let america be america

i read the poem by langsten hughs and i totaly agree with what he said about america never was america. to me america should be free. a place were everyone should live equal no matter the amount of money you have and no matter what race you are. we are a nation under god and god loves everyone no matter what race color or gender. why cant we all live like this? ameica never was america.

The American Dream

THE AMERICAN DREAM

By: Sergeant Aaron M. Gilbert
Through all the fires,

Through all the pain,

The Marines stand tall,

To fight once again.

Always on call,

The Presidents own.

Always fighting,

To protect our home.

My life for our freedom,

My freedom to you,

These are gifts that we give,

For the Red White and Blue.

We die for you,

We die for them,

We do not complain,

About where or when.

For this is our job,

To fight around the world

And give the gift of our freedom

To every boy and every girl.

And yes peaceful solutions,

Can not always be found,

To free a trapped people,

From the terror around.

So we fought in this war,

With resolve in our hearts,

To help Iraq's people

Have a new and free start.

So speak of your "Peace,"

And how war is so wrong,

But shut your face when we're called

To give out the freedom we've won.

For you did not fight,

And you did not bleed.

And you did not die,

For the American dream.

God Bless the American Dream

My family Petagree stretches far across the Atlantic sea
Germany, Norway, Scottland
Thats from where they came
To this land of the free, of open oppratunity
America was in their dreams before they crossed that mighty sea...
The first foot that touched the soil, made their dream reality
I am of the fourth generation able to call themselves American
My ansestors smile deep below this American soil
and sing "God Bless the American Dream."

Dream While Living in America

I find that the poem "I, Too, sing America" was one that was really able to get the point across quick, and kind of hits home. As for me, Neil Diamonds "America"

Far
We've been travelling far
Without a home
But not without a star
FreeOnly want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America
Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're travelling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to AmericaToday, today, today, today, today
My country 'tis of thee(Today)
Sweet land of liberty(today)
Of thee I sing(today)Of thee I sing(today)

I think American Pie by Don McClean could fit the description too. It fits the American dream as well as the nightmare.

clint

Thanks for reading everyone. Kiss Kiss.

Dreams

This poem reminds me of why the American Dream exists. This poem is inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Now, "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame 

With conquering limbs astride from land to land; 

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand 

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame 

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.  From her beacon-hand 

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command  

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, 

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she 

With silent lips.  "Give me your tired, your poor, 

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, 

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, 

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, 

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The Great Gatsby

I really enjoyed watching this movie in class. I found that during the movie, all the rich people weren't satisfied with what they had. They had so much money, but still couldn't find happiness. There were so many affairs going on also, that they didn't even know what was important to them. I thought that Nick was a happy man, and he didn't have all the money that the other people did.

Week 3: American Dream Poetry

Here are some links to a few poems I think show a strong connection to the American Dream. Read any or all, and post your thoughts, please. :) If you would like, you could also locate and post a poem or song you think fits our discussion of the American Dream.

I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman

I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes (What kind of connection do you see between those two poems?)

Let America be America Again by Langston Hughes (This one is a little bit longer, but it is WELL worth the read, especially in connection with our discussion of King's "I Have a Dream Speech.")

A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe (Thanks to Wilson for bringing this one to our attention. What kind of dream do you think Poe was describing?)

Create your own post and comment on at least one post by next Monday, March 2.

The Great Gatsby

I had a hard time deciding on what to think about Jay. He was mysterious and yet we know he was in love with Daisy more than she was with him. He wouldn't get his happy ending no matter what he could have done. I did not like Daisy in the least. She was overdramatic, confused, and unable to think for herself. I understand her situation and upbringing but she isn't someone I would want to be friends with. Her story is sad but so is everyone else's. Tom was my least favorite in the movie, he certianly was the typical male for the time period. He married someone rich like himself and then did as he pleased knowing he could get away with it.

The Great Gatsby

It took me forever to figure out which girl was which. But Daisy drove me crazy. She was so dramatic about everything. Like when Myrtle's man came to Tom's house about where the car was and everything and Daisy ran off screaming and crying. Besides that it was a very good movie. The american dream was shown through like how Jay was poor but then made a lot of money and had a nice house and he was just expecting Daisy to fall in love with him again.

The Great Gatsby

I was not to fond of Jay. I think he tried to show off how much money he had by always wanting to do stuff. He is nice enough to give away the car to the guy that wants to keep his marriage good. I do not think Daisy is a very likable character because she seems to act all different around different people. I will admit i did get the characters mixed up time and time again, i also had to look back at the worksheet we had to keep me straight so i wasn't thinking one character was somebody else.

The Great Gatsby

This movie was very interesting. It seemed like all the rich people, Jay, Daisy, and Tom, all lost something very great in life. To me, Nick seemed to have to the best life, he did not have money, and that didn't matter. The American Dream was shown the same for the rich people, nice clothes, nice cars, big parties, a lot of attention. In the end this doesn't get them very far. It seemed like everyone was cheating on their spouses and lying and no one seemed completely happy. Nick on the other hand made a great friend and tried to help in anyway he could. I would rather be poor and happy, than rich and unhappy.

