The Liberian Refugees' Experiences With Pastoral Counseling While Resettling in A SouthEastern mid-sized City

 Table of Contents

Chapter 3: Research Method. 4

Overview.. 6

Research Methodology and Phenomenological Design. 7

Population and Sample. 9

Strategy and Materials. 10

Study Procedures. 11

Data Analysis. 12

Assumptions 12

Limitations. 13

Delimitations. 13

Ethical Assurances. 14

Summary. 15

Appendices. 17

References. 19

The Voting Rights History

The rights to vote in America have not always been equally accessible. Native and black Americans and women of all ethnicities continue to fight for their voices to be heard. The voting history of the United States of America dates back to the period 1776 when the founding fathers established an Electoral College. At this period, voting was controlled by individual state legislatures, and the white men aged 21 years and above who owed lands were eligible for voting. The native and black Americans were restricted to voting rights (Catron 6). Moreover, the state determined who is and who is not allowed to vote. However, in 1856, all white men were allowed to vote regardless of property ownership. At around 1870, the 15^th Amendment of the U.S Constitution eliminated the racial barriers to voting rights.

However, many states did not adhere to this and, as a result, continued to voter discrimination practices. Among these practices were poll taxes, fraud, literacy tests, and intimidation. Tactics, as well as violence. Race was the order of the day as the Native Americans were also denied the right to vote. To worsen the situation, the Supreme Court rules out that indigenous people are not American citizens and therefore are not legible for voting. This took place the year 1876. In 1920, the novel gender equality came to light. The 19^th Amendment of the U.S Constitution endorsed supporting women with the right to vote. However, the black and Native Americans continue to face barriers (Zimring 7). For instance, in 1926, an act went viral, whereby the election officials were beating four black women who were attempting to register to vote in Birmingham, a state in the USA. The Indian Citizen Act grants Asians and Native Americans citizenship and voting rights. However, in 1968 the U.S Constitution grants all men born or naturalized in the United States the right to vote. Poll taxes were used in many states as a strategy to discriminate against voters at around 1923. The voters amend the State constitution, granting citizens democratic power to propose initiatives and referenda. In 1910, the constitution was amended by the voters allowing women to vote and manage offices. However, 1964 starts with positive changes whereby the federal Civil Rights Act is amended to ensure that all men and women aged 21 years and above have a right to vote regardless of age, gender, religion, education, and race. The rights also suspend literacy tests and implements registration and voting rights. The voting age is lowered to 18 years in 1971, and in 2008 Washington enacts "top 2 primary" that allowed voters to choose any candidate freely regardless of their parties.

Voting Methods

Voting methods in the United States have evolved over the centuries. However, this has led to the rise of debates over the honesty and reliability of American ways of voting. The methods have evolved from hand-written names to punch cards. In the early 1800s, some parts of the United States used voice to conduct elections. This meant that a voter would call out their votes, and the election clerk would record them on a running count. Interestingly, Americans would raise up their hands to be counted as a way of casting votes. Party tickets were also used, and they were typically ballot papers around the 1840s. Between 1862 and 1864, Mail-in absentee ballots were incorporated, and they helped civil war and soldiers fighting away from home to cast their votes (Inbody 6). Among the methods used over the recent past for voting are lever voting machines, punch cards, optically scanned paper ballots, Australian paper ballots, universal mail-in ballots, and R.N. in your inbox.

Conclusion

It is important to appreciate that time changes. There has been a trend in the change of voting methods in the United States of America. This is due to fears over the hacking of voting machines, and therefore advancement in technology has played an essential role in innovating more protective methods of voting (Nodine 5). The methods have evolved from expensive, complicated, and time-consuming methods to cheaper and first methods. Currently, optical scanning technology is the most popular method of casting votes in the United States. The methods used in voting have been changing with an increase in the number population, literacy levels, and advancement in technology. As the population grows, the dictatorship way of ruling people disappears.  Most of the past casting votes were full of insecurities, and there were no enough people to air out their voice. For instance, in the past, women were denied voting rights; the culture during this period was against women. Generally, population growth means that the nation is growing and therefore needs informed and secure voting methods. On the other hand, voting methods have led to the division of states in America. Currently, the States play a role in determining the president's election, making voting even more transparent and manageable. The states have reduced to 52 due to the increase in the population. In general, the methods have been improving and increasingly becoming efficient and reliable due to an increase in population. Also, the number of states has been condensed to maximize transparency.

Work Cited

Catron, Krista. "Native American History of Voting." Washington University in St. Louis (2019).

Inbody, Donald S. "Military and Absentee Voting in the United States: History and Modern Practice." Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. 2021.

Nodine, Thad R. "How did we get here? A brief history of competency‐based higher education in the United States." The Journal of Competency‐Based Education 1.1 (2016): 5-11.

Zimring, Carl A. Clean and white: A history of environmental racism in the United States. NYU Press, 2017.

Alexander the greats action and intentions

Alexander the great was one of the most outstanding leaders and conquerors in the kingdom, where he conquered Europe to Asia and thus proclaimed the king of Asia. The concept of his achievement is based on his judgment and his undecided intentions that lead to his success. His leadership quality trait was the key to his achievement as an army commander. He faced dangers and hardship with his crew (In his struggles, he had the goal of creating an emperor where it’s cooperating with various cultures in the kingdom. In his conquests, he was driven by the love for the Greek culture, thus providing Greece with a common enemy, thus enabling him to conquer the great area as he controlled his army (Strechie, 422). One of his men went looking for water in the desert and finds some and later come back offering it to him; he pours the water on the ground. The discerning of his intention in the conquest was hard to determine as his decision and purpose in his action were not according to the people’s logic.

