William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) DuBois

1. Why are African-Americans supposed to be more sensitive to the gap between our inner essence and external appearance? It has to be with the racism they had to deal with. They were more conscious of that gap because the group classifications of who they are controlled the inner sense of who they are.


2. Why does DuBois say the history of whites and blacks are inseparable? In my opinion, it refers because in the beginning of the history the role about slave- owner, authority- submission, advantages- disadvantages and domination-obey. Slavery played an important role in the South.It was an interchange. The Southern community was built on the back of African American slaves. I really can not imagine the American history without African Americans and can we picture African American history without white. 


3. Why is the 'color line' the most pressing problem of the 20th century according to DuBois? According to DuBois,it is happening because economic, political and social opportunities are greatly different from the White people and Africa American. Slavery  was Part of this problem that caused the Civil War.
 According to DuBois the color line,it is a problem of the 20th century because there was a lot of  racism (discrimination).

4. Why is the South considered a 'marginal region'? According to the reading the South is considered not solid because social change where they were fight for control. It is because the majorities of African Americans worked in the south. They worked very hard. Also, They worked on a lower salary or not cost.  

5. How do low wages damage the work ethic? The minorities would move up and enter the work force because companies want to pay as little as possible for labor. They are not being treated equally. They are working hard for little salaries.

 
6. Why is the church as an institution so important in African-American communities?  In African American communities Church was important because family life was principally created by church; the church was there before the family. The African American community identified themselves through their church. Church was part of their identity. It was important to them because the black church was allowed to develop powerfully after slavery. In the church was where African enjoyed their freedom and made it an instrument for empowerment.  At the same time in the church, they were feeling equally.      


7. What is fatalism? When something is determined by fate. The definition by Merriam Webster says “a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless. The doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore unalterable.” When something is determined by fate


8. How is fatalism associated with sensualism? Sensualism is the feeling for what is good. With that being said it’s associated with fatalism because when an individual feels good about themselves or something they have a good presumption about the future, which is fate. You need a balance, you cannot just give into temptation if you do you will go to hell. There is a rhythmic.

9. How are themes of emancipation used in the Bible? Exodus, the second book of the Bible, has as its main theme the emancipation of the Jewish nation from Egypt. In the latter part of Genesis Jacob’s whole family had settled in the Goshen are of Egypt. Hundreds of year passed and descendants of Jacob “were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.” (Ex. 1:17) The children of Israel had been granted land and certain freedoms because of the unique relationship Joseph had with Pharaoh. “Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” (Ex. 1:18)Some Americans used the Bible to support slavery and segregation. The Book of Exodus influenced the struggle for emancipation. Exodus story provided inspiration and support to Americans in their struggle for Freedom.

Darwinism

The Republican Party becomes more and more identified as the party of "Big Business" which also continues into the present. Although originally formed as an anti-slavery party, with the abolition of slavery (at least in a legal sense) the party has to find a new reason for being--promoting business and industry was one way to recreate itself. Of course, this is not to imply that the Republican party before the end of the civil war was unconcerned with business because it was. Being the party of the North, and since the North was where most industry was concentrated (and since industrial power was crucial in winning the civil war) it seems only logical that the party would identify itself with industry. Also after the civil war, the Democratic party being identified as the party of slavery is in disgrace, and the Republican party dominates government for most of the rest of the 19th century until 1912.

Based on this passage, The Republican Party becomes more and more recognized by meaning of the party of "Big Business” which also continues into the present today. In the beginning, it was formed as an anti-slavery party, by the elimination of slavery.  Based on northern these businessmen where they came to influence. In the past, the Republican Party was indifferent with business at the end of the civil war. The Democratic party being known as the party of slavery. Also, passage says that the Republican Party controls government for most of the rest of the 19th century until 1912.

I choose this quote because I am interesting in learn about differences of both groups. The United States has only two major political parties: the Democrats and the Republicans. I wanted to know how the political divisions affect this country. Why and how people are Identifying with one of the two major parties. I think the most important central issues include economic, immigration, abortion and gay marriage these issues have divided the electorate. Which political parties are strong to win the election next year?  

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln  was president of the United States from 1861 to 1965. He was born in a log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky. He was often self-educated. He eventually became a lawyer and a Republican politician; he earned the nickname "Honest Abe." His accomplishments as the 16th president of the United States included roles in preserving the Union during the American Civil War, and in the emancipation of the slaves. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which eventually led to the freeing of all slaves in the USA. During the Civil War, Lincoln gave many speeches, including the Gettysburg Address, a short speech in which he stated how a country must be dedicated to human freedom in order to survive.

