Week 5

One thing that bothered me was the fact that Nassir may not be able to have access to legal counsel. As an American citizen we have the right to legal counsel which is a Constitutional right (the sixth amendment to be specific). I don't feel it is right to detain an American citizen based on suspicion of something. This man was coming back from vacation and he was detained as soon as he stepped off the airplane. He is being treated as if he is stepping into the country for the very first time and has a sign hanging around his neck saying he's here to blow the airport up. I understand that this is a matter of national security but the government is definitely taking this too far.

Week 5

This video angered me in that innocent muslims were getting arrested in this fictional scenario even though they had nothing to do with the crimes being committed. This is the problem of racial profiling, which I believe is very wrong. In order to arrest someone and take them away from their families police should have to have a good reason other than the fact that someone looks suspicious, or in this case like the "typical terrorist." If this were to actually happen in the United States it ashames me to admit this but I don't really think that some people would care that this was happening to innocent people.

The Balancing Act

The Balancing Act: Security and Liberty Post-9/11 video is about the relationship between security and personal freedom. The video brings up fictional scenarios were America has been attacked. The first scenario shows our grocery stores being targeted by terrorists. They poison our food in grocery stores and then people eat the food and die. It shows that the American government then targets all the muslims and sends a bunch of them away to prison, not allowing them to try and prove themselves innocent. These events cause a huge economic uproar. And it brings up, once again the subject of racism. Innocent muslims were sent away to prison, having to leave their families even though they had absolutely nothing to do with the situation. It is unnecessary and unruly. All the people in the video discuss their views on the subject. I agreed with one man when he says, "Is the United States a battle ground? Is this an act of war, or a crime? Do we apply the civil law to it, or do we bring in the President's war power?" This shows that it is such an unknown subject. I think that we, as the people of the United States, should already know what to do in situations like this, incase it ever were to really happen.

Week 4 Summary

Callie used some quotes from the Declaration of Sentiments which she interpreted to mean that women should not accept their old position in society. She said that the history of women's rights in the U.S has been a struggle and that she does not agree with the stereotype that women should stay home with the children and cook and clean.
Kristen agreed with Callie and said that even though women may have equal rights legally; they are still looked down upon on a daily basis. She related this to last weeks reading about equality within different races. Kristen enjoyed reading the Declaration of Sentiments because she said it described all that women deserve as equal citizens.
Adam enjoyed this reading as well and thought it made some great points. His favorite quote was: "that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". He said that when women were considered to be below men they were deprived of these given rights.

Week 4

Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was a great thing to read. It made so many great points about women and their right to be treated equal. The first thing that stood out to me was actually the quote that Callie used in her blog. I have to disagree with Kacy when she says she hears people still to this day making comments about women belonging in the kitchen. I'm not sure if that has to do with us coming from different areas. When I do hear it its in a joking manner. One of my favorite lines from this was "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Our Creator gave us certain rights when he created us, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When women were held below men they were being deprived these rights that were given to us when we were created. We weren't created to be have one gender better than the other, we were created to be equal.

I completely agree with Callie when she says that women deserve all the same rights as men, and I'm not just saying that because I am a women. People to this day are still making comments to women such as "make me a sandwich" or "you belong in the kitchen." Even though it seems as we have overcome the problem of women being looked down upon, it's still happening on a daily basis. Just like last weeks blog about equality in races, there should also be equality in gender. We are all human beings, no matter what color our skin, hair, eyes, or gender we are. This means that we should all be treated equally. It seems as though if you were a strong, white, successful man back in the day, than you really had to fight for all of your rights. I really enjoyed reading the Declaration of Sentiments because it listed everything that women deserved. That we, as women, are just as smart and capable of thinking as men are. And that we, as women, are just as capable at voting as men are. To pretty much sum up the entire thing, it's saying that we all deserve the SAME EXACT rights as men do. Women are not below men. We are all equal!

Week 4

The Declaration of Setiments states that woman should be treated as equals just the same as men. It states "That the women of this country ought to be enlightened in regard to the laws under which they- live, that they may no longer publish their degradation, by declaring themselves satisfied with their present position, nor their ignorance, by asserting that they have all the rights they want." This is basically saying that women should not be okay with their old position in society. Women's rights have been a real struggle in society. People still say that women belong in the kitchen or at home with the kids. I believe that this is wrong and women deserve all the rights that men do.

