Brown v. Board of Education

Many years ago, black and wrote couldn't mix. As many of you may know, back in the old time, America viewed black people as a piece of property, therefore, they were forbidden from many things. As time goes by, things got much better but even so, when blacks were allowed to do certain things in public, they were segregated. Even though, they were able to do these things, they were treated inferior to the whites, so they kept them away as way to not spoiled them. They had a saying "segrated but equal" trying to convince people that black people were equal to white people but blacks were treated terrible. During the early stage of civil rights movement (1950s), the board of education was challenged in the case of Brown v. Board of Education

  This case is about a kid who wanted to go to a certain school and this school refused because of her skin color. Her parent and the community took it to the distance and challenge this decision in which the court decided in their favor. They found that an earlier case "Plessy v. Furgenson" which allowed segregation of school by race to be unconstitutional. They overturned that earlier case and unanimously favored the desegregation of school.

  I chose this case because I feel like it has a huge importance on today's society. Imagine living in a world that was still segregated by race? Over the years, we've Learn a lot of different valuable things from the opposite race. Has segregation of race was still a huge thing, things would have been different. This case was a huge steps during the civil rights movement. It was a huge accomplishment, As it made it possible for blacks to go to the same school as the whites. The reason why it was huge for black people is because those schools were usually top school. During segregation time, things favored the whites. Black kids were sent to the worst schools once the country while the  whites were favored to go to top schools. Nowadays, we live in a time that segregation is only done by wealth. The top schools are so expansive that certain class can't afford the schools and they end up going to the lower school. Segregation still exists, it's just being done differently.

Unit 8

"Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze – a corporate culture rife with inside dealing, questionable accounting practices, and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many. And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns – this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding"

 First of, I must start by saying that Obama is one of the most represented man on earth. He is one of the many that I look up to, not just for his way of doing politics but also for his ways of thinking as a man. He is just an amazing speaker, a great man and such an intelligent person on many different level. In this particular section of Obama's speech, AMERICA's biggest problem lay there. The question of race has been a huge problem in America and we seem to stuck in there because we look past the real problem. As we can see in this quote, Obama is saying, that it doesn't matter what race you belong to, we must unite and come together and fight for what is right. It is true that black people's anger toward the past doesn't change the fact that we are suffering, it true that white people's ignorance also doesn't change it. One thing we must agree on is the fact that we live in a society that the middle class which consists of black and white folks are usually the one suffering. Politicians are dirty and greedy. In politics, we have a bunch of greedy lobbyists who only see their own interest and will push a candidate that we will make sure their dream is complete. Politicians always make certain choice that benefits a few over many others. Obama believed that all these things play a huge part in dividing society when it comes to race instead of trying to understand each  other. 

   I chose this portion of the speech because I live in the best State on earth which is New York States. Living here comes with a lot of challenge and I understand. Living in New York, you get to be around all difference ethnicity groups, and that's the beauty of it. In order to live here, you must accept one race which is the human race. I am not saying that we do not have ignorant people around, because I've seen it but living in New York have made it so much better to cope with those problems. My goal is to see all race come together and work for what is right. I am not saying black people should forget about their past, all I am saying is we should look back at the past and at least try not be victim of the past. By that I mean, look at what we've been through and take what's good of it and bring it to this day so we can work for great things to come. I believe the human race can be in a better place but it will take a lot of work. We need to work together.

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is something that I've always been very skeptical about. Gerrymandering is a process that is being used by our government to manipulate votes. This manipulate the electoral process in which it always favor a particular political party. Gerrymandering is key in keeping a state either republican or democrat. Many people might wonder why is it s hard for certain state to switch during election's time but it's not that easy, gerrymandering make sure that it isn't done easily. This process devise districts and give extra seats to some states or some area base on how it is devised.

Me personally, I do not support this move became I think, as a result of gerrymandering, the people are sometimes being misrepresented. Gerrymandering happens in a way that sometimes the people from the poor area usually gets less representatives which means that their voices aren't really being heard as it should.

Unit 7

   "Citizens, your fathers made good that resolution. They succeeded; and to-day you reap the fruits of their success. The freedom gained is yours; and you, therefore, may properly celebrate this anniversary. The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation’s history — the very ring-bolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny."