During the Civil War, Lincoln suspended certain civil liberties like habeas corpus. This legal principle states that people arrested for a crime must be brought as soon as possible in front of a judge and charged formally with a crime. During the war, Lincoln had Southern sympathizers jailed without reason and never charged with a crime. He also shut down newspapers which were sympathetic to the South. Lincoln idolized Jefferson and in the Gettysburg Address, attempts to redefine the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. Notice how he refers to "dedication" and "conception". He says the country was born with liberty (conceived) and dedicated to equality. He does not say the country was born with equality. Instead dedication refers to a future goal that has not come to pass. In this sense America is an unfinished project that is committed to realizing equality among its citizens.

In accordance to this paragraph, The Gettysburg Address was delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Lincoln emphasized that he "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." He defined the war as an effort dedicated to these principles of liberty and equality for all. The emancipation of slaves was now part of the national war effort. He declared that the deaths of so many brave soldiers would not be in vain, that slavery would end as a result of the losses, and the future of democracy would be assured, that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln concluded that the Civil War had a profound objective a new birth of freedom in the nation

The paragraph that I select mean that Lincoln make certain conception to the people that are innocent and still in jailed, I agree with Lincoln because everybody   is innocent until the judge as otherwise stated.  Also, everybody have the same right to defend oneself and present the necessary information that necessary information to prove that the person is innocent. Lincoln secured the Republican nomination and was elected president in 1860. Following declarations of separation by southern slave states, war began in April 1861, and he concentrated on both the military and political dimensions of the war effort, seeking to reunify the nation. He vigorously exercised unprecedented war powers, including the arrest and detention without trial of thousands of suspected secessionists. He prevented British recognition of the Confederacy by skillfully handling the Trent affair late in 1861. He issued his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery.

Finally Lincoln made certain conception to the people that are innocent and still in jailed, I agree with Lincoln because everybody is innocent until the judge as otherwise stated.  Also, everybody have the same right to defend oneself and present the necessary information that necessary information to prove that the person is innocent. I think the paragraph that I select mean that Lincoln make certain conception to the people that are innocent and still in jailed, I agree with Lincoln because every body is innocent until the judge as otherwise stated.  Also, everybody have the same right to defend oneself and present the necessary information that necessary information to prove that the person is innocent.

The Anti-Federalists

The Anti-Federalists

Antifederalists were opponents of the Constitution at the American Constitutional Convention.  The most disagreement to the constitution came from small farmers and democratically inclined areas.   

A Revolutionary Experiment “In the city of Philadelphia and some of eastern countries the junto took the lead in the business agreed to vote for none but such as would solemnly promise to adopt the system in toto, without exercising their judgment. In many of the countries the people did not attend the elections, as they had not an opportunity of judging of the plan. Others did not consider themselves bound by the call of a set of men who assembled the name of the legislature of Pennsylvania; and some were prevented from voting by the violence of the party who were determined at all events to force down the measure.”

In regards the election process, it is understood that we all want a well-functioning government. We need representatives that will not defraud the registered voters under democracy. Of course, in order to have the opportunity of electing a good representative, we must exercise our voting rights. Through voting, we are making an effort for our voices to be heard in choosing the right representative. Of course, if no one votes, no person can expect for changes to occur.

My reaction to the topic is that the people who were against to the constitution “Antifederalists” believed in the importance of restraining government power. I think they were protected individual liberties during Constitution; it was the most powerful opposition. 

What I Saw in America

What I Saw in America, by G. K. Chesterton

Chesterton point out “I have never managed to lose my old conviction that travel narrows the mind. At least a man must make a double effort of moral humility and imaginative energy to prevent it from narrowing his mind. Indeed there is something touching and even tragic about the thought of the thoughtless tourist, who might have stayed at home loving Laplanders, embracing Chinamen, and clasping Patagonians to his heart in Hampstead or Surbiton, but for his blind and suicidal impulse to go and see what they looked like. This is not meant for nonsense; still less is it meant for the silliest sort of nonsense, which is cynicism. The human bond that he feels at home is not an illusion. On the contrary, it is rather an inner reality. Man is inside all men. In a real sense any man may be inside any men. But to travel is to leave the inside and draw dangerously near the outside. So long as he thought of men in the abstract, like naked toiling figures in some classic frieze, merely as those who labour and love their children and die, he was thinking the fundamental truth about them. By going to look at their unfamiliar manners and customs he is inviting them to disguise themselves in fantastic masks and costumes. Many modern internationalists talk as if men of different nationalities had only to meet and mix and understand each other. In reality that is the moment of supreme danger the moment when they meet. We might shiver, as at the old euphemism by which a meeting meant a duel.”