Week 3 Summary

Erica likes how President Lyndon B. Johnson used the phrases "All men are created equal", "Government by consent of the governed", and "Give me liberty or give me death" in his speech. She said it reminded us that they were well known and that they were supposed to be true. She made a very good point by bringing up how President Johnson had said we had lost countless lives to ensure that America would be the place where there was equality for each and every citizen.
Kacy mentioned how President Johnson said this issue wasn't just a Negro problem, Southern Problem, or Northern problem but it was an American problem. She said that America was the first nation to be created with a purpose and that's how the Constitution was created and that's how it should remain.
Callie said we claim to know the laws of the Constitution, but we deny certain people of their rights. We are one nation, and every citizen of the United States, no matter their race or skin color, should be granted these rights.

Week 3 person 1

President Lyndon B. Johnson made many great points in his “We Shall Overcome” speech. As Erica pointed out, he stated the fact that inequality was a dishonor to those who fought for our freedom. Kacy also brought up a great point in saying that the issue was not just a Negro problem, Southern problem, or Northern problem, that it was an American problem. We claim to know the laws of the Constitution, but then we deny certain people of their rights. We are one nation, and every citizen of the United States, no matter their race or skin color, should be granted these rights. That is why this document was made in the first place, to make sure that citizens were given the rights that they deserve. I find it astonishing that it took that long after African-Americans were freed for them to be considered “equals”. Even today there are still some people that don’t consider them equal and that is wrong on so many levels.

Person 5

Erica made a good point by stating that all President Johnson was really trying to say was that everyone, including Negroes, deserved equality. She always stated that Johnson knew that the problem wouldn't be fixed overnight. It would take long hours in the office, but he was willing to work that hard just to have the bill passed. What happened in Selma, is under no circumstances acceptable. No American should be proud of what happened, and every single one of us should feel ashamed. Because according to the constitution, every American is equal and every American deserves the same rights. President Johnson said that the issue wasn't just a Negro problem, Southern problem, or Northern problem, and that there is only an American problem. We are together and one nation. This was said perfectly because it wasn't just one set group of people's problems, it was every single American's problem. We, as Americans, were not living up to the Constitution that was created for ourselves. America was the first nation to be created with a purpose. Every citizen deserved the right to vote. That's how the Constitution was created and that's how it should remain. President Johnson also made it a point to state in his speech that over a century ago African Americans were freed. Equality was promised to them, yet, still 100 years later, they still were not equal. The promise still remained unkept. It is crazy to think that 100 years after they were freed, Negroes still continued to be treated unequally. How over those 100 years did nothing really change? It's mind boggling. It was time for a change in the American society.

Week 3- Person 3

"All men are created equal."
"Government by consent of the governed."
"Give me liberty or give me death."

President Lyndon B. Johnson quoted these commonly used phrases in his speech "We Shall Overcome". I really liked how he used these to remind us that they are well known because they are supposed to be true! He said that countless lives had been lost fighting to ensure that America would be the place where there was equality for each and every citizen and he added that inequality was a dishonor to those who died fighting for our freedom. He made sure to display that the negative treatment of African-Americans was not supported by our country and that we must strive to regain the equality that we as a whole had once earned.

Johnson urges all to support his proposed bill and states that even if the bill is passed, the battle is far from over. He says that it will be up to African Americans to take advantage of all of the benefits of American life, and a continous journey for ALL to overcome the feelings of injustice and bigotry within their communities.

Week 2 Summary

Adam believes that the word citizenship was "tainted" by the tradgic shooting of January *th. He believes that the United States is concidered one of the best places to live, and one of the main reasons for that is the citizens.

Erica mentioned that the shooter did not have any ties or motives within the system within the system he terrorized. He was rejected enlisting in the army which might have casued som antimosity toward the U.S. government. She believes the shooting showed that no matter who you are, you are in danger.

Kristen believes that the shooting gives ourgovernment and politics a bad name. Also, it not only affected the people of the U.S. but also the people around the world.

Kacy agrees with Adam in the fact that the word citizenship has been "tainted" by the shooting of January 8th.

Adam stated that Governor LePage was right, maybe not his choice of words, but his reasoning behind them. Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn't have wanted black people to have special treatment because of him. He wanted them to be treated as equals.

Erica mentioned that we are used to "hearing what we want to hear", and she is glad to have someone who will speak his mind. She brings up a really good point when she says that "everyone is not going to agree with what everyone else says, does, or believes, and we should simply focus on our commonalities and try to preserve some peace.

