Protest Music

Protest music was known to be very popular. A lot of artists were against segregation, war, laws, and the government. Protest music from back then, African American artists wrote the song "When Will We Be Paid [For The Work We've Done]". It was about wanting peace between all races and that they should be given a better life for all that they have done for everyone. The song shows the lives of "low-class" African Americans, including slavery and the horrors they went through. Protest music is still being made until this day. A band named System of A Down made a song named "BYOB". It was basically about the government staying back, and "partying", enjoying their life while they send "the poor" to fight in the wars they start. The song blamed the government for doing nothing. 

Protest music could bring many agreeing people together and could even convince them to argue for what they desire. 

Power After the Children's March

   Power is usually a very hard thing to posses. Fear is basically in everyone. In school, students listen to their teachers, and people follow the laws. People even want laws to be changed. When people want power to change a law, they can come together and, like the negro kids in the Children's March, they can show no fear, but instead, fight along side each other without violence. Power can be gained in numbers. If you want to work to stop something or change something, you can work with a lot of people that agree with you, and will be willing to show no fear in arguing and fighting, non-violently, for what they really want. I think that power is a huge thing. Even children can create it. If i could have the amount of power that the negro children had the day of the Children's March, i would work to change a lot of things.

What is "Un-American"?

   The term, "Un-American", can be very hard to define. Some say that Un-American means to do horrible crimes, while others can say that it means to do something that is not done in america. 

   A lot of things that people do can be "Un-American". People also seem to think that, only, bad things that others do, is Un-American. But there are many reasons something can be considered un-american. A lot of religions were not started in America. Christianity was started way back in the past, before America was founded. It just so happens that the Pledge of Allegiance has "God" in it. In some religions, there are arranged marriages. In America, anyone is free to marry who ever they want.  Also, cannibalism can be un-american. No one in America, unless they are beyond crazy, eats people for the heck of it. Lastly, it can be un-american just to mind your own business. In other words, no one minds their own business in America. 

   Ultimately, "Un-American" is a difficult topic. Anyone in America has the right to speak freely, and because of this, anyone can say anything is un-american. 

Lap 7 Project Blog

   The project was finished fast and was very easy. We had good process in order to get the project done as fast as we did. We used the checklist attached to the "super important" email and split the sections up for each person. I was given one or two slides and everyone else had the same amount of slides. Because two slides does not take a long time to do, four people getting six to eight slides done, made the project much easier. My group handled their work well.
   The government's interaction with business was to help get them out of debt. The Stimulus Package was meant to stimulate the economy and get more jobs for the unemployed. The government hoped for businesses to not fail. The failures of the Plan were financial issues, social issues, and economic issues. The plan did get more jobs for people, but unfortunately not enough.
 

Differences in Life. Today vs. The Past

   Life was completely different in various ways back then, compared to today. People back then, danced differently. The Charleston was the most popular dance and would be considered as weird and funny today. In these times there is a popular dance known as the "Dougie." Genres of music was also different. Jazz and the Blues was the most popular music that people listened to in the 30s. Today, people listen to R&B and Rock. A popular song from the past was "Summertime" by George Gershwin. People today, now listen to music completely different. Such as the song "Only Girl" by Rihanna. Slang was also different. Back then, some African Americans used the word "Black Dog" when they were talking to their mothers. People also used refer to African Americans "Negro". People now ask what's up by saying "Sup?". They also say that they like someones' shirt by saying "That's swag".  People in the 30s used to dress up in actual dresses, shiny shoes, and slacks. People now wear, Jeans, Hoodies, Sneakers, and T-shirts. The costs for candy and technology was also cheaper back then. A radio could cost 5 dollars back then but it can cost 40 dollars today. A candy bar used to be 5 cents, but now it's over a dollar. In conclusion, life today was very different then it was in the past.

Photos and the Great Depression

   There were many things that happen during the time near the Great Depression and also during it. In one of the photos, a picture that says "Votes for Women" is shown. Women wanted the rights. Back in the past, they had to protest in order to get what they desired. They protested for what they desired the most, which was the right to vote. In the second photo, there are men from the civil war being shown. They hold instruments in their hands and these men marched into war with the rest of the soldiers to hopefully boost the morale of their comrads. In the last picture, there is a before and after picture. One half of the picture shows the depression. It shows how people were living and how sad their lives were during that time. In the other half, a woman is shown painting what looks like a star on an airplane wing. This half was to get people motivated to win the World War II.
   The Great Depression was an economic failure in North America. It started from 1929 and lasted up long up to 1939. Causes of the Great Depression were war, buying on credit, unequal distribution of wealth, bank failures, and, the main reason, the stock market crash of 1929. It was the most devastating depression ever in the Western world.

