America’s Early Identity America’s early identity was shaped by Europeans, Native American’s and their culture, and God. According to the Scarlet Letter the puritans use the Bible’s commandments and beliefs to shape their society. For example, “The settlers continued to follow their christian values and held each member of their society to the christian standard”. This is saying that each of them were following each of their rules.
AsAS Fridman mentioned earlierearly in thehis passage, students who dedicate more of their time to studying rather than participating in sports or social activities are made to feel less than and not wanted. The U.S., as Fridman mentions, is one of the few countries where antianit-intellectualism is very high. Also, in more industrialized nations “a kid who studies hard is lauded and held up as an example to other students.” Using the effect of comparing our nation to that of others gives the audience the reality check that they need to understand the state in which our country stands. Fridman continues on to mention that those who are professors at universities around the world are “the most prestigious and materially rewarding positions,” but in America, we have athletes being paid more than the faculty at the best universities in the nation.
Exceptionalism of America can actually be dated back to the 1830s when United States and the citizens were first described as "Exceptional" by Alex de Tocqueville. He was the first to use the term in his Democracy in America class work. Tocqueville observed egalitarianism in the American society and stressed individualism which he indicated differed from "group ties" emphasis which characterizes Europe. The notion of American Exceptionalism sets America as having a distinct as well as special destiny that other nations do not posses, the notion has been persistent al all times in the American history. This special character, American Exceptionalism, is sometimes inferred from the 1776-89 period founded American political institutions.
The U.S used American exceptionalism to justify Native American removal by trying to trick Natives into believing they can be “helpful” to each other and by using power that they knew the natives didn’t have. In source C it states, “listened to our professions of friendship; we called him brother, and he believed us.” This shows the trickery used by Americans towards the Natives, causing them to be forced out of land. Similarly it states, “He thought the U.S government would trick, bribe, and bully Indian tribes as it carried out the law. The trickery, He feared, would lure Indians into selling their lands.
Alfred Bester says that there are two threads to his view of American Exceptionalism: one based on Seymour Martin Lipset and another on Frederick Jackson Turner.1 He says that Martin Lipset said that the United States is exceptional because it came out of a "revolutionary event" that set up America as "the first new nation" and built a vision for the future on the ideology that caused them to break with England in the first place.2 He says that Turner thought that because the U.S. had a lot of unclaimed land that regular people could own land and not have to depend on anyone else. This means that there wouldn’t be an aristocracy and that small land-owners stuck to the values of the Revolution.3 The combination of what Lipset and Turner said
Aaliyah Scurry English 1 Mrs. Gray February 1 20203 Essay Both of the authors are really good people. Elie Wiesel accepted the Nobel peace prize for the Holocaust survivors and their children, and Theodore H. White made people understand that some people view America differently than others. Rhetorical devices are verbal techniques that create emphasis, and Rhetorical appeals are the qualities of an argument that make it truly persuasive. In the essay “Keep Memory alive”, and “The American Idea” the author uses rhetorical devices and appeals to show the emphasis in both essays. In the essay, “Keep Memory Alive” it says, “This is the 20th century, not the middle ages.”
My lazy American students by Kara Miller, address her experience and her opinion about American students. Kara takes a position when analyzing how she views American students comparing to international students. Kara explains and show different experiences she had with different American and International students to justify her argument about how lazy are American students. Although she gives a unique argument about her believes but I don’t agree with her believes. Kara believe that all international students are better than most of American students.
Summary In Andrew Delbanco's essay, College At Risk, he talks about college education in America and at some different points, he compares them to other countries education systems. In the beginning of his essay, the basis of American college education is discussed, and how furthering your education past high school helps us become productive adults. It is also mentioned how college is a place to expand your knowledge and critical thinking skills. It is pointed out that other countries may have a better education system and possibly outperform the U.S. when it comes to certain jobs.
Leonid Fridman characterizes the typical American mindset this makes the text easily understood and relatable for the readers. Because the problem at hand is mainly geared toward Americans he brings up the fact that, “In most industrialized nations, not least of all of our economic rivals in East Asia, a kid who studies hard is lauded and held up as an example to other students.” He is showing the reader that in other countries they praise the children for their academic efforts unlike the US that use derogatory language like “nerd” and “geek” when referring to the academically achieving people. He also compares the jobs of individuals from other countries to show the divide between the American mindset and the mindset around the world. Fridman states “In many parts of the world university professorships are the most prestigious and materially rewarding positions but not in America…” Friedman says this so the readers are aware of the rift between America and other countries of the world especially their view of intellectual
Mike Rose is an internationally recognized writer, educator and specialist in composition. In his essay, “What College can Mean to the Other America”, Rose starts off by dating back to nearly 50 years since Michael Harrington wrote “The Other America”, to put an emphasis on the similarities of the society 50 years ago, compared to present day. Rose writes an exceptionally moving essay about the rigid school system, and how it forsakes students who cannot afford tuition fees. He paints a very vivid picture of the students he encountered. Those who were not able to pay for their tuition, and how inauspicious it currently affects them.
What it means to be an American is that you have the freedom to vote freedom of speech. You have the liberty to be what you want in America no one chooses for you. Also have the liberty to work wherever you want not be someone 's slave. Being American means you don 't have to hide your religion, the color of your skin or your sex. You have the ability to speak what you want.
American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.
“You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.” (Lee ?) People can’t choose the family their born in, or their social class. Social class doesn’t determine who people are; but it’s what they decide to do about it, that makes the difference. Social classes have been around since before the dark ages, but America is one of the luckier countries when it comes to this.
The average American high school student is looking at the prospect of a higher education; college was always their only option. However, when we look at various other Foreign countries and we do not see the same opportunities presented to students. Therefore, once at the academic institution they worked so hard to attend the Foreign students are more appreciative of what they see in front of them. The American student had always seen this in their future. There wasn't a massive struggle to get where there are.
America is the greatest country in the world! Yet, within the borders of the US, Americans pettily argues over such a declaration. However, when it comes to the ‘international response’, are these preconceived pronouncements hailed, or are taken as offensive threat? It is important for any country to prosper, that they know how to ‘negotiate’ and ‘resolve conflict’ with other countries. America is no exception.