In light of this paragraph, it is understood that a person can be unique regardless to where the person goes. One may leave their native land to a foreign place and learn new things, but many maintain their way of life and who they are. There may be some people who face changes that are great such as personality and even how they do things. Not to mention, like in this country, many people are open minded, but there may be some who are reluctant to accepting differences, thus creating conflicts amongst each other.

I choose this quote because I identify myself with this paragraph, I learned from different culture, but I still preserve my identity as Dominican person who need to immigrate to find a better way of live. I adopt this nation as many immigrants. In the United States I am feeling the emotion to be independence. It is a place where people have to make effort in order to expect some gains in return. Some of the effort entails is working and studying hard. Chesterton point out “I have never managed to lose my old conviction that travel narrows the mind. Travel ought to combine amusement with instruction; but most travellers are so much amused that they refuse to be instructed. I do not blame them for being amused; it is perfectly natural to be amused at a Dutchman for being Dutch or a Chinaman for being Chinese.” I think it is not wrong when you face some change, it is great in order to grown up.   

On Liberty by John Winthrop

          On Liberty by John Winthrop (1588-1649)

John Winthrop was born to an established family in Suffolk Country, England. He was educated at Cambridge University. He was a governor of the Massachusetts. He was an passionately religious person.

Winthrop point out “For the other point concerning liberty, I observe a great mistake in the country about that. There is a twofold liberty, natural (I mean as our nature is now corrupt) and civil or federal. The first is common to man with beasts and other creatures. By this, man, as he stands in relation to man simply, hath liberty to do what he lists; it is a liberty to evil as well as to good. This liberty is incompatible and inconsistent with authority and cannot endure the least restraint of the most just authority. The exercise and maintaining of this liberty makes men grow more evil and in time to be worse than brute beasts: omnes sumus licentia deteriores. This is that great enemy of truth and peace, that wild beast, which all of the ordinances of God are bent against, to restrain and subdue it. The other kind of liberty I call civil or federal; it may also be termed moral, in reference to the covenant between God and man, in the moral law, and the politic covenants and constitutions amongst men themselves. This liberty is the proper end and object of authority and cannot subsist without it; and it is a liberty to that only which is good, just, and honest. This liberty you are to stand for, with the hazard (not only of your goods, but) of your lives, if need be. Whatsoever crosseth this is not authority but a distemper thereof. This liberty is maintained and exercised in a way of subjection to authority; it is of the same kind of liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.”

In accordance to this paragraph, it is good to know that we the people can enjoy and presence the liberty rendered in this country. Of course, to have too much of one thing is never good. In this case, too much liberty can be detrimental to the order amongst people. People in general can end up doing more harm than good if too much liberty is rendered. Coming back to the point, it’s good to have liberty so long that there's order maintaining control.

As natural people, I have the freedom to do wherever it is good or bad but I disagree with Winthrop when he point out “I observe a great mistake in the country about that. There is a twofold liberty, natural (I mean as our nature is now corrupt) and civil or federal.” It is not this Country because it is good to be free. I think, it is not out natural because not all people are corrupt. Only some people take advantage of this power because they have the freedom to do wherever they want to do with their life. So, some individuals are making wrong decisions. For example, some people are using a lot of drugs and drinks. Consequently, they are committing crime. Some people are doing very well by themselves legitimate in the eye of God and authority.           

Benjamin Rush opposition to slavery

  Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) he was born near Philadelphia. He played a dramatic role in the early history of this country. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1760. He was a vigorous opponent of slavery and capital punishment, an advocate of better education for boy, girls and free public schools.

  "But let the young Negroes be educated in the principles of virtue and religion- let them be taught to read and write- and afterwards instructed in some business, whereby they may be made to limit the time of their servitude, and to entitle them to all the privileges of free-born British subjects. At any rate let retribution be done to God and to society."

  

  Benjamin Rush is elaborating the fact that slave trade is wrong and it must be stopped in order to abolish slavery in this country. People should be treated as human beings and the Negros should be given the opportunity to become educate. That is the Negros should be given the chance to learn to read and write. According to Rush slave trade is detrimental to the moral and natural world. He mentioned before, this form of business is not right because people are making profits in exchange of the suffrage of others.

  My reaction to the topic is that what Benjamin Rush point out “Husbands have been forced to prostitute their wives, and mothers their daughters, to gratify the brutal lust of a masters. This all this practiced- Blush- ye impure and hardened monsters, while I repeat it- by man who call themselves Christians!” I agree with Rush that slavery was morally wrong.

  slaves were denied human rights and were treated like property solely because of their skin color. Everyone is entitled to be protected by the human rights under the constitution.