Cyber-Assignment: The New American Soldier
Today we watched the film NAS. Students are to respond to the film in a three paragraph essay. What price is American citizenship worth for the three immigrants profiled in the film? What it mean to defend freedoms one doesn't have at home? (Taken from the film).
The film was a part of the United Nations Association Film Festival 2010 www.unaff.org
Visit http://www.newday.com/films/newamericansoldier.html and http://www.newamericansoldier.com/New_American_Soldier/HOME.html
SPHE
We reviewed POV. The essay is due Wednesday. We are taking the POV Quiz tomorrow. As soon as you complete POV start working on Be-Verbs. It is not as easy as POV.
Bring your books to class tomorrow for discussion: The Pact, The Kite Runner, and Sula.
If anyone is having trouble keeping up in SPHE come see me or go to the Writing Center and/or see a tutor. Often tutors are not helpful with SPHE. They don't always understand how the prescriptive exercises work. Your best bet is to see me, or get together with classmates who are doing well (smile).
We will talk about the final essay tomorrow as well: Social Entrepreneur Essay. Bring your headphones on Thursday.
Today we watched the film NAS. Students are to respond to the film in a three paragraph essay. What price is American citizenship worth for the three immigrants profiled in the film? What it mean to defend freedoms one doesn't have at home? (Taken from the film).
The film was a part of the United Nations Association Film Festival 2010 www.unaff.org
Visit http://www.newday.com/films/newamericansoldier.html and http://www.newamericansoldier.com/New_American_Soldier/HOME.html
SPHE
We reviewed POV. The essay is due Wednesday. We are taking the POV Quiz tomorrow. As soon as you complete POV start working on Be-Verbs. It is not as easy as POV.
Bring your books to class tomorrow for discussion: The Pact, The Kite Runner, and Sula.
If anyone is having trouble keeping up in SPHE come see me or go to the Writing Center and/or see a tutor. Often tutors are not helpful with SPHE. They don't always understand how the prescriptive exercises work. Your best bet is to see me, or get together with classmates who are doing well (smile).
We will talk about the final essay tomorrow as well: Social Entrepreneur Essay. Bring your headphones on Thursday.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 7:46 PM
14 Comments:
Tony San Nicolas
Professor Sabir
English 1A 9:00-9:50a
21 March 2011
Free Write: New American Soldier
This was an interesting film. It began with a scene of two men in a vehicle presumably going into “China Town” with literature about the benefits of joining the United States Army, I will admit, I bet that despite the inherent danger; many of the benefits would seem enticing and interesting to the older adults that the soldiers were handing out to them. The benefits included United States citizenship, thousands of dollars for college tuition, a $40,000 signing bonus, free medical insurance among others. Hell, it even sounded enticing to me, and I already knew about the benefits. It reminds me of the high budget commercials that the U.S. military advertises during movies and television shows. The commercials that seems cheesy, even though it is obvious that they spent a great deal of money on them. That is our money, by the way. I wonder if the money could be better spent elsewhere. It doesn’t even have to be appropriated to things outside of defense like education or welfare programs, but simple things pertaining to the military, like extending citizenship to spouses or raising the wages of our men and women in the military. Some estimates by my close friends that were in the military that they are getting paid less than four dollars a day when they’re deployed because they are essentially on the clock twenty four hours a day. I thought the film was horrifying and eye opening. It is a necessary film, to show how ridiculous it is to gain citizenship in this country. One might think that dying for it would be adequate, but alas.
Stacey Kidder
Professor Sabir
English 9-9:50am
21 March 2011
After watching the video in class this morning, it left many feelings lingering in my brain. Freedom takes such a variety of meanings, experiences, faces, etc. Questions of why come up and out of all of us, and no matter what views we may take, still we all sit and wonder if it's really worth a life. Of course the United States, and most other countries have all agreed that freedom is worth the loss of lives, but it's much easier to say that without having any close connection to the words, at all.
