1900-1950 AS AMERICAN AS PUBLIC SCHOOL
As for this weeks reading and having intellectual talks with my classmates I came to a realization of how important my roots are and an interest of how i got to where i am now. Although I have thought about this before, I came to a conclusion of understanding how the system of life works. The group of four that i was in talked about how when we were in our early years we would salute the flag and pledge to the flag and how the years go by and we saw less of standing up to pledge in high school and how our peers wouldn't stand because it was against there beliefs, yet they still had to do it because this is america. In page 62 I see a picture of a class of students saluting towards the American flag, students of every race, some with sad long faces, others with a look of admiration, but none the less looked like they were forced to do so.
In my head i thought how many of these children come from different areas of the world and their
parents who had to conform to the American standards. "Through the public school, they learned English and they learned to be Americans"(pg 63) schools conditioned students to think a certain way and teach them to be Americanized rather than demonstrating their cultures. I understand that standing up and showing respect for the American flag is important gesture but nowadays some people don't think twice about sitting in when announced to pledge the flag because of their personal beliefs.
As for this weeks reading and having intellectual talks with my classmates I came to a realization of how important my roots are and an interest of how i got to where i am now. Although I have thought about this before, I came to a conclusion of understanding how the system of life works. The group of four that i was in talked about how when we were in our early years we would salute the flag and pledge to the flag and how the years go by and we saw less of standing up to pledge in high school and how our peers wouldn't stand because it was against there beliefs, yet they still had to do it because this is america. In page 62 I see a picture of a class of students saluting towards the American flag, students of every race, some with sad long faces, others with a look of admiration, but none the less looked like they were forced to do so. In my head i thought how many of these children come from different areas of the world and their
parents who had to conform to the American standards. "Through the public school, they learned English and they learned to be Americans"(pg 63) schools conditioned students to think a certain way and teach them to be Americanized rather than demonstrating their cultures. I understand that standing up and showing respect for the American flag is important gesture but nowadays some people don't think twice about sitting in when announced to pledge the flag because of their personal beliefs.
Kaly,
ReplyDeleteI loved when you bought this picture to our attention during the group discussion. From elementary school to high school, whenever we would have an assembly we'd sing "Lift Every Voice & Sing", I don't remember ever singing the National Anthem. In elementary school the obedience with learning and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance diminished as we went to middle/high school. The picture you provided says so much.
I agree!! The picture is a powerful addition to Kaly's blog!
DeleteKaly, You did a good job of giving a powerful example of "assimilation" and "americanization" during this period, and tying it into your group discussion, and today's issues. The picture is powerful too!
ReplyDelete