The death of Philip, Alexandrea’s father, was associated with the bodyguard who stabbed him in the back during a banquet. Even though his mother, Olympias, and her son were the keys to Philip's assassination in his father's death, he was still considered the heir. The assassination was followed by the attempts to assassinate the son of the wife that Philip had married to avoid the threat created by another successor in the kingdom. Despite the need for Alexandrea to strengthen the domain after his father’s death, the rebellion's brutal killing was mistaken for cleaning the kingdom to avoid a coupon for Alexandrea. Philip's death was not determined in terms of whether it was based on Alexandrea greed for power or the fear of the successor to bring the competition in the inheriting the kingdom.

The need to conquer Asia's whole was Alexander’s dream of creating a community that composts many cultures according to his philosophy. In his conquest, Alexander was driven by the greed to conquer most of Asia to be identified as a great king. In this context, the intention he had and the actions he demonstrated are two different things as they form other ideologies in his purpose in conquering. His attack on the Persians during the reign of Darius the great was attached to the revenge on the Persian attacks on the Greeks, but at the same time, he wanted to conquer the whole of Persia (Aneni, 79). The Persian invasion's main aim was not determined as people tried to wonder whether he aimed to teach king Darius a lesson or be defined and looked at as the god in Egypt and to his solder or meet the aim he had made on the attack.

Alexander the significant demonstrated actions were all based on the notion that he wanted to prove to the people that he was not his father. In doing so, he did all the things his father had done and wanted to do more in the attempt to prove he was better than his father despite the great inheritance he had from his father through the armies and a united Greece (Martin, 1) His father, Philip, planned the Persian attack. Still, to outdo his father’s achievement, he chose to unite the Greeks despite the community's nature that could not enable the unity. In doing so, he eliminated all the rebellion that was growing after his father’s death to start his conquest in Asia. The whole practice of brutally eliminating the rebel was based on the Asia conquest. Still, in reality, he wanted to stop all the rebellion in the kingdom to enable him to move to Asia. The choices he made were based on the nation's great good, but it was all for the individual gaols in his mission.

The dream of crossing from Europe to Asia was his father's dream from the start, but he died after being stabbed by the bodyguard at the back in his attempt to meet the goal. Alexander’s intention to make the trip to the west in Asia's conquest was done in Alexander’s attempt to prove he was better than his father. Still, he framed it as his conquest to build a kingdom made of a different culture. In comparing the son and the father, Philip was considered far more significant than Alexandrea in achieving the army development and Greece's unifying.   The need that Alexander had to be greater than his father was the driving force in his conquest, where he was to achieve all his father Philip had not succeeded in the attempt to overshadow him. The unifying of the Greece kingdom and the assassination of all the people who wanted to form a rebellion against his rule were indicators of the need to surpass his father’s achievement.

Despite Alexandrea’s success in conquering Europe and Asia, his most significant failure was to provide the empire with an heir bringing the end to the greatest empire. The insecurity that he demonstrated in killing any person who could succeed him was one of the biggest failures in the kingdom he created (D’Agostini, 19). The concept of eliminating a possible heir was unfounded as the heir could provide continuity to the empire despite the fear of elimination. This led to his premature death, where his arrogance was the leading cause of his death. His lack of consideration of the kingdom after his death raises the question of his view of himself as a god. The lack of a successor was the leading cause of the empire's division after his death. The people lacked an ordinary leader and the division of the great Macedonian empire.

Work cited.

Aneni, Monica Omoye. "Cultural diffusion and the unification policies of Alexander the Great." African Research Review 12.4 (2018): 77-86.

D’Agostini, Monica. "Alexander the Great and his Sisters: Blood in the Hellenistic Palace." Affective Relations and Personal Bonds in Hellenistic Antiquity: Studies in honor of Elizabeth D. Carney (2020): 19.

Martin, Aubrey Betteke. "The Dipsomania of Alexander the Great." (2020).

Strechie, Mădălina. "Alexander the Great and the “Clash” of Ancient Civilizations." International conference Knowledge-Based Organization. Vol. 24. No. 2. Sciendo, 2018.

The death of Cook

Human beings are social creatures and are born with the innate desire to fit in. despite these desires however, human beings are rather different and formulate various personal traits that are influenced by their experiences. The events that transpire in an individual’s life greatly influence their opinions and approaches towards life. This leads people to form different personality traits that determine how they perceive others and the community they live in. despite these differences however, the desire to fit in to society has led to the development of stereotypes and beliefs that enable people to view the world similarly or share common interests. Human plurality has created an environment where people are more likely to turn from their personal beliefs and even general reasoning and abide to common notions and beliefs shared by the majority. The debate between Sahlins and Obeyesekere concerning James Cook’s death in Hawaii is a good example of how an individual or group’s beliefs can be altered in favor of human plurality.

          James Cook served as a surveyor in the royal navy and in 1768; he was promoted to lieutenant and given command of the HMS Endeavour and started an expedition to Tahiti. When he returned to England in 1771, his exploration had covered Australia and the coast of New Zealand. In 1772, his expedition ventured into the south pacific and the Antarctic. Cook made his first visit to the Hawaiian Islands in 1778 while commanding the Discovery and HMS Resolution and is likely to have been the first European to reach that far (History, 2010). During their visit, Cook and his crew were welcomed by the natives who were impressed by the European ships, their ability to use iron and also the opportunity to trade. Cook then proceeded to Ni’ihau to look for a passage that would link the North Atlantic and the pacific before returning to Hawaii a year later and sought safe harbor in Kealakekua Bay.

