Hist 106 PDF - Discussion of Fredrick Douglass \"Composite Nation\" and Zitkala-Sa, \"The School PDF

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Discussion of Fredrick Douglass "Composite Nation" and Zitkala-Sa, "The School Days of an Indian Girl"...

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Ana Cristina Gil Rodriguez Prof. Eisenbarth History 106: American History Since 1877 Week 2 Primary Source Answers Questions: Part 1 - Frederick Douglass, "The Composite Nation" 1.1. “The Composite Nation” was a speech written in 1869 by Fredrick Douglass for social observers and politicians to advocate the acceptance of Chinese immigration. 1.2. What does Douglass mean when he calls the United States a "composite nation"? Douglass’ use of the phrase “composite nation” emphasizes his reference to our nations potential with numerous amounts of differences when it comes to our society. 1.3. What arguments does he make in favor of allowing Asian immigrants to become full citizens? Douglass promotes how the policy of the U.S government has been governed by race pride, rather than by wisdom. His views are seen in his reference to indian and black communities lack of rights and the minuscule attempts to inspire their potential patriotism and instead it is replaced with hatred and anger. His words are leading to the understanding that by accepting difference we can grow as a nation. 1.4. How do you think his own personal history might have influenced Douglass to serve as an advocate for Asian immigrants? Frederick Douglass made himself the most compelling witness to the evils of slavery and prejudice through his personal experience of suffering at the hands of his master whom inflicted emotional and physical pain. This history influenced Douglass to serve as an advocate for the Asian immigrants because he wanted and was willing to fight for change. Part 2 - Zitkala-Sa, "The School Days of an Indian Girl" 2.1. “The School Days of an Indian Girl” is an American Indian story published in 1921 by Zitkala-Sa also known as Gertrude Bonnin. In my opinion, Zitkala-Sa wrote this piece to recount her experience and promote native rights in the U.S for a general but educated and well-read audience. 2.2. Describe two instances from the document where the author's heritage and traditions conflict with the rules and customs of white society. One instance from the document where Zitkala-Sa’s heritage and traditions conflict with the rules and customs of white society is when she is on the train going to the school and the children seated infant of her are staring and pointing at her moccasins and their mother instead of reproving their behavior also stared and pulled her children closer to her. A second instance is Zitkala-Sa’s attempt at drawing support for her people that she makes the Indian spiritual beliefs and ways seem not only more noble, but more

genuinely Christian than the white people's Christianity, however, a white woman at the school then terrifies her with a book containing a picture of what is apparently the devil. 2.3. How does Zitkala-Sa's time at a residential school affect her relationship with her mother? Zitkala-Sa’s mother was hesitant to send her daughter away but after debating the decision, Zitkala-Sa’s mother agreed to let her go. She did not want her daughter to leave and did not trust the white strangers, but she feared that the Dakota way of life was ending. There were no schools on the reservation, and she wanted her daughter to have an education. 2.4. What do you think that the author gained from the experience of living at a missionary school? What did she lose? In my opinion the author gained knowledge and inspiration she did not know English, and tribal languages were banned at the school and he eventually went on to follow her true passion: writing stories that promoted Dakota culture and values. However, I do believe she lost more than she gained. Zitkala-Sa was forced to give up her culture for an “American” one. She was mistreated and lost most of her childhood in the reservations. Not only that but to have the feeling of going home and feeling like you don't belong there anymore is the most gut wrenching one anyone can have, where they feel like they don't belong nor here nor there....