Inauguration Assignment
Watch the Inauguration. What were your impressions? Analysis Obama's address. Listen or read commentary on the event. The response should be minimally 250 words. Post at the assignment link (which will appear 1/20. The essay response is due 1/23 by 11:50 PM. Please include references (2-3). Use MLA. (You might lose the formatting. Don't worry about it.)
Today in both classes we had discussions about the arguments presented in the address as well as issues and points raised in the speech which students either agreed or disagreed with. I hope the spirited exchange continues here in a more formalized manner, the essay response. Please as a part of the assignment and for all posts, respond to a classmate.
Students are not doing their assignments. Too many of you did not have a copy of the address, which meant some of you had not read it.
In your essay identify the key point or thesis and Obama's supporting evidence. Talk about the audience, its inclusiveness, the tone of the piece, style and precedence for such speeches (if you like). One of your classmates referenced JFK's speech and the line: Ask not what your country can do for you...".
What lines do you think we'll be reciting for generations to come?
I have given you more time to get the assignment in. If you have trouble posting, you can always email the assignment to me and I will post it for you. Make certain you ask me to show you how to post assignments. I will offer this service only in the first month of classes (January 14-February 14).
After this period ends, you're on your own. There is a toll bridge with a grumpy Billy Goat on the other end and she charges (smile).
Watch the Inauguration. What were your impressions? Analysis Obama's address. Listen or read commentary on the event. The response should be minimally 250 words. Post at the assignment link (which will appear 1/20. The essay response is due 1/23 by 11:50 PM. Please include references (2-3). Use MLA. (You might lose the formatting. Don't worry about it.)
Today in both classes we had discussions about the arguments presented in the address as well as issues and points raised in the speech which students either agreed or disagreed with. I hope the spirited exchange continues here in a more formalized manner, the essay response. Please as a part of the assignment and for all posts, respond to a classmate.
Students are not doing their assignments. Too many of you did not have a copy of the address, which meant some of you had not read it.
In your essay identify the key point or thesis and Obama's supporting evidence. Talk about the audience, its inclusiveness, the tone of the piece, style and precedence for such speeches (if you like). One of your classmates referenced JFK's speech and the line: Ask not what your country can do for you...".
What lines do you think we'll be reciting for generations to come?
I have given you more time to get the assignment in. If you have trouble posting, you can always email the assignment to me and I will post it for you. Make certain you ask me to show you how to post assignments. I will offer this service only in the first month of classes (January 14-February 14).
After this period ends, you're on your own. There is a toll bridge with a grumpy Billy Goat on the other end and she charges (smile).
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 10:11 AM
36 Comments:
Gerrell Knox
Eng.1A 9-9:50
I really liked president Obamas' speech. Before the inauguration everybody was saying this had to be the best speech ever. for the most part it wasn't. It was a good speech that we all needed to hear, but it wasn't his best, and that was okay.
One of the many things the president addressed was our infrastructure. To me, as Barack Obama spoke of building bridges and improving the roads, he sonded like Roosevelt ushering in the New Deal. Upon watching the inauguration for the second time, I noticed it was a trend of his to indirectly sound like and refer to past presidents.
Keeping up with the pattern the president said that the old political arguements we had for so long, no longer apply. He said it's not about how big or small our government is, but about whether it works. That was throwing a lug Reagans way. I believe the president was saying this to make people see that in these new times we need to improve upon all the positive aspects that made us such a great nation, while leaving behind these new found messy politics that are so divisive.
Overall I think this was a very informative speech about the direction the new president wants to take us. I pray that he does a good job because everyone is watching and waiting for him to mess up in any way. I believe he will do fine; he's Barack Obama!
Jose Vasquez
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 9-9:50
January 22,2009
In Barack Obama’s speech Obama includes many of the problem that the nation faces. In his speech I was able to identify a few key points. Obama explains that the nation economic crisis has to do with people losing their homes, their jobs and companies closing down. I agree with Obama I believe that companies going out of business, people losing their homes, and jobs have contributed to the economy crisis. In his speech he also points out that its time to start again. That in order to see change we have to start changing fast. I agree with him because in order to see change happen we the people are the only ones that could change the nation. Obama cannot do everything by himself he can make decision but he cant change the world.
Also by watching his Inauguration speech and listening to it, his tone of voice while he gave his was really weird. He gave his speech really relax like every other speech he gave. Many other Inauguration speeches that I have seen have a different tone of voice. I have a feeling that Obama was a little nervous while he was giving his speech. The audience to me was everyone in the entire world. Obama wanted to let everyone know that he was really going to change the way that foreign countries see the United States. Many other foreign countries look at the United States as a selfish country. Obama wants people to know that the United States is willing to help every nation; he is going to try to help poor countries fight world hunger. My favorite lines from the entire speech are “You choose hope over fear”. These words are very powerful to me. I believe those words are going to become famous someday.
My final thought on Barack Obama speech is that it was not a great speech, but okay. It was not as good as I thought it was going to be, his speech was missing excitement and passion. His tone of voice was too soft, I expected him to speak loud and proud. I believe that Barack Obama is going to do a great job as the president of the United States and that’s want counts not his speech.
Carmen Truong
Sabir
English 1A
9-9:50
President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech was really impressive. His inauguration speech was strongly spoken out loud in front of millions at Washington D.C. I like the fact how he didn’t stuttered during the speech. He kept on going and going. I feel that he really put a lot of effort in it. I believe in his ability that he will make America a better place to live, due to people’s supportive and his confident.
Each of the arguments I found in the speech was very intense. He states that “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; out schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” It really touched me the most because as we people living in this planet, many badly things have occurred. Our economy is going through very bad depressions. However, we as people should make a change for ourselves and the world, otherwise there will be no hope.
Obama very well consider his words by telling the world that he will not only to say it but to do what needs to be done to keep others from disappointment. He states that “We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and Universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.”
As Obama goes on his speech, I’ am very glad to hear what he’s going to do to make our community a better place to live and for us to have a better life. I’ am very thankful to have President Barack Obama to serve us and our country.
Analysis of Barack Obama’s
Inaugural Address.
Hassan Moore.
Eng. 1A.
I am, and have always been a patriot, and tireless advocate of social virtue through adherence to the honorable precepts of our founding creed.
I was deeply moved by the overall theme of the address, a leitmotif that I feel was summed up in the section of his speech that stated definitively, that there are cynics who suggest that our system cannot tolerate such ambitious plans as those we aspire to.
But that they must have forgotten what this country has already achieved, and that the ability of a free people, when “imagination is joined with common purpose, and necessity to courage”, has been the saving grace of this nation.
He renews the thought our ambition and ingenuity as a people is what makes our country so unique, and worth working to preserve. Also, this section of his speech stood out to me because of the portion where he stated that the “ground has shifted”, and that “the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply”.
I found this to be the thesis and theme of the majority of the speech.
Pres. Obama articulately stressed the point that, though we are faced by many trials, our will cannot be broken. He spoke earnestly about the “building” and “fixing” that this nation needs, and that we need to turn our focus away from destruction and strife, and toward the reconstruction of our nation, and way of life. He also expressed a clear and defined vision of our future as a virtuous nation, one worthy of setting an example for the world.