          According to Sahlin’s interpretation, the Hawaiians regarded Cook and his men as Gods and this greatly attributed to the special treatment they received on the second visit of their voyage. Cook’s arrival took place in Kealakekua Bay which was regarded as the sacred harbor of Lono. Coincidentally, Cook and his crew arrived when the locals were conducting a festival dedicated to Lono which led to them being treated as gods (Sahlin, n.d). Whether intentional, accidental or by coincidence, the treatment Cook and his men received is a good example of how universalism and cultural particularity influences people’s decisions and interaction. Sahlin’s argument suggests that the decision to treat Cook as a god was as a result of the local’s universalistic belief of religion and culture (Roldan & Vermeulen, 2013). Despite having worshipped Lono for years, they strongly believed that a foreigner from a different land was their god reincarnated because they believed their culture and religion exceeded the bounds of their community. They therefore abandoned reason and treated people from foreign lands as gods without taking the time to learn their culture.

          On the other hand, Obeyesekere’s arguments suggest that human beings are influenced by cultural relativism rather than ethnocentrism. A good example is the argument where the special treatment that Cook and his crew received was as a result of the festivities held during the Makahiki season and not because the locals thought that Cook was the god Lono. The locals practiced cultural relativism where they respected Cook’s culture and extended the hospitality required by their own customs and traditions especially during a time where they were paying tribute to their god (Obeyesekere, n.d). The argument that Cook was seen as a god is ethnocentric in that the Europeans perceived their culture as being superior to a point where locals would mistake them for gods or superior beings. The Europeans may have misinterpreted the warm welcome offered as worship especially because they regarded all locals they encountered as inferior.

            Sahlin’s ethnocentric nature further extends to the disruption of the relationship between Cook and the locals. According to Sahlin, Cook and his compatriots continued to enjoy the benefits of being mistaken for gods until the locals realize their mistake (Sahlin, n.d). When a member of Cook’s crew died, the locals came to the realization that cook and his men were actually human and not gods. Sahlin’s argument fails to acknowledge the locals customs and traditions. Assuming that people can mistake their god for a foreigner is a good example of ethnocentrism as Sahlin assumes relies on his own customs and traditions to analyze Cook’s reception at the harbor.

          Contrary to Sahlin’s belief, Obeyesekere takes on a universalistic approach and tries to explain the events with consideration to the culture of all parties involved. Rather than presenting the locals as primitives who haven’t fully understood how to interprete their religious manifestations, Obysekere presents the locals as hospitabl individuals willing to play as good hosts even to foreigners (Obeyesekere, n.d). According to Obeyesekere, Cook and his crew were welcomed and treated well simply because they arrived during special festivities. The locals did not mistake Cook for Lono but rather extended special treatment to guests that arrived during festivities held in his name.

          Obeyesekere’s arguents is validated during Cook’s next visit to Hawaii after the festival season was over. Cook makes his next visit during a time for battle and the locals are engaged in practices to the god of war Kukailimoku. In addition, previous encounters between Cook and the locals had damaged the good relationship that existed during previous visits (Obeyesekere, n.d). A good example is the case where Cook wanted the locals to trade using wood that was used for the borders protecting their sacred Morai burial grounds. The sacred ground was reserved for high ranking individuals as well as depictions for their gods (Obeyesekere, n.d). Since Cook was willing to go o with the delusion that the locals perceived him as a reincarnation of their god, he did not see any problem taking pieces of wood that locals considered sacred.

          The contrasting opinions between Sahil and Obeyesekere are a perfect example of how people are not only different but also how these differences influence the decisions that people make. Jim Cook’s death is influenced by his belief that Europeans were superior and this led to him taking advantage of the locals. He failed to acknowledge the various differences in culture that existed between the two people and this led to his death at the hands of the same people who supposedly regarded him as a god. Although both Sahil and Obeyesekere offer convincing arguments for their beliefs, their varying opinions on an event that already took place only goes to prove how difficult it is to change people’s opinions and beliefs.

References

History, (2010) “Captain Cook killed in Hawaii” retreieved from,     https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/captain-cook-killed-in-hawaii

Obeyesekere G, (n.d) “Captain Cook and the European imagination”

Roldan A and Vermeulen H, (2013) “Fieldwork and footnotes: Studies in the history of European anthropology” Routledge

Saglin, (n.d) “Captain James Cook, or the Dying God”

The United States during the Period 1865 To 1910

Late 19^th century and early 20^th century periods between 1865 and 1910, United States was undergoing extensive and rapid changes. These changes were both economic, political, and social aspects in the western and northern parts of the United States. It is during this time that the US became one of the world’s dominant countries in terms of economic, industrial, and economic development. Addressing the economic activities that were in progress this time and major reforms that took place in this time. Also, the common economic production was meat-packing companies, actively engaging the American citizens. This period is marked with immigrations from the European, who increased the population in America, thus a need for expansion of the agricultural and industrial activities. During this time Jurgis Rudkus, was among the group of Immigrants from Lithuania, with the entire family including his wife, children, father, and cousin. They settled in America hoping for more opportunities in life. This essay discusses the changes that took place during the American rapid change in conjunction with the life story of Jurgis Rudkus as presented in “The Jungle,” by Upton Sinclair.

During the 19^th century, especially, in 1876 July, the United States experienced a period of relief. It is this time when the Americans were enjoying democracy, capitalism, and Christianity. Additionally, many policies were introduced to fight against slavery and encourage settlement for free men and women. Every individual was expected to fight for freedom and justice across the whole population, natives started creating relations between the governments. The set preconditions attracted people to move to America to seek a better life with their families however, the situation was not as they entirely expected (Morris 50). A good example is that of Jurgis Rudkus who decided to leave his Lithuania native home to America, accompanied by the entire family to seek better conditions in the United States.

Before embarking on the journey they were aware of the Industrial activity that was taking place in America. The native Americas were innovative and initiated much change in the production industry, and lives were really doing well thus attracting external people, which is the reason for immigration rates. New cities were established and people were also getting much concentrated in the Urban Centers. However, upon arrival, Jurgis was thrown into a chaotic environment that they think totally different from their expectation (Sinclair 240). Although they thought that life in the developed world would be sweet with little or no obligation, the expectations were deemed null and void and thus they were entitled to toil and constantly struggle in order to earn a living. The reason why this article is named “The Jungle” since the life of Jurgis in Packingtown was an urban jungle, with a lot of savages, unrelenting, and unforgiving people.