The Great Gatsby

It took me a while to get all the characters straight, but once I did, some pretty strong opinions started to form. I definitely did not like Tom - he was just out to please himself and didn't care what Daisy needed, or how the others might feel uncomfortable because they had to watch his temper tantrums. I wasn't sure what to think about Jay the entire time. From the beginning he just seemed a little fishy. I have also come to the conclusion that I would not have wanted to be in Nick or Jordan's shoes during the many awkward situations they had to sit through!

The American Dream

These are Edgar Allen Poe's thoughts on the American Dream...thought kw might enjoy:

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

Leaves of grass

O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; Of the endless trains of the faithless--of cities fill'd with the foolish; Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) Of eyes that vainly crave the light--of the objects mean--of the struggle ever renew'd; Of the poor results of all--of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me; Of the empty and useless years of the rest--with the rest me intertwined; The question, O me! so sad, recurring--What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer: That you are here--that life exists, and identity; That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.

The American Dream

I think everyone has their own American Dream. The overall picture is the same. Everyone just gets to theirs differently. I don't think anyone should be judged about their dream. Different people have different goals. As long as people are happy then others should not be worried about what they are doing.

The American Dream

I think different people have different views on the American Dream.In the movies the people who are so called living the American Dream, normally have a big house down by the ocean or lake and drive really nice cars. They also have two really smart children normally in movies its a boy and a girl. They have a dog named spike, i think people need to go for there goals and try to achieve of what they see as the American Dream.Different people see the world different not everyones view of the american dream is the same, so people need to stop trying to persue others people view of the American Dream.

The American Dream does have it's basic meaning on what it is to the public, but it also can have it's individual meaning to the specific person. In a way, having the specific dream for what that person wants is what is expected out of what the American Dream really is. In that sense, that is the stereotype dream. Obviously people have their own personal "dream" that they wish to reach, but the thing that makes the American Dream different from a regular dream is that here in America you can achieve what you truely want to do and not only what your country will allow.

The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby: was a poor poor boy before the war but some how he beacame rich after the war. how in that amount of time can someone go from being dirt poor to being filthy rich. i want to be part of this scandal. he made alot of money so quick.

Daisy Buchanan: well she is just crazy honestly i havent finished the movie because i had to leave at 10:30 yesterday for our choir competion, but from what i did see she defenently needs help alot of help.

Tom Buchanan: he is just so unlikablel he is a horrible person and a horible husband, if i was daisy weather it was my religon or not i would have goten rid of to along time ago though she did love him at one point that doesnt mean she has to love them know.

The Great Gatsby: THE MOVIE

Here's my brief synopsis of what I think of the main characters.

We got Myrtle who, to put it simply, is kind of a lunatic! Then there's Jay Gatsby he seems to have cool mysterious personality too him. But seems to not find what he really wants, becuase I think he doesn't know what he wants. Daisy, I guess you could say is 'Just Darlin', she's very dramatic and can't seem to find the happiness she is looking for in her relationships and money values. Tom is the kind of person where you just want to sit down with him and have a nice talk, about what in the world is going through his head. Would be an interesting/maybe scary talk. And finally Nick is honest and seems to stick to what he thinks. He seems very genuine.

cd

Thanks everyone for reading. Kiss Kiss.

The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby: I think it's sad how he holds parties all the time but never attends them. On several occasions throughout the movie it shows him standing upstairs watching his parties take place, just observing all the people that gathered at his home. I think this is his attempt at having a social life. When asked if he gets lonely in his big house, he just replies by saying he invites interesting people over every day. I found that was pretty odd since he never attempts to interract with any of them.

Daisy Buchannon: I'm not too sure about Ms. Daisy, but at first impression i think she's kind of irritating. She wouldn't be with Jay Gatsby because he didn't have the money to keep her family. "Rich girls don't marry poor boys." She married Tom because he had money, not because she loved him. I think what i'm trying to say is, she's foolish. It's ironic that Gatsby came back as a rich man. ;) If i could say one thing to her though, i would have to say go for Gatsby while he'll still have you. Tom's having an affair. lol.

Tom: Don't much like this chap, kind of a hypocrit if you ask me....annnd a woman beater.

TTFN...

The American Dream

Years ago, the American Dream was simple; the desire to have a happy family and to own a home. But as the years have passed and technology and industrialization have expanded, so has that simple American Dream. I think that today's society is more concerned with making "quick money," than experiencing the joys of homeownership. Instsead things like winning the lottery, or landing a roll on a reality t.v. show, have taken place of those once-important things. I think this alone reflects our "new-and-improved morals". I think that's all i have to say for now...

The Great...

My favorite character is Ms. Jordan Baker, she screams confadence and isnt really bothered by high "morals". I also like Mrs. Daisy; its sad the way she over does the happyness speel because she is so myserable on the inside. But over all i think she has a good heart just a little miss lead.

I HATE Tom, he is such a jerk, also a big time hypocrite (its all right for him to carry on with an affair, but if daisy just looks at some one shes in the wrong). Hes violent and and selfish... Hate him.

