Similarity in a Raisin in the sun and the Great Gatsby

      The American Dream in the Raisin in the sun, and the Great Gatsby differed and were similar in many ways. They were different for one in that, in Raisin in the sun the family was trying to fulfill their dreams from an area that wasn't filled was poorer classes while in the Great Gatsby the characters lived in a middle class to richer neighborhood and were trying to reach their goals. In a Raisin in the sun the family was from a poor area in Chicago, where most people were not able to fulfill their dreams in a time in America were racism/segregation was prevalent while in The Great Gatsby most of the characters were brought up in money or were from a middle to upper class area. This fact is different in that the privileges differed of the characters in the both differed therefore the means by which they achieved their goals were different.  Also their American Dreams were different in that in The Raisin in the sun, their ultimate dream was just to have a stable household life where they had a good house, and well paying jobs. Though in The Great Gatsby, the main dream for most was to be wealthy, with large mansions, cars and well financed jobs. In the Raisin in the Sun, the American Dreams consisted of being able to provide for the whole family and for generation to come, while in the Great Gatsby their dreams only consisted of providing for their well being, rather than for others. For instance, in the Raisin in the sun, their dream was to move into a better house, and also to have good paying jobs, in order to care and provide for the next generations, while in the Great Gatsby the  dream was to get as rich as possible to be able to afford expensive things. Though there were differences, there were also similarities. A similarity in the American Dream in both novels was that the dream was ultimately to improve were you are in life and better your economical status. In Raisin in the sun, they wanted to improve their lives from where they lived, and their jobs, while also in the Great Gatsby they wanted to improve where they lived. Also a similarity in the American Dream in both novels, they were hard workers who wanted to have a better life. In a Raisin in the sun, most people in the family put in long hours at their jobs, in order to get closer to their dreams, and made sacrifices, while also in the Great Gatsby, Gatsby himself was a hard worker who started from nothing and through working hard though not legally, was able to achieve his goals. 

Response to Team's mascots

In response to the debate of whether sports teams should be allowed to use Native American tribes as their logos, I think that this should only be the case when the tribe approves so. For example while reading the article in class, there was sports team, with which the Indian tribe gave approval for them to be used as a logo. I think this showed respect for the tribe’s people and therefore left no room for racism. Also I think that by the team seeking approval from the tribe for the logo, shows respect. For those who argue that they shouldn’t be able to use the logo because it leaves room for stereotypes and racism, I think that if the Indians are ok with being the logo, shows that they are don’t think that there is any bad will behind it. I think all sports teams should seek approval, from the Native Americans. Native Americans being the faces of these strong, champions, athletic teams, represent the strength of these tribes; therefore I think Indians would be proud to be associated with these teams. Knowing this fact, I think the Native Americans would be more inclined to accepting towards the idea of being the logo for these teams. In conclusion, all sports teams that use Native Americans as their logos, should seek approval from these tribes if they wish to use them as their logo in order to leave out anger of racism and stereotypes from these tribes. 

Word count:260

Reflection Of Community Project

   From doing this project, I learned a lot about the history of my community. It was very interesting to know the changes of my community over the years. With these changes came changes in the demographic makeup of my community, thus changing people’s dreams. Since the change in the community, the place became much more safe, and a hub for education. My community is a melting pot of dreams, and goals of students as well as working people. From this project, I learned that the American dream and where you come from go hand in hand.

   The end result of the project differed from my original outline. I thought that the American dream would be defined as being wealthy or success, but most of the answers I got were about providing for future generations and security in their lives. I was challenged by this project by having to break out of my shell to do interviews with people. I am very happy I did this project because I was able to go deeper into what motivates people to do things, and the dreams of others.

Community Proposal

·         What neighborhood do you live in?

University Village/Little Italy

·         How would you describe your neighborhood?

My neighborhood is very unique in terms of the people that consist of it. In my neighborhood, there are many UIC students, families who have lived here for a while, as well as hard workers in the various stores.  My neighborhood is also very unique in the landscape. It is made up of very old buildings spanning back to the beginning of the city, such as the Holy Family Church, and St Ignatius. It has consists of intertwined streets filled with many restaurants, known as Taylor Street, which is famous due to famous Chicagoan mobsters.

·         What are the Demographics of your area?

1.       Mostly African American, Caucasian

2.       Large Hispanic community on Pilsen

3.       Many students outweigh families

·         People I plan on interviewing

1.       My sister Theodora Okiro (UIC Student)

2.       Owner of a Restaurant of Taylor Street

3.       Holy Family (church) member

·         What part of the American Dream is present in my neighborhood?

I think a part of the American dream that I think is present in my dream, is the dream to build a better tomorrow for the generation to come. I think the adults in my neighborhood, through many neighborhood events and projects, try to help the youth to find their way thus ensuring that the youth can keep the community strong. I also think a part of the American Dream that consists in my neighborhood is a change is a change in what is viewed as the American dream. I think that this is especially prevalent in my neighborhood, since it is made of many students, making the community modern, and changing the means of achieving things and how you achieve those things.

The American Dream

The article Giving Children a Chance, from the New York Times, relates very much to the ideals of the American dream. The author, who emigrated from Haiti with his parents to the United States, fled here for freedom from the war happening in his country. This is related to the American Dream which mainly preaches about freedom, because he saw that relocating to America meant a freedom that could not have been obtained in his country, so in that he was able to achieve the American Dream. After relocating to America, his father worked very hard obtaining jobs in order to pay for his son’s school fees. This related to the American Dream in that, his father relocated his family to America in order for a better life and worked tirelessly to give his son a good education that wasn't offered in his country. Working so hard, overwhelmed his father, and led to a heart attack at the wheel of his taxi. This relates to the essence of the American Dream, which is sacrifice for your children and loved ones, in order to provide them with things they need.  The author, after completing college, became a writer for the New York Times, and also created a nonprofit organization to improve educational opportunities for children. This especially relates to the American Dream, in that he kept the cycle going of well educated children, and also will bring up new generations of strong individuals able to achieve their own dreams, and thus keeping the American dream alive.
Word Count: 230

Scary Movie Review

The Sixth Sense

My Favorite Scary movie is the Sixth Sense starring Bruce Willis who plays a psychiatrist named Crowe. This movie is based upon a troubled and isolated boy, named Cole who is able to talk to and see dead people, who sometimes don’t know they are dead, and due to this fact has to visit a shrink to help him.  Cole seeing dead people, pertains to the title of the movie, which means that you notice or see things that are necessarily on the surface and knowing things that others don’t. Cole is taught by Crowe to accept ghosts in his life and to use his gift to help people, which he later does. During this time, Crowe notices that his relationship with his wife has deteriorated, and believes she is ignoring him due to an affair she is having. Crowe later realizes that he died months ago due to a gun shot by one of his deranged patients.  Crowe recalls Cole’s advice, saying that he can set him and his wife free, by whispering to her that he loves her. This is ironic because the whole time Cole was explaining to Crowe on how he saw dead people who sometimes didn’t know they were dead; Crowe never knew that he was also dead. In this movie, the viewers are captivated in one way of viewing the movie and what they believe will happen which is altered by the twist ending. This is my favorite scary movie because it is not just meant to be scary, but shows the character’s paths to self discovery and acceptance, and of learning to communicate. I also really liked the fact the movie wasn’t just a thriller and a ‘lights off’ scary movie, but was also a love story between Crowe and his wife.

Word Count: 300 

A link to my Nature Portfolio!!!!!!!

http://stephanieokiro.blogspot.com/p/nature-portfolio.html