A theme that was stalwart within this speech, as it is in many of the president’s addresses, was the concept of a return to the ideals which made this nation thrive and develop. The liberties and freedoms which are granted to the citizens of the nation have come at too high a price to allow our efforts as a people to have been in vain.
Pres. Obama delivered his speech with consistency, pride and composure.
He spoke in broad literal and figurative terms that allowed the audience to perceive both his overall vision and the actions that are necessary to fashion this country into a more socially responsible nation. One that is strong and industrious, respected and admired.
I believe that this message, his “doctrine”, will be recalled and recited for generations to come.
The inaugural address of Pres. Obama has made me very optimistic about this countries propensity to change and growth, and I consider it be one of the great speeches of modern times. Let us all work together to ensure liberty’s survival.
“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” - George Washington.
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Jeremy Kerby
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 9-9:50
January 22,2009
Inauguration Assignment
Inauguration is one of the most important days in American history. It starts a new chapter in US Government. It seems to be good to always have a fresh new face in office every few years. A new president brings all new changes and opportunities to this wonderful country.
As I was watching the Inauguration at home on tv I became aware of new things. This was the first time I actually sat down and watched an Inauguration. I never really thought much of this day in history when I was younger. Know that I am older I can appreciate this day in history more.
One of the main things that first came to my mind was that insane amount of citizens so into all this hype. Watching the Inauguration on tv and seeing almost two million people crowd the mall is breath taking to say the least. People from all over the world took time to attend this event. I watched the news almost all day on this topic, and heard about people completly stuck in underground subways that never even made it to the event. People waited in lines that were over 10 blocks long to reach something they would never have time to get to. Hearing personal interviews of people attending this event makes me want to one day attend an Inauguration.
I look forward to what Obama has in store for our country. I have a few concerns though in how he will fix the economy, and deal with the war in the middle east. I admire the way he says "We the people" in all his claims in his Inaugural Address. He is including the country as a whole and not just him as president making changes. I am certain that he will live up to the expectations of all the people in the United States and he will preform in the upcomming months.
Jeremy J. Kerby
Hong Tang
English 1A 9-10AM
The inauguration of President Barack Obama scored impressively throughout nationwide. Obama emphasized the great economic challenges ahead of him and explained that success is possible with hard work and honesty, At one point of the speech as he talked about god given promises that all are equal, I think he's sort of contradicting himself by saying he's a religious person. However, no matter what our views, we are united in one nation.
During the Presidential Inauguration many people were emotional. Most people were really were really excited about the inauguration and Obama. I personally didn't vote for president because I think the presidency is irrelevant. I think local governments have bigger impacts on people. I wasn’t sure if he can be a good president serving our country during this great depression time. However, when I witnessed the moments of American’s pride I was honored. It was amazing seeing this day appeared in my eyes and able to see history are made.
President Obama also stated “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; out schools fail too many”. These situations are the biggest impact in our society and it definitely needs to be fix. We definitely need to look at our economy, make more jobs and build a bigger connection with other countries. President Obama repeatedly mention the changes our nation will meet. I am looking forward of a better living in my community and a better head start for our next generations.
Refrences:
-http:??news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text
-Oakland Tribune
This comment has been removed by the author.
Munkhjin Munkhbaatar
English 1A 9- 9.50
Before i never heard any of the presidents inauguration speech. President Barack Obama's Inauguration speech speech is my first speech I ever heard. When i was watching his Inauguration speech i saw that many people were emotional most of them were crying. They are crying because they believe in him and they believe that he can change America as he said "World has changed and we must change with it" Everyone is happy around the world because Americans have elected an intelligent, gracious man to run the country. I heard some of his speeches that he spoke when he was running for president. And i heard very impressive speeches. His Inauguration speech wasn't that perfect compared to his other speeches. Barack Obama is a good speaker and I love the way he speaks he looks so confident. He kept on going and going until his speech was over.
The most important part of every speech is the arguments and facts. Everybody wanted to hear what he will do for the next four years. All the facts and arguments he brought up was very impressive. That was the problems that the US is facing today. Now all we can do is sit and watch what he will do for the next four years. I believe President Barack Obama will do all the things he promised to the Americans and YES HE WILL. I will always remember that day. WE BELIEVE IN BARACK OBAMA!
References: http://www.truthout.org/012009B
Donnovan Jiles
English 1a 9-9.50
Barack Obama's inaugural address is incredibly inspirational, but also points out how we as a country should work to help us recover from this crisis we’re in. Obama begins his speech by explaining all the issues that we as a country have to prepare to deal with and try to fix like the war, our weakening economy, and the threats that our planets faces. I feel that Obama presented the problems that our countries early in his speech to make sure that we the audience knew the state of the nation and to show what we need to work on to bring this country to prosperity. I notice throughout the speech that Obama uses the word “we” many times. I believe that he wants to show the American people that he can’t do this by himself and that he needs our help in bringing America to back greatness.
He continues his speech by highlighting the work of our founding fathers and how they struggled to make America to what it is today, and showed the challenges that past generations faced and how they overcame them. Obama presented historical facts to show that this country has the drive to make a difference again. He explained that we have to continue the legacy that our ancestors started. Toward the end of the speech Obama says “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.” In this line Obama wanted to show that America is a melting pot and that’s what make us great. I respect how he included the “non-believers also”.
I feel that the overall message of this speech is how we can remake and rebuild America back to greatness. Obama tone in the speech is reminiscent of a sermon; he addresses the audience many times and speaks about history to support his arguments. I really enjoyed reading the speech and am excited to have a great leader like Barack Obama.
Man Quach
Eng 1A
9:00-9:50
Having to live in US for ten years and i never watch/hear any of our president's inauguration til this year, Jan 20, 2009. The inauguration of President Obama our 44th president. Eventhough I watch the inaugruration on TV, I can still felt the exicitment, the joy of those people who attended. As the inaugruation go on people starts to get emotional, some started to cry. i think that those people who started to cry are the people who waits a long long time for this day to come, where an African-American become our president. I think it symbolic to Dr. King mission, to have all men and women be treat equally regarless of their color. It not just Dr. King's dream come true, but it also the dream of most american.
Another important part in the inaugruation was Mr. president's speech. As i listen though his speech i noticed that he didn't use "I", he addressed himself and the rest of American as "we". I think what Mr. president trys to say is that even though our country are in alot of problem right now, but we the people need to work together to help solve the problem.
Rebecca Evans English 1a 9-10 Response to inauguration 1/23/09
On inauguration day, January 20th 2009, Barack Obama oozed confidence. I asked myself, how can a man faced with the daunting task of America remain confident and composed? Nevertheless, his speech was beautifully delivered and well written. For many people just hearing his southing voice is enough to calm their frantic and overwhelmed thoughts concerning our nation.