The stay in the US was not sweet at all. Jurgis was conned in the attempt to get housing within American. He faced many challenges during the winters, to an extent that his father died, which forced him to join the labor union. The union gave him a ticket to enter the factory systems which he deemed very corrupt, the managers of the company tell him to pursue English classes so that he might get a promotion at the work but do not work (Sinclair 302). One day he develops an injury on an accident where he is deprived of pay for the three months. He is coupled with a chain of struggles, torture, and poverty, which makes him abandon his family and relatives and decides to stay in Chicago. Through this story, we get the ideal picture of America in this time, where despite the industrialization, there were a lot of challenges that were faced by the immigrants to the US, which is evidence of racism based on ethnicity.

Work Cited

Morris, Matthew J. "The Two Lives of Jurgis Rudkus." American Literary Realism, 1870-1910 29.2 (1997): 50-67.

Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle:( 1906). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014.

Ancient Africa

 The African content is filled with poverty and anguish despite its rich, resourceful land. The instability and deaths in the various nations making up Africans are attributed to its rich and vast resources. In terms of history, African has always been seen through the Colonial eyes; before the colonialists, no one has records of African greatness. The chance and place of debating African issues and problems often depends on their history and relationship formed with the former colonial masters. Thus, people make African believe that colonialism has shaped and discovered Africans. However, before colonialists came, Africa had its governing systems and controlled its resources (Daily notion, 2016). According to experts, Africa provided gold and ivory, which fueled European continents' growth during the Renaissance period. Hence, Africa has to be given credit for the development of the entire world, even though that is not the case. For example, Arabs and Europeans looted Africa for its gold and other vast mineral resources that it had in plenty.

 One of the topics discussed in the book that related to the ancient history of Africa is the struggle for independence from the white people. Slaves struggle to free themselves from the shackles of oppression and into the freedom (Franklin, 2000). Freedom defines the identity of any human being as he or she is free to do as he please due to the newly found freedom. Similarly, Africans tried to gain independence from their colonial oppressors. African fought for freedom and oppression. At the end, Africa was freedom from white colonialists.

 Europeans and other colonialists often believed that Africans were uncivilized and incapable of greatness. Nevertheless, discriminatingly, robbing Africans of their history and choosing to records Europeans in African denied Africans the opportunity to know it’s worth and potential hence denying its progress (Daily notion, 2016). One of Africa's ancient history was forgotten as the oral transmission of information from one person to another. Africans relied on oral methods to pass information and stories from one person to another. With time, the oral stories of legendary kings were forgotten. With time due to its lack of history, Africa became as vulnerable as its land and people.

Frederick Douglass

 Frederick is not only an icon but an indication of the impact slavery had on black Americans. His selfless nature and bravery to fight for the representation of black people gives him space in historical books. A former slave, Frederick escaped from the torturous life of slavery and into the freedom. Human were designed to be free to live their ow lives and do as they pleased  the chance to accurately capture and appreciate the struggles Frederick underwent, one has to analyze his achievements together with his person life in order to construct an accurate picture of his deeds (History,2016). For instance, Frederick used his education to bring to light the atrocities slaves pass through on a daily basis. One of Frederick Douglass’ role was editing an Abolitionist paper during the civil war period. He advised President Lincoln on matters concerning the Americans and other issues. In addition, Frederick Douglass was a prominent activist who voiced the issues of slaves all over the world and brought reason to the plight of the slaves. Due to his courage, other leaders began to highlight the plight of the refugees. With no time, Frederick became the leader of the abolitionist movement whose aim was freeing slaves from the oppressive and harsh life the slaves were experiencing.

In relation to the text, the documentary narrates the story of Frederick, a man who used his positon to fight for the freedom of slaves. In the text book, the author narrates how blacks from various locations tried to free themselves from slaver and even colonialism (Franklin, 2000). Gaining freedom was never an easy task, people died in order to obtains simple human rights such as the right to vote and freedom to speech. Frederick Douglass used his position and education to fight for freedom and make it known that slaves are humans who need to live on their own terms.

Reference

Daily notion (2016). Time Life's Lost Civilizations - Ancient Africa: A History Denied (Ancient History Documentary) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2lnmhr

Franklin.H.J (2000). From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans, 9th Edition

History (2016). Frederick Douglass -----⊱From Slave to Abolitionist || History Documentary https://www.biography.com/video/frederick-douglass-full-episode-2186641949

The Historical Context of the Time

Context refers to the details which assist the message's literary text that generates sense. Louise Erdrich Fleur's stories can be interpreted based on the variability of the author's contextual factors to the reader. Some of the contexts can be stated, while some need a keen reading of the literary work before getting how the writer has applied it to the writing. Phrases such as ‘the first words I ever read’ brings the reader to speed with the author’s experience and keenly ensures that the reader takes in the author’s journey as a writer. More so, the author's context can help the reader develop their own context in the long run (Erdrich 1). This is because a reader's current social and traditional context can impact the reading as it helps shape interpretation into the reader's reality. Additionally, one of the things that helps Fleur's reading develop interest is how he develops historical context to fit into the literary preference. For instance, in the first passage, he first lays the ground by introducing the convict and his lover to the audience hence setting the stage for all other information that he will explain later. After giving details of the story's characters, he ensures that he describes other details in line with information given first to bring out a full picture of the passage of the characters involved in the passage.

