Hey everyone,
Below are the Key Terms all of you came up with in discussion section. Feel free to add others! You should also check out the additional terms posted by Miles on 10/10/08.
Please remember that you will have to be very specific when defining any of these terms on the Unit Two exam--always relate the terms to the larger class objectives (i.e. the Latina/o experience)
-Isabel
p.s. You can also check out the terms and definitions from my other sections by clicking *Section B* and *Section C*
From Lecture:
[]- Globalization
From Discussion:
[]- Laissez-faire
[]- Anti-immigrant Discourse
[]- Xenophobia
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Discussion Questions for October 17, 2008
The Cuban Revolution began against Batista who took power by force. There were two separate movements during this revolution: student and rebel. Fidel Castro became the "undisputed" leader of Cuba in 1957 by a reporter of the New York Times. This caused four waves of Cuban exodus.
First Wave: 1959-1962
DISCUSSION: When did the revolution begin to define itself? What types of people left during the first wave (occupations, economic status)?
The Bay of Pigs attack created by Eisenhower and carried out by Kennedy failed. This caused those who were waiting into those who were escaping.
Second Wave: 1965- 1974
DISCUSSION: What were the groups of people leaving during this exodus? What became nationalized in 1968?
DISCUSSION: What is Operation Peter Pan and what were the people afraid?
Third Wave: 1980
Los Marielitos were the majority of the Cubans 125,000 exiting in 1980. These were young men, single or married, who disagreed with the government.
DISCUSSION: Name the ways these plantandos or ubermatos(spelling) were differents from the other exoduses.
Fourth Wave: 1994
Los Balseros (people on balsas {anything that will float}) exited in the Summer of 1994. These people, if caught by the coast guard, would be sent back to Cuba.
DISCUSSION: What was the name of this policy? What was the problem with sending them back to Cuba? What is the Migration Agreement?
First Wave: 1959-1962
DISCUSSION: When did the revolution begin to define itself? What types of people left during the first wave (occupations, economic status)?
The Bay of Pigs attack created by Eisenhower and carried out by Kennedy failed. This caused those who were waiting into those who were escaping.
Second Wave: 1965- 1974
DISCUSSION: What were the groups of people leaving during this exodus? What became nationalized in 1968?
DISCUSSION: What is Operation Peter Pan and what were the people afraid?
Third Wave: 1980
Los Marielitos were the majority of the Cubans 125,000 exiting in 1980. These were young men, single or married, who disagreed with the government.
DISCUSSION: Name the ways these plantandos or ubermatos(spelling) were differents from the other exoduses.
Fourth Wave: 1994
Los Balseros (people on balsas {anything that will float}) exited in the Summer of 1994. These people, if caught by the coast guard, would be sent back to Cuba.
DISCUSSION: What was the name of this policy? What was the problem with sending them back to Cuba? What is the Migration Agreement?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Triple Oppression
Examining the experiences of Chicana women within the movement was eye opening to me because it allowed me to realize the ways in which the experience of oppression for these women was multiplied on many different levels. Not only were these women experiencing the race and class oppression that emerged from their social and economic positions within the United States but they were suffering from the sexism both within their own organization and as women within American society at large.
Women in these communities who wished to take an active part in the struggles being fought were often regulatd to menial tasks within the organization. There own concerns regarding sexism and their unique positions as women in the United States and as women within the movement were often marginalized. This marginalizatin stemmed from a real and imagined fear of the oppressive influence of Anglo culture and power in the organization. This also seemed to stem from a fear of overshadowing what was perceived through the dominating male perspective of the movement as the greater struggles for racial and economic equality.
These issues and questions surrounding gender raise important questions. In my mind these issues raise the question of how political organizations centered on certain social identities can resolve the internal conflicts that arise when certain sub cultures and identities exist within a movement.
Women in these communities who wished to take an active part in the struggles being fought were often regulatd to menial tasks within the organization. There own concerns regarding sexism and their unique positions as women in the United States and as women within the movement were often marginalized. This marginalizatin stemmed from a real and imagined fear of the oppressive influence of Anglo culture and power in the organization. This also seemed to stem from a fear of overshadowing what was perceived through the dominating male perspective of the movement as the greater struggles for racial and economic equality.
These issues and questions surrounding gender raise important questions. In my mind these issues raise the question of how political organizations centered on certain social identities can resolve the internal conflicts that arise when certain sub cultures and identities exist within a movement.