President Obama’s speech was different from previous inauguration speeches. Many inaugural speeches have been very vanilla, emphasizing the kind and soft emotions of the tasks at hand or the transfer of power. Obama, however, brought up the difficult tasks that we, as a nation, are faced with. He was honest and forthright in his approach. The speech was not a sugar-coated promise for clearer skies and greener pastures instead it portrayed the hard work that lay ahead.
President Obama brought up many important arguments. The delivery, I felt, was a bit choppy. He tended to jump back and forth between arguments. However, I was able to distinguish his main arguments. I found the following arguments most poignant: the need to pick ourselves up and begin again; the focus on realism with no shortcuts; the debate on the efficiency or lack of efficiency of our government; and the differences between our safety and ideals and the ultimate driving force of “we”.
President Obama used many historical references to encourage our nation that we must pick ourselves up and begin again. For the past eight years we have been hoodwinked by the Bush administration. We have been brainwashed into thinking that the tactics Bush presented and practiced were the only way to confront issues and problems. President Obama’s use of historical references asked us to look back and remember the morals and virtues on which our country was built. “Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done” (Obama paragraph 17) “Time and time again men and woman struggled and sacrificed…so that we may live a better life” (Obama paragraph 14). “In the years of American’s birth in the coldest months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river.” (Obama paragraph 33). Here we are reminded of the trials and tribulations we, as a nation, have come through and that we can find the gumption to rise again!
Throughout the Bush years, we were forced into a lifestyle of shortcuts and false accusations. An example of President Obama’s truthfulness is when he addressed our environment, “We will restore science to its rightful place.” (Obama paragraph 16). I believe Bush is still in denial regarding the real threat and occurrence of global warming. Bush continued to look through rose colored glasses and see only what pertained to his agenda. I read two commentaries on the speech: one stated, “Obama has reminded us that there is truth to be reckoned with and we must find it” (Michael Gerson) even if it is ugly.
In response to the status of our government, President Obama stated, “it is not whether our government is too big or small, but whether it works” (Obama paragraph18). This is a valid concern pulsing thorough many American minds. For eight years our government, whom we in-trusted with our safety, let us down. President Obama is bringing forgotten issues to the table in refreshing ways in which to view those issues. A commentary I read stated, “achievement of radical or progressive ideals such as unity and social justice requires a return to timeless American values such as responsibility and self restraint” (Michael Gerson). The main dilemma we are now fighting is with trust. How can President Obama enlist trust from the American people? The deeper question is really how can we enlist trust in ourselves to be a part of the democracy our forefathers intended?
The main worry on everyones’ mind is the economy. The recession has touched everyone. Again, we are facing a trust issue; can we trust the market economy? President Obama speaks of power and what power means, “Its power (the market force) to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control.” (Obama paragraph 19). Power is a dangerous tool.
In the second commentary I found the following very interesting, “We know we (the U.S.) are watching him become something else, something we can’t entirely understand…we want him to explain to us: what does his power mean?” (Susan Slater Reynolds). Power has been used against us and has corrupted the market economy; it has gained more power over the country than its inhabitants. President Obama asks us to take a leap of faith and trust in ourselves and our country.
Another argument carrying a strong weight is the argument of our safety and our ideals. “When was the last time we heard a national democrat admit that our nation is at war and promise to defeat American enemies” (Michael Gerson). However, President Obama’s approach to defeating our enemies stirs uneasiness in the hearts of some. He mentions, “America is a friend of each nation” (Obama paragraph 20). “For those who seek to advance their aims by inducting terror and slaughter …we say to you now that our sprit is stronger and you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you” (Obama paragraph 22). He also mentions, “America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.” (22). I can’t help but wonder if this is too much of a change. I am indeed for peace. We as a nation, however, have built a reputation (thanks again to the Bush administrations) as “war mongers”. Our fight has not been for the values our country holds true -- justice, courage, honesty, loyalty, tolerance, and duty but instead we have fought for greed and power. This change will take time. We and other world powers have been ingrained in thinking of the United States as a deathly powerful nation fighting for anything to help the individual get ahead.
President Obama sees that to change our profile we must come together. The key word throughout the speech was “we”; I counted 36 uses of “we”. President Obama’s main argument, his thesis, was about embracing “we”. “Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions --- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America” (Obama paragraph 15). There is simply no way one man can fix everything. We cannot look to one man to change our lives and our well being. It is up to all of us! “For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination upon which this nation relies.” (Obama paragraph 27). America is a democracy and we must step up to the plate and be a part of it. In Woodrow Wilson’s inaugural address he argued, “There has been something crude and heartless and unfeeling in our haste to succeed and be great. Our thought has been ‘Let every man look out for himself, let every generation look out for itself,’ while we reared giant machinery which made it impossible that any but those who stood at the levers of control should have a chance to look out for themselves. We had not forgotten our morals. We remembered well enough that we had set up a policy which was meant to serve the humblest as well as the most powerful” (Woodrow Wilson). President Obama is rooted on the American values that will ultimately set us free. These values and virtues seem to have been forgotten but they can be renewed instruments to meet our challenges.
To aid in my view of President Obama’s speech, I read two commentaries. Michael Gerson saw the speech as a “deep understanding of America” (Gerson). He also mentioned that President Obama’s speech was “rhetorically flat and substantially interesting”. I agree, as the organization of the speech at least in written form was sometimes hard to follow but his imagery and ideals were captivating. Susan Slater Reynolds (another commentor) went as far as to classify Obama as a prince. “Bush was a buddy, Clinton was the kindly uncle. Obama is a prince” I highly disagreed with this statement. President Obama is one of the most down-to-earth politicians I have ever witnessed. I think one of the elements that made his speech so compelling was his ability to be an “average citizen” and direct his speech to every American. “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus- and non-believes. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the earth” (Obama paragraph 24). He mentioned moments in history that different people from different eras in the audience could relate to instilling a sense of a personal relationship. “For us they packed up their worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us the toiled in sweatshops and settled in the west; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg, Normandy and the Khe Sanh.”(Obama paragraph 11-13). Obama’s speech offered realism and truth. He suggested a new role we must take on as a nation for ourselves and for the world. Our role is primarily to “pick our selves up, dust ourselves off” (Obama paragraph 15) and begin again.
Bibliography
Michael Gerson:
The Washington Post. 22 Jan. 2009. Washington Post Writers Group, Michael Gerson. 22 Jan. 2009.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/22/michael-gerson-obamas-speech-weak-uneven/?par tner=RSS
Susan Slater Reynolds:
The LA Times. 22 Jan. 2009. The LA Times. Restraint and plain speaking distinguish the speech, they say one calls it a sophisticated view of our world and our role in it. 22 Jan. 2009. www.latimes.com/news/politics/inauguration/la-na-inaug-literati21-2009jan21,0,76827 33.story
Woodrow Wilson
Bartleby. 23 Jan. 2009. Bartleby.com. Woodrow Wilson First Inaugural Address. 1989.http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres44.html
Rebecca Evans Eng 1a 1/23/09 “President Obama’s speech” in response to Jose Vasquez
The speech was eloquent and calm. I think the fact that President Obama was so calm and composed is amazing considering the daunting tasks he is faced with. Having a frantic leader will not help our flailing country. Someone who is calm in the face of a storm will indeed help to render our minds and gather our sprits.
