Works Cited
"Biography." ChrisGardnerMedia.com. 9 Apr. 2009 http://www.chrisgardnermedia.com/about/bio.
"Donald J. Trump." NBC.com. 9 Apr. 2009 http://www.nbc.com/nbc/ The_Apprentice/bios/Donald_J._Trump.html.
"Donald J. Trump Biography." trump.com. Trump Organization. 9 Apr. 2009 http://www.trump.com/Donald_J_Trump/Biography.asp.
"Langston Hughes." poets.org. Academy of American Poets. 9 Apr. 2009 http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83.
"Martin Luther King, Jr." American Rhetoric. 9 Apr. 2009 http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm.
"Obama's Inaugural Speech." cnnpolitics.com. 10 Jan. 2009. 9 Apr. 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.politics/.
"The Weary Blues." cai.ucdavis.edu. 9 Apr. 2009 http://cai.ucdavis.edu/uccp/ workingweary.html.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Personal
Everybody has dreams and without them, life would be pointless. Nothing would be taking place in this world if it was not dreamt first. I think that we sometimes do not realize the power of our dreams. Martin Luther King had a dream that all men were created equal. Although it seemed far-fetched at the time, the impact his dream has made on our country is inexpressible. It seems unfathomable that the four simple words “I have a dream” could not only make such a huge impression on our country but forever change the way in which society copes with achieving our own personal dreams.
Personally, the quote "I have a dream" reflects my life greatly. All my life, I have always had the same dream, which is to become a teacher. In my opinion, being able to impact people and help people is very rewarding. My dream now and as I get older is to be able to know that I have helped at least one person a day. To me, that is the most rewarding experience. Teaching is a life-long profession in which learning never ends. Another one of my personal dreams is to take in as much knowledge and wisdom as I possibly can.
One of the most influential people in my life was my Aunt JoAnn, who was a fifth grade teacher. Although she died at a very early age, I saw how many lives she touched in her 32 years on earth. It is one of my dreams to be able to make half the impact she did on her students. The odds did not just fall into Mr. King's favor. Everybody possesses the ability to make dreams come true if we put our mind to it. If we can dream it, we can live it.
Personally, the quote "I have a dream" reflects my life greatly. All my life, I have always had the same dream, which is to become a teacher. In my opinion, being able to impact people and help people is very rewarding. My dream now and as I get older is to be able to know that I have helped at least one person a day. To me, that is the most rewarding experience. Teaching is a life-long profession in which learning never ends. Another one of my personal dreams is to take in as much knowledge and wisdom as I possibly can.
One of the most influential people in my life was my Aunt JoAnn, who was a fifth grade teacher. Although she died at a very early age, I saw how many lives she touched in her 32 years on earth. It is one of my dreams to be able to make half the impact she did on her students. The odds did not just fall into Mr. King's favor. Everybody possesses the ability to make dreams come true if we put our mind to it. If we can dream it, we can live it.
Poetry
Langston Hughes is a famous black poet who is most notable for portraying black life in America from the twenties through the sixties. Similar to Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Hughes did not sugar coat the idea of black America and his hopes and dreams for the country (http://www.poets.org/).
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
In Langston Hughes’s poem called Dreams, he clearly expresses the idea that life is nothing unless you have dreams and aspirations. Martin Luther King Jr. was also a very firm believer in the power of achieving dreams. In “I Have a Dream” MLK strongly voiced his dream that all men should be created equal. Through his poems, books, plays and other works of literature Langston Hughes also portrays his dreams.
The Weary Blues was Hughes’s first publicized work of literature. In this poem he describes black tradition and culture and how the only thing that keeps him going is the music of the "blues" in a time period of racism and discrimination (cai.ucdavis.edu ). The poem has a dark tone to it but is somewhat uplifting in the sense that one day there will be an equalized America.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Music
Rolling Stone magazine describes Tupac Shakur as being “among the most dynamic, influential, and self-destructive rappers of the '90s” (http://www.rollingstone.com/). Like Martin Luther Kings Jr., Tupac Shakur was a very determined and influential person. Although presented his opinion in a rather vulgar way, Shakur’s strong beliefs and opinions of society were expressed in the lyrics to his famous raps.
In his most famous song “Changes” Shakur describes very openly how he stands for change in our country. Just like in Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote and speech “I have a dream”, Tupac Shakur presents his own dream.
In his most famous song “Changes” Shakur describes very openly how he stands for change in our country. Just like in Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote and speech “I have a dream”, Tupac Shakur presents his own dream.
"I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhereunless we share with each otherWe gotta start makin' changesLearn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangersand that's how it's supposed to be"
(http://www.azlyrics.com/)
The idea of not seeing each other as “two distant strangers” strongly reflects MLK’s idea that people should not be judged based on the color of their skin.
"I see no changes all I see is racist faces misplaced hate makes disgrace to races"
(http://www.azlyrics.com/)
Tupac Shakur expressed his dream of an anti-racist world quite differently than Martin Luther King. However, both men managed to speak up and make a difference by simply voicing their opinions and standing up for their dreams and beliefs.
