Mark Twain's view in Imperialism

        During class today, David and I researched and talked about the directions of our project. We decided to take an approach that is focusing on Twain's views on imperialism. Twain considered himself as an anti0imperialist. I think that this topic is suitable for us to dive into. I remember we read an essay he wrote, "War Prayer" that expressed his hatred toward imperialism. We found a very useful website with a good amount of collection of sources on or by Twain. This website will help us to do the project a lot more easier. However, we still need to find the right sources sooner or later, so we can start thinking about the outline. 

Project begins!

     This is out first collaborated English project. I teamed up with David Todd with the topic about Mark Twin. We are interested in researching about him because he was more modernized, so it will be easier to understand his work. I think that it will be more interesting if we are able to come up with one thesis about him, not just writing about his entire life. However, we have not seriously talked about the direction we will take. Today, we worked together to set up the schedule for the whole project. I think we are capable of coming up with good paper.

American Literature Project

       When I first heard about doing a group project, I was really confused. I did not know what topic to start. Two of the people in our table were not in class today, so we will decide how to separate into two groups tomorrow in class. However, I do have some "potential topic" in mind. I am thinking about Ernest Hemingway, or maybe the Slave Civil Right movement. Our group will talk more deeply in class tomorrow.

Diigo

        I love using Diigo! Before this project, I have been using it for my online reading. I highlight words and sentences a lot even when I am reading books. Diigo makes my online reading very organized. However, I have not shared my notes and highlights with anyone yet. Therefore, I think if the whole class or the groups can use it effectively,  we can all be more efficient and get the project done!

The Yellow Wallpaper

        This is one of the most depressing writing I have ever read. The lady used so many "nervous" in her writing which make me feeling the same way. I think she is kind of paranoiac and too scared to speak up her mind to her husband who always take very good care of her. In my opinion, she was too overprotected that she did not feel the purpose of living and appreciate her social status. At the same time, there were still blacks and the Indians suffering while she was creeped out by the yellow wallpaper in this nice house they rent. As her description of her feeling and the creepy yellow wallpaper progresses, I felt very paranoiac too...

Impressions of an Indian Childhood

        Today in class, we read the "Impressions of an Indian Childhood" which the Indian culture is described by a child. However, I found it interesting that how the writer always go along with whatever her mother says and respect the elder a lot. After finishing the story, I realize how elders are so important and are always respected by the young people. One fact that stood out to be was the names that people in the tribe called each other like they are one family. But, I do not see the purpose of this piece that connects with the materials we were reading earlier, besides both Indians and the blacks were considered to be the unimportant races by the the whites.

The Progress of the Black Movement

        In the early 1900, Washington advocated that by giving up their social and political equality, the blacks would be able to comfort the frighten whites and gain the opportunity to work and earn money, and then, moreover, gain the respects from the whites. At almost the same time period, Douglas proposed an different idea. As an ex-slave, he had seen many inhumane actions to the blacks done by the white population. At the beginning, he had the same idea as Washington; however, he realized that they can never acquire respects and equality by tolerating the wrong doings of the whites. In his speeches, Douglas mentioned the importance of the right to vote which Washington did not view as the priority. Only with the right to vote, can the voices of the African Americans be heard, and start to react strongly. He understand that the black races have to maintain their strong resistance, because compromises never work.
        After approximately 70 years, Martin Luther King Jr. appeared as a significant figure of leading the Black Movement. He urged for nonviolent movements with four steps: "collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action."  In his Letter from a Birmingham, he addressed the same idea as Douglas. "We [the blacks] have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure ...privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily." Even after more than half century, the blacks were still treated as slaves: no right to vote, segregated from the white race... There were little differences even after a lot of civil right laws were passed. Both Douglas and MLK declared that it is time for the blacks to fight back!