Above I speak of our. Throughout his speech President Obama used the word we more than 30 times. It is true as Jose said that the only way to make change is to do it together. I’ve always been frustrated with people who do not vote but seem to be the first to complain or “bash” the current government and its polices. We as a collective nation elected a president who told us from the beginning he will not and cannot do it alone, it is up to all of us. I ask myself what I can do. I can further my education and continue my scholastic journey to major in environmental science and help our dying earth. I can continue to volunteer my time to help those less fortunate. I can buy local to support the economy. There are many things we all can do and it does not take much! If we are going to become seen as an unselfish country it starts with small things. Everyone needs to ask “not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country” (John F. Kennedy). We can help every nation, we can help ourselves, and we can help each other, togehter we can do anything!
My Analysis and Response to Obama's Inauguration Address
Jennifer Gonzales
Eng 1A
9-950am
Watching the inauguration was very exciting for me. As I watched millions of people gathered at this historic event, I was in such a state of disbelief, that we now have a president who will address our issues for majority of citizens . Furthermore, a president who not only is a visionary of change but also has action plans to support it . He sees change that even Martin Luther King Jr. knew could be possible.
His address was spoken in a very motivational tone. His words were not only meant to inspire but they also meant business. He acknowledges the fact that the challenges we face are real, but he is willing and determined to meet these many, serious and uneasy issues. He speaks of our historic political ideologies that have strangled our politics for far too long and now it is time to pass on to generations that all are equal, free and deserve the chance to pursue happiness. He realizes that the journey is not for people of leisure or who only seek riches. It is for the people who work hard and sacrifice toward the path of prosperity and freedom. He affirms a great nation, but that is never given, it must be earned. It is we who need to step up to the plate and start on the road to remaking America. He speaks optimistically because he sees a future that will be better. Spoken like a true revolutionary, he sees a world of freedom and justice. A true idealist that is full of action plans. He knows what he wants and how he will go about doing it.
How he plans on dealing with our many issues is a something he brings up repeatedly. He has bold and swift propositions for our economy, health care, environment and for our schools/colleges/universities. He emphasises that there is work to be done and that action needs to take place, not only to create jobs, but to lay a foundation for growth. Many may question if everything he is proposing will actually be tolerated, but he knows that change will come by the men and women with free imagination when joined together with courage, and that is us. We the people are not the only one's that need to put in conscious effort, but so do the people in his office. They have to make responsible decisions when managing the public's money because that is the only way they can restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
He speaks to the people of our nation and to people from all walks of life. He touches and embraces them. He says, "we are a nation of Christians and muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth;"/ "that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play it's role in ushering ina new era of peace." We will be here to lend a hand to the muslim world and other third world countries that are willing to accept it and to the soldiers in Iraq he acknowledges the sacrifices they have endured for our country.
Concluding his speech he reiterates the fact that we have many challenges and that we have a way of dealing with these issues and that is hard work, commitment and honesty.
Many commentors said he used a lot of metaphors and similar lines of past presidents. Another commentor said that at the heart of his speech was an appeal for a "new era of responsibility" in which americans embrace the duties they have to their nation and the world. Many said his speech was written with intelligence, compassion, wordliness and skill. They also said it was not too memorable or nothing new, but it was well written, structured and paced. I did not consist of any new lines we have not heard before. There were memorable passages, but few memorable phrases. I feel many people had mixed emotions about his speech, both negative and positive.
I loved his speech and thought it was very well said. He consistently reiterates that he is aware of our crisis in all aspects of life and that he will do his best as our president to meet those issues, but he is also requsting that we as a people need to do our part as well.
The Associated Press."Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address" 2009. Yahoo! Inc. 20 Jan. 2009(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text)
Lister, Richard. "Obama's sobering inaugural speech" 2009. BBC News, Washington. 20 Jan. 2009 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7841153.stm)
The Editors. "The Speech': The Experts' Critique" 2009. The New York Times ROOM for DEBATE. A Running Commentary on the News. 20 Jan. 2009
(http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/the-speech-the-experts-critique/)
Angela Sterling
English 1A
8-8:50
According to commentary and various conversations I’ve had, many people enjoyed President Barack Obama's inaugural address. I am one of those people. I felt that it was well written, but in addition to the literary aspects of his speech, I also thought he delivered it well. His address is motivational, as it rekindles the American spirit and offers hope without being unrealistic. One thing I noticed was that he wasn't just speaking to citizens of the United States, he also considered the fact that people from other countries would be listening as well. He wrote his speech to be inclusive to everyone on a universal scale.
My favorite part of his address was when he spoke about our government: "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works...Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government." When I read this, I thought about how many times I’ve ever heard a politician be this open and real with the public- never. I appreciate the fact that he is able to openly admit to us that our government isn't working without making excuses. This makes him appear more honest, transparent, and personally I feel more confident in him leading our country.
Another thing I noticed is that Obama speaks of generous gestures. He pledges to “extend the hand” to other nations that are in need. But this is not surprising, as you can tell that he is not a selfish guy just by the amount of times he uses “we” in his address.
The main point that I feel Obama was trying to illustrate is that America is a nation of many different types of people, and that this diversity makes us stronger. Ultimately the fate of America lies on the shoulders of its citizens, and on a larger scale, the fate of the world depends on the people that inhabit it. He is encouraging us to be selfless, hardworking, and have courage. But most importantly, he is saying we need to work together.
Nina Wooten
Eng.1A
8-9am
On a historic inspirational day, Obama offered the country a new brand of politics. He delivered a call to national services at a time of deep economic distress, while extending his hand to the rest of the world. He took note of remarkable circumstances, which overshadowed everything else. Obama emphasizes on togetherness, personal responsibility and an end to an era of greed. "For as much as a government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. He insists that our countries recovery will be a "collective task," rather a bail out simply performed by the government alone.
I think his inauguration speech is what our country needs and is what we've been looking for, however, I feel like majority will not have the patience for these changes. Our economy will get worse before it we notice improvement in the stock market, paying less at gas pumps, being able to afford homes and not worrying about an increase in home mortgages.
I think we're missing the fact that he wants us all to pitch in and help instead of leaving him in ultimately control of the outcome of our nation. This has been one of the only times we have come together as a country of many ethnicities and many faiths to join and celebrate and witness history before us.
Paola Garcia
English 1A
January 23, 2009
President Barack Obama’s Inauguration
A New Jersey woman called the inauguration “majestic”. I totally agree with her. It was amazing to see the energy of the people outside DC. But what strike me most was that the parade and the celebrations were not only happening at in Washington, people were celebrating in every corner of the country. For instance, at the UC Berkeley plaza a big screen has showing what was happening alive in the capital city. Right after President Obama took the oath, some students started playing batucada and everybody started dancing; it was beautiful. Like this many cities celebrated all day long, because it was the new beginning.
