Latinos
Most Latino civilians had previously worked on farms. During the Great Depression they lost land, lost jobs and were sent back to places like El Salvador and Mexico. However, with the labor shortage, there was a high demand for Latinos, especially Mexicans. Cartoons that had once made fun of Latinos now had Latino heroes. Jobs that had once refused to hire Mexicans were practically begging for them to come to work. For the first time ever, many Latinos were not just working in the fields, but in factories and in all areas of industry. Latinos who became soldiers were treated as equals to the whites. This helped lead to more Civil Rights. Also, many Latinos were able to get a free education after joining the military as part of the GI Bill.
Questions:
How did they help out?
What are ways they had been mistreated in the past?
Would you have helped out if you had been treated that way in the past?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
War Effort: Women
Women
While the men went to war, many of the women began working to fill the vacant jobs left by the men. For many women, it was the first time that they had ever worked at all outside of the home. They worked in various factories, created their own unions, took leadership positions in churches and even created their own sports leagues. The result was that, when men came home from the war, many women demanded their rights. After tasting freedom, they didn’t want to give it up.
Questions:
How did they help out?
What are ways they had been mistreated in the past?
Would you have helped out if you had been treated that way in the past?
While the men went to war, many of the women began working to fill the vacant jobs left by the men. For many women, it was the first time that they had ever worked at all outside of the home. They worked in various factories, created their own unions, took leadership positions in churches and even created their own sports leagues. The result was that, when men came home from the war, many women demanded their rights. After tasting freedom, they didn’t want to give it up.
Questions:
How did they help out?
What are ways they had been mistreated in the past?
Would you have helped out if you had been treated that way in the past?
War Effort: African-Americans
African-American Soldiers
During World War II, many African-Americans joined the military. For the first time ever, they began to be promoted to higher ranks. This meant that, unlike America at the time, in the war, blacks could be in charge of whites. Blacks and whites could work together in equality. Although the equality didn’t last, many blacks and whites would become more open to Civil Rights, because they had fought together as soldiers. Also, many blacks were able to get a free education after joining the military as part of the GI Bill. Many black civilians began attending traditionally white-only colleges. As they worked more, they realized that they could demand their rights, because they were needed in America.
Questions:
How did they help out?
What are ways they had been mistreated in the past?
Would you have helped out if you had been treated that way in the past?
During World War II, many African-Americans joined the military. For the first time ever, they began to be promoted to higher ranks. This meant that, unlike America at the time, in the war, blacks could be in charge of whites. Blacks and whites could work together in equality. Although the equality didn’t last, many blacks and whites would become more open to Civil Rights, because they had fought together as soldiers. Also, many blacks were able to get a free education after joining the military as part of the GI Bill. Many black civilians began attending traditionally white-only colleges. As they worked more, they realized that they could demand their rights, because they were needed in America.
Questions:
How did they help out?
What are ways they had been mistreated in the past?
Would you have helped out if you had been treated that way in the past?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
the homefront
What does it take to win a war? Good soldiers, yes. (This is why they used a draft to get more soldiers into the war and skilled professionals, such as doctors, into the military) Great equipment, sure. However, none of this is possible without the "home front." The home front is the entire contribution of the civilian population toward winning the war.
Soldiers need supplies. Therefore, during World War II, American factories shifted from making consumer products to making tanks, bombs, jets and tires for the troops. People were encouraged to re-use and recycle, so that America could use more scrap metal in creating military supplies. Many women and minorities worked in the factories to produce the supplies needed by troops in battle. Civilians had to ration (forced to use less) gasoline so that Americans could use the gas for their tanks and aircraft.
Soldiers need food. Therefore, Americans were asked to eat less and send more food to the battlefield. Certain towns passed "no meat" days, which would ensure that more meat could go into the canned meat that the soldiers ate. Although this was the case, many people believe this was just a ploy to raise morale. If the morale was high and the Americans believed in the war cause, the soldiers would remain hopeful.
Finally, Americans needed more money to win the war. For this reason, America raised money through treasury war bonds. Basically, they borrowed from the American people at a low interest rate, knowing they would eventually pay it off.