 Also, a passage's historical context is intertwined in a similar text's social context because the underpinning norms and conventions are historically specified in the passage. The historical context is vital because the reader can note the changes that take place based on the story's timeline (Erdrich 3). Hence, the text's historical context helps the reader understand the activities taking place and factors that cause this particular occurrence to ensue. For example, Fleur applies descriptive words to ensure that all coupled with the historical context ‘she drowned in the cold and glass waters of Lake Fleur.' As noted earlier, the reading context helps to put in place or lay the ground for the literacy devices used in that particular context. More so, the choice of words used after a historical description drives the story and helps the reader navigate the story while helping him or her takes note of the characters' actions. Thus, the historical context prepares the reader for the conceptual context of the reader. The sharing of certain ideas only depends on the historical context mentioned at the beginning of the text as it encourages the writer to follow a certain direction (Erdrich 5). For instance, the author claims that unless one is from Fleur Pillage, all the people knew that she could not swim. The factual basis of the text relies on the historical context of the passage. The author has to rely on factual information to build up the story and reveal to the reader the underlying reasons for not swimming. Therefore historical context helps to build up the reader's context about the narrative; hence the reader has no choice to interpret the story based on the author's plot. Thus, at end of the reading one is able to see how the writer makes use of historical context to create a full background story which is later used to unravel the story.

Work cited

Erdrich Louise. Summer Reading, August 1198, 2020

Immigration in the 19^th Century

Causes of Distrust

Immigrants could not be trusted by the Native Americans because of economic concerns, cultural differences, and racial fears. Groups such as Italians, Irish, and Chinese were treated harshly both by the public and government officials. They were seen to be dangerous, unruly, and took jobs away from the Americans. They were resented because the natives feared the competition that the immigrants brought along (McCorkle 2018). The natives resented them because they had the perception that they were unassimilable, and were a rebellious group. They were also perceived to have wicked customs and habits and were accused of undermining the American cultural heritage. Immigrants were perceived to be a threat to the American way of life especially when they were linked to revolution and anarchy.

For the Chinese, their appearance was the perceived blame for their inability to assimilate. Apart from their physical appearance, their traditional dressing and hairstyle for the male were also blamed (Young 2017). They also preserved their cultural practices and spoke their native language and this for the American natives was a reason for not trusting them. For the Chinese, they got job opportunities in the mining field and on the railroads and within no time the Chinese immigrant population became extensively disseminated in most of the coastal and mountain states. Their culture was an existing threat to American democratic institutions. Economic factors played a role in the distrust; an example is how the Chinese showed competition with the natives for jobs in gold mines and the railway industry and could agree to work for minimal wages. Almost all the immigrants were distrusted because they were perceived to be immoral, criminals, subversive, and servile and could not assimilate.

These ideas came from racial and cultural prejudices which drove the perceptions that the natives had about the immigrants. The different languages they spoke, their religious beliefs, and traditions made them seem unwanted in the native population (Young 2017. These ideas came from how the immigrants appeared physically, their cultural practices, and how they dressed. The immigrants from Eastern Europe were Jews and were perceived to be greedy and materialistic because they competed with the natives in terms of work and housing. Immigrants who came as slaves were blamed for crime and conflict in labor just because they migrated to the U.S as slaves. These believes and ideas were a result of where the immigrants originated from, their tradition, culture, and the notions they had about the different immigrants. The Italians and Greeks were accused of kidnapping, the Russians for dealing with stolen goods, and the Italians for excessive drinking.

Current Immigration Debate

Both in the past and today, the American natives have expressed concern about immigration lowering wages and also the new immigrants failing to assimilate into American society. The current debate about the nature of migration selection has posed policies on how to migrate to the U.S whereby the migrants are selected from the source country, based on observable skills and education. This is reflected in the past concerns about immigration policies whereby there were no strict policies on the selection of immigrants. Currently, strict policies on immigration have been placed (Abramitzky & Boustan 2017). Advocates of the restrictive policy argued that immigration jeopardizes the economic, political, and cultural welfare. The American labor movement opposed immigration on the basis that the immigrants take American jobs and decline their wages. It was also argued that the immigrant’s unfamiliarity with the American political structure, their cultural and religious backgrounds cause a threat to the political institutions. Current research shows that the presence of immigrants has an increased impact on the economic growth, locally and nationally and this leads to a wage increase for the native workers. High levels of immigration encourage economic growth by increasing demand for housing and other facilities.

 About the immigrant assimilation in the U.S, much of the modern works focuses on solving methodological problems to measure the changes in immigrant earnings with the time they have been there. Initially, immigrants earned less compared to natives when they first arrived (Abramitzky & Boustan 2017). After spending some years they caught up and currently immigrants reflect growth in their earnings. Advocates argue that immigrants are a cultural asset, who enriches American life through diversity. Immigrants assimilate into American society compared to the debate in the 19th century that the natives thought that they could not assimilate. They learn English and find employment in the public economy but very few feel fully part of the new society. The immigrants still speak in their mother tongue and continue with their cultural behaviors. Research shows that the new immigrants and more so their children are doing better in terms of assimilation.

The current debate about the ban on travel from Muslim countries in the country, criminal deportation, suspending the issuance of visa, refugee ban reflects a repetition of history (Young 2017). Muslims are perceived by natives as dangerous due to their alleged connection to religious radicals which is a fear that resonates with past fears about the dangerous civil associations on certain immigrant groups. In the 19th century, there had been several instances when the American government successfully issued a travel ban. People who are opposed to the Muslim religion claim that the group is unassimilable and that they originate from a culture that is extremely different from the natives. The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first American federal policy to block the mass migration of a particular ethnic group. Another act referred to as the literacy act was another federal law that prevented the migration of specific groups. The Reed act was aimed at conserving racial uniformity by banning Arabs and Asians. The current debate about implementing immigration policies are meant to reduce the number of immigrants entering the country and discourage European countries from migrating. The separation of immigrant families which is also a recent debate brings a reflection of the past where people of color were separated from their families by being sold as slaves in different countries.

