For this chapter the thesis seems to be the question that Zinn asks in the first paragraph, “How did it [racism] start?” This seems to be the guiding question that dictates the rest of the chapter. Throughout the chapter Zinn tells of how the slaves were imported and how the white slave owners used rewards and different punishment for the white servants to differ the blacks from the whites. Zinn’s argument seems that racism is manufactured and that it was brought about to control the slaves and the indentured servants.
Zinn’s chapter is well organized and used the source material well. Throughout the peace Zinn explained how “the color line was drawn” and uses documents from the period to back up his claims. Zinn shows how that when Africans were imported to be slaves there was not such racism as there is today but because the wealthy white land owners feared an upraise from all of the workers (black slaves and as well as white servant) that they manufactured differences in what privileges the whites got and the types of punishments the blacks received.
I believe that Zinn’s argument is very interesting and well put together. Before reading this chapter I never really thought about how the world became raciest. Before reading this selection I just had a belief that the original blacks were discriminated against because they looked different, but after reading this it seems more that they were treated poorly so that they would work for the land owners with little resistance.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Takaki-Chapter 2
I think the Thesis is "[t]his play [The Tempest] was first presented in London in 1611, a time when the the English were encountering what they viewed as strange inhabitants in new lands." this seems to be the thesis because for most of the chapter Takaki speaks about the similarity between the play and the real world surrounding England.
Throughout the article Takaki argues that Shakespeare used his play to show what was going on in the world surrounding him. Takaki also explains the similarities between the Irish and the Native Americans and the similarities of what the English did to both civilizations.
The evidence in this chapter was well presented and was well organized. The information in this selection was captivating. The author backed up his ideas with facts and his point was well presented.
I think that this chapter is very interesting in the way that Takaki compares the works of Shakespeare and the events unfolding in the “new world.” I found the reading very interesting and informative. I really liked the use of quotes from journal entries of the generals of the armies that marched against the natives, I think that these gave good insight to why these men believed what they were doing was right. Now most people believe that what happened to the Native Americans was a terrible injustice and can’t understand why humans would do this to their fellow man, but the quotes give great insight to why the English believed they were entitled to the land.
Throughout the article Takaki argues that Shakespeare used his play to show what was going on in the world surrounding him. Takaki also explains the similarities between the Irish and the Native Americans and the similarities of what the English did to both civilizations.
The evidence in this chapter was well presented and was well organized. The information in this selection was captivating. The author backed up his ideas with facts and his point was well presented.
I think that this chapter is very interesting in the way that Takaki compares the works of Shakespeare and the events unfolding in the “new world.” I found the reading very interesting and informative. I really liked the use of quotes from journal entries of the generals of the armies that marched against the natives, I think that these gave good insight to why these men believed what they were doing was right. Now most people believe that what happened to the Native Americans was a terrible injustice and can’t understand why humans would do this to their fellow man, but the quotes give great insight to why the English believed they were entitled to the land.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
About me!
Hi I'm Sara, I'm 19 years old and I'm a Biology/pre-vet major at Bowling Green State University. This is my sophomore year here and excited to get the year going and get back in the swing of things. Last year was the RSA rep for my hall and I'm hoping to get elected again this year. I'm from Alavda Ohio, which is a small town near Findlay.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Columbus
These Arawaks of the Bahama Islands were much like Indians on the mainland, who were remarkable for their hospitality, their belief in sharing. These traits did not stand out in Renaissance Europe, dominated as it was by the religion of popes, the government of kings, the frenzy for money that marked Western civilization and its first messenger to the Americas, Christopher Columbus.
The author’s argument seems to be that Christopher Columbus is misrepresented in history. Howard Zinn provides the evidence that most of what we learned about Columbus is only half truths. Zinn explains how Columbus and his crew exploited the hospitality of the native people. He then explains how another author only mentions Columbus’ cruel actions as almost a footnote.
Although Columbus did do some awful things to the native people it was believed at the time that these were “lesser” people much because they were unashamed of their nakedness and because their culture was different then what Columbus and his men understood. It is also possible that the explorers may have believed that the native people would attack them if they showed a great deal of weakness. The men may have felt threatened by the mass numbers of natives that they encountered in their travels. It is possible that they felt a need to show their amount of power and their willingness to use force in an effort to maintain order.
I feel that Zinn’s argument is quite valid. I believe that it is absurd that in this country we celebrate a man who discovered his neighbor’s backyard and brought them nothing but disease, slavery, and death. Columbus stole the land and all it had to offer. Although Columbus did have a brilliant idea of a round earth what he did to the people he found on his journey was inhumane. Columbus should be credited with the first attempt to travel around the world, but as for him being the discoverer of America, one cannot discover a land that already has inhabitants.
The author’s argument seems to be that Christopher Columbus is misrepresented in history. Howard Zinn provides the evidence that most of what we learned about Columbus is only half truths. Zinn explains how Columbus and his crew exploited the hospitality of the native people. He then explains how another author only mentions Columbus’ cruel actions as almost a footnote.
Although Columbus did do some awful things to the native people it was believed at the time that these were “lesser” people much because they were unashamed of their nakedness and because their culture was different then what Columbus and his men understood. It is also possible that the explorers may have believed that the native people would attack them if they showed a great deal of weakness. The men may have felt threatened by the mass numbers of natives that they encountered in their travels. It is possible that they felt a need to show their amount of power and their willingness to use force in an effort to maintain order.
I feel that Zinn’s argument is quite valid. I believe that it is absurd that in this country we celebrate a man who discovered his neighbor’s backyard and brought them nothing but disease, slavery, and death. Columbus stole the land and all it had to offer. Although Columbus did have a brilliant idea of a round earth what he did to the people he found on his journey was inhumane. Columbus should be credited with the first attempt to travel around the world, but as for him being the discoverer of America, one cannot discover a land that already has inhabitants.
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