I can only imagine what the families of these people who are immigrants before American Citizens that join the military feel. It's obviously a tough situation for anyone. But because America holds such hope for those who live in oppression elsewhere, joining the military is just one more necessity in the quest for freedom.
I do feel like those who initially join the military should become citizens right then and there, and not have to wait. I also agree that their immediate family members should receive citizenship, as well. It was truly sad that that one young man that died in the video did not become a U.S. citizen after death, though it wouldn't have really mattered because it was just a title at that point. I thought two years was enough time for the family to get the paper work in, but perhaps I missed something.
Zinaida Dzhilavdaryan
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1 A
21 March 2011
The New American Soldier
Today in class we saw a film introduced by United Nations Association Film Festival. The film is about immigrants in the Unites States army. Most immigrants decide to join army because of the benefits such as free medical insurance, free tuition, and citizenship.
There are stories of three immigrants from different countries in the film. They all had their own reasons for joining the US army. But they all are ready to defeat this county as it is their own country. I think mainly because they have found in this country something they never had in their own country. Usually it is human rights or the ability to get education and a good job.
Green Card holders make a big part of the US military. But sometimes they have to give away their lives. It looks like the price of the American citizenship for these people is too big. One of the soldiers from film has been killed in Iraq. Other two managed to finish the military service. They look very happy and proud to become American citizens. And they deserve it. I think that the family of the killed soldier also deserves it. He was fighting for this country as if it was his own, and the country should take care of his family.
Adrieanna Williams
English 1A/8 o'clock
22 March 2011
The New American Soldier
In the film we are introduced to three individuals who want to become united states citizens. They all enter The United States Armed fores to receive their citizenship.
In the film we are introduced to Seth Donkor who entered a visa lottery to come to the United States. He left all of his family and joined the United States Armed Forces. He was willing to join the Army during a time of war to serve and protect his newly adopted country. His ultimate goal was not only to gain citizenship form himself but also for his family, and he was willing to do so by joining the army.
In the case of Clarissa Calderón she joined to receive money for her college education. She did not see the army as a career but rather a stepping stone to fund her dream of becoming a doctor. She also wanted to become a U.S citizen. She knew that by joining the army she could get her citizenship which would open up more opportunities for her. In the film she stated that she had to give up some of her independence because in the Army they tell you what to eat, when to eat, and when to go to bed. She had always been dependent so becoming dependent on the army was hard. In the end she knew that by becoming a citizen of the U.S. it would open more doors for opportunities.
In the film we also meet the family of Victor Toledo Pulido who immigrated from Mexico. His family talks about how Pulido wanted a better life, he didn't want to work in the fields like man other immigrants. He dreamed wanted a better life not only for himself but for his young son and family. He in listed in the army without his mothers permission and soon after he was deployed. He was killed in the line of duty and was posthumously given citizenship. Unfortunately his family did't fill out the paper work in enough time therefore they didn't receive any benefits.
Each soldier wanted a better life and they all risked something in order to achieve their citizenship.
David Guzman
Professor Sabir
English 1A 9 a.m.
21 march 2011
The New American Hero
This film, winner of the “San Francisco Independent Film Festival award for the best short documentary,” raises two current important points of debate in the United States: The war in the Middle East and U.S. immigration policy. It is obvious that America needs soldiers to fight in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now perhaps in Libya, and in the absence of American volunteers the U.S. Army is trying to recruit young immigrants offering them a faster citizenship process of only 6 months, when normally it takes 5 years.
In the documentary Seth Donker, a young man who won the "lottery of visas” to the U.S in his native Ghana and who was a fan of Rambo and Schwarzenegger, saw his dream come true when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Today Seth is very proud of receiving citizenship because the army can help him to get a higher education and therefore aspire to a better job in the U.S. Another immigrant, Clarissa Calderon from Peru, shows that not everyone who enters the army is sent to fight on the front, as she works in the administration of one of the army bases in the U.S. Victor Toledo is the other side of the coin. Victor, at age 7, crossed the border from Mexico illegally with his family. Once he became an adult he got enlisted hoping to become an American citizen so that he could help his family improve their immigration status. Unfortunately, Victor died in Iraq before starting his naturalization process. These 3 young people are part of that 5 percent of American soldiers born abroad.