Introduction
My name is Rachel Rogers, I am a fourth year student at the University of Michigan working towards a major in French, a minor in history and secondary teaching certifications from the School of Education. I love working with kids and young people and am passionate about educating them about our world, helping them grow and develop as people and develop critical thinking skills through the lenses of the subjects I study. I recently studied abroad in France and hope to return to that country for a period of time to work with children before settling into a high school or middle school teaching position in the United States. I find the content of this class interesting and relevant and hope to incorporate the insights I gain here into my teaching practice.
Key Terms
Here are 3 more Key Terms
Macroeconomics-- a broad study of economics that deals with the relationships between unemployment, inflation, national income, trade, etc... It studies these things to understand how the economy as a whole functions.
Ring of Brass-- John Jay's idea of fencing us in and everyone else out, similar to the proposed wall on the border between Mexico.
National Origins Act of 1924-- Act that instituted quotas that severely regulated immigration, excluded Asians, favored Western Europeans, but at the same time allowed did not regulate any Western Hemisphere migration.
Macroeconomics-- a broad study of economics that deals with the relationships between unemployment, inflation, national income, trade, etc... It studies these things to understand how the economy as a whole functions.
Ring of Brass-- John Jay's idea of fencing us in and everyone else out, similar to the proposed wall on the border between Mexico.
National Origins Act of 1924-- Act that instituted quotas that severely regulated immigration, excluded Asians, favored Western Europeans, but at the same time allowed did not regulate any Western Hemisphere migration.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Discussion Questions for 10/10
The Founding Immigrants
When studying immigration, we are forced to look at what types of immigrants were desired in the United States and what types were looked down on.
Discussion: What was John Jay’s “ring of brass”? And how does this relate to the recent immigration policy?
Rethinking the Last 200 Years of Immigration Policy
The early form of US immigration policy was that of Laissez Faire, or open door, allowing many immigrants into the US.
Discussion: What were some of the ways in which US policy changed leading to the gradual “closing” of the immigration door?
The immigration act of 1924, known as the National Origins Act, instituted the concept of quotas that severely regulated immigration.
Discussion: How did the creation of quotas reflect the types of immigrants that were favored? What types of immigrants were excluded? Subsequently, who was allowed in by passing this act?
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the system of quotas, but put a limit on immigration from the Western Hemisphere.
Discussion: Even though this act put a restriction on immigration from the Western Hemisphere, how did it also enable continued immigration from Latino countries?
Immigration; Economic Report of the President
Discussion: What are the arguments for letting more highly skilled immigrants in to the US? What are the arguments against this?
Discussion: What is the Presidents immigration plan? Do you agree with this? Why?
When studying immigration, we are forced to look at what types of immigrants were desired in the United States and what types were looked down on.
Discussion: What was John Jay’s “ring of brass”? And how does this relate to the recent immigration policy?
Rethinking the Last 200 Years of Immigration Policy
The early form of US immigration policy was that of Laissez Faire, or open door, allowing many immigrants into the US.
Discussion: What were some of the ways in which US policy changed leading to the gradual “closing” of the immigration door?
The immigration act of 1924, known as the National Origins Act, instituted the concept of quotas that severely regulated immigration.
Discussion: How did the creation of quotas reflect the types of immigrants that were favored? What types of immigrants were excluded? Subsequently, who was allowed in by passing this act?
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the system of quotas, but put a limit on immigration from the Western Hemisphere.
Discussion: Even though this act put a restriction on immigration from the Western Hemisphere, how did it also enable continued immigration from Latino countries?
Immigration; Economic Report of the President
Discussion: What are the arguments for letting more highly skilled immigrants in to the US? What are the arguments against this?
Discussion: What is the Presidents immigration plan? Do you agree with this? Why?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Puerto Rico
During the course of the class I have become very interested in learning about Latino politics, particularly Puerto Rican. I had heard of the difficulty of many minority groups becoming immersed into American Culture, but for some reason I repeatedly forgotten about the Puerto Ricans. Perhaps it was due to their proximity to the United States, but mostly likely it was because they are qualified as American citizens. That still has not made the road to acceptance any easier, as stereotypes continue to haunt them.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Discussion Questions for 10/3
Establishing An Identity
Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans were confronted by contradictory messages: on one hand, patriotism and democratic ideals; and on the other, exclusion from the justice, respect, dignity, and equality embedded in the ideology of Americanism and democracy.
Discussion: What type of exclusion is being referred to? How did they respond to these injustices?
Identity politics creates a binary vision of society, and contrasts the social, political, and occupational privilege of the dominant class as compared to the discrimination faced by the oppressed group.
