A Place of One's Own: The Quest for Home Ownership

The title “A Place of One’s Own: The Quest for Home Ownership” pretty much says it all. The article talks about how important having one’s own home is to Americans especially in today’s times. But back in the nineteenth century with industrialization was leading the economy; living in the cities became more and more popular. Buying a home in the city suddenly rose in importance to having a family farm. While Americans were able to buy their nice homes using credit, most African Americans and Hispanics were pushed to the bottom of the barrel. Segregation made it hard for them, they were not shown houses in white neighborhoods, banks refused them for mortgages, and whites refused to sell their homes to blacks. One man, Dr. Ossian Sweet, was somehow able to buy a small house inside of a working-class white neighborhood, but on the day they moved in an angry white mob gathered. One thing leads to another and soon gun shots rang out upon the crowd. When Sweet and his family and friends were brought to the police station they were accused of murder, however, in court thanks to defense lawyer Clarence Darrow Sweet was found not guilty. He was simply defending his home and family.
Questions:
If you were in Dr. Sweet’s shoes how would you have felt about the angry mob at your door step and what would you have done?
Today, do you think it is still as hard for people of other races to find their own home in a good neighborhood?

CD

1. After reading about the bleak conditions in which our soldiers fought during this war, do soldiers now-days have it easier? If yes, do you think this is why we have less deaths in our ways now compared to previous wars.
Living condition wise, yes, soldiers today do have it easier than the doughboys. I’ve never heard of anyone every mentioning that they have to live in a “dark, damp, smelly hole” or that their living quarters were “infested with rats, body lice, and bed bugs”. Technology and artillery have advanced since WWI. Computers make it faster and easier for soldiers to get in touch with their families unlike the doughboys who had to wait for letters. Since the living conditions are better, today’s soldiers don’t have to face as much health concerns as before, hence, less deaths.
2. The work of the Doughboys ultimately helped defeat the Germans in France, do you think the American way of fighting [tactical, marksmanship, movement] would have been more affective?
While tactics, marksmanship, and movement are very important components to affectively winning a war, I also think that the most affective thing is to be well trained and ready mentally and physically for the combat ahead. After a soldier is prepared then he should worry about tactics, marksmanship, and movement, because what good would those things be if you were not well trained and prepared to face the harsh battle.
3. Should the two million American soldiers that made up the AEF have been deployed to Europe much sooner in order to have ended the war?
No, because they were already being deployed fast enough as it was. Plus, they were not fully trained and lacked experience. I don’t necessarily think that being there sooner would have changed anything. Being there sooner doesn’t always guarantee that you will have the upper hand that will allow you to end the war sooner.
4. Why were there tensions between French and American during the war even though the doughboys were there to help?
The different cultures just took a toll on the soldiers both French and American. First off, they didn’t even speak the same language. The language barrier made it hard for them to connect on any level of camaraderie. The French and Americans also had different fighting styles. The French put an emphasis on trench warfare while Americans emphasized mobility, tactics, and marksmanship. The differing views on how to fight the war caused a lot of conflicts between the two countries.
5. Do you think there are still troops being shipped to war (Afghanistan) inexperienced and poorly trained just as the doughboys did?
No, because during WWI the soldiers were being drafted in a rush so that they would have a large army to bring over to Europe. Basically during WWI they focused more on quantity then quality. Today’s soldiers are well trained and qualified before they are deployed. But, mentally I don’t think anyone could ever be prepared for war until they are out there in a war zone facing the enemy and various weapons.
6. What were the long lasting societal changes in America that were sped up or created by American involvement in WWI?
While the men were away at war, the women had the opportunity to step up and fill the men’s places. They were able to show that they were capable of doing jobs that were initially meant for men only. I think that’s what really helped the women earn their right to vote.
7. Do you think that African American Doughboys and their experience in France impacted them to act in a different way when they came back to the United States after the war?
I think it did make them at in a different way when they came back to the U.S. because they realized that they have gone as far as to risk their life in order to protect the United States. Yet, they were still being discriminated against and that’s totally not fair. They knew they deserved to be treated better.

TA

Text Analysis #2 The Final Push for Women Suffrage

Who is Writing?

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony, October 1909.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay, March 13, 1919.

The President Intervenes- President Woodrow Wilson, September 30, 1918.

Reflections on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt, Thanksgiving Day, 1920.

Audience:

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony’s best friend, Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Politicking for Suffrage- New York state legislators, specifically Mrs. Maud Wood Park

The President Intervenes- The Senate

Reflections on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt’s staff at NAWSA

Who does the Writer Represent?

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony is representing the older generation of women who fought long and hard to break out of the traditional women roles and to create a public identity for women. She also represents the meaning of hope. Fifty years ago, she had hoped to earn rights for women. Fifty years later, she’s hoping that the young and educated generation of women will fight to earn suffrage.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay represents the strong-willed and hardworking women of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Women who are out there trying to make a difference by doing whatever they can. From traditional petitions, lobbying, and networking to those who opt for extreme ways in hope to gain attention from the public and the government.

The President Intervenes- President Woodrow Wilson represents the women who are fighting for suffrage and he is also representing democracy.

Reflection on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt is representing all the women who have fought for women’s suffrage and she also represents all of the hardships that they have been through in order to make a statement and to make a difference.