  Throughtput this public letter by Frederick Douglass, he made a lot of point pointing to the celebration of July 4th. This letter, many can say is a denial of the invitation that was sent to him to deliver a speech during a July 4th celebration. Many may ask, why deny such opportunity? In this letter, Douglass outlined all the reason why that American should be happy to celebrate July 4th and at the same time he raised any questions. Also in this letter, we can say that he doesn't believe that July 4th should be celebrated by certain groups of people. As the title suggested "what is July 4th to slaves"? Also  as a black man, he felt like America isn't his home as he is referriring to America as "your" instead of "our" to the people. In this letter, many people might argue that Douglass strongly believe that July 4th shouldn't be celebrated by black people or people who descendends of slaves. The fact being that, during July 4th 1776 no slaves were free, he felt that black people shouldn't celebrate this holiday. 

  Many might ask why did I choose this controversial topic. The fact of the matter that it is controversial is the main reason why I chose it. I personally love controversial topics and I feel like it's always a good time to discuss important issue. Do I personally think that July 4th shouldn't be celebrate by black people? NO NO! That is ridiculous! That's the main problem in today's society, we are too selfish! Instead of looking at the past and make compromise in order to better our future, we look back and use it as a way to distant ourselves from certain thing. I think during July 4th, whatever race you belong to, and whatever you believe in, we should come together as one race, the human race and celebrate together. Yes, I understand many people might frustrated about the past, but it doesn't change the future! The present is what change the future. So let's look at the past, learn from it, focus on the present to better our future. Happy early July 4th to everyone! 

Unit 6

"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it."

Many people call themselves antigovernment, for the sole reason that they believe everytime government is involve, things usually go wrong. This quote is implying how people should see the government. Instead of calling yourself anti-government and tend to oppose anything that government put in please, such should look for ways to help better our government. In this quote, Thoreau is implying that even though he condemn a lot of things that the government does, he is t anti-government. He wants a better government, a government that will listen to its people and do rights for the people and by the people. A government that is literally govern by the people. 

I pick this quote because I've came across a lot of people who oppose the government, especially in my home land, Haiti. Haitian politics is very complicated, only a small portion of the population make their ways to the poll when its election time. But, when the government that is in place isn't doing what the opposition think is right, they go on riots. History always repaeats itself. I've seen it happens all the time. Let's take the current president of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, for example. During the election, less than 1.5millions people went to the poll, and he ended up winning the election by less than 1 million votes, in a country that has a population of 10+ millions. Now that he is president, every week there is a demonstration on the street. To me, it's just crazy how so many people refuse to go to the poll and then call themselves anti-government. A country cannot function with a full, And honest government 

UNIT 5

"And now, Mr. President, I draw these observations to a close. I have spoken freely, and I meant to do so. I have sought to make no display. I have sought to enliven the occasion by no animated discussion, nor have I attempted any train of elaborate argument. I have wished only to speak my sentiments, fully and at length, being desirous, once and for all, to let the Senate know, and to let the country know ,the opinions and sentiments which I entertain on all these subjects. These opinions are not likely to be suddenly changed. If there be any future service that I can render to the country, consistently with these sentiments and opinions, I shall cheerfully render it. If there be not, I shall still be glad to have had an opportunity to disburden myself from the bottom of my heart, and to make known every political sentiment that therein exists."

 Sometimes, in life, it is very hard to come forward and let everyone knows how you are truly feeling. Sometimes in politics, politicians will say they think are politically correct, but not exactly what they really want to say. In this quote, we are seeing a senotor who is really passionate about airing out his opinion. This senotor is reassuring the people of how wrong he personally feel like slavery was. He knows that when it comes to this issue, there was a big difference between the north and the south, he just doesn't seems to understand as to why so. Why must the country be so divided on something that is so wrong in the eyes of the people? As northerner, of course, he believe slavery was totally wrong since majority of northerner ap posed slavery. And also, he knows that opinions may change sometimes, he acknowledged that. His won't change anytime soon, unless for the right reasons. Maybe if someone comes to him with all 100% reasons as to why slavery was right, then maybe, his opinion may change. Untill such a thing happens, his opinion remain.

 The reason why I chose to discuss this specific part of the speech is mainly because can sense his passion. His passion to air out his opinion instead of just being politically correct. His main focus during the speech was making sure that whoever is listening to him during such speech, know that slavery was wrong. He focused on that, and I personally think he did a great job. Sure, many people might feel different, but his job was to make sure that they hear his opinion. And he made it clear that he didn't want his voice to be heard just as a northerner but as an American who wants what's best for the people. 