Kristen believes that Governor LePage is an embarrassment to our society, and he should apologize for his statement.

Week 2

I agree with what Adam said by mentioning that after the shooting, the word citizenship has been tainted. Not only did the shooting have a negative effect on the U.S., but on the whole world. Erica made a good point in adding in that the shooter in Texas shot at the people he did, for no real reasons at all and was not linked to any types of terrorism. She also stated that our country is actually scary in the fact tat no matter who you are, you are in danger. There is no real solution to this except awareness.



Both Adam and Erica seemed to have the same opinions on what was said by Governor Paul LePage. They both believe that he did the right thing by declining to meet with the black prisoners. Adam said that Martin Luther King Jr. would never want one race to be singled out on his day of remembrance. Everyone should be treated equally, just like what he preached to people over and over again. The colored people that are in jail, are in prison for the same reasons that white people are imprisoned and they deserve no extra attention than any of the other people, even if it is Martin Luther King Day. Kristin, on the other hand, thought that what he said was actually an embarrassment to the people. She thought that his words were an hurtful to people and that he should have to apologize. In my own personal opinion, I would have to agree with both Adam and Erica because LePage did the right thing, even though he said it a bit harsh and it should've been reworded he did the right thing by not going to visit the prison.

Week 2

The shooting that happened on January 8th, 2011 was a tragedy. It's a shame that this shooting was a result of politics and should've never happened. I think that it gives our government and politics in general a bad name. Many people were put in much pain that night. Whether someone got shot, wounded, or a family member was affected by the shooting; a lot of people were affected that day. I agree that this has not only affected us in the United States, but also people around the world. It gives politics a bad name, and that situation should have never happened. The guy that shot all those people that night was said to be unstable, and that may have had something to do with what happened.
Also, I believe that the incident that involved Governor LePage was also an embarrasment to our society and our government. The words that were said should have never been said, especially by a member of our government. He represents us as whole, and for him to say that gave a bad name to us all. Considering that the remark was taken as a racial remark, that adds even more embarrasment. Our country has gone through way too much racial issues as is, and this remark certainly did not help in any way. Governor LePage should appologize for his actions and words, for it was hurtful to many.

Week 2 - #3

Citizenship as we understand it, does face harsh implications when one or more of our members act in ways which receive widespread negative attention. One important point which I believe Adam did not mention was that the January 8th shooter had no real ties or motives within the system he terrorized. He was a very unbalanced man who was rejected from enlisting in the U.S Army. This surely made him mad at the U.S but his victims appear to be random and unlinked to his insecurities. To me, this is scary. No matter where in this country you stand: for the better or the worse, young or old, you are in danger. The unstable and dangerous are so few compared to to our moral CITIZENS, however, their capabilities to destruct overpower the actions of those who are good. Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a real remedy to this, only awareness.
On another note, our new mayor is one who speaks his mind. This is a real shock because we are used to "hearing what we want to hear" and not always the truth in politics. Although I am sure now that Governor LePage wished he had rephrased his response; I am happy that he said "kiss my butt"! Personally I do not understand the point of visiting imprisoned colored people on MLK Day. Does this implicate that they are being treated unequally? They are there because they have been convicted of crimes serious enough to yield prison sanctions, just like the people of every other race who are there as well (including whites). The NAACP is now taking advantage of this decision in order to promote controversy within our local government. I wish we could all just realize that we are not going to agree with everything that everyone says, does, or believes, and we should simply focus on our commonalities and try to preserve some peace!

ALSO- I had originally typed this in Word and was not able to paste it to this blog; I had to retype it. Is there a way to enable copy and pasting?

Week 2

The tragic shooting on January 8, 2011 displays a poor image of our citizens. when I think of the word citizen or citizenship the words respectful, well mannered, and honorable come to mind. The shooting that took place by the American citizen certainly does not fit these words. The word citizenship has been tainted in my eyes. This is not how the citizens of the United States of America are supposed to act. We are seen as one of the finest places to live in the world and that has a large part to do with our citizens. I feel as though this shooting had negative effect not only here in the U.S.A but also around the world.