Barack Obama is well known to be a great speaker, and he proves it at his inauguration speech. He spoke for more than 15 minutes; it was clear and very inspiring. His main point in argument was the responsibility of the American people to rise again. As he says in his speech is a new era. As well he speaks very clearly when he says: “For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.” Some think this speech will make history. Paul Begala thinks Rev. Martin Luther King and President Kennedy are saying ‘He is good. He’s dam good’ from heaven.’ As well some journalists support the idea that this declamation has quotes that are going to transcend to history such as: “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” This one specifically was so powerful that is been compared with the famous quote of President Kennedy: “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
In my own opinion, there is one line that is worth mentioning: “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.” I love this quote because is so true and influential. It is not a secret that the great America has fallen, but from this failure we can learn and become stronger than ever.
The President speech was very well addressed to every person in this country. He gave hope to the youth, so they can work for a better tomorrow. He honored the ancestors by remembering why they came to this country so many years ago, how they worked with their bared hands to build the land where we stand. And most of all, he mention for the first time that I can recall that this country is the product of the mixed of different cultures that have singular traditions such as religion and language but with one thing in common we all live in the same country and we all want to see it shine.
He didn’t only spoke about the feelings of America. He spoke about the issues that America is going thru. Including but not necessarily limited to the economy, the defense and the energy. “He promised prosperity, but not right away and not, perhaps, without bold or potentially painful efforts.” That is what made this speech real, there is a solution but there is a long path to get to it.
It was an amazing event, full of positive energy and warmth. I enjoyed watching the entire inauguration and reding all the wonderful things people had to say afterwards. It was a great day.
REFERENCES
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012109dnnatinaugmain.449cba0.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/speech.report.card/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.people/index.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text
In response to Carmen Truong
I thought he put a lot of effort as well. It was impressive how he kept going and going.
I liked what you wrote about the speech. I share the same thoughts.
Best of luck
PAOLA GARCIA
Bridgette Copprue
Eng 1A 9-10:00am
23 January 2009
Analysis to "President Obama's Inaugural Speech"
The year that every American should remember that will go down in our history books is "2009". Why? Because our first ever to be elected president had the largest audience globally of past and present in attendance physically, via satellite, internet, home television sets; you name it, they were watching!
President Obama's persona was that of a professional, meek, mild and humbled mannered individual. He didn't sound like any of the other politicians that I have heard speak (and I've only really listen to the Kennedys'speeches). The message he brought to the nation was what the majority of the nation wanted to hear. What he plans on doing to better our economy; healthcare for all of our country's people; and education for all individuals who has the desire to grow with knowledge. Other areas of interest were our service men and women and the crime rate in our cities.
I wondered as I looked at the vast amount of people in Washington on that great day, if anybody really knew or understood why President Barack Obama had the world's attention? Some have stated that he referred to past president's inaugural addresses; well, why not? Can anyone say of the forty-three previous presidents speeches, that none or part of their speech wasn't from a former president's address?
The reason that it was so calm that day is because President Obama is a God sent man.(Judges 4:6)KJV. We must know as a people, that he is human, like us, and the only way that he will or should I say, he has accomplished so much more than anyone else has in one day, is because of the one who created this world! Not being all religious, just factual.
Some are lashing out at him already for the abortion bill that he has passed or overridden or whatever he is doing or going to do. I do not recall any other President ever using or referring to God as much as he did or does. As long as he continues to put God first, everything is going to work out for America, just watch, America. The inferrence to set " aside childish things..."(ICor.13:11)lets me know where his faith lies; and should lie.
The world knows who "packed up their few worldly posessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life;toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth; fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh."(Pres. Obama)
There are just so many things that can be said about our new President, one we must call him "President Obama" and not just Barack or Obama, because he's not our relative but our PRESIDENT!
GOD BLESS PRESIDENT OBAMA
Bridgette Copprue
Eng 1A 9-10:00am
23 January 2009
In response to Jose Vasquez..
Jose, I tried reading all of your analysis, it was interesting, to say the least, but I didn't have time to read all of yours and others and write my own analysis before the deadline! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; that's a given but I disagree with you when you describe President Obama tone. When and where did you hear nervousness in his voice? Is it because he is an eloquent speaker, that you thought he may sound like some blundering idiot in front of the whole world? This is a man that is representing the entire United States of America! Not just Black people or White people or Latin people or Chinese people, but all people. And as he stated in his speech to the cynics, "that the ground has shifted beneath them...consumed us for so long no longer apply", I would like to ask, also, "Who has ever been in office and done all of what they campaigned to do?
We're going to have some good discussions in Professor Sabir's class this semester, I can't wait! See you in class
Andre Stephens
Professor Sabir
English 1A, 9-9:50
President Obama’s Speech
The thesis of President Obama’s speech was our nation is still developing, and it’s time to stop doing juvenile things. A lot of mistakes have been made that have led to our country’s current crisis. If we are going to be able to move forward, we must have a no quit spirit in order make sure our history is better. President Obama is speaking to the American people, which include people of all races and religions. His audience is also the leaders of other nations since he said he wants to be a friend of every nation.
The tone of the President’s speech was informative because he talked about the important issues we are facing and it seemed to be a call to action. His speech was also calm. When he was campaigning, the tone was much stronger, but at that time he wanted to show people why they should vote for him. It was better for him to be calm when telling us about the challenges we all face because it is important for a leader to show calmness during adversity. This showed that President Obama has a cool head and Americans won’t become as panicked as they would if he was emotional. I thought his speech was also motivational because even though America is facing a lot of serious challenges and it’s going to take time to fix things, they will be fixed. President Obama always impresses me when he speaks because he does not use notes and I believe he writes his own speeches. President Bush was in office for eight years and he used notes and still messed up a lot.
There were several lines that I believe will be recited for years to come. My favorites were: “This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny” and “So let us mark this day with remembrance of who we are, and how far we have traveled”. I believe the first line is saying that although we don’t know what the future holds, it is our responsibility to be a part of making sure that future becomes what we want it to be. The second line is saying we have come a long ways and our success is because of the sacrifices and hard work of others. We are great people and should be proud of who we are.
Bianca Chouteau
English 1A
9:00-9:50am
Barack Obama wrote a speech due to the inauguration January 29, 2009 in Washington DC. The inauguration was conceived so Barack can be sworn in as the 44TH president of the United States. In his inaugural address he speaks to the people, his fellow citizens.
Barack was grateful for the trust we have for him, it’s like we’re putting our lives into his hands. He states the crisis’s that our nation is going through, and that it’s going to be hard to address them. If we have cooperation and understanding between nations we can meet new threats that are hard and for that we will need to put more effort into it. As a nation we have earned greatness and worked hard doing it. We have to rebuild America; there were many risk takers and doers that laid us towards prosperity and freedom. I love the fact that we will leave Iraq to their people and make peace with Afghanistan. Barack includes everybody in our nation, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and non believers because we all have emerged from the civil war and segregation, now we’re more united. Help will be produced to poor nations by flourishing farms and to feed those who starve. New jobs will be created due to the bad economy and because so many jobs were taken away homes and businesses was unable to survive.