Discussion: What are some of the strategies of identity politics? How did the oppressed class fight back?
Much of the early seventies activism of the Puerto Rican community was propelled by the various Puerto Rican student and youth organizations, like the Young Lords Party, which emerged in New York in the mid-1960’s
Discussion: How did the Young Lords Party begin? What did they call for? What actions did these groups do in order to push for social reform within the urban barrios?
El Plan de Aztlán
El Plan Espiritual de Aztlán sets the theme that the Chicanos (La Raza de Bronze) must use their nationalism as the key or common denominator for mass mobilization and organization.
Discussion: What was the reason for creating this? What were some organizational goals associated with this plan? How did they plan to carry these out?
I am Joaquin/ Notes from a Chicana “Coed”
These poems depict a difference in genders and varying attitudes among genders within the movement. Chicanismo- the ideology of cultural nationalism- was a gendered ideology, assigning different roles to the males and females within the movement.
Discussion: What were these varying ideologies? How did these ideologies manifest themselves within the movement?
Chicanas Speak Out
The oppression suffered by Chicanas is different from that suffered by most women in the country. Raza women suffered a triple form of oppression: as members of an oppressed nationality, as workers, and as women.
Discussion: What forms of oppression were the women confronted with? How did the male members react and respond to these injustices?
Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans were confronted by contradictory messages: on one hand, patriotism and democratic ideals; and on the other, exclusion from the justice, respect, dignity, and equality embedded in the ideology of Americanism and democracy.
Discussion: What type of exclusion is being referred to? How did they respond to these injustices?
Identity politics creates a binary vision of society, and contrasts the social, political, and occupational privilege of the dominant class as compared to the discrimination faced by the oppressed group.
Discussion: What are some of the strategies of identity politics? How did the oppressed class fight back?
Much of the early seventies activism of the Puerto Rican community was propelled by the various Puerto Rican student and youth organizations, like the Young Lords Party, which emerged in New York in the mid-1960’s
Discussion: How did the Young Lords Party begin? What did they call for? What actions did these groups do in order to push for social reform within the urban barrios?
El Plan de Aztlán
El Plan Espiritual de Aztlán sets the theme that the Chicanos (La Raza de Bronze) must use their nationalism as the key or common denominator for mass mobilization and organization.
Discussion: What was the reason for creating this? What were some organizational goals associated with this plan? How did they plan to carry these out?
I am Joaquin/ Notes from a Chicana “Coed”
These poems depict a difference in genders and varying attitudes among genders within the movement. Chicanismo- the ideology of cultural nationalism- was a gendered ideology, assigning different roles to the males and females within the movement.
Discussion: What were these varying ideologies? How did these ideologies manifest themselves within the movement?
Chicanas Speak Out
The oppression suffered by Chicanas is different from that suffered by most women in the country. Raza women suffered a triple form of oppression: as members of an oppressed nationality, as workers, and as women.
Discussion: What forms of oppression were the women confronted with? How did the male members react and respond to these injustices?
Reflection Post- The Young Lords Party
The growth of Puerto Rican nationalism had a profound effect upon the future of the United States. As immigrants, Puerto Ricans expected to uncover new opportunities and better opportunities in the United States. However, this was not the truth that they discovered. In fact, they found it hard to assimilate into the United States, both physically and geographically. Many saw a binary vision of society, the ruling class and the oppressed class. Puerto Rican immigrants fit right in with the oppressed class. To complicate matters, the United States did its best to force assimilation, yet a form of assimilation that involved all United States matters. Puerto Ricans were forced to "Americanize." There was to be no trace of Puerto Rican culture, both on the mainland US and back on the island of Puerto Rico. English was taught in schools. Puerto Rican history was replaced with American history in the schools. Economically, Puerto Rico also lost control. The economy shifted to a form of monocapitalism, where sugar ruled all.
Many Puerto Ricans saw this injustice and demanded change. These individuals were part of the Young Lords Party. After viewing the film in lecture, I have found the measures taken by this group to be dramatic. What the government could not provide, this party did. This included free breakfast programs among others. This party pushed for the advancement of Puerto Ricans. They pushed for better working conditions for Puerto Ricans. These individuals were the only individuals brave enough to stand up and fight against the injustice they faced. I admire their efforts. To be willing to do what they accomplished amid the threat of punishment or beating is simply remarkable. Their activity is one that should constantly be studied. In the Puerto Rican sense, these individuals were truly spectacular.