Literature
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an American classic. The themes within this novel are often discussed and debated in English classes today. One of the most prominent themes in the novel is “The decline of the American dream in the 1920’s”. Although Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote presents a different moral issue, the novel and this speech are very much connected.
Fitzgerald portrays his views of the American dream through the main character in the novel, Nick. In his eyes the American dream was originally about “discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness” (http://www.sparknotes.com/). Throughout the novel, the corruption of the American dream is shown through events taking place between different characters. Things such as greed, power and social status all stand in the way of achieving this dream.
Martin Luther King’s dream was for equal rights and one unified nation. He too explained how tension between races interfered with this dream and how corrupted our country had become.
Two main characters in the novel, Jay Gatsby and Daisy are in love but are not able to be together because of their social standing. Although this is not an issue of race, it is still similar to discrimination and segregation, which is what MLK stood up against.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/)
MLK dreamt of a nation in which his children could be who they were as people and not be judged based on their skin color. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents his dream of a society in which people are not judged by their social class but by their personal makeup and character.
Fitzgerald portrays his views of the American dream through the main character in the novel, Nick. In his eyes the American dream was originally about “discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness” (http://www.sparknotes.com/). Throughout the novel, the corruption of the American dream is shown through events taking place between different characters. Things such as greed, power and social status all stand in the way of achieving this dream.
Martin Luther King’s dream was for equal rights and one unified nation. He too explained how tension between races interfered with this dream and how corrupted our country had become.
Two main characters in the novel, Jay Gatsby and Daisy are in love but are not able to be together because of their social standing. Although this is not an issue of race, it is still similar to discrimination and segregation, which is what MLK stood up against.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/)
MLK dreamt of a nation in which his children could be who they were as people and not be judged based on their skin color. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents his dream of a society in which people are not judged by their social class but by their personal makeup and character.
Politics
Obviously, there are a lot of similarities between our current president Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. These two men have both shown immense determination to change our country for the better and made history in the process. Martin Luther King’s quote “I have a dream” in his famous speech is still being discussed in History textbooks today. Martin Luther King did not change this country for black people or for white people… he changed it for Americans as a whole. He shared his dream to better this country and make us all one people.
Barack Obama shares that same kind of determination in which he constantly displays. In his inaugural speech he stated:
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” (http://www.cnn.com/)
Barack Obama stands for unity over conflict and that is exactly what Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was. One united nation. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/)
Whether it is between a war overseas or a war between races within our country; both these men share a common dream... peace and equality within our nation and throughout our world.
Barack Obama shares that same kind of determination in which he constantly displays. In his inaugural speech he stated:
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” (http://www.cnn.com/)
Barack Obama stands for unity over conflict and that is exactly what Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was. One united nation. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/)
Whether it is between a war overseas or a war between races within our country; both these men share a common dream... peace and equality within our nation and throughout our world.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Business
What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear "Donald Trump"? I am sure that not even a word comes to mind, but a symbol we use and see everyday. $ Yes, the glorious dollar sign pops into all of our heads. NBC.com describes Trump as "the very definition of the American success story, continually setting the standards of excellence while expanding his interests in real estate, gaming, sports, and entertainment."
With his father as a role model, Trump established his dreams at an early age. Right after graduating from college, he went to work for his father's company, the Trump Organization (http://www.nbc.com/).
Trump eventually invested in large building projects in Manhattan and his empire took off from there.
Donald Trump is not your everyday success story. However, it seems that through hard work and perseverance, Trump has fulfilled all of his dreams and continues to everyday.
Trump takes a unique perspective on achieving dreams. His positive mindset has taken him to the high success level that he has reached today. In his quote "I like thinking big. If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big." Even one of the books that he wrote is titled Think Big, and Never Give Up (http://www.trump.com/). Donald Trump exemplifies the positive thinking that has helped him reach his goals and dreams. Just like in Martin Luther King Jr.'s simple and historic quote "I have a dream", Trump puts it in perspective that your dreams are only what you make of them and achieving them is all in the mindset.
Film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEGSiX0JA-s&feature=channel_page
Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous quote "I have a dream" is almost perfectly reflected in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. This movie was based off the book The Pursuit of Happyness which was published originally as an autobiography of author Chris Gardner's life.
Chris Gardner's life is a true "rags to riches" story in which achieving dreams and never giving up on those dreams made him the successful person he is today. Throughout his childhood he encountered universal issues such as poverty, alcoholism, domestic violence and sexual abuse. As he continued into adulthood he was not able to make ends meet and continued to suffer being homeless. He dreamed of becoming a stock broker (www.chrisgardnermedia.com).
He finally got a job at Bear Stearns & Co and worked from 1983-1987 as a top earner. In 1987 he founded his own brokerage firm Gardner Rich with only $10,000 and finally achieved his dream (www.chrisgardnermedia.com).
In this Youtube clip, Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) teaches his son an important lesson about dreams and never giving up on them.
Chris Gardner now lives in Chicago and New York and has two sons. Gardner Rich LLC is now one of the largest brokerages in the country (www.chrisgardnermedia.com).
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