In response to the introduction of Rereading America, I believe an American citizen is one who has chosen to see themselves as fitting the standards and expectations of the American society. In addition, the understanding that I have come to see through my environment is that a American citizen is someone who is patriotic and supports everything that this country has come to be. A obvious example is the president of the United States, Barak Obama. The reason I think he is the epitome of an American citizen is because he is educated, financially successful, patriotic, family oriented, and obviously supports what the country has come to be. More importantly, he has defined himself as an American citizen because he has chosen to live by the standards of society, or in other words the "American Dream" by going through traditional education so he may find a successful job, which leads to being financially successful. Therefore, an American citizen is not a specific class, race or gender it is anyone who has reached the expectations that American society has set.
Conversely, this text complicates this idea of the American citizen because they put in perspective what some people from south and central America believe, because after all America is not only limited to the United states. However, because the United States has endorsed the idea that United states is "America," many people believe that no other place should be granted the recognition to be called America because there are in someway inferior. Collectively, this cultural belief is the basis of our patriotism and for us to follow along with this idea is to say that the country that stands for equality is contradicting itself.
In all, this text is meant to question what we view as common sense or obvious so that we may become critical thinkers. This is important in our lives because it strengthens our ability to be creative and think out side of the box, so in return we will have more genuine intelligence and get more out of our learning instead of just absorbing knowledge. Also, this skill is not only important for us individually it is important for our generation because with so much technology it is becoming easier and easier to forget the true meaning of knowledge and what lies beneath the obvious.
Conversely, this text complicates this idea of the American citizen because they put in perspective what some people from south and central America believe, because after all America is not only limited to the United states. However, because the United States has endorsed the idea that United states is "America," many people believe that no other place should be granted the recognition to be called America because there are in someway inferior. Collectively, this cultural belief is the basis of our patriotism and for us to follow along with this idea is to say that the country that stands for equality is contradicting itself.
In all, this text is meant to question what we view as common sense or obvious so that we may become critical thinkers. This is important in our lives because it strengthens our ability to be creative and think out side of the box, so in return we will have more genuine intelligence and get more out of our learning instead of just absorbing knowledge. Also, this skill is not only important for us individually it is important for our generation because with so much technology it is becoming easier and easier to forget the true meaning of knowledge and what lies beneath the obvious.
I agree with Jess on the idea of the "American Dream" and how this books aims to complicate our ideas, but for better so that we can decide what we really think.
ReplyDeleteI too hope Barrack Obama can do something for this country. He seems like he will be a good President and is someone people can think of when they think of America and the fact that a black man was elected to run the white house. America does seem to want to hold the title as the only America, but I think that is OK. It is a belief that with all our rising technology that we may be able to build a better world for our future. I can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on many things in your blog. I really enjoyed reading your take on Barrack Obama I really hope that he can do good for our country. I love that we are adapting to change by having the first black president thanks for your outlook on things.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that Barrack Obama is a good example of an Amercian citizen. He like many other political figures out there in America show us what the all-american person is all about. Also, i agree about the "American Dream." When one is asked about what and American is that is what we describe.
ReplyDeleteI agree that part of being an American is to be able to live the "American Dream." I, however, don't think that to be an american you have to be financially successfull. That is everyone's hope, but a lot of americans are not able to always reach the financial climb. Some family situations make it so that children don't have the opportunity to get the education.Like you stated, without an education a good financial status. Are they not still an american citizen?
ReplyDeleteIt is true that being crittical thinkers is important. It took someone to think a little deeper so they could come up with the computer, Internet, and even a blog page. Not only do we get a more genuine knowledge we also become problem solvers, scientist, inveters, etc.
ReplyDeleteGood work Jess, I am glad you made the connection about critical thinking skills. I hope to hear more from you on this in class today.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views on genuine American citizen and the value of critical thinking in our lives.
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