Activity 4 Reflecting on the Quiz

Before taking the quiz for Activity 4 I read the power points over so I had a good understanding of the chapter, although I was not expecting the quiz to be on people of different nationalities. I know that I did better the second time around however I still had troubles thinking of different people who lived in certain centuries.

Thinking back at the quiz I feel that the majority of people that I put had some kind of media connection. Most of them were actors or actresses, showing that my personal influences have been highly molded from movies and televisions. Aside from that, other influence would be that of political and information I have learned from history books throughout school. However a lot of this information has been forgotten over the years. When thinking about histories books, they are suppose to teach us about past and cultures, although as our culture in the United States progresses we become more of a mixed nation. Making the knowledge we learn throughout most of school outdated because we have been influenced in this nation by more then just our founding fathers, but by others who we may not have been apart of political movements for there people. I think that it is highly important for us to learn about other people as well since our history should not be one sided.

As a nation we should open our minds and views to more then just what the media shows us or tells us about. Thinking about this, schools should also widen their teachings so that students growing up can read and learn more about our founding fathers which as my old history teacher would refer to them as “old dead rich white guys” and learn more about how far our country has come. Learning more about those who have helped influence us by giving us equal rights and helped bring our country together as a whole.

What do you feel individuals can do to help our country become more open-minded and learn about people of other cultures and their influences on future generations or our current generation?

Activity 3 Ethnicity and Communication

My cultural background in ways is similar to many others; I am Irish, Scottish, German, a little bit of Swedish, and other little amounts of random nationalities. However in my life I also have my youngest sister who is half Native American. Although there is about twelve years between us I still feel that we have a very strong bond with her and I know that she often looks up to me.

Being part Irish, Scottish and German I’ve never really looked at those ethnic backgrounds as being such a big thing in my life since many people I have met often tell me that they are the same general combination. Except when I mention that although I am not Native American I associate myself with the nationality because I think that since the culture’s traditions seem to be fading from our country that it is a good thing for me to help culture my little sister on her background. Growing up my mother was very close to the Native American chief in my area, since they were so close it allowed me to learn a great amount about their traditions as well as Native American spirituality.

I do think that my personal ethic background has little influence on me because living in the United States; I feel that almost everyone has multiple amounts of nationalities in their lives one way or another. I have always been taught to keep an open mind about people and I try to do this as often as I can. I think the general aspect of living in the United States allows people to be in contact with so many people of different races, religions, and ethnic decent. Thinking about some of the biggest variables in my life, I think the shear fact of where I live has had one of the largest impacts on me.

With other people’s perspectives, I think they could assume that I am Irish since Wisconsin has had a large amount of Irish immigrants move here in the past years. However I do not think that anyone would be able to see me and make the assumption that I have such a strong influence from Native American backgrounds. I think since most people see me as a Caucasian male many assumptions could be made before they have the chance to communicate with me, except this is something that also varies from person to person. Judging by past experience when I tell people about my Native American background most people are unsure what to think and some have even made harsh generalizations. If they could tell just by looking at me I think it would change how they approach me completely, although that is just an assumption.

Any ideas as to why people with Native American backgrounds are often looked down upon? Reflect on your own ethnic background and think about the different ways that almost every culture, when immigrating to the U.S. has been ostracized.

Activity 1 Observations

For activity number two, I decided to do my observations of other people at Glenn Park in River Falls. I do not often go to the park so I thought that it would be a nice place to go since the weather was just right. When going to the park, I went with a friend and her nieces so I did not only receive visual observations from sitting in one place but interacting with the kids as they played, which I feel allowed for both the parents and kids to see me as just someone else spending time with kids. The importance of this would be so I did not seem like some creepy person just hanging out at the park watching kids and parents play.

The way the parents interact with their own kids is one of the easiest observations to make since it was one of the most predominating interactions at park. When walking up to the playground equipment one thing that I noticed was most the parents there were just sitting back watching their kids play since they were the only ones there. Shortly after we got to the equipment a few other parents came with their kids. As more people seemed to come, the closer and more protecting the parents seemed to get to their kids instead of just sitting back watching. An interesting thing that I noticed was a parent who was on her cell phone speaking in a language that I was unfamiliar with, while doing so she wasn’t really paying attention to her child playing.