We have made tremendous progress throughout history. Today people of every race can join together at schools, movie theaters, grocery stores or the mall but 60 years ago all of us weren’t even able to drink out of the same water fountain. I feel if everybody changes there scandeless ways and come together to help Barack change our nation it will help him because he cannot do it alone. One man cannot change a nation without cooperation from others. I hope he will make a change for us now and in the future for our kids. It is time for us to step up to the plate!
Jennifer Gonzales
Eng 1A
9-950a
Response to Jeremy Kirby...
In Jeremy's last paragraph he states, "I admire the way he (Barack Obama) says "We the people" in all his claims in his Inaugural Address. He is including the country as a whole and not just him as president making changes." I completely agree with that. I think that it is very important for we as people, to do our part and make the conscious effort to help change America. It isn't only up to Presient Obama to make these changes himself, however it is his duty to act as a resource. We definitely need to come together and make things happen.
Eng 1a 8-9
On January 29th, 2009 America's newly anointed leader, Barrack Obama, gave the customary inaugural address. This same month the electronics conglomerate Circuit City had closed down and was busy undergoing the messy process of liquidating its remaining assets. The great Cus D'mato trained former 1960's Light-Heavyweight champion Jose Torres had died signaling the sad closing of a breath-taking era. Sugar Shane Mosely knocked out the Tijuana Tornado Anotonio Margarito in 9 rounds to seize the cherished Welter-weight crown signaling the dawn of another. And I had downloaded Street Fighter 2 HD remix (the modern remake of a game released in the early 90's) and had been busy racking up numerous wins against everyone with Fei Long and Sagat only to defeat the final boss Shin-Akuma once. Some things were going bad and marked a bitter cold-snap as things, once strong and brilliant, fizzled away as we watched them go perhaps unsure how to feel. Through loss, some other things managed to remain, and in doing so perhaps strengthening the hope that even though things are bad there are still some things in the world we may find joy in. Sugar Shane rising like a Phoenix to grab Boxing's most sought after prize, Shin-Akuma after so many years still nearly impossible to defeat, and Barrack Oabama starting his presidency.
Barrack Obama stands at the wooden podium like a sailor atop the giant mast of an old clipper, gazing out alone from the highest perch any man or woman can climb up to as the ship skips over the chopping waves of unknown waters. Below him thousands of eyes gaze up and listen to what he has to say:
"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths."
He speaks of the old things that perhaps will never fizzle away. In a month I feel like things have been falling apart and drifting away I can say with a clean heart that these words sound comforting. I get so sad as I grow older because as the new things come with every increasing day, inversely, the old things that have always been there before for me fade away from my sight. I struggle to hold on but these things slip from my grasp as though I'm a fool to think they ever belonged to me.
So perhaps Obama will remain steadfast and true to these words. Maybe he can bring back some of those things I feel I have lost touch of. Surely those who were there on January 29th and who heard him speak these words in person can understand and share in the bittersweet hopes I possess that have come to symbolize this man; the sting of being caught out in dire straights yet the hope of somehow coming out on the other side a better person because of it all. Is this not what Barrack Obama has come to represent? Let us hope he can see far enough from up in that mast to steer our ship back to its proper course.
shouts to Fei Long, Sagat, Sugar Shane Mosely, and B. Obama (and Shin-Akuma)
Andre Stephens
English 1A – 9:00 – 9:50
I agree with Gerrell about Obama’s speech and I liked it as well. Gerrell was right on target with that comment. Personally, I think it was one of the better speeches because it sounded captivating, motivating and upbeat. Obama may have referred to past presidents, but I don’t think he sounded like them. The President has some good ideas about making our nation better. Now when it comes to issues, infrastructure is one of many. However, I would have to say that I am in total agreement with the last paragraph. From a spectator’s point of view, I felt that the speech was about which path our new President plans to take us. Now, as far as who is best suited for the job, without a doubt that would be Barack Obama.
Reina Escovedo
English 1A 8:00-8:50am
Analysis of President Obama's inauguration speech
Tuesday, January 21st 2009, Barack Obama stood in front of millions and was officially sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. I was in front of my television screen listening closely to what my new president had to say. I was wondering exactly what his mind frame was heading into his first day on the job as Mr. President.
The speech had a very serious tone. He started by stating what all of us Americans already know; we are in a crisis. He went on to say that the road to recovery will not be a smooth ride and that it will get worse before it can get better. With the values our country were built upon, "hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, and loyalty and patriotism", we will get through this. He stated exactly what he plans on working on while in office, including; energy conservation, lowering health care costs, and improving our schools and universities.
As he went on, he spoke about our countries foundation, strength, and leadership role and how we must live up to past generations who fought for our rights. Take back our leadership role in this world and be the country we all know that we can be. This speech was to remind us who we are and how far we have come along. Also, how we must keep fighting for a better future.
I will forever remember that short time in history and be proud that I had a part in electing Obama as our president. I will be watching closely as he continues to make changes for the better and truly be the voice of the people. I am very happy to see President Obama go forth in leading our country out of this crisis.
Obama’s Inauguration Speech
This speech that will not be forgotten, as it is the marker for a very historical event in not only the United States but in the world. President Barack Obama had many great points in his speech that it was hard to wade through them and pick the best ones. The main point that he encapsulated in the speech was the view he had on America, “Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.” He is absolutely right; this country is in a shambles. He spoke on the downward spiral of our economy, the ongoing war in Iraq, and the education system in this country, reassuring the country that he is fully aware of the situation our country is in. He also brought up historical references to remind America that we are a great nation and we have been in better times, and we have always come through and persevered.
The first problem he mentions is our economy it, “is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.”Obama does not leave the blame on a person or a select group of people, but rather on everyone in this country. So everyone in America can take part in fixing this, he is reviving our ability to work together for good. United we stand and divided we fall. We need to create a plan of attack to boost up our economy. He mentions all the inventors, innovators and great thinkers that have come from our land; if Thomas Edison, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln were able to accomplish all that they did in a time without all the technology , opportunity, and resources we have now, just think what we can do in 2009. He talks about building bridges, roads, electric grids, and digital lines that we need to feed our commerce and also to create jobs. Obama want to harness natural elements to power our factories, such as the sun, wind, and soil to fuel our cars.
President Obama spoke on the war in Iraq, a major concern within America. He points out military strategies in the history, “faced fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.” Our fore fathers realized that even as a major world power, we need to understand that, “our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle is to do as we please. “ We need to expand our power, and the only way that is possible is by using what control we have wisely. Obama is very astute, we will never end this war unless we have a treaty or an alliance we will never end this war that has dragged on for years. He also makes clear that we will not be overrun and tolerate any threat against our nation, just because we are open to make peace does not mean the Muslim world should take our maturity for a weakness, we will work with them, if they unclench their fist of corruption, deceit.