Difference between Current Concerns and the Past

Today’s concerns differ immensely from the past because unlike in the past where immigrants did not have to be skilled, today skilled workers are needed. In the past, low skilled workers could be employed but currently, because of modern technology, skilled workers are required. Today’s immigrants are permanent and generate net costs compared to the past who were temporary (Hirschman 2014). America today is congested due to many immigrants to the point of passing laws to limit the growth of their populations. In the past, the country was empty, and states recruited immigrants. Today there is a chain migration in that having close relatives in the United State makes you eligible to immigrate because the foreign relatives are eligible. 

Migration today has become common as people migrate in search of a better livelihood, security, and employment. Today’s concerns include the different categories of immigrants and the issues that affect these populations. These issues include immigrant imprisonment, court backlogs, state and local immigration regulations, and legitimate rights that spread out to non-citizens (Schmidt 2019). Families have been scared by the recent policies on immigration fear that they will be deported to the foreign countries that they left long ago. Legal strategies have been set to deny asylum seekers to access the system. The different categories of people in the United States include US citizens, the associate members who are lawful permanent residents, family, immigrants who are there on employment, refugees, asylees, friends, and the undocumented category. The current concern about these categories is the changes in the current administration which has placed governmental obstructions to slow the legal immigration process. These obstructions are meant to discourage and burr prospective immigrants from seeking permanent residency. Another concern currently is the exclusion of a specific religion and making immigration almost impossible. For the refugees, their cases have been politically tossed and their admissions to the country could be blocked. Mass deportation for the undocumented category is a concern for the immigrants. It is perceived that they are an economic drain to society because they use government resources and do not pay taxes and are dangerous. The American undocumented immigration to date is an ongoing administrative, societal, and human rights challenge and a major concern.

References

Abramitzky, R., & Boustan, L. (2017). Immigration in American Economic History. Journal of

economic literature, 55(4), 1311–1345. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.20151189

Hirschman C. (2014). Immigration to the United States: Recent Trends and Future Prospects.

Malaysian journal of economic studies : journal of the Malaysian Economic Association and the Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 51(1), 69–85.

McCorkle D.W (2018) Using History to Inform the Modern Immigration Debate in the United

States. Journal of International Social Studies, v. 8, n. 1, 2018, pp. 149-167

Schmidt, P. W. (2019). An Overview and Critique of US Immigration and Asylum Policies in

the Trump Era. Journal on Migration and Human Security, 7(3), 92–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/2331502419866203

Young, J. G. (2017). Making America 1920 again? Nativism and US immigration, past and

present. Journal on Migration and Human Security, 5(1), 217-235.

An Introduction to Africana Studies Hall of Fame

 One under-recognized individual who resisted enslavement was Henry Singleton. He was born in 1843 and became a slave at the age of four (Escott, 73). Since African Americans used different ways of slavery resistance, Singleton also could alienate himself from the master by running away and hiding. Singleton could run away long distance of one-hundred miles away. Note that some slaves could hide temporarily as a form of economic negotiation with the master while others could hide permanently to gain freedom (Escott, 73).Singleton tried permanently to escape and he could run away and hide from whites despite him being harshly punished. In 1861, Singleton ran away and joined his comrade to join the Union. Singleton said that "I was born a slave…” (Escott, 734). However, Singleton reported that as the whites sought to enslave the Afraid Americans, he was focused to save freedom. He joined the Union forces and declare that no man should be a servant and everyone should be free. Later, he joined reunion at Gettysburg where he convinced his comrades that Blacks should unite and participate in the cold war (Escott, 74). I feel Singleton should be nominated to our Hall of Fame because despite being under the domination of whites, he used overt resistance and resisted the captivity. 

 Singleton has been selected for the Hall of Fame. Despite repeated threats to freedom, Singleton had the desire to gain control over his life and the black community as well. Being a runaway slave shows how willing to independence. He said that “I would stay in the woods all day and then come beach at night" “(Escott, 74). This shows the value of freedom and a greater sense of autonomy. Singleton employed direct and overt tactics to end slavery. He struggled daily to ensure that African Americans gain freedom.

Work cited

 Escott, Paul D. North Carolinians in the Era of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Chapel Hill:

University of North Carolina Press, 2008. Internet resource.

Effects of the Dust Bowl

The dust bowl is a term used to refer to the drought that occurred in the southern plain region of the United States in the 1930s. The period was extremely dry and high winds carried with them choking dust that swept across the region from Texas and reaching as far as Nebraska. The drought had far-reaching effects on plants, animals, and people living in the area. Among the various consequences arising from the dust bowl are the death of human beings and livestock, crop failure, and destruction of the economy that forced people to relocate to other regions that offered better living conditions.

         The dust bowl was a result of various agricultural and economic factors that resulted from changes in regional weather, implementation of federal land policies, farm economics, and other cultural practices. The federal land policies were introduced after the civil war to encourage pioneers to the west as a way to popularize farming in the great plains (Amaded& Brock, 2020). In 1862, the Homestead Act was introduced and saw the settlers gain access to 160 acres of public land. The success of the Homestead Act led to the introduction of the Kinkaid Act of 1904 and later the Enlarged Homestead Act of 1909 which sought to promote agriculture in the region (Amaded& Brock, 2020). While the goal was to bring about positive development through agriculture, the Acts were responsible for bringing a significant number of inexperienced farmers to the region whose farming activities paved the way for the problems that occurred in the dust bowl.

         The majority of the farmers brought in to promote agriculture in the region operated under the assumption that rain follows the plow and therefore failed to take into account the impact that the farming activities introduced would have on the land (Hornbeck, 2012). majority of the people, including politicians and scientists were convinced that activities such as agriculture and homesteading would have a positive impact on the climate in the semi-arid Great Plains region and that the changes introduced would be permanent (Hornbeck, 2012). Their inexperience in farming however failed to prepare them for the challenges that could arise as well as the appropriate measures to mitigate any unwanted outcomes from the farming activities ventured into.