The parents’ interactions with each other were an interesting thing to take note of. While keeping distance between each other they hardly even acknowledged each other aside for a smile when their kids would get close to each other, they would look up at each other to see the other’s reaction and almost gage the situation. Although the parents rarely interacted with each other they would occasionally interact with the other kids but only if the kids came up and talked to them first. Interactions would consist of asking their ages, names or simple minuet details like those. While the parents rarely interacted with the kids, the kids would more often interact with each other but only if their parents were not standing or playing with them. It was quite interesting watching the kids play with each other because they seemed very cautious of each other. Their initial interactions were to go up to each other and just look at one another until one would run off to play then the other would chase after.

There seemed to be many unwritten rules when it comes to kids at parks and interacting with kids that are not yours. If one was to go up to someone else’s kids at the park they would probably have cops called on them epically if they were there by themselves. Even though the parents rarely paid attention to each other they would always assess the situation when other people would come up with their kids to use the equipment.

Although there was little diversity, if this was in another country do you think parents would be more likely to be passive about their kids playing with other kids? How about the parents interacting with each other, would it be just subtle glances or do you think they would be more likely to actually have interactions with one another?

Activity 1 "Far and Away"

The Irish immigrants in the movie “Far and Away” faced many struggles and challenges throughout their story of coming to America. Although not everyone in the Irish nation struggled there were many who did, mainly those who did not own their own land, as seen in “Far and Away”.

After the death of his father and the burning of his house, Joseph the poor young Irish peasant sets out to avenge his family. Joseph seeks out Daniel Christie the owner of his land and man who he thinks sent Steven to burn his house. However, on Joseph’s arrival he learns that Mr. Christie is not as bad of a man as he had earlier suspected.

Once Joseph fails his attempt to kill Mr. Christie he is challenged to a dual of pistols in the morning by Steven. Unexpectedly the morning brings in a heavy fog that allows Mr. Christie’s daughter Shannon cover to escape. In the process of her escape she picks up Joseph and takes him with her so the two can start a new life, her life to ride horses however she pleases and his to own his own land free of unruly landlords. The two like many others looking to gain land board a ship, which leaves to the New World. While on the boat Joseph and Shannon meet a man who offers to help them get the supplies they need to make it to Oklahoma land rush.

After the group arrives in Boston the man is shot, realizing the man was trying to steal Shannon’s silver spoons she attempts to collect what she can although she is unsuccessful. The two follow a young boy who offers to help them find work, which they do, except these jobs pay very little and so Joseph decides to join a group that partake in fights each night. Kelly, his employer, exploits his skills till he loses a main fight against an Italian. Kelly kicks him and Shannon out of their housing and fires both of them. Now forced onto the streets with no money or food they come to realize that as Irish immigrants everyone is reluctant to hire them. Breaking into a house they think they are safe till the owner comes back, shooting into the dark Shannon is hit in the back. With no other place to go for help Joseph takes her to her family who had come to America to find her.

Joseph then leaves finding work on the railroad, building tracks across America, one of the only jobs that would hire anyone. After a few months of work Joseph finds himself in Oklahoma territory where he jumps off of the train to go and claim his land in the land rush. After registering he runs into Shannon who has healed as well as Steven who makes it clear to Joseph that he must stay away from her unless he wants to be killed by “accident”. Being unfamiliar with horses Joseph purchases a great horse, according to the salesman, although shortly after the purchase the horse if found dead because it was so old. The journey soon comes to an end after he purchases a new horse and races Steven for Shannon’s perfect spot of land. The two fight till Joseph falls, hitting his head on a rock when Shannon confesses her love for him and how she will never truly care about Steven. As Shannon rushes to Joseph’s aid they can see others coming to their flagged spot of land, once recovered the couple placed their flag into the spot to claim their land together.

There were many challenges that the two had to endure and overcome in order to finally make it to Oklahoma, where they were finally able to claim their own land. Although, not every immigrant from Ireland has a similar story like this, it appeared that many people did not receive land in Oklahoma except it was difficult to judge in this movie.


What are you thoughts on Joseph working on the railroads?
Does this say something about immigrants in general and not just those from Ireland?

Two Truths and a Lie

Two Truths and a Lie

1. I have never broken any bones.

2. I have jumped off of a bridge into a river.

3. I have a quarter coin collection with all states collected but Arizona.