Aida's US History

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Faces of America Review

The video we watched in class, Faces of America, was actually very interesting and informative. Even with the interviewer's blank face and lack of personality, I found the entire documentary very intriguing. The different celebrity ancestry was just a plus, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how their lives could have changed so drastically if their ancestors did not make the courageous decision to leave their homeland to join the American melting pot. It fascinates me how easily these people could have been living the same lives as the generations before them and be just as miserable. But now they were given the opportunity to thrive as an individual, and show their ancestors that they made the right decision to take that risk. I also thought it was kind of interesting that some of the ancestors to these celebrities, were also very successful for the time, or well known and accounted for their greatness (Such as Christina Yamaguchi's grandfather,Eva Longoria's rich family history in Texas, or Yo-Yo Ma's large family).
I think a "Nation of Immigrants" is something America really takes in pride. I feel like without all the outside help and information, we would never be the thriving community we are today. Immigrants truly have shaped America, and allowed it to grow industrially, economically, and intellectually. America is now more open-minded than it once was to such foreign things and people. There is still definitely some issues that need to be cleared, but for the most part we are growing as a group to accepting the different. Immigrants have helped America, but America has also obviously helped the immigrants. My family is from Iran, and I am a first generation American. I am constantly being told how difficult it was living there as a child, and that I should be grateful for everything that I have, which is so extremely true. I often think about how different and terrifying my life would be if I was a woman in Iran. I am so blessed to be in America, and am so thankful that my parents decided to change their lives and the lives of their children for the better.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Lester Frank Ward

Lester Frank Ward was man much ahead of his time. He was born on June 18, 1841 in Joliet, Illinois. He known by most people to be the Father of American Sociology. His family was not that wealthy, which gives him quite an edge now. He fought in the American Civil War as a Union soldier. Later he got college degrees in botany and law. He also worked for the federal government for quite some time. He is known for the Telesis theory, which is the use of the human mind to control any given situation and change evolution in our society. He also wrote many books such as: Dynamic Sociology in 1883, Psychic Factors in 1893, and Pure Sociology in 1903. Psychic Sociology showed how feelings, motives, and will in social affairs really work.

Ward believed that the social sciences gave humans the foundation for happiness. He thought science existed purely for the benefit of humans. He liked to think that humankind is not helpless. He was a very optimistic soul that really thought mankind had so much potential. "The people, through their government, could intervene in the economy and adjust it to serve their needs." He also believed that the reason why humans are separated from nature is because we were given a mind. He opposed Social Darwinism completely. Especially the work of Herbert Spencer. He did truly admire Spencer, but thought he lost track of his beliefs when applying the ideas to a political setting. I really enjoy Ward's optimism in all his beliefs and theories. He really did see things with a modern viewpoint, which is refreshing to see from a historical being.

LINKS:

http://www2.asanet.org/governance/LesterWard.html

http://www.cityofjoliet.com/halloffame/scientists/lesterfward.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/635784/Lester-Frank-Ward

http://www.nndb.com/people/916/000165421/

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Native American Mascots

Aida Moradi

Mascots are used in all sorts of events, especially sports related. There are many different images, symbols, and meanings to these mascots. Native American mascots seem to be the most controversial of the bunch. There is much opposition to the usage of anything related to Native Americans for mascots now. People used to just trample over the feelings of Native Americans, but now many changes have been made to not offend the Natives. There is a small group that supports the Native American mascots. I believe we should all just forget about using race as a symbol and use things that have no chance of being offended, like plants and animals.

Many Native American are obviously offended by these false images of their people and the way they live. They believe it spreads insensitivity and misunderstanding about their culture. They are also offended that they are the only race being ridiculed. It is a double standard that African Americans, Asian Americans, etc. don’t have mascots because it is culturally understood that that is offensive and racist. It wasn’t until 1978 that it became legal for Native Americans to practice their religion. But non-Natives can prance around using sacred objects mimicking Indians at sports events. In Massachusetts, there are teams that burn an Indian figure the night before a game for good luck. This is an extremely offensive and vulgar thing for people to do. Some students dress up in “traditional” Indian clothing and perform a dance routine that has no relevance to a powwow. An actual Native American man said, “This is no honor. We lost our land, we lost our languages, and we lost our children. Proportionally speaking, indigenous peoples (in US) are incarcerated more than any other group, we have more racial violence perpetrated upon us, and we are forgotten. If people think this is how to honor us, then colonization has really taken hold.” This very true statement is heartbreaking in a way. People are very ignorant to the Native American culture. People who are even partially Native American get offended with things like name calling. A partial Native American man had an African American acquaintance who constantly called him "chief." Thinking he didn't know better, he decided to tell the man he was offended by this term. The African American was unmoved and continued to do it. This just shows that it isn't just the white people offending Native Americans, but the United States as a whole. It is appalling.
There are the rare few that actually support the Native American mascots and symbols. They believe it focuses on their bravery, courage and fighting skills instead of anything derogatory. They believe the mascots are respectful and full of honor to Native American people. Karl Swanson, the Vice President of the Washington Redskins believes their teams name represents "courage, dignity, and leadership. Redskins symbolizes the greatness and strength of a grand people." In my opinion, I think that is a bunch of bologna to try and seem like they care about the Natives, when all they really want is just to use the name.

The United States is slowly trying to change things for the Natives so they aren't offended. In the 1960s the National Congress of American Indians created a campaign to end negative Native American stereotyping in the media. Cartoons and movies were a partial focus, but the most popular were the mascots. Luckily many of the team names and mascots have been changed to not offend the Natives. Up until spring 2001, Parsippany High School were known as the Redskins. Before a game, a team member would carry an eagle feather spear replica and throw it into the ground for good luck. Another ludicrous "tradition" done by many teams. Their mascot was Chief Wahoo in a red and white feathered headdress along with fringed pants. But finally the United States Commission on the Civil rights issued its recommendation to end the horribly offensive Native American mascots. I just think people are very insensitive when it comes to these things and don't care very much unless it is directed towards them. It is sad to see that our country is extremely hypocritical in how it shows "equal." It is obvious the whites take the lead, and that will never really change. It is so set in our systems, that no matter how hard we try sensitize, whites will always find their way back on top. It is unfair, and cruel, but it is how our society works.