Reconstruction Era...week 4

This image demonstrates how blacks were treated by whites in such an unhuman way. Even though they had about the money to pay for what they wanted they were still segregated. And for just sitting in thee wrong side of the bus they were arrested.
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/plessy.gif

This is an example of signs that were put up in different places to make sure that blacks followed all the norms that were implimated specially for them.
http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/a10c4d36ba04fa0b66ea129a17c23da6_1M.png

This image clearly demonstrates how badly blacks were being treated. Even after the 13th amendment was passed which was suppost to protect them. White people found ways to make their lives impossible, groups such as the KKK were created. These groups bullied blacks and sometimes even murdered them. http://www.sitemason.com/files/gNZp1S/harpersreconstruction.jpg

African Americans during Reconstruction...week 3

During Reconstruction there were many policies that worked against the rights of African Americans for example, there were black codes. These “laws” former slaves were limited to a variety of special regulations and restrictions on their freedom. This meant that these codes were trying to separate races in public places and facilities. Black separated from whites, such as bus stop water fountains and even buses. Something that now a days it doesn’t happen as often. Another policy that was working against the rights of African Americans separate but equal this was very similar if not the same as black codes. People thought we can separate the blacks from the white and make sure both have the same things needed and we can call that “separate but equal.” At the time it seemed that it was working and blacks couldn’t do much about it, they were a minority that wasn’t supported by many people. Even though there were separate buses they had the same amount of seats, doors and windows the white bus was so much cleaner then the black bus. Therefore it wasn’t separate and equal.

Thanks to the 14^th amendment separate but equal was against the law, which meant that no public discrimination was allowed but private discrimination was allowed. That meant that private businesses were able to discriminate against blacks, such as refusing service and other such things. But once again this was a violation of the 14^th amendment because it clearly states, “no state shall make or enforce a law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens.” That clearly states that these private businesses had to have a state permit to be in service so that show that they weren’t able to discriminate against blacks.

African Americans faced a lot of discrimination made by the “Ku Klux Klan” these people were a terrorist organization. They were basically bullies they hatted black people and made their lives a living hell. Looking back into time I can’t believe people had the courage to do such things they would burn black people’s homes, steal from them and do really hurtful things. Someone the members from the KKK would even kill and rape woman. Reading about this makes me really sad and mad because these KKK members were all white and they didn’t take a moment to stop and think that the women that they were rapping or killing were the ones helping them to keep their new born alive. During this time if the white wife didn’t have breast milk to feed their baby the husband would find a black woman that just had a baby to take care of their baby and breast feed.

Overall African Americans have gone through very difficult times and still remain strong, now there isn’t so much discrimination that they are facing. But like my high school history teachers said “History always repeats itself.” I agree with her one hundred percent history does repeat itself now a days blacks aren’t the one that are being discriminated now Mexicans and other races from south America are the ones that are being discriminated.

Occurrence at Owl Creek...week 2

“Peyton Farquhar was a well-to-do planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family. Being a slave owner and like other slave owners a politician he was a naturally original secessionist and ardently devoted to the southern cause” (p. 33).

                The author wrote this to describe Peyton so that the reader can get an idea of the life style he lived and how he was just another typical white man that owned slaves and had his own land. Throughout the story the author gives more and more “personal” information about Peyton and the way he viewed things and the things that truly meant a lot to him. There is a specific scene where a soldier asked for a drink of water and both he and his wife were glad to provide that for him. By this you can tell that both he and his wife were good people at heart. When reading this story the reader becomes aware of the love that Peyton Farquhar had for his family. He only cared about their wellbeing and put himself at last. All of this contributes to the meaning of the story because it shows that he was a normal man living his life and not harming anyone. The reason why he was murdered was not an actual reason, just because the army wanted to build railroads so that transportation could be a lot faster and safer. But what amazes me the most is that even in his last moments of being alive all he does is worry about his family, he doesn’t care at the fact that he is about to be hung an killed he only cares about the fact that he won’t be there to provide for his family.

                In my opinion the author did a great job describing the important scenes by giving great descriptive words. I really like this story because it reminds me of my dad. My dad is just like Peyton Farquhar he puts his family first and then himself. He cares a lot about our wellbeing then his. He tries his best to be not just a great dad but also to be a great husband and a great son and uncle. Overall this was one of my favorite scenes because I was able to picture myself in his shoes and to feel the way that he was feeling I thought it was pretty amazing.

Prior experience with U.S History..week 1

The last time I took a U.S History class was my junior year in high school. Luckily I passed the class with an A. My History teacher was a great teacher she really helped u understand how the U.S developed over the year; such as when the rail roads were built and also who built them. Many people don’t know about the braceros working here and helping the U.S become more modernize. So I guess you can say I do remember some of the things a learned. I think what I remember the most are the fun facts that my teacher used to just tell us out of nowhere. I think it’s because I'm really good at remembering important dates. I think that’s pretty much all the experience that I’ve had with US. History. But my senior year I did take a government and economics class in which we talked a lot a little more about the U.S history. Both these classes were very interesting because we talked a lot about the 14 amendments and the U.S constitution and about some really famous court cases; such as brown vs. board of education. We would also analyze cases in which we had to figure out whether it followed the 14 amendments and to make sure that it protected citizens’ rights. We also learned a lot about the Miranda rights and how everyone that is a citizen has them, everyone should know their Miranda rights they are very important. Another important fact that we learned was about slavery and how slavery started and how it ended. I think slavery is a great part of history and for black people it’s a mayor change. Everyone should be treated the same no one should be treated differently just because of the fact that they look different from the “average” person. Which by the way there is no average person everyone is different in their own unique ways and everyone has the right to think and view things differently. No one should be outcast because of their point of view in a certain topic everyone thinks different. Overall history is very important everyone should know at least bits about it because it makes us who we are today. Thanks to our ancestors we have freedom of speech and religion, trials and laws that are not bias. We should be thankful that here in the US we have that because in other places such as North Korea and Cuba, people there don’t have half of the rights that we have they are controlled by their government which is a sad thing to watch. But here in the US we don’t have to worry about that, even though some people may argue that some rights are bias or that some laws are unfair to certain people. Well laws are passed by majority vote so for most people those laws are just fine. History is a very interesting topic that everyone should care and learn about, I personally love it.

I am...

My name is Diana Castillo and I am 18 years old. I was born in Mexico and came to the USA when I was just 7 years old. I have 3 brothers two of them are older they are 23 and 21 years old. However neither one of them graduated from high school so I was the first in my family in 2 generations to graduate from high school. I am a shy person at times, but once I get to know the person I'm very talkative. My career goals are kind of all over the place which means I'm not sure what I want to major in. Even though I really like law and psychology I would also love to work with kids, so that’s a hard decision to make.