The problem that hits most close to home is the education and health care situation. Every year we cut our school budgets down even further then the year before. Teachers have to use their own money to purchase supplies for their classroom, on their measly salary it is a huge hardship, especially with all the overcrowding of classroom across America. We want a better economy; well we need educated people to lead us. All children in America need to be educated to compete with the children in Japan, France and other countries. Only 26% of people in America can read above a sixth grade level. One out of every 6 children makes it to a university, state college, and only four of those six ever make it to graduation. What does this tell you that other countries in the world have already beat us, that are smart in training their youth study habits , work ethics and learning skills to excel in class, college and the business scene. We need to give our future the extra edge they need to become all they can be, take advantage o f the potential we posses all around us.
nely ruiz
English 1A
9:00am - 10:00am
Inauguration is one of the most important ceremonies in American history. President Obama’s inauguration speech was truly powerful. He brought up many social, political, and economic issues Americans have been facing. He also points out that it was time for a change. Although, this wasn’t his best speech (in my opinion); it was what America and the rest of the globe wanted to hear.
As I watched the inauguration ceremony, I noticed every person who attended the event looked very excited and emotional. Seeing that he has made history to become America’s first African-American president brought many to tears of joy. Hearing that he is demanding change hyped up the crowd attending the inauguration in Washington D.C.
In his speech, President Obama constantly used the word “we”. It is as if he was telling the audience that Americans need to unite as one in-order for change to happen. I think it might also mean that he needs help from the American citizens to strengthen our country.
I agree with President Obama on this. It is impossible for him to change America on his own no matter how good a president he is. Americans need to work together to strengthen our country again and also save the economic crisis that is going on right now.
I noticed that President Obama used many bold terms in his speech, such as “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; out schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” This part of his speech was very strong because this is how our society is right now and change is the only thing that can save us. I was glad that President Obama saw the problems and promised that there will be change.
After watching his inauguration speech over and over, I noticed that he has a lot of confidence. During his speech, never once did he stuttered or paused to think. Generally the tone of his speech was very promising to Americans watching and it filled America with hope that things will be better soon.
- Joyce Cho - English 1A – 0900-0950 -
Joseph Salas
English 201 10-12.
President Obama's speech is one of the only speech's in my life that has finally given me hope. This well given speech was not only a historical moment, it was more than epic in every which way.
President Obama's speech has a thesis, in which he thinks that the nation is still growing from it's mistakes, due to how young and under-developed we (as a country) really are. In order to fix the problems, we must first figure out what the problems are. I'm sure this country is more than ready for a change, and I'm praying that he's the one to give it to us.
A major point that I really enjoyed was how emotional he was about our economical issue and how he's trying to change it. Major places like circuit city are shutting down and we can only blame ourselves for tragedies like this. As a community, we only let ourselves down. So as a community, we have to rise up to the task, and create opportunities not just for ourselves, but for our fellow people. Obama may be the one to bring us change, but it is our responsibility to let it happen.
Another big problem is education. With the economy low, with not many people able to make financial aid (which means no money for books, or even classes for that matter). School budget is getting worse, even worse than last year, which was the lowest it's been. In order for teachers to teach classes, they must pay for their own supplies, which gives them even more hardships than the budgets they make. But people must go to school, just to get that edge over someone in order to get a job. The future may look bright if we accept the changes President Obama is willing to bring to us. If the educated must lead us, we must all try to be educated.
Mesha Shavers
I really enjoyed listening to the president’s speech. I could not compare it to any other speech being this was the first inaugural I’ve ever watched and was even interested in. I’ve heard bits and pieces of JFK’s speech but still it was not a comparison. This is a new era, we have a black president in office and I am going to bask in the joy of it all. I’ve read President Obama’s speech several times and I think he is speaking from his heart and whether we agree or disagree he is still the President of the United States.
“For we know that our patchwork heritage is strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass, that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself’ and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace”. President Barack Obama
I think this statement sums it up and say’s we are a nation of God fearing people, and some not. We as a nation are shaped by every language and culture, Mr. President himself for example: born of a Kenyan father and white mother, he comes from two different cultures. It teaches you tolerance, open-mindedness and to love thy neighbor no matter how different they are, it will influence you in some way. When you learn something new from someone of a different nationality it will be rooted in you, you will be shaped by the experience when you see things differently.
History has made us stronger and more united and that we have come a long way compared to what happened a hundred years ago and hopefully “old hatred” will someday pass now were focused on this “new era of peace”. When Mr. President speaks she speaks to us as a nation of one, the human race. We still have a long way to go this is just the beginning of a new era of change.
Mokhtar Mohamed
English 1A
Dream of my father
Barack Obama indicated in the introduction of the book Dream of My Father that he had a different meaning of writing this book. He attempt to talk about many things such as the civil right, and racial equality. Barack obama explained to us in the introduction of the book about how he was felling when he wrote this book.
Additionally Obama point out in his introduction what the book will be about. He addresses his family situation in the earliest. Also he included short stories of some of his friend how suffered discrimination by other people that have different ethnicity. The author explained that the skin color of African American has to do a lot with the discrimination and harassment against them. According to Obama “my wife’s cousin only six years old, has already lost such innocence… his first grade classmate had refused to play with him because of his dark.”
By reading the introduction I expect that the book will be all about Obama’s life from the childhood. Also I predict that he talked much about his experiences throughout his life, and the hard chalices that he had faced. First of all I enjoyed the way that Obama said the story.especially when he talked about his dad that he gat information about him only from his mom and grandparents. When he were reading the s
Mokhtar Mohamed
English 1A
Dream of my father
Barack Obama indicated in the introduction of the book Dream of My Father that he had a different meaning of writing this book. He attempt to talk about many things such as the civil right, and racial equality. Barack obama explained to us in the introduction of the book about how he was felling when he wrote this book.
Additionally Obama point out in his introduction what the book will be about. He addresses his family situation in the earliest. Also he included short stories of some of his friend how suffered discrimination by other people that have different ethnicity. The author explained that the skin color of African American has to do a lot with the discrimination and harassment against them. According to Obama “my wife’s cousin only six years old, has already lost such innocence… his first grade classmate had refused to play with him because of his dark.”
By reading the introduction I expect that the book will be all about Obama’s life from the childhood. Also I predict that he talked much about his experiences throughout his life, and the hard chalices that he had faced. First of all I enjoyed the way that Obama said the story.especially when he talked about his dad that he gat information about him only from his mom and grandparents. When he were reading the s
Mokhtar Mo0hamed
In the class i and other students in my group read the rest of the first chapter and we discussed the story step by step. When we were reading the story we stopped to laugh
Mokhtar Mohamed
English 1A
Dream of my father
Barack Obama indicated in the introduction of the book Dream of My Father that he had a different meaning of writing this book. He attempt to talk about many things such as the civil right, and racial equality. Barack obama explained to us in the introduction of the book about how he was felling when he wrote this book.
Additionally Obama point out in his introduction what the book will be about. He addresses his family situation in the earliest. Also he included short stories of some of his friend how suffered discrimination by other people that have different ethnicity. The author explained that the skin color of African American has to do a lot with the discrimination and harassment against them. According to Obama “my wife’s cousin only six years old, has already lost such innocence… his first grade classmate had refused to play with him because of his dark.”