         The Dust Bowl occurred in 1930 and lasted for about 10 years and it had long-term effects on the lives of the people living in the region. The effects of the farming activities manifested in the form of severe drought and dust storms in the Midwest and Southern Great Plains in 1931(Amaded& Brock, 2020). By 1934, over 35 million acres of land previously used for farming had already been rendered unsuitable for any agricultural activity. A further 125 million acres of land had started to lose their topsoil due to the heavy winds and was slowly losing its ability to support farming (Amaded& Brock, 2020). The topsoil was carried by the winds to form dust storms that made it difficult for farmers to earn a living and support their livelihoods and the majority opted to leave their homes.

         Since the Dust Bowl also took place during the depression, deflation made it even difficult for farmers to rely on the little produce they got as prices for their crops had dropped below the set subsidy levels. Despite agriculture being introduced as a way to boost the region’s productivity, its inhabitants were forced to rely on government aid and other subsidies to survive (Hurt, 2019). In 1933 for example, farmers slaughtered over 6.4 million pigs in an attempt to lower supply and increase prices for commodities. Although the move saw prices rise by 20 percent, a lot of wastage occurred and this pushed the federal government to introduce the Surplus Relief Corporation whose role was to ensure that any excess produce for the firms would be sent to the poor instead of rotting away in storage.

Other than food shortages, severe dust storms referred to as black blizzards became a common occurrence in the region during the Dust Bowl period. The severe dust storms carried away the topsoil from the Great Plains, pushing it as far as New York City, Washington D.C, and even reached as far as the Atlantic Ocean. The eroded topsoil lowered the quality of the soil, making it less fertile for farming (Amaded& Brock, 2020). The poor quality of the soil also meant that it could easily be eroded and therefore intensified the severity of the dust storms. The dust made it difficult for people to go on with their daily lives as the dark dust clouds would cover the sky for days. Heavy dust storms would drift into the region like snow and residents had to use shovels to clear the soil from surfaces such as roads, pavements, and cars (Howard, 2016). People developed medical conditions such as dust pneumonia, difficulty in breathing, and other chest related problems with hundreds of thousands losing their lives to the medical complications caused by the dust.

Another consequence of the Dust Bowl was the migration of more than 2.5 million people from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, making it one of the biggest migrations in American history(Amaded& Brock, 2020). Roughly 440,000 immigrants moved from Oklahoma trying to escape poverty and better working opportunities, 250,000 of which settled in California while the rest moved to agriculturally stable regions such as the Joaquin Valley (Amaded& Brock, 2020). The refugees were referred to as Okies and those who settled in California were forced to do odd jobs and settle for low wages as a result of the discrimination they faced once they settled in the area. Those who were unable to secure employment were forced to live in tents located along irrigation ditches and others in shantytowns. 

Although the Dust Bowl is known for the negative consequences it had on the United States, it offered an ideal opportunity for artists, music composers, and writers. John Steinbeck for example wrote a book that discussed the challenges the Okies faced after migrating from their lands (Amaded& Brock, 2020). Woody Guthrie, a folk musician also launched an album with songs that narrated the challenges that existed in the Dust Bowl as well as those faced by the Okies in California.

         The emergence of the Dust Bowl is attributed to the project Manifest Destiny and the belief that Americans have a sacred duty to expand and occupy more land, especially to the west. The belief made it difficult for people to question the policies given on how to go about preparing the region for agriculture. Care must be taken to prevent influential organizations or individuals from introducing projects that could have far-reaching consequences in the future. With the existence of issues such as global warming, the effects of the Dust Bowl should serve as a cautionary tale, encouraging people to take more caution before implementing projects that affect the entire population in the long run.

References

Amadeo K and Brock J, (2020) “The Dust Bowl, its causes, impact, with a timeline and map” The Balance, retrieved from, https://www.thebalance.com/what-was-      the-dust-bowl-causes-and-effects-3305689

Hornbeck R, (2012) “The enduring impact of the American dust bowl: Short and long run adjustments to environmental catastrophe” The American Economic Review,      retrieved from, https://www.jstor.org/stable/23245462?seq=1

Howard B, (2016) “The Dirty Thirties: A history of the Dust Bowl” Golgotha Press

Hurt D, (2019) “Documents of the Dust Bowl” Santa Barbara, California

Camilla’ Purse

            Camilla was a holocaust victim and survivor. Her normal life and day to day activities was cut short in the midst of an upended World War II. World War II brought with it a crisis, incarceration, and eventually exile in to the USA. Her family members discovered her purse after her demise in 1964. The purse had numerous letters and documents. Her letters detailed her past life, that is, her failures, trials, and success (Smithsonian Institution, 2020). These papers were significant because they unveiled a captivating story of detention within the Theresienstadt concentration camp to reunion with her child in USA. In perspective, the purse contained, the owner’s birth certificate, an identification tag she carried all through to USA and other personal items from her camp.

            The contents of the purse only proved the extraordinary life Camilla Gottlieb went through as she live through a tyrant’s reign. Surviving the Nazi atrocities shows her fighting spirit and urge to live passed during the hard times those times presented. Being a Jew and living to tell the tale is not short of a miracle that needs to be acknowledged. One thing that stands out about Holocaust is that it depends on individual perspectives to tell tale the stories. Compiling various stories from the victims somehow builds a bigger picture on the impact the event had on people’s lives and how people will interpret the atrocities which took place. For instance, Camilla Gottlieb’s letters tells her story from her own personal perspective hence bringing out its uniqueness (Smithsonian Institution, 2020). Deriving information from a victim’s letter tends to tie emotion and logic at the same time. One can read Camilla’s desperation, willingness and good-hearted spirit. This way, her story is not normal and can be used for further referral and analysis of the situation for generations to come.