Questions
Soldiers need supplies. Therefore, during World War II, American factories shifted from making consumer products to making tanks, bombs, jets and tires for the troops. People were encouraged to re-use and recycle, so that America could use more scrap metal in creating military supplies. Many women and minorities worked in the factories to produce the supplies needed by troops in battle. Civilians had to ration (forced to use less) gasoline so that Americans could use the gas for their tanks and aircraft.
Soldiers need food. Therefore, Americans were asked to eat less and send more food to the battlefield. Certain towns passed "no meat" days, which would ensure that more meat could go into the canned meat that the soldiers ate. Although this was the case, many people believe this was just a ploy to raise morale. If the morale was high and the Americans believed in the war cause, the soldiers would remain hopeful.
Finally, Americans needed more money to win the war. For this reason, America raised money through treasury war bonds. Basically, they borrowed from the American people at a low interest rate, knowing they would eventually pay it off.
Questions
- How did American civilians help in World War II?
- In your opinion, which was the most important way that they helped out? Why?
- Should America do any of these things to help us win in Iraq and Afghanistan? Describe why or why not.
Monday, November 3, 2008
heroes: why are we looking to the athletes?
by Angel
Do you know whose your sons heroes? Do you know that probably it is a sports player because 60% or more of the kids in a recent survey think that sports players are better people than their own parents. They like them more then there own parents because people on TV act as if they were superheros. They think that they can do any thing that they want because they have more money and they think that they can buy someone because they are rich. As a result, kids buy into the lies and look to the fake role models instead of their own parents.
Do you spend more time watching sports then with you family? Many people only watch sports and don't play one or do stuff that dosen't involve watching T.V. What if we could get all the out of shape people to play a sport instead of watching one? And what if that sport they played was with their own kids? We can probably get them in to a sport or something that they might lose some weight, feel better and become the role model a child needs.
So, before we blame athletes for being bad role models, maybe society needs to look inward. Maybe the problem isn't one of bad athletes, but one of bad fathers.
a hidden cost to global warming
by Itzel
Global Warming is one of the world's most serious problems. Global Warming makes the world very tough to live in because it affects everyone. People and animals are affected greatly by Global Warming. Many people are trying to prevent more damages caused by Global Warming. Global Warming is pretty much like a pesky bug that needs to be squished before it squishes us. It's like a small infection that we have ignored and now we are wondering if it will ruin the entire body.
No good comes from Global Warming, because it damages our way of living. Global Warming damages our ecosystem. Ecosystems seem strong, but they are often fragile. When one species dies out, the result is a chain of reactions that can be devastating for all wildlife. Research shows that the warming of the earth makes it very difficult to grow crops, but also difficult for plants to grow in the wild. Global Warming is very important , if we don't take action the world may fall apart .
Animal-lovers find it sad to know that Global Warming is damaging animal environments. Global Warming is doing serious damage to many animals. One of the animals that really needs help because of Global Warming is the polar bear. Polar bears live in the Northern regions such as the Arctic, and rising temperatures are making the world warmer. It then melts many ice caps and prevents polar bears from hunting as much as they should be. Many die a slow, painful death of starvation.
The wildlife of the sea are struggling, too. Marine mammals need a correct temperature in order to make it. A slight rise in temperature can mean the destruction of a population. Fish that depend on corral reefs must now face the brutal reality of the ocean. How many species might have already died without our realizing it?
Global Warming is one of the world's most serious problems. Global Warming makes the world very tough to live in because it affects everyone. People and animals are affected greatly by Global Warming. Many people are trying to prevent more damages caused by Global Warming. Global Warming is pretty much like a pesky bug that needs to be squished before it squishes us. It's like a small infection that we have ignored and now we are wondering if it will ruin the entire body.
No good comes from Global Warming, because it damages our way of living. Global Warming damages our ecosystem. Ecosystems seem strong, but they are often fragile. When one species dies out, the result is a chain of reactions that can be devastating for all wildlife. Research shows that the warming of the earth makes it very difficult to grow crops, but also difficult for plants to grow in the wild. Global Warming is very important , if we don't take action the world may fall apart .