What is being Said:

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony is reflecting on the long, rocky road that she and her fellow colleagues have treaded, on their mission for the rights of women. In her letter to Elizabeth Stanton she says that even though they, themselves, won’t be able to complete the mission, the young and educated generation after them are fully equipped and well prepared to continue on the quest for suffrage. Susan B. Anthony is very proud of the next generation of women and has absolutely no doubt whatsoever that they will achieve what she and so many others have fought long and hard for.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay is a very straightforward person. She is knows what she’s doing and she’s very active in getting all the latest information. She doesn’t trust either the Democrats or the Republicans, she trusts herself to get what she wants and what she wants is for the Suffrage Amendment to be passed.

The President Intervenes-President Wilson wants to convince the Senate to pass the Suffrage Amendment on behalf of the women and democracy. He tries to persuade them by saying how big of a role women have played during the war and how much they have contributed. The president also mentions that other countries look up to the U.S. as an example and that we should be a good role model to them by passing the Amendment.

Reflections on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt is reflecting on all the years that they have spent on trying to achieve their goal and for it to be finally accomplished is a sacred moment in history. She’s saying that it is a very proud moment to all women who sacrificed themselves in order to be able to vote. The victory was great but what was even greater is the lesson learned through all the years of hard work. That if you want to make a difference, you can. As long as you have the right attitude and are persistent throughout the whole thing then you can definitely make a difference.

How is it being said?

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony speaks very highly of the next generation of women. She speaks confidently about her vision of the future and how she knows that women will be victorious in the end.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay is actively doing all that she can in order to get the Suffrage Amendment passed. She seems very confident in herself and she knows exactly what she’s doing. When she says that she doesn’t trust Democrats or Republicans it’s like she’s actually saying that she can’t trust anyone else to get the Amendment passed besides herself. She knows exactly what she wants and she also knows what it’s going to take to get it.

The President Intervenes- President Wilson tries to win the Senate over by talking about major points such as war and democracy. He tries to inspire the Senate by talking about how big of a step it would be towards a true democracy. In a way he tries to butter the Senate up by saying that other countries “…are looking to the great, powerful, democracy of the west to lead them to a new day…”. If they wanted to continue to look great and powerful to the other countries then they would have to pass the Nineteenth Amendment as proof.

Reflection on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt is glad that they have finally come to the end of the long, exhausting road and victory is upon in their hand. She is proud of the women for making a difference and is filled with admiration for anyone that had contributed to their feat.

Proof:

Passing the Baton- She praises the younger generation of women for being educated, experienced, strong, and courageous. She also believes that because the number of women fighting for suffrage has increased significantly over the years, they now have a better chance of gaining that right. Fifty years ago, there were only a handful of women and now fifty years later, there is an army of them. That huge amount of women cannot simply be ignored by the public and she believes that will help them to achieve their goal.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay is very determined to get what she wants. She relies on her own abilities and she seems quite confident with the way that she handles things.

The President Intervenes- President Wilson tries to convince the Senate by bringing up all that the women have done. For example, he said that passing the Nineteenth Amendment would be vital to winning the war. He also brings up the point that if we want to lead other countries into democracy then we first have to show them what democracy is all about.

Reflection on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt talked about how the victory was the most wonderful thing that the world has ever seen. The women had established a new and good thing in the world. It will inspire people to stand up for what they believe in and to make a difference.

Historical Significance/Relevance:

The Final Push for Women Suffrage is significant because women played a major role during the Progressive Era. They fought for many long years to gain their right to vote and to have a public identity. The Nineteenth Amendment was passed due largely to their determination and efforts combined. The passing of the Amendment was a remarkable time in history. The Nineteenth Amendment gives women a voice in society by giving them the right to vote.

How does this Document’s Premise or Theme Fit into the Historical Context:

The U.S. being involved in the war was the perfect chance for women to show society that they can work and take care of the family even if most of the men are fighting overseas. They were able to prove that they were capable of working just as hard as the men.

Highlighters Are My Best Friends.

Who else is having trouble understanding the book? I hope it's not just me, otherwise, that would just be sad. I get the concept of the text, but there's just so much to take in! So, I decided to re-read the assigned readings from the second day to today's, but with a highligter in hand. As I went back and re-read the text I highlighted all of the important stuff and now I think I understand it a whole lot better than before. Well, enough with that.

How's everyones' day going? This week has gone by pretty fast, it's weird how when I was younger days used to go by so slowly, but now I feel so crunched for time. It's like I never have enough time in the day to get everything that needs to get done, done.

But, on a happier note, I'm so so so excited to watch Sherlock Holmes this weekend! Has anyone watched it yet? What are your opinions of it? Alrighty, this post is getting long enough, so until next time....

Au Revoir !

Update!

So, apparently, we're supposed to update our blog everyday on how we're doing in History. It's the third day and so far, so good. I've been reading the assigned pages and taking notes on them diligently, don't want to start off the quarter on a bad foot. I really hope I can keep this up throughout the whole quarter! I hope you guys are doing well too :) Well, that's it for today!

Ciao!

P.S. For those who don't mind taking a three minute break and are a fan of ballet: watch this!

She is so amazing!

About Me .

Hi everyone !

I hope you guys all had a wonderful break :)

Well first off, my name is Trang. This is my second quarter at Highline, next year I plan on transferring to a four-year college. Hopefully I'll get accepted by either the University of Washington or Seattle University :) This is my first online class so i'm still trying to figure out how to do anything, hopefully i'll get the hang of it soon. I enjoy a variety of interests, things like: reading, painting, tennis, camping, dogs, horses, violin, piano, ect. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you guys!