            The exhibition is necessary and essential as it not only marks the atrocities committed during the Holocaust but gives the world the time to analyze and ponder on the words of a victim who went through the ordeal without any complains. As stated earlier, examining the life of Camilla through documents, personal belongings and official documentations tends to bring out an unbiased approach to the analysis (Short, & Reed, 2017). In addition, the accounts, composed and protected by the owner within a black purse. The woman not only survived Holocaust but lived to inform other people through her letters.

            One interesting fact about Camilla’s purse was that some contents of the documents are illegal and are contrary to the legal immigrant. For instance, under the present day USA immigration laws, Gottlieb would not be able to gain entry into the American borders due to the restrictive regulations and other age quotas (Eckmann, 2010). The relevance of her document trace her place of birth in Romania and her family would not be granted access into America. The clues and trying to build up how Camilla’s family got entry into America and how they were able to survive all along.

             Camilla’s documents predates pre-war periods, and post war chaos during the anti-sematic war. She endured this times and also had to protect her family. The times and periods led her to escape from her home and into a foreign land. The exceptionality and ability to escape Nazi leader Adolf Hitler against the Jews was a noteworthy event to remember and everybody needs to be informed on her efforts. The Germans claimed that Jews was an inferior race and that it would destroy German’s purity (Bromley, & Russell, 2010). Camilla’s document does not only capture the atrocities but demonstrates the agility to fight back through legal means. Humans can be inhuman and even brutal at times but the fact that Camilla live to tell the tale is not only inspirational but calls for regulation and reestablishment of immigration laws and frameworks.

            One may ask on the relevance of the documents to the current society. However, the relevance of the documents normally are tied to numerous tasks and efforts that went into toppling Adolf Hitler. The brutal Jews murder made the world realize there is a need to effect change and rescue other humans from political selfishness and turmoil. Even though historical events may fade into time, putting an effort to restore the world their memory serves to enlighten and refocus the life of people from time to time (Bromley, & Russell, 2010). Thus, the importance of Camilla’s purse does not lie in its relevance and comparison to present events but in its capability to educate and inform on a perspective never seen before. In summary, the contents of the purse are informative and transferable from one generation to another.

 Apart from the informative nature of the contents of the purse, the relatable story of the people may be relatable to people and entrench the lesson learnt. The role of the exhibition is to not only portray but bring to life past events which shaped the face of the world and the entire humanity. Besides, humans tend to be influenced by experienced observable items. Portraying the purse of an old woman depicts the disruptive effect Holocaust had on human populations all over the world (Eckmann, 2010). Whenever a disaster occurs at one point, one needs to take into consideration the desperation involved as one moves from one place to another. Leaning towards justice impacts the future. For example, Camilla and her family were able to cross from Romania border into the America despite of the border regulations. Some exceptions are necessary if people are to survive a tyrannical reign.

 The evolution of policies and humanitarian works may serve as a reminder that human life matter no matter where one comes from. Camilla embodies what it take to survive a Holocaust. The content of her purse are not intended to serve as a reminder but also inform on the things government officials need to in order to stop a similar ordeal from occurring. Therefore, it is not only about exhibiting a purse but also learning from the content of the purse and taking time to collect the recollected accounts of another person into account. In addition, the complimentary subject matter entails living in a foreign country and how well one can adopt to the norms of a foreign land (Eckmann, 2010). More so, Camilla’s purse change the trajectory of the role of women in matters pertaining political refuge and space in decision making as they are adversely affected by the scourges of war. This way, the purse’s content not only represent the past but a promising future and a chance to rectify the wrongs of the people who once ruled the world. The Holocaust did not just happen but a few people in leadership made it happen, hence a reminder to always treat leadership with the seriousness it deserves.

Reference

Bromley, P., & Russell, S. G. (2010). The Holocaust as history and human rights: A cross-national analysis of Holocaust education in social science textbooks, 1970–2008. Prospects, 40(1), 153-173.

Eckmann, M. (2010). Exploring the relevance of Holocaust education for human rights education. Prospects, 40(1), 7-16.

Short, G., & Reed, C. A. (2017). Issues in Holocaust education. Taylor & Francis.

Smithsonian Institution. (2020) Camilla’s Purse https://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/camillas-purse

Ancient and Medieval Political Theory

In the Republic, the three main classes are the guardian’s auxiliaries and the producers. The guardians include a class in the society that has the obligation of regulating the city. They are selected among the levels of auxiliaries and are also referred to as the kings of philosophy (Runciman 2010). They include those that are ready to devote their lives to do what they perceive to be on the interest of the society and those who will not act against it. They are kept under a close look to ensure that they do not sway from this principle no matter the circumstances.

The producers are the largest class in society and are a group that includes all the professions. Producers’ consist of framers, craftsmen, doctors, lawyers, among other people from different professions (Runciman 2010). In a just society, producers do not have a share in the ruling and they have to obey what the ruler’s verdict. Their focus is on producing whatever their profession entails and whatever they are best suited to produce.

The auxiliaries are the warriors who are responsible for defending the state from intruders. They also have a responsibility to keep peace at home (Runciman 2010). The auxiliaries enforce e the convictions of the guardians and make sure that the producers to the rules. Auxiliaries perform their duties under the orders of the rulers and help to implement their ideas. The guardians and the auxiliaries are expected to live a simple life with no private property or family life.

I think this arrangement is unjust because every person despite their profession should be allowed the opportunity to take part in the rulemaking decisions. Every individual should have a right to choose their profession and use their income whichever way they want as long as they perform their duties. Concerning family, I think every person is entitled to their own decision about having or not having a family, therefore it is unjust for any rule to deny their rights of freedom of whatever they wish to have.

References

Runciman, W. G. (2010). Great Books, Bad Arguments: Republic, Leviathan, and The

Communist Manifesto. Princeton University Press.