Governor Paul LePage started a frenzy last week when he told the NAACP to "kiss my butt". It took until this assignment for me to get the actual reasoning for his statement. The NAACP wanted him to meet with black prisons at a Maine State Prison on Martin Luther King Day. The governor said he wouldn't meet with only the black prisoners if he went and that he would meet with all the prisoners. When the NAACP got mad at him for declining the invitation he told them to "kiss my butt". This may not have been the best choice of words but I agree with him nonetheless. Martin Luther King was a great man who accomplished some many great things to make our country the way it is today. However, would Martin Luther King really want black people to get special commemoration on a day in honor of him? I personally don't think he would. He wanted everyone to be equal, so why would it be alright for the governor to only visit the black prisoners. Governor LePage made the right decision whether he was thinking this way or not he made the right decision.

Week 1 Blog Summaries

One of the most significant African-American rights protest, was the Montgomery bus situation. Martin Luther King told his protesters that in order to succeed, the most remain unified and stay away from violence in order to not break laws of the Constitution. Rosa Parks was one of the finest citizens in Montgomery; once she was arrested for sitting in what was considered to be a white only section on the bus, the Negro community was astonished and tired of being humiliated. In the December 5th, 1955 speech given by King, he proved that if they were proven wrong for protesting for justice, then the Constitution itself was wrong.

Many important points were made in the speech, including what glory it is to have the ability to protest. King implies that as good citizens, we should stand up for each other when needed, just because we can. In his speech he described Rosa Parks as one of the finest citizens, leaving out the word Negro. This implied that no matter what skin color a person is, they can still be considered one of the finest.

The speech also made a point to recognize that African-Americans were not wrong for standing up for themselves. They were just standing up for their justice, which, according to the Supreme Court, Constitution, and the word of God, is what all Americans deserved. MLK knew that with courage, strength, and determination, the black race would get the justice that they had deserved.

Saturday #3

In this speech, MLK made it a point to recognize the fact that African Americans were not "wrong" and were simply standing up for the justice which all Americans deserved according to the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the word of God. I am not religious but wanted to see what people's thoughts were on God vs. racism; if white people really thought racism was acceptable at this time. This site has some passages from the bible which seem to spell out that all really are intended to be treated equally.

Martin Luther King knew that courage and strength in numbers paired with determination would get the black race the justice they rightfully deserved along with the ability to make notable change which would forever be remembered throughout American History.

MIA Mass Meeting-Friday

One important point that was made in this speech was telling the audience what a glory it is that we have to ability to protest. Since we live in America we have the ability to protest, its one of our many rights as citizens here in the United States. Martin Luther King used the word glory when he said "this is the glory of America" and "this is the glory of our democracy". He was talking about how nations that are communist and are part of a totalitarian regime do not have the glory of protest. He was implying that as good citizens we need to to stand up in protest when we feel something is not right and we should do this because we can.

A second important point that was made was that Martin Luther King made the point of saying that one of Montgomery's finest citizens had been arrested and he went on to say that it was not the finest Negro citizen but one of Montgomery's finest citizens. By saying this he caught the attention of some many people because he left out the Negro, which was the right thing to do. He implied that just because someone is a Negro that does not mean that they are not one of the finest citizens if not the finest.

Week 1 Blog: MLK

The Montgomery bus situation was a very significant event in the African-American rights protest. Martin Luther King Jr., an avid protestor throughout these series of events, told his audience that in order to be successful in their protest they would have to stick together. He stated, "Unity is the great need of the hour, and if we are united we can get many of the things that we not only desire, but also what we justly deserve."

King ordered that in their protest his followers refrain form the use of violence. He did not want them, in any way, to defy the laws of the Constitution. He assured the audience that they would not be compared to the Ku Klux Klan or with the White Citizens Council. "We only assemble here because of our desire to see right exist."

Martin Luther King Jr. believed that Rosa Parks was the perfect person to be put in the situation in Montgomery because no one could question her integrity. She had no background of previous protest and was considered one of the finest citizens in Montgomery, not only Negroes, but in all of Montgomery. After Rose's arrest, the Negro community's tempers were flaring. They were outraged by the Montgomery bus situation. But more specifically, were tired of being humiliated and were ready to protest for their rights.

In the speech King made on December 5th, 1955, he states that the press tried to get the public to believe that Parks refused to leave a reserved section for Negroes. When in fact, there was no reserved section. After Rosa was arrested, King made a statement saying that if they were declared wrong in their protest, which, in the Constitution, is stated as a right to all United States citizens, then the Constitution itself is wrong.

What comes to mind when you hear the word citizenship?

Voting- It is one of our rights as a citizen.

Freedom- It is another one of our rights.

Taxes- It is an obligation as a citizen to pay taxes.