UNIT 4

"In a democracy, no one person should wield so much power for so long. Article III of the Constitution provides that federal judges “shall hold their offices during good behaviour.” In practice this language means they serve for life absent voluntary retirement or impeachment. Were we to draft the Constitution today, we would be wise to reconsider this provision."
  
  Democracy? Something to think about. Is there democracy in the United States of America? We advocate for democracy all over the world, but do we follow the same path? It's clear to me that this quote is actually questioning our democracy. In the US, Supreme Court judges serve a life term in power. This quote is challenging such provision. Why do we give so much power to some people if we claim to be in a democracy? In democracy, it's okay for one to wield power but not for so long. This quote is question whether or not we are actually a democracy of let someone hold power for so long. Supreme Court judges are very powerful in this country. As time changes, judges should change also. This quote is suggesting that our leaders take a look at our constitution and try to make a wise decision when it comes to this topic. No one should be in power for life if we want to be consider as a democracy. Calling on the government to make a wise decision and reconsider such provision.

  I chose this quote because for so long, I've been wanting to see hat provision changes. Me personally, I never understand why we let any position rule for so long if we claim to be a democracy, to me that's dictatorship. Some people went as far as saying that judges should serve an 18 years term, nothing wrong with that. In my own eyes, I think the maximum term for a Supreme Court judge should be 20 years,  solely because I want gen to experience different government so they do not favor a specific political party. We want judges to be as conservative as possible. The main purpose of a judge should be to do what's right for the people, but it's really hard to find that. Nowadays, we live in a society where everything is political. People in power only want to put other people like them next to them. The government is soft nowadays and they are afraid of criticism. My only problem with the life term is the fact that once these judges make a decision, it's really hard to come back and get a different opinion  but if we have different judges every 15-20 years, I feel like our country could have been a lot different for better or worse. I want to say we live in a democracy but I don't believe it. A lot of things we do, do not correlates with Democracy. I'll leave you with one simple question, if we live in a democracy, why are we still using the electoral college ststem to elect president? Something to thing about!
   

Unite 3

"THE UTILITY OF THE UNION TO YOUR POLITICAL PROSPERITY THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THE PRESENT CONFEDERATION TO PRESERVE THAT UNION THE NECESSITY OF A GOVERNMENT AT LEAST EQUALLY ENERGETIC WITH THE ONE PROPOSED, TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS OBJECT THE CONFORMITY OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION TO THE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT ITS ANALOGY TO YOUR OWN STATE CONSTITUTION and lastly, THE ADDITIONAL SECURITY WHICH ITS ADOPTION WILL AFFORD TO THE PRESERVATION OF THAT SPECIES OF GOVERNMENT, TO LIBERTY, AND TO PROPERTY

This quote is laying out the main purpose as to why the Federalist Papers were written. "The Federalist Papers" were a series of letters written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, in which they urge the states to vote in favor of the ratification of the Constitution which they believe would unify the government. The constitution needed to ratify because the federal government felt like it would be better for the Union. The urgency to ratify the old constitution which many people call "The Articles of Confederation"came after many leaders felt like the states might have too much power, so things needed to change for the better of the Union. The Articles of Confederation literally gave power to the States because they were able to act as independent as they want to be. The Federal government was know to be the last resort in all cases. In this case, the federal government could not levy taxes to the States. It came to the attention of the federal government that they need to ratify this "constitution". this bring us to the "The Federalist Papers" in which these  three great leaders;Madison, Hamilton, and Jay felt like it was in the best interest to write a series of letters, 85 to be exact to the states in order to urge them that it will be in the nest interest of the Union to vote in favor of the New Constitution, which will give more power to the Union. In these letter they argued that it not only would the new proposed system save the Union but it would also empower the Union in order to act in the best interest of the country. And the new Proposed system had a clear vision of creating a power where we can say the government were equal, as the federal government power was limited and also the system would prootect States' rights. The Federalist Papers play a huge role in today's society because have these leaders have not written those letters, things could have turned out very different and this system would have been different for better or worse. All we can do is wonder, WHAT IF!