Animal-lovers find it sad to know that Global Warming is damaging animal environments. Global Warming is doing serious damage to many animals. One of the animals that really needs help because of Global Warming is the polar bear. Polar bears live in the Northern regions such as the Arctic, and rising temperatures are making the world warmer. It then melts many ice caps and prevents polar bears from hunting as much as they should be. Many die a slow, painful death of starvation.
The wildlife of the sea are struggling, too. Marine mammals need a correct temperature in order to make it. A slight rise in temperature can mean the destruction of a population. Fish that depend on corral reefs must now face the brutal reality of the ocean. How many species might have already died without our realizing it?
a family holiday
by Audrey
A holiday that is important in my culture is Christmas. Christmas is celebrated in many cultures but it is really important in mine, partly because it's a bridge between the two places that I consider home. It brings happiness and families closer together. People think that it is just about getting presents but it is way more then that. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ with family. Some people even use it as excuse to make special food for the family. Plus you can even stay up all you want so you can open your presents early in the morning and spend the day playing with them.
On Christmas all my family will come over to my house, only because my grandma told them to. We all have respect for her, because she has experienced so much more of life than any of us. Despite my families differences we all get together and have a good time. All the kids will go outside and roast marshmallows and we play some games. It's a time to celebrate! After that the family goes into the living room and we dance until it is time to eat. Then when it is midnight we all open the gifts. Sometimes everyone sleeps over; that way we can be together on Christmas day.
In my family Christmas is passed down because we all love being together. Even when we don't have enough money to buy gifts we will all get together. People just come for the food anyway. The food is what brings the family together. It reminds us that the best things in life don't have to light up and make noise or make life convenient. In fact, a slow, home cooked meal is almost opposite of the toys some kids get. However, it is home cooked that unites us and my grandma makes the best food anyway. Sometimes I wonder it's really not passed down it is just by instinct. Maybe it's in our blood. Maybe we weren't made to live any other way and Christmas is a sort-of reality check.
Tradition is a way for a family to get together. It is to celebrate something that happened that day. It's kind of of like celebrating someone's birthday. It can be going to Denny's after church every Sunday. It can even going to a loved ones grave the day they died. A day you celebrate every year with your family is what a tradition is. So you can just make it up or you can have had it for many years. But it's the chords that wrap us all together and remind us of what it means to be human.
A holiday that is important in my culture is Christmas. Christmas is celebrated in many cultures but it is really important in mine, partly because it's a bridge between the two places that I consider home. It brings happiness and families closer together. People think that it is just about getting presents but it is way more then that. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ with family. Some people even use it as excuse to make special food for the family. Plus you can even stay up all you want so you can open your presents early in the morning and spend the day playing with them.
On Christmas all my family will come over to my house, only because my grandma told them to. We all have respect for her, because she has experienced so much more of life than any of us. Despite my families differences we all get together and have a good time. All the kids will go outside and roast marshmallows and we play some games. It's a time to celebrate! After that the family goes into the living room and we dance until it is time to eat. Then when it is midnight we all open the gifts. Sometimes everyone sleeps over; that way we can be together on Christmas day.
In my family Christmas is passed down because we all love being together. Even when we don't have enough money to buy gifts we will all get together. People just come for the food anyway. The food is what brings the family together. It reminds us that the best things in life don't have to light up and make noise or make life convenient. In fact, a slow, home cooked meal is almost opposite of the toys some kids get. However, it is home cooked that unites us and my grandma makes the best food anyway. Sometimes I wonder it's really not passed down it is just by instinct. Maybe it's in our blood. Maybe we weren't made to live any other way and Christmas is a sort-of reality check.
Tradition is a way for a family to get together. It is to celebrate something that happened that day. It's kind of of like celebrating someone's birthday. It can be going to Denny's after church every Sunday. It can even going to a loved ones grave the day they died. A day you celebrate every year with your family is what a tradition is. So you can just make it up or you can have had it for many years. But it's the chords that wrap us all together and remind us of what it means to be human.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)