1920s-1940s music compared to Today

Today, music can really only be compared and contrasted to the music made during the 1920s through the 1940s. Back in the 20s-40s, race problems existed even more often than today. People, especially African Americans had to deal with hate and segregation. They knew white people only considered them to be separate and not equal. During the 20s to the 40s, jazz and blues were very popular. African Americans expressed their feelings towards their life and the lives of others. Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, an African American jazz trumpeter and singer, made the song "Black and Blue." The song was about white people calling him different, as if he was not like them, because of the color of his skin. His lyric, for example, says "My only sin, is in my skin."
Music from the present can still express feelings about life, but not as much about racial issues. The music i listen to, can usually either be about succeeding when people said they would not, or even about how their life was in the past.

Acts of Imperialism Today

   Imperialism today can be different and as similar as it was in the past. Imperialism can also be either legal or illegal in present times. Ways that imperialism can be legal is if businesses can find a way to make way more money than other companies if they succeed which shows that they overpower others and can make the companies go out of business. Ways that it could be illegal is by bullying other kids smaller than you with force, or being racist towards others which brings them down.
   Imperialism can be different from the past. In the past, there was not as destructive weapons to show strength over a country. Today, if a country were to threaten another country, using imperialism, the two countries could easily go to war and cause mass destruction because of all the advanced weaponry such as bombs.
   Ultimately, imperialism, today, is different and similar to the past by ways of expanding and over powering others.

Should countries pursue policies of imperialism?

   I think that no country should pursue policies of imperialism, or empire expansion. Imperialism can only lead to violence, destruction, and hatred. I am sure no other country wants to be taken over by force. The only reason why a country should be taken is if they agree.
   Imperialism can be violent and destructive, especially during modern times. In the present, a lot of different countries have very destructive weapons. One example is the atomic or nuclear bomb. If imperialism was used, some countries will want to fight back, and could end up bombing each other. Imperialism can also lead to hatred. If one country successfully takes over another, the unfortunate country can hold a grudge. A revolution could occur and only more violence and destruction can be the result.
   In conclusion, imperialism is a horrible policy to follow. No country should use power to take over and expand. Imperialism only causes the destruction of others and peace is ruined.

Do You Support Imperialism for Your Country?

   I think that Imperialism for my country would be wrong. I think that the United States should not have to spread anymore than it has already. The United States already owns land that is not even connected to the actual continent. For instance, there is Hawaii. Also, going to war with another country could end up being a disaster.

   Imperialism is a horrible way to expand land. I think that it the United States should not use Imperialism because many people could be harmed. I have family in a different country and I would definitely not want the United States to harm the country for the expansion of land.  The United States has the best military in the world, but to use it for taking land from others is not necessary. Imperialism is only a way to show power, in opinion, only shows power and the ability to take advantage. 

Is rising from "Rags to Riches", like Andrew Carnegie, possible? Why?

   I think that it is possible for an individual to rise from "rags to riches", but in a different way than how Andrew Carnegie did.
   Back then, money was worth a lot more than it does now. People could possible make five dollars a day and be happy. But in modern times, money worth is decreasing. The elderly, grandparents, and other older relatives say today that you could pay a nickel back then, just to get something that costs a dollar now. Dollar worth is decreasing because of inflation, which is the rise of prices causing the decrease in worth.
   The way I would think that people could rise from "rags to riches" is by luck with the lottery or going to school and getting a degree, which could get someone a job that pays well. Also, if you use your money in a smart way, you could be the next to have the next best business in the U.S.

Jacob Riis Photo

    The photo is actually pretty depressing. There are three homeless children sitting and sleeping uncomfortably near what looks like a sewer drain, that is outside of a house, near a window. It is sunny outside. The kids have no shoes. They are dressed only from the legs up. Their clothes consist of shorts, shirts, and hats. The kids look as though they have no hope at all. They look like they were abandoned and left to rot. It is sad that no one seemed to consider helping them out.
   The picture looks like it was taken in the 1900's. It is a black and white photo. The picture actually makes the place seem dirtier and more dramatic. One kid is in the corner by himself, while two other kids are in another corner with one kid resting on the other's shoulder. The kid being rested on looks like he is crying.
 

Comparing: Industrialization in China and A Carnegie factory in the past

   Industrialization in China is definitely similar to a Carnegie factory in the past. Workers worked under harsh conditions, risked being killed or severely injured. Companies only cared about making money and that is what Carnegie was all about.
   According to Carnegie, efficiency, not safety, was paramount. Carnegie made his money with steel mills. Workers received low pay and less job security. His workers had "protective gear" which were two layers of wool long johns. Loud noises, flames, and danger were everywhere in Carnegie mills. Every step a worker took, was considered risky.
   The making of IPads is a great thing for consumers, but unfortunately not for the producers. An explosion occurred in one of the factories which killed and injured many workers. These workers work under harsh conditions and they work for as long as seven days straight. 
   In conclusion, Carnegie Mills from the past and modern Chinese industrialization are similar in many ways.