Monday, October 24, 2011

The Immigrant: The Stranger At Our Gate





Emigrant: "Can I come in?"
Uncle Sam: "I 'spose you can; there's no law to keep you out."

The Ram's Horn

What do you think this cartoon is showing? Where do you think the immigrant is from? What symbols do you see in this cartoon? Compare it to the poem on the Statue of Liberty we read yesterday.

The Statue of Liberty 

  
Library of Congress 

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mightywoman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

What is the United States'  position concerning immigration as depicted in Lazarus's poem? Use evidence from the poem to support your answer.
Please leave your comment below.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Native American Paintings


This is a painting by abstract expressionist Fritz Scholder, who was one fourth Native American. It is entitled "Heart Indian." Why do you think the painting is called that? Is "Heart Indian" like other images of American Indians you have seen? How is it the same? How is it different? I love the bright colors and bold brush strokes the artist uses. Here is another one of his paintings, titled "New Mexico No. 1."




Abstract expressionists do not try to paint things as they look, but instead try to give a feeling of something.
They use bright colors and bold strokes.

Compare the painting to the photograph of the New Mexican landscape, below.
How are they alike and different?


Please submit your Comment below. Be sure to include your name, section and date.

Friday, September 16, 2011

What Does Freedom Mean to You?

This week we learned about the failure of Reconstruction. The photo above illustrates how racial segregation became the law of the land. As part of your test today, I asked you to write about what freedom means to you. Read or listen to this story about what freedom meant to a freed worker, told by her granddaughter. How does her story compare to your definition of freedom? Please leave a Comment with your section and name.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Last week we learned about the early years of Reconstruction, when several programs were started to give help to newly freed African Americans. This cartoon shows the President kicking something down the stairs. What do you think this is? Why is he behaving this way? How will this action affect Reconstruction?