”The Ballot or Bullet” , Malcolm X

     

        In the speech “The Ballot or Bullet” by Malcolm X,  I found the quote “All of us have suffered here, in this country, political oppression at the hands of the white man, economic exploitation at the hands of the white man, and social degradation at the hands of the white man.” interesting because it shows how much African Americans suffered throughout their life, that they feel like the have no power and that white are superior since they get more advantages than a black man. Malcolm X says that their American dream is not a dream anymore, it's a nightmare because the time black people have spent in America, they were not equals, treated as second class citizens unwanted by the society they had no choice but to live in.The American dream promised them freedom, the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. They were treated brutally and unfairly which wasn’t a part of the American dream.

Blog Post 2: The Atlantic

            A quote that intrigued me the most in The Atlantic article, is when the author wrote, ‘America is coming to be, not a nationality but a trans- nationality, a weaving back and forth, with the other lands, of many threads of all sizes and colors.’ I can connect to this quote because being American is not a nationality in my point of view, rather a mixture of nationality including immigrants like my parents. Immigrants that have shed sweat, blood and tears to make what this country is today. According to the melting pot theory ‘individuals from various cultures come to America and contribute aspects of their culture to create a new unique American culture’, in other words cultural assimilation of immigrants to become American. The article quotes that ‘we are all foreign-born or the descendants of foreign-born’, and that is true because there is true American identity, even early colonists had no intentions in adopting the culture of American Indians. Early colonists came to American in hopes of a better life and opportunities of fortune, escape from the chaos of the old world. Just like today immigrants and refugees beyond the American border are coming in for the same reason colonists were coming in for centuries ago. Escape from war, danger and hopes for jobs that offer a better income for living, education and mainly freedom. America is home to many immigrants of various ethnicities, nationalities, and races.

Blog Post 1

               In the lecture on Aristotle’s theories, what intrigued me most was when Aristotle arguement against Plato’s definition of an oligarchy and democracy government being ruled by few and many, however ‘since the few are almost always the wealthy, and the poor are many, Aristotle argues for an economic definition of these ideas: oligarchy is rule by the rich, and democracy is rule by the poor.’ I agree with this claim because I can relate to this and I know many others who aren’t wealthy or have an abundance in currency can agree too. Aristotle’s theory influences today’s political and economic layout, because we the people participate and have a voice in our leaders, presidents, mayors and senetors. We, the majority have the right to vote for representation in the office. If this wasn’t possible we would have presidents who favor the wealthy class, the wealthy would be exempt from paying taxes. I agree that the class struggle is permanent and we can only contain it, it is hardly ever that majority miraculously become wealthy. That’s why there are so many programs today to help the middle class such SNAP/food stamps/WIC, Medicaid, welfare, financial aid, and housing assistance. Without Aristotle’s contribution to government, our society would suffer.