This is America

This is America

       Throughout time, individuals all across America work to achieve great wealth and status. Social class and appearance dominate as the main values for many Americans. The top compete to see who lives the more luxurious life. These never ending riches can drastically change one’s character and personality.  

       In “The Great Gatsby”, by F.Scott Fitzgerald, the corrupting nature of wealth by the toxic role money plays in the lives of major characters like Daisy, Tom, and Jordan makes them careless and entitled. For example on page 179, Nick describes Tom and Daisy as “careless people”. "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy--they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made" (179). Tom and Daisy knew that their social class and appearance would dominate others so they took advantage. They were careless and left others to clean up after them while knowing they could run back and seek shelter in their own money. Another example of carelessness is when Jordan is driving Nick back from a party. She passed really closely to some workers and flicked one of their buttons with her car. “‘Well, other people are [careful],’ she said lightly. ‘What’s that got to do with it?’ ‘They’ll keep out of my way,’ she insisted. ‘It takes two to make an accident’”(58). Her nonchalant driving could have seriously injured or killed someone but her carefree nature was unfazed even after a close encounter. She seems confident that no one will come in her way and seems to act like she owns the place. This carelessness appears because of the dominance of social class and appearance. For example, when Mrs.Wilson and Tom Buchanan engage in an argument about his wife, Tom Punches her in the face. "...Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name... Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand" (37). Due to the carelessness, Tom the more dominant figure punches her with no consequences. As dominance and wealth controlled daily life these characters had no worries of being careless. While the poor were left with the worry of chasing and cleaning up for them. 

       In the “Rich Brother” by Tobias Wolff, we encounter another case of how wealth and money can have an impact on one's life. When Donald asked what Pete dreamt about he answered by repeating the words money multiple times. He said, “Sex and money. Mostly money. A nightmare is when I dream I don’t have any” (78). Pete surely seems obsessed with his wealth. Money is all he thinks and cares about but it's essential in keeping his social status and appearance. When he loses some of his money because of his careless brother he becomes very displeased and enraged. “Why?” Pete asked. “Why did you give it to him?” When Donald didn’t answer, Pete said. “A hundred dollars, gone. Just like that. I worked for that money, Donald”. “You don’t know! How could you? You get money by holding out your hand”(88). When Donald is given money he is careless and inconsiderate to his brother. He doesn’t think about the consequences or the hard work put in by his brother to earn those dollars. While Pete is furious that he has lost his money, he doesn't consider his brother at all. In the end money and social status is really what breaks these two brothers apart. 

       After numerous examples and instances we see a pattern of the different things wealth can cause. It leaves a standard that others compete to see who lives the richer and more luxurious lifestyles. Whether it is maintaining their social class and appearance or achieving it. These values can bring out a great deal of dominance and carelessness towards others while also fracturing relationships. The wealthy can run back to safety in their riches, while the poor have nowhere to run. The rich get richer and the poor are left behind even after all of their hard work. 

Journal #3

18. Name one thing you make sure to do that makes you happy, hopeful, more relaxed.  

One thing I do is try to stay active and hopeful for the coming season of athletics. It keeps me happy, hopeful and makes things seem a little more normal. I’ve continued to follow the NFL and their draft that is continuing to take place. It brings hope that things will be normal soon and that football season will continue as scheduled. 

19. What impact is technology having on your daily life? Is this different than usual?

Technology is having a huge impact on my life right now. Everything is online now from classes to school work. It is a lot different then before since we use technology for everything we do. Rarely is anything on paper unless we print it out ourselves. 

6. How are you feeling about the role of sports in our lives these days?

I had previously not been too happy with sports being cancelled or postponed. I understand why this has been done but for many college athletes, this was their last year to participate. We have no idea when sports will resume or if they will anytime soon. Despite being unhappy with no sports on, I was really excited to see the NFL draft and how they continued with their scheduled draft. I hope sports come back soon. 

Journal #1

1. What does your neighborhood look like? Are people walking around?

The outdoors look dark and gloomy, kinda representing this period of time. Cloudy and rainy. Yet I see people walking outside. Many stuck at home in quarantine wanting to get out of their homes. Some are walking their dogs, toddlers are riding their bikes, others just going for a quick stroll. Many are also wearing masks while doing these activities. 

2. What did the government announce/declare/implement today? Did it make sense? Does it impact your life? Why or why not?

The government announced that school would be closed until April 30 and remaining quarantine is crucial. This makes sense since the numbers of affected individuals is continuously increasing. The government is taking steps to prevent the virus from spreading even more. This impacts my daily life because my parents are very cautious, school is all online and everything is being put on a hold or canceled. 

3. What is open in your neighborhood? What is closed? 

Most stores and restaurants are still open but they are either carry out or delivery only. Many stores don’t allow you to go inside and it’s outside pick up only. Others that allow some inside have 6ft tape in between each person. 

Between the World and Me

 Howard University: The Mecca

Racism is a problem that still exists today and a lot of times leads to hatred. In the community we live in today, most people would say racism is resolved or nonexistent. Yet it’s a problem that still hasn’t been fully resolved. Within the problem of racism lies another problem of the sense of safety and security of African Americans. Is there any place where African Americans can feel that they are one hundred percent safe, without any fear. Last year Botham Jean a 26 year old accountant was sitting in his living room eating ice cream when he was shot by police officer Amber Guyger, who thought he was an intruder in her apartment but really she was in the wrong apartment. Botham Jean was unarmed and harmless, sitting in his own apartment yet he was shot and killed. Imagen being afraid for your life in the privacy of your own home. If African Americans can’t even feel safe in their own homes, is there anywhere they would feel safe? For Coates it might be Howard University, well on page 31, he specifically says it too, “My only Mecca was, is, and shall always be Howard University”. The Howard University homecoming is a celebration of black  culture, music and arts festival, a history lesson and a community reunion. Howard University represents a Mecca for Coates because it brings him to a community where he feels accepted, safe, without any hatred. Where he can come together with people just like him, to create a great community. Where he may feel safe without any fear. 

In the book “Between the World and Me” by Ta Nehasi Coates, Coates doesn’t always feel safe or protected, even at home but he talks about Howard University as a Mecca for him. He describes the Mecca on page 40 as “The Mecca is a machine, crafted to capture and concentrate the dark energy of all African peoples and inject it directly into the student body”. My interpretation is He’s talking about how the history of other great famous African American, give them hope and motivate them to do something great of their own. On page 41, he says, “the vastness of black people across spacetime could be experienced in a twenty minute walk across campus”. You are able to see all kinds of different African American people. African American poets, filmmakers and future doctors and lawyers. All different kinds of skilled African Americans given an opportunity. In a New York Times article Aisha Beau Johnson said “You see the different shades and ranges of black people here,” something very similar to what Coates said. She also says, “You can really be whoever you are and find yourself without that distraction of race.” That shows the sense of safety and protection these African Americans can feel going to Howard University. Many of the people that have experienced Howard have very similar views. Lastly, Coates on page 43 says, “Through The Mecca I saw that we were, in our own segregated body politic, cosmopolitans.” They were in their own black community, split up by race. 

The dictionary definition of Mecca is a place that attracts people to it. That’s why for Coates and many other African Americans, Howard University represents a Mecca. In conclusion, Howard University represents a Mecca for Coates because it brings him to a community where he feels accepted, safe, without any hatred. Where he can come together with people just like him, to create a great community. Where he may feel safe without any fear. Finally I want to leave you with this final question. What if instead it was a white man's apartment, do you think he would have also been shot and killed? Or was Botham Jean killed just because of the color of his skin?