West Side Story
Overall I felt that the small clip we watched in lecture of the West Side Story was a clever depiction of what the Puerto Ricans were enduring at that time. It showed that they saw the United States as place were dreams came true and the land of possibilities and opportunities. Although the ignorant could have just seen the play as pure entertainment, those who know better truly get a sense of what life was like for the Puerto Ricans in the U.S. at that time. The song showed almost in a black and white image the positives and negatives of the Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. It gave the audience the sense that although there were plentiful opportunities in the U.S., there was no pride for Puerto Ricans there. If they wanted to live in peace they had to stay within their boundaries and keep to themselves. Because of this unfair, but true idea, it makes it hard for the viewer to choose what would be better- living in Puerto Rica with pride and equality everywhere, or living in the U.S. with more opportunities but more struggles.
Ultimately, West Side Story was a clever way to portray and exemplify the those times for the Puerto Ricans. It showed what they saw as positives and negatives for living in the U.S.
Reflection Post: Puerto Rican Obituary
Pedro Pietri's poem "Puerto Rican Obituary" touched me.
The poem really gives view into what conditions Puerto Ricans lived in within the city in the United States. Death is a huge central part of the poem, as the names Juan, Miguel, Milagros, Olga and Manuel are called out, as to sound like a piece of an actual obituary. More than that though, is that Pietri takes death as an outside entity. He claims Puerto Ricans were born dead and they died dead. The lines "All died yesterday today/and will die again tomorrow" really strike me. This death he speaks of I believe is this social injustice they expierience every day of their lives. All these Puerto Ricans have the same destiny, and sadly I think Pietri says that they will go nowhere. This poem also came unto me as a mock of the american dream. I have been taught several times in school that the United States is a land of opportunity, where anyone can be successful, etc... but here Pietri mocks this idea stating several times that his characters in his poem died dreaming of good lives or nice material pocessions, later going on to say that those dreams were "empty dreams" he really paints a clear picture of this gutter that Puerto Ricans are in, hoping that a lottery ticket will get them out of it, in the poem there is an overall feeling in lack of movement, dead ends, adding to the hopelessness of it all...there is sadness in how Puerto Ricans remain "dead" until they assimilate. What really made an impression on me as well was how there is not only tension between the anglos and Puerto Ricans, but also tension between themselves as Juan dies hating Miguel because Miguel's car was in better condition etc... it really shows how simple and basic these people's lives were and how as hard as they worked, they had nothing. It amazes and saddens me how people with such hard work ethic and full of hopes and dreams were so marginalized,exploited and silenced. I am glad that Pietri ends his poem on a slightly higher note, reassuring his audience that there is beauty in Puerto Ricans to be found... optimism is good, even if it is just a little bit... Pietri's poem is a beautiful work, his language is powerful and impacting and really opened my eyes to the hardships going on for Puerto Ricans in the US.
The poem really gives view into what conditions Puerto Ricans lived in within the city in the United States. Death is a huge central part of the poem, as the names Juan, Miguel, Milagros, Olga and Manuel are called out, as to sound like a piece of an actual obituary. More than that though, is that Pietri takes death as an outside entity. He claims Puerto Ricans were born dead and they died dead. The lines "All died yesterday today/and will die again tomorrow" really strike me. This death he speaks of I believe is this social injustice they expierience every day of their lives. All these Puerto Ricans have the same destiny, and sadly I think Pietri says that they will go nowhere. This poem also came unto me as a mock of the american dream. I have been taught several times in school that the United States is a land of opportunity, where anyone can be successful, etc... but here Pietri mocks this idea stating several times that his characters in his poem died dreaming of good lives or nice material pocessions, later going on to say that those dreams were "empty dreams" he really paints a clear picture of this gutter that Puerto Ricans are in, hoping that a lottery ticket will get them out of it, in the poem there is an overall feeling in lack of movement, dead ends, adding to the hopelessness of it all...there is sadness in how Puerto Ricans remain "dead" until they assimilate. What really made an impression on me as well was how there is not only tension between the anglos and Puerto Ricans, but also tension between themselves as Juan dies hating Miguel because Miguel's car was in better condition etc... it really shows how simple and basic these people's lives were and how as hard as they worked, they had nothing. It amazes and saddens me how people with such hard work ethic and full of hopes and dreams were so marginalized,exploited and silenced. I am glad that Pietri ends his poem on a slightly higher note, reassuring his audience that there is beauty in Puerto Ricans to be found... optimism is good, even if it is just a little bit... Pietri's poem is a beautiful work, his language is powerful and impacting and really opened my eyes to the hardships going on for Puerto Ricans in the US.
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