Many people might ask why i chose this quote in particular. My main reason is the fact that it correlates to real life. As we can see in this papers, a few people got together to urge others to do what was right for "THE PEOPLE". All they wanted was Unity and unity is what they got. This brings me to my conclusion, and i would conclude with a series of questions, hopefully i can get some answers. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE USE THE SAME MIND SET TO SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WE FACE IN SOCIETY IN MODERN DAYS? DO WE STILL HAVE THESE OF LEADERS IN THE GOVERNMENT TODAY? WHY ARE SO DIVIDED AS A COUNTRY WHEN WE HAVE PROVE THAT UNITY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED? As an extra, in the future, i will write a blog, answering these three questions with my own opinion. And i encourage the class to discuss  some of the issues we face today in society. 

UNIT TWO

     “The early colonists came over with motives no less colonial than the later. They did not come to be assimilated in an American melting pot. They did not come to adopt the culture of the American Indian. They had not the smallest intention of ‘giving themselves without reservation’ to the new country. They came to get freedom to live as they wanted to. They came to escape from the stifling air and chaos of the old world; they came to make their fortune in a new land.”

  America is known to be the land of the free, and that alone is a huge reason as to why many people have migrated here. To me, this quote is laying out the main reasons many people have come to America. Analayzing this quote, it seems like the immigrants did not come here to get a hand out. They mainly come here because they’ve heard the phrases “you can be whomever you want to become in America”. These people migrated to America in search of a better life. A lot of people who migrated to the United States were trying to escape misery from their homeland. Freedom is something that you can barely get in a lot of country around the world, but as they say here in America, freedom is free. So these people come here to get such freedom. They want to live as they wanted to, like all human should live, to be able to provide them with certain needs such as the needs to survive; which includes food, shelter, many countries cannot provide these needs to their citizens. On top of everything, their main goal was to come here and their fortune in this new and beautiful land. People migrated with the culture and the beauty of it is the fact that they had no intention of adopting another one. This diversity in America is what makes America such a great country. 

  I chose this passage because I can relate to it. I am an immigrant myself, I am a Haitian-American citizen. I came to the United States when I was 16, not to escape misery but to look for more opportunities. Growing up in Haiti, I’ve seen it all, I’ve seen people suffer and I’ve seen people live happy with a fortune. I was lucky enough to fall in the middle. As an immigrant, my main purpose here in the United States is to get the best Education and learn as much as I can, hopefully “make a fortune on the new land” and go back home and help other people get a great education and also “make a fortune on the  OLD land”. I pick this quote not only because I can relate, but honestly I think the Entire class can relate to it. Even if you were born here, your parents might have not. Or you have a friend or someone around you who have come to America simply to live a better life. 
  

Despite Negativity, Americans Mixed on Ideal of Gov't

“- Americans have divided opinions when asked to think broadly about the purpose of government. About as many Americans (35%) prefer an activist government that tries in every way to improve the lives of its citizens as prefer a government that provides only the most basic government functions (37%), with the rest placing themselves between these two positions.“

   In my point of view, this quote is actually describing the problem we face today in America, as a society; division. After reading this article written by Frank Newport, it has come to my senses that we are still living in a pretty divided socity. When it comes to what government Americans really want, it is never clear as to which one the people prefer. This quote also shows us how the people are divided on the idea of goverment’s purpose. A lot of people feel like the government should just function as a government that provides the basic needs for its citizens, in my point of view that would be Education, Food, Healthcare,Security, etc.... There is another group who feels like the govervenment should be more involve in trying to improve the lives of the citizens by making sure they are doing the right things to better their life. And there is a group  that just fall in the middle. This group believes that the government should provide the basic needs for its citizens and at the same time, the government should do everything to improve the lives of the citizens.

I chose this quote because I’ve had multiple experiences with people on all the sides. Throughout my life, I’ve met many different people, and all of them feel different about the government. Many of them also believe that it is the government’s responsibility to do each and everything for them. They believe that the government should take care of their problems and they should do minimal work. I disagree with most of their beliefs but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. The main reason why I chose this quote is because it outlines how great America have always been. How? This quote proves to us that no matter which side you fall on, America is still for you. Yes, it is okay to have different view when it comes to the government, yes, we can all say the government isn’t doing the right thing. But, at the end of the day, we can all talk about it and understand each other. The fact that we can be so divisive when it comes to the function of the government and still be able to have a great, peaceful debate is my main reason to choose this quote. I just wanted to remind everyone that no matter what side you fall on, we all want what’s best for us and the people.