What does it mean to be an American? by Amelia Chick

"And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern. I don't like it a bit. I wonder- I begin to think- I wish John would take me away from here!"

ameliachick — 2024-05-28 17:55:25 UTC

Though this story may not be an entirely true account, it is said to be based on true events. It represents the suffering of women from that generation. Charlotte Perkins used this story to make a statement about the mental crisis of women all across the country. Clearly her stand was effective, because her story is still being referenced and adapted to fit other forms of media nearly a century and a half later. The creepy and mysterious nature of this story provides extra intrigue to readers, which makes it an even more effective tool to raise awareness about an issue.

"I began crying instead, for by this time I was afraid to venture anything more."

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 16:03:52 UTC

The author of this, and millions of other Indigenous people, have been subjected to so much trauma since the arrival of the colonists, from being forced into these boarding schools to facing racism and oppression in their communities. Zitkala-Ša recognizes how incredibly overwhelming suffering is. She could have chosen many different pathways to help her process and step out against the injustice in her life, and yet she wrote stories. Her work has been used in education since to continue her activism legacy.

"Incarceration, for me, was defined by deprivation- not just deprivation of freedom, opportunity, and safety, but deprivation of the senses."

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 16:10:39 UTC

Perez spent his young life in and out of prison. He spent a chunk of that time in solitary confinement. After being exposed to the ins and outs of the wrongdoings of the United States prison system, Johnny Perez decided to dedicate his life to making the experience a little more humanizing for everyone else in a similar situation to him. Without having experienced the traumas that he did, he would never have been inspired to work toward the change that would better the US justice system.

"The rails, old lacerations that we love, / shoot parallel across the face and break / just under the Turtle Mountains. [...]"

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 16:18:07 UTC

The rawness of this quote allows for readers to experience a tiny fraction of the pain that the author experienced. Her suffering led to this creation, which contributes to a movement of empathy. This empathy allows readers to see the suffering and reasoning behind an artists choices.

"So you want a white nation? (That ain't the way we do it!) / Mass deportation? (That ain't the way we do it!) / Keep the white men rich and (That ain't the way we do it!) / Keep the women in the kitchen? (That ain't the way we do it!)"

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 16:44:29 UTC

Carsie Blanton is an artist that makes a lot of music commenting about today's world, its injustices, and her reactions to them. In my opinion, this piece is her way of speaking up for those who can't. In order to process her world and inspire others to work towards a change, she channelled an entire generation's trauma into a song.

"'The thing that's so disappointing is the leadership that Target has shown over such a long period of time seems to be wavering in a moment when the attacks on our community are increasing,' Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, the executive director of LGBTQ advocacy group GLSEN, which has partnered with the company for more than a decade, told ABC News."

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 17:17:41 UTC

The Target Pride collection came from generations of oppression against the LGBTQIA+ community as a form of support from a huge company. However, it was taken away pretty much as soon as there was pushback against it. The artists and allies involved in the creation of the collection were extremely put off by Target's decision. However, smaller brands and other Pride movements sprung from the outrage that came from last year's events. Also, another layer of accountability was added to big brands to continue in their allyship.

"We didn't start the fire / It was always burning, since the world's been turning / We didn't start the fire / No, we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it"

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 17:28:48 UTC

In this song, Billy Joel lists many of the huge world events that happened during his lifetime. This acts as a commentary that oppression is and has been everywhere. By using fire as a metaphor for struggle, he is able to demonstrate that it is everyone's responsibility to step up toward a better world, otherwise everyone is going to "burn."

"So we get ourselves lost, come back for a while, then get the hell out again."

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 17:49:49 UTC

Chris McCandless's story allowed John Krakauer to expose certain human instincts. This passage specifically shows the human instincts for seeking community, but also self preservation. Many of the sources highlighted here show people coming together or creating something, but here Krakauer is able to show the fear Chris had. He receded from society because why would he want to have been part of a system that constantly forces people into tiny little boxes.

"I, too, sing America. / I am the darker brother. / They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes, / But I laugh, / And eat well, / And grow strong."

ameliachick — 2024-05-30 18:01:26 UTC

Many of Langston Hughes' pieces have bittersweet and hopeful themes. This one directly represents the centuries of oppression. However, it also directly shows the hope and the plan that he has to make a better world for himself and future generations. The idealism in this poem also allows readers an opportunity to find their own path to better the world or their lives.

"America has given a great social and moral message to the world and demonstrated (perhaps not forcefully enough) that freedom and responsibility as an ethic is inseparable from and, in fact, the 'cause' of the fabulous American standard of living."

ameliachick — 2024-06-03 16:15:30 UTC

America has been in the spotlight for a long time. This may not necessarily be a positive thing, as having all eyes on us highlights the discrimination against LGBTQIA+ communities, women, minority groups, and so many others. However, that also allows there to be an opportunity for activists that are working hard to speak out against and fix the injustices in the United States.