The main topic thus far in History class is the Westward expansion. I never really thought about why people wanted to move West. I'm sure alot of people had their reasons for why they chose to do so. However, the West had many advantages and disadvantages to offer. For example, money was a big issue and in life sometimes "money is everything".
Different areas did not obtain the same policies or laws like others. Many individuals looked for the beneficiaries of living, money and rights. Land grant acts were passed and many became overjoyed. The Homestead Act was established saying that certain settlers were offered 160 acres of land if they built a house and farmed for five years. Just like in today's society, "Buy one, get one half off" you think you are getting a bargain but you really are not.
Religious freedom is another advantage the West displayed. Many things were established over time such as, Methodists and Mormons. Sometimes religion tends to be a big part of peoples lives'. It is believed that many Catholics pick their President based on their plans and ideas as well as their religious beliefs. Religion in general, is your overall perspective on different issues.
Next, personal and political freedoms were also looked upon as a big factor. Women began to have more rights than usual. If so, why is it that men are paid more than women and yet they do the same work and have the same position? Even African Americans got a chance to have a voice. The West changed many policies in good ways as well as bad.
All in all, people moved to the West in hope of a better life. You hope for the best and maybe one day blessings will come your way. For instance, many people leave their homeland to get away for many different reasons such as poverty, slavery, and disrespect. You only get one life to live. In the words of Maria Robinson, "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending". Overall this is the way these people wanted and chose to live.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ku Klux Klan's History And Its Relevance to Today
As soon as Mrs. Garber began to discuss this issue I was automatically engaged in the topic. Instantly, I knew what my blog was going to be out. The Ku Klux Klan is a formed social group of Confederate Army veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee. It is obvious that "white superiority was the philosophy of the Klan". The group would usually use violence and terrorization of Blacks as a "means of exercising this philosophized superiority". Still today the KKK organization lives on. Recently, it is believed that the Ku Klux Klan endorsed Barack Obama because they felt that "anything or anyone is better than Hillary Clinton". Now, doesn't this sound odd if the group abhorred Blacks?
Many would hope that someone who is morally a good person would come along and try to put an end to these horrible actions that were occurring. Well, President Lyndon B. Johnson used the Federal Bureau of Investigation to probe the Ku Klux Klan and sent some Klan members to prison. Following this, Klan member ship fell to about 5,000 by the early 1970s. The action Johnson took did make somewhat a difference but, it didn't change everything. Soon something new would occur.
In June of 1995, Gary Christopher Cox and Timothy Welch (members of the Klan) admitted to burning down the Mount Zion AME Church in Greeleyville and the Macedonia Baptist Church in Bloomville. Both facing a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison. Next, five white teenagers were charged with setting a fire that destroyed a black church on July 6th, 1997. During the investigation it is believed that the teens attended a "White Knight of Alabama" rally held about two weeks before the incident. How could they be so careless to these people? What did they ever do?
They did not do anything wrong. Being a different skin color is not enough to assume these people were bad people. Secrecy is the number one component of the Klans. They do not believe in equality or respect evidently. The number of fires has arisen to more than 70 fires in August 2006. Today, the KKK seem to be a little more "hush hush" with their actions.
In addition, I feel very upset about the cruel events that these individuals displayed. Who are you to say you are "better" than anyone else? Who are you to take the lives of innocent people? Maybe one day soon the KKK group will be banned from having any more revivals and especially doing harm to anyone. All in all, I believe that if you have a problem with anyone then you should keep that to yourself instead of acting out because that shows you have a heart and you can be considerate. Like Martin Luther King stated, "Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time..."
Many would hope that someone who is morally a good person would come along and try to put an end to these horrible actions that were occurring. Well, President Lyndon B. Johnson used the Federal Bureau of Investigation to probe the Ku Klux Klan and sent some Klan members to prison. Following this, Klan member ship fell to about 5,000 by the early 1970s. The action Johnson took did make somewhat a difference but, it didn't change everything. Soon something new would occur.