“For those willing to pay the price, war is the golden door," states Lizabeth Cohen, Department of History Chairperson, Harvard University. It looks like many immigrants think that obtaining citizenship means instantly achieving the American dream, but what really happens is that citizenship is just the first step in a long process of hard work. Success is not guaranteed with just a social security number. Being a foreigner is difficult in this country and one needs to be prepared to compete in this system. For some people to be a part of the American army is the illusion of their lives, while for others the decision is forced by their need to have a better economic and immigration status. Also, some important questions emerge out of this issue. Do Americans really value their citizenship as much as immigrants do or do they take it for granted? Is it worth risking your life to obtain citizenship? For some people yes, but many Americans wouldn’t do it.
Cherefah obad
march 21 2011
professor Wanda Sabir
The American solider:
I learned alot while watching "The American Solider".
I learned that the army isn't just for American people, it's for immigrants also. I also learned that there are many people who choose to join the army because of the college tuition they get for college. I like the idea of being able to go to school and be in the Amy. Though I doubt that's impossible, that must be extrmemely difficult for them. I can't imagine doing the both at the same time. People in the army are created into these brave people who are willing to throw themselves into danger at any second for their country. I find that extremely honorable.
Julie Phoukeo
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8AM
22 March 2011
Cyber-Assignment: The New American Soldier
In the Film, “The New American Solider” by the United Nations Association Film Festival is about three immigrants who enlisted in the Army for their own personal reasons such as free medical, become a citizenship, and paying for tuition. These three immigrants come from different countries to have an opportunity to have a better in life. It gives a chance each of them to have something to be proud of and look back of back of their achievement.
Clarissa is twenty years old from Peru and her family came to the United States when she was very young. When she was a little girl she wanted to become a doctor. She did not think about enlisting in the Army until she found out that the Army would pay for medical school. Seth is a 28 years old who left Ghana about two years ago because he won the visa lottery. He got his inspiration from the action movie Rambo and started to join the military. His family is very proud of him because he is the first to be in the army and to become a citizen. Victor was seven years old when his family left their native country Tijuana to the United State. He joined the army because for his son and his family to have a better life. But unfortunately, when he was in Iraq about a year and a half and got killed in the line of duty.
Even though Victor did not get benefits from the army for his family and son, yet he serves his county and risks his life for everyone he cares about. For the other, Clarissa and Victor became citizenship and now they can accomplishment their goals: becoming a successful doctor and bringing the family to the US. The price for an American citizenship worth for the three immigrants is giving the opportunity that they can do something better in life as a citizen because other countries do not give the chance to have education, free medical insurance or become a citizen.
Summer Hurst
Pro. Sabir
English 1A 9-9:50am
24 March 2011
Three Paragraph Response to the film NAS:
Watching the film reminded me of one of my favorite shows, Army wives (Lifetime, channel 46, Sundays at 9pm). The film and the show provide the similar affects of being in the army. It is challenging at times but the people who it affects the most get through the struggles together even if they are a million miles away. Life is a journey in its-self, where people make decisions that may or may not change their lives forever. The more time we think about the bad things, no one will have the motivation to think about the good.
As for the three immigrant soldiers,Clarissa Calderón, Seth Donkor,and Victor Toledo Pulido, I can tell they were struggling through training and deployment; Taking those steps towards US citizenship is very stressful,time consuming and expensive. The army benefits people in several ways;it helped Calderón pay for medical school, Seth Donkor win the visa lottery, Victor Toledo Pulido a way out of the farmlands of California's Central Valley.
Defending freedoms one does not have at home could mean many things. It causes two of many debated issues in US politics today: immigration and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everyone was born with rights, they have the right to have the freedom of several things. The real question is how much freedom is too much? Understanding one's freedom will help him or her better understand our rights,the rights of those who are fighting this war, and the rights that give us the right to be an American. Do you know your rights?