By reading the introduction I expect that the book will be all about Obama’s life from the childhood. Also I predict that he talked much about his experiences throughout his life, and the hard chalices that he had faced. First of all I enjoyed the way that Obama said the story.especially when he talked about his dad that he gat information about him only from his mom and grandparents. When he were reading the s
Mokhtar Mo0hamed
In the class i and other students in my group read the rest of the first chapter and we discussed the story step by step. When we were reading the story we stopped to laugh
Mokhtar Mohamed
English 1A
Paraphrasing from Dream from My Father
Barack Obamas dad lasted as a fiction to him because he moved from Hawaii when Obama was in the second year of his life. Therefore he gat information about his dad from his mom and grandparents. They were enjoying telling him his dad’s story repeatedly. Obama can remember his grandfather yet, sitting in the old chair in the night time drinking alcohol and, cleaning his teeth with transparent material of his tobacco pack, narrating the story about his dad and the man who lost his pipe.
hi mis sabir
i am sorry because this is the first time i post my HW to u i sent it many times and i do not know how to erease it. u asked me last time to send u some of my old essays so u could take look at it so this is one of my essays that i did last semaster in writing six
Mokhtar Mohamed
Writing 6
12/4/2008
Competition between 99 cent Stores in Foothill St Oakland
Private neighborhood stores such as dollar stores, grocery, and small clothing stores play a huge role in providing people with any products that they need. They also prevent the big companies from monopolizing the products. Evergreen, the store I work in, is one of the biggest stores in Oakland that imports and sells 99 cent and other products, such as household appliances, school requirements, and some electronic items. It is nestled in Foothill Oakland where ten of thousands of Latino Americans dwel. In the previous years the rates of the profits were increasing day after day, moreover the store was a good place for workers to work to support their families. From the beginning of last year we suddenly noticed that many stores that sell the same items we sell have been opened on every corner in this street. They started lowering their prices to convince the customers to buy from their stores instead of ours. Therefore they created a terrible problem which is decreasing the rates of profits in Evergreen and other 99 cent stores.
This huge increase of business firms that sell products with low business prices had negatively affected our store. A lot of customers have started to boycott our business because we try not to lower the prices. According to my boss Abdurrahman Ahmed “Two years ago I used to close the store in every Friday 12:00 a.m to go to pray, and then when I come back after one or one and half hours I face more than people are lining up in front of my store waiting until I open to for them to shop but now because of the horrible business competition in this street –as you know- some times we spend an half hour standing in the store without seeing any customer”. The other businesses owners suffer the same problem we have. I asked the owner of the 99 sent store across the street, Ali, I asked him if his business had been affected because of the competition in the same street. He said “I and my workers used to be busy all day. Now we spend most of our time hanging, and talking, because most of our customers start to go another store that has lower prices”. What Ali said, is picture that emphasizes the condition of several people that depend on this business for low wages.
Additionally, persuading customers to buy the products with very cheap prices led to dissatisfactory results for all of the owners of the 99 cent stores on Foothill St. Because we import our products with high cost prices and sell them with low prices profits keep decreasing. It is just helping the customers by getting a good deal on the items, and aiding the producing and delivering companies by selling a large amount of their products every day. Even though we sell the items at reasonable price to the customers. The companies we import from refused to lower their prices and to deal with us as same as we deal with the customers; therefore, our profits have become much less, the low prices increase the rate and volume of sales. Both of them increased the profits to our suppliers, not to us. We have to make enough money so we could get paid as workers, to pay the rent, and import anything in demand, according to Thomas Sowel “If store buy widgets for $10 and sell them for $5 each, some might says that it makes $5 profit in each widgets. But of course the store has to pay the people who work there, the utility companies which supply electricity as well as other supplies of her goods and services needed to keep the business running”
Moreover this problem didn’t only affect the owners of the stores, it also affected us as workers. My boss started get rid of some workers, minimum our paid, and works hard as same as other workers. According to Rhonda Abrams, in the USA, “Competing on price is risky. Low prices mean narrow profit margins . . . That, in turn, mean you'll have to find ways to reduce costs. The first thing you'll be tempted to do is reduce wages and benefits. Watch out! This means you won't be able to attract good employees. They're less likely to be productive or loyal. You'll be busy keeping an eye on them, and they'll be keeping an eye on the clock.” Additionally selling with low cost would ends with an unpleasant results which is getting very low profit
Competition on Foothill St became like a war between those people that own discount stores. Even though most of them from Yemen they hate each other, and look down on each other because of the businesses competition. This is similar to what happen to other companies because of the competition, according to Diamond Darlene, “The pace of price cuts has accelerated because a price war has broken out that offers great benefits to anyone in the market for a PC . . . The strategy was to get into the top tier of PC vendors as quickly as possible, which meant it would grab market share by keeping prices low.”
There are a lot of possible solutions for this problem. First of all, all of these neighborhood stores on Foothill St and other places in Oakland should form an local business association. By this association they could work together to solve their problems easily instead of hating each other, or work against each other. They could sell their products at a good price that doesn’t affect the customers. Also, they could force the produce and deliver companies to give them a good business deal.
There is another useful solution that would prevent the competition, instead of the owners persuading the customers to purchase from their stores by lowering the prices. Each store hase to carry its items with the same prices. Merchandising the products should be showing the products in organized and displaying nicely, inform people about the types of the products and how good they are, and put the fair prices that could be easy for the customers to pay and beneficial for the stores owners.
Foothill St makes an strange picture from 23d AVE to 47 AVE. if we try to know how many kinds of stores they are on Foothill St based on their products, we will notes that more than two thirds are grocery stores and 99cent stores. Based on this fact we conclude that one of the possible solutions is to change some of these stores into different store that we don’t have on the same area. For example, change some of the new 99cent stores that sell electronic, or book shops, or fresh flowers stores because there are none of these kind of businesses in this area.
Opponents think that if we have stores that if each one of them sells different kind of products there would be a monopoly. Also they think that the products’ prices would be high in any store because there are only one or two store that have the specific items. However, if each if the neighborhood stores on Foothill St sold different kind of products, the customers would be glad to find any products that they need in the same place. And they will save their time and gas instead of spending their money and going back and fourth to the big markets to shop.
Finally the competition in Foothill St between the 99cent stores has been increasing day after day. Also it has negatively affects the businesses by decreasing the rate of profit; it has affected the worker because some of them lose their jobs. Also it created hate within the businesses owners. To avoid this competition, business owners have to form private business associations so they can solve their problems easily.
Works Cited
Abrams, Rhonda. “Lo w Price not Guarantee of Profits”. 3. December. 2008.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2007-01-11-low-price_x.htm.
Sowel, Thomas. “Basic Economics A Common Sense Guide to the Economy”
12April2008.http://books.google.com/books?id=gbfTLG_HmGEC&pg=PA117&dq=lower+prices&lr=#PPA162,M1
In Obama inauguration speech I believe his main theme is, we as a country (including him) need to stop talking about change and act on it. Selfless acts, making new jobs for the people, assist people in getting their homes back; will help this country move out of this economic down fall. In a nut shall Obama clearly states that change will not happen over night but when people of all backgrounds come together, stop all programs that amount to n nothing vote for a government that works for the people we came rise above this downward spiral.
Tipton
English1A
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