In June of 1995, Gary Christopher Cox and Timothy Welch (members of the Klan) admitted to burning down the Mount Zion AME Church in Greeleyville and the Macedonia Baptist Church in Bloomville. Both facing a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison. Next, five white teenagers were charged with setting a fire that destroyed a black church on July 6th, 1997. During the investigation it is believed that the teens attended a "White Knight of Alabama" rally held about two weeks before the incident. How could they be so careless to these people? What did they ever do?
They did not do anything wrong. Being a different skin color is not enough to assume these people were bad people. Secrecy is the number one component of the Klans. They do not believe in equality or respect evidently. The number of fires has arisen to more than 70 fires in August 2006. Today, the KKK seem to be a little more "hush hush" with their actions.
In addition, I feel very upset about the cruel events that these individuals displayed. Who are you to say you are "better" than anyone else? Who are you to take the lives of innocent people? Maybe one day soon the KKK group will be banned from having any more revivals and especially doing harm to anyone. All in all, I believe that if you have a problem with anyone then you should keep that to yourself instead of acting out because that shows you have a heart and you can be considerate. Like Martin Luther King stated, "Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time..."
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Slavery In Today's Society
In US History I always seem to speculate about the issues on slavery and natural rights during our time of discussion. Many times I pondered on slavery and how people could be so cruel. The discussions we had made you think about the past, present, and future. I even thought about how many individuals' rights were violated and the kindness and compassion these people lacked. Are there slaves in different countries today?
There are many stories that state that slavery still occurs in today's world. For example, Miloslav Cermak, general manager at Snezka had eighty-two of seven hundred and fifty employees that were North Korean working for him. Policemen and many others felt that this was "state-imposed forced labor". Each Korean is being paid the right amount or "common salary for new employees". Is this situation justifiable or necessary?
No it is not. In addition, Dred Scott, an African-American slave who lived in the free state of Illinois and the free territory of Wisconsin's owner passed away and no more wages were given to Scott. Dred Scott appealed to the Supreme Court hoping he would be remitted his freedom. During this time slaves are not citizens of the United States. This situation of not being citizens sounds alot like illegal immigrants not being equal to "Americans" and not having natural rights.
Another issue is the Caribbean. Outlawed slavery practice continued for almost fifty years on some of the islands. Cruelty is still occurring and will always occur if nothing is being done. A Swedish woman was held captive for nine years suffering from multiple sclerosis in a small cabin in South-Central Sweden by a man . Clearly this man lacked kindness and compassion in his heart.
Finally, many people had their natural rights violated and there were illegal immigrants and slaves doing labor. America is not the only country that has or had slaves. Hopefully, brutality and inconsiderate situations come to an end. Overall, I feel that the United States as well as other countries could have handled everything differently during these rough times.
There are many stories that state that slavery still occurs in today's world. For example, Miloslav Cermak, general manager at Snezka had eighty-two of seven hundred and fifty employees that were North Korean working for him. Policemen and many others felt that this was "state-imposed forced labor". Each Korean is being paid the right amount or "common salary for new employees". Is this situation justifiable or necessary?
No it is not. In addition, Dred Scott, an African-American slave who lived in the free state of Illinois and the free territory of Wisconsin's owner passed away and no more wages were given to Scott. Dred Scott appealed to the Supreme Court hoping he would be remitted his freedom. During this time slaves are not citizens of the United States. This situation of not being citizens sounds alot like illegal immigrants not being equal to "Americans" and not having natural rights.
Another issue is the Caribbean. Outlawed slavery practice continued for almost fifty years on some of the islands. Cruelty is still occurring and will always occur if nothing is being done. A Swedish woman was held captive for nine years suffering from multiple sclerosis in a small cabin in South-Central Sweden by a man . Clearly this man lacked kindness and compassion in his heart.
Finally, many people had their natural rights violated and there were illegal immigrants and slaves doing labor. America is not the only country that has or had slaves. Hopefully, brutality and inconsiderate situations come to an end. Overall, I feel that the United States as well as other countries could have handled everything differently during these rough times.
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