All the other characters im indifferent (but i still understand their importance).

Sorry for all my spelling errors xD

Adieu, vain world, I've seen enough of thee

Adieu, vain world, I've seen enough of thee,

And now am careless what thou say'st of me.

Thy smiles I court not, nor thy frowns I fear.

My Cares are past, my head lies quiet here.

What faults you saw in me take care to shun,

And look at home, enough there's to be done.

Where ere I liv'd or dy'd it matters not,

To whom related, or by whom begot,

I was now am not, ask no more of me.

It's all I am and all the proud shall be.

American Dream

The American dream is usually viewed as one single dream, but it could also be broke down into many different dreams. We have the overall dream of the nice house and family to go along with it. To some individuals the American dream is viewed as being happy in many different areas of life. I believe that the American dream for me is complete happiness. To be happy with myself, choices I make, and the people I surround myself with.

Week 2: The Great Gatsby

I've really enjoyed reading your posts. Thanks for sharing. :) If you haven't already posted and commented on the first prompt ("Welcome"), please do so still for partial credit. We want to hear your thoughts! Just be sure to title your blog accordingly so we know if you're writing about the American Dream or The Great Gatsby. I also appreciate everyone being so flexible while I'm gone for my grandma's funeral. You're the greatest!

Task #2: For your next post, I want to hear your initial impressions of the characters in The Great Gatsby. What do you think of Jay Gatsby? Do you think Daisy is a likable character? Why or why not? What about Daisy's husband Tom? Really, I'm just asking for your supported opinions about the characters. Also, be sure to COMMENT on someone else's post. This is due by Monday, Feb. 23, at 8:00 a.m.

American Dreams

"The American Dream" is a type of control mechanisim, its a predeterminded concept which the majority of socioty thinks YOU should live your life by. It's not the dreams of americans, its the dream of "The Man". But thankfully most people have their own dreams they wish to full fill, they will not and can not share the same dreams associated with the man (its too easy) and thats why i belive we still have a chance.

The American Dream

I don't think the American Dream is all about consumerism. I believe the American Dream is about working hard to achieve your goals. For early immigrants to the New World, this was the Dream they had, and it morphed into the American Dream. Since society has changed, it has changed into a materialistic dream, but at the heart of the Dream, it is still working hard to achieve your goals.

American Dream

I believe that everyone has a different view on what they call an American Dream. To some they want to have a lot of money and own big things. Some want to have the "perfect family." To me, the American Dream is to be happy with myself and to be happy with my life. And to live each day that God has given me to the fullest!

Alice in Wonderland

The "Alice in Wonderland" tribute song known as "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.

One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small,
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all.
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall.

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall,
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call.
Poor Alice
When she was just small.

When the men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving low.
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know.

When logic and proportion
Have fallen softly dead,
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's "Off with her head!"
Remember what the dormouse said:
"Feed your head. Feed your head. Feed your head."

the american dream

when i think about the american dream i think about what scoiety wants as a whole. i think about a white picket fence, a surban, two kids with loving parents who have nice, well paying jobs. i think in some way or another most people want this. however once i really got to thinking about it i realized its just a dream, and most of the people that have this probably arent truely happy although alot of them are.

i think the term american dream is about this idea of having the perfect life. but i have realized that you dont have to have this dream for your life. in the end you need to do what makes you happy cause at the end of the day thats all that really matters.

The Dream Today

I don't want to spend my life working for the destination of the American dream because I don't believe it is a destination. I want, instead, to enjoy each day God has given me. I know I talked a little bit about this in class, but I don't think the American Dream can be acheived in one specific moment. It's not like we just wake up some day and say, "Hmm, guess what - I'm living the dream now." I believe we can only acheive the American dream when we wake up and say, "I'm going to live the dream today. No matter what struggles will come, I will make the most of them and enjoy today while I have it."

the american dream

to me the american dream is to be happy with yourself and what you do. I didnt really say anything in the discussion last week but i did listen to what everyone else was discussing and i have seen that not everyone has the same american dream. Martin Luther King Jr.s dream was to see that all men and woman no matter what race or religon they would live together in brotherhood.

Week 1: Welcome

Hey all! This will be our class blog for the rest of the semester. This will be a great way for you to share your writing skills and insights on what happens in class.

So here's the skinny. Each week you will be required to CREATE one new post and RESPOND to at least one other post. At the beginning of each week I'll give you some direction, if you need it. Otherwise, I just want you to be thinking about and responding to what happens in class.

Other items to note: This is a great opportunity to share with one another, but keep in mind...this is monitored by me. Don't say anything inappropriate or rude or unnecessary. This blog is for learning purposes, and I really think it will be an important tool for our classroom community. SO have fun!

Your FIRST assignment: Share your thoughts on our discussion of the American Dream last week. What do you think the American Dream means? Is it the same for everyone? Should we judge others' dreams? Take those questions, and go from there. Also be sure to give us your first name if your profile name doesn't already provide it. Due date: Create your post (click on "New Post" in the upper righthand corner) and respond (click on "Comment" at the end of a post) to at least one other by 8:00 a.m., Monday, February 16.