James Cross
History 6
Word Count: 886
Summary- Course Reader Chapter 1
In the article by Oscar Handlin, Immigration portrayed as an experience of uprootedness, ifferent
Mirror, Ronald Takaki writes about American history, taking on a perspective that is a lot of
times pushed aside in American history books. Quoting figures in American history, and
Historical Writers he explains the last 1000 years from a view point of honesty, bluntness and
clever critique. In Part one he explains that white Americans will soon be the minority in this
country. E.D. Hirsch “worries that America is becoming a “tower of Babel”” Explains Takaki. “If we had to make a choice between the one and the many, most Americans would choose the
principle of unity, since we cannot function as a nation without it”. Takaki touches on many historical instances in history where race played a strong part for instance “the killing of Vincent Chin in Detroit, the black boycott of a Korean grocery store in Flatbush, the battle between white
sportsman and Indians over tribal fishing rights in Wisconsin, and the Jewish-black clashes in
Brooklyn’s Crown Height”. Takaki talks about the constant morphing of race in America, and explains that “race can no longer be defined by the binary terms of white and black”. In the article by John Higham, Immigration portrayed as an experience of transplantation,
Immigration portrayed as an experience of uprootedness Among the many Africans who were
brought to America in the 1600’s, Takaki explains that the first twenty might not have been slaves at all; they may have been brought as indentured servants. More and more Takaki makes
it clear that the idea of race in America was not created for any other purpose but to separate and
suppress. An example of this is the 1882 Chinese exclusion act. This was the first law that
stopped immigrants from entering the United States on the basis of nationality. History books
have failed to mention the profound involvement of Latino American, African American, Asian
American, Irish American, and Jewish American in the beginning and current progression of
American culture. Takaki explains that Irish were the original “savages” in the English’s eyes. They were also what historian Lawrence J. McCaffrey called “the pioneers of the American urban ghetto”. Although the Irish arrived around the same time as the Chinese, the naturalization Act of 1790 allowed citizenship for “whites” only, giving the Irish the upper hand. Takaki cross
analyzes the oppression of all minorities in America, comparing their struggles. Ironically today,
it is as if all minorities have been strategically pinned against one another, making it impossible
to move forward, even though the “white man” is on its way to become the minority. In chapter 2
Takaki talks about “racialization and Savagery”, He explains that the first settlers to “the new world” were from Iceland in the year 1000, but that because they did not feel that they could defeat or live side by side with the natives they must leave. The English however had a
completely different mindset. When Columbus arrived on this new land he saw wealth, and
potential, I believe he was also thirsty for fame (which he obviously got). Around 1493
Columbus set sail to Spain and brought with him 550 native captives. 200 of these Indians died
because of the air quality, and the long journey, not to mention being treated like pet animals
while aboard the ship, probably impoverished without any food for weeks. In Europe
Word Count: 520
Critique / Analysis
First and foremost, it was almost nauseating to sit and read these first two chapters. However, I
am happy to finally hear a history that even remotely tells the truth about the story of the arrival
of Europeans and the English in America. Pocahontas, thanksgiving, dressing up like an Indian
for Halloween, all those things piss me off. It almost feels as if over time Native Americans have
literally disappeared the way the English wanted them to. It’s as if there a novelty or a character in a movie rather that the first inhabitants of the American earth and soil. It is upsetting to me
that being part Native American (Cherokee and Mescalero Apache) I myself don’t even know my history. We are truly a people who have been purposely displaced.
Reflecting on these first couple of chapters really raises a question, how did the English become
so evil and condescending? It seems that during a time when what is now America was
extremely peaceful and content, the English were if I may, “inherently” starved for power,
greedy, and not content with what they had. I’m confused about what their native people were like, especially because the Irish were originally extremely spiritual and grounded people.
It is very interesting how throughout history, drugs and alcohol have been used to oppress and in
a movie rather that the first inhabitants of the American earth and soil. It is upsetting to me that
being part Native American (Cherokee and Mescalero Apache) I myself don’t even know my history. We are truly a people who have been purposely displaced.
Reflecting on these first couple of chapters really raises a question, how did the English become
so evil and condescending? It seems that during a time when what is now America was
extremely peaceful and content, the English were if I may, “inherently” starved for power, greedy, and not content with what they had. I’m confused about what their native people were like, especially because the Irish were originally extremely spiritual and grounded people.
It is very interesting how throughout history, drugs and alcohol have been used to oppress and
Word Count: 356