can be admired even today. All in all, I believe these works show us that even though the reconstruction period is thought of, historically, sad and negative, some happy endings were able to come out of a difficult period of history.

Catherine's response is in black and italicized and my response is in red.