Jeffrey To
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8AM
23 March 2011
In the film “The new American Soldier” was new and informative. I learned the American army would recruit immigrants by offering them benefits. One benefit that attract and catches the attention of many immigrants is the benefit of becoming a citizen in “super fast” time. This is 1-2 years of joining the army and taking a test. If a person failed the test this would result in the person not becoming an citizen.
In the show, it gave three examples of immigrants who joined the army. They had many reasons. One of the 3 immigrants in the show joined because it was his dream to be in the army and serve for his country, The other joined so he can become a citizen to help bring his family over from other countries easier. And I the last person joined to help out her family because they did not have money.
In the show, one of the immigrants in the army died in combat and did not have the chance to be a citizen. This was really sad to me because it was the guys dream and he joined the army for that reason. His family attended the funeral but might be deported mention in the last scene of the show. Because the guy who died was not a citizen he was not buried with the other soldiers who were citizens. At the end of the show he was given citizenship even though he was died.
I did not know becoming a citizen was so important to others that they would join the army. I find this reason under stable at the same time.
Tyler Mecozzi
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8a.m.
31 March 2011
The New American Soldier was a story about how immigrants can become citizens through enlistment in the Army. The price for citizenship is their life and service for the nation. For me, this is not worth citizenship. If I am coming to this country to start a better life, I would want to be an entrepreneur or professional in some field, not a soldier who is separated from his family for months, even years at a time.
Some soldiers do not even receive citizenship because they die before they can enroll in the program. It is up to their families to register for citizenship if they die, but even if they do, the families are not entitled to citizenship because their family member is not alive anymore. Soldiers give their life for a country that they were not even a part of. . . to me this is unfair. If they die for this country, this country is theirs. They proved their loyalty and the least this country can do for them is provide their family with citizenship.
Tyler Mecozzi
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8a.m.
1 April 2011
Third Paragraph:
In response to the question, "What it means to defend freedom if one does not have a home?"
If a person does not have a home, are they not free to do what they please? In regards to the film, the soldiers did have a home; it was their parents whom did not. America would be unjust to take the service of an immigrant soldier without offering them a permanent residence, but their families who are not in the United States is a different matter. All and all I believe the soldiers know what they are going into when they sign their name on that piece of paper that enlists them in the army. At the end of the day, it is their choice.
Alex Peña
Professor Sabir
English 1A
8 April 2011
The New American Soldier
When I saw this film it really got me thinking because I know a lot of people that joined the military. I fell like allot did their research and are doing good but there are others that I think just joined and you can say they were blind folded. I like the way that the government says that they will pay for your education, give you papers, and promise you a good life but you can’t believe everything you hear. To tell you the truth I was really mad when they showed the story about the Mexican family. They were promised papers and they never received them. The soldier died. He died in the front line fighting an American war and in his death certificate it said that his nationality was Mexican. He didn’t become a citizen because they missed the due date. But think of this, he fought in a conflict that didn’t involve him you can say. So because he missed that date does it mean that he is going to come back from the dead? No! So I believe when you sign up for the USA military you should automatically become a USA citizen along with your wife, children and mother and father. And later have the right to bring other family members.
Ronal;d Parker
Professor Sabir
English 1A
8 April 2011
Third Paragraph:
In response to the question, "What it means to defend freedom if one does not have a home?"
If a person does not have a home, are they not free to do what they please? In regards to the film, the soldiers did have a home; it was their parents whom did not. America would be unjust to take the service of an immigrant soldier without offering them a permanent residence, but their families who are not in the United States is a different matter. All and all I believe the soldiers know what they are going into when they sign their name on that piece of paper that enlists them in the army. At the end of the day, it is their choice.
REPOSTING IT, could not find the older post.
Vanessa Rocha
Professor Sabir
English 1A-8am
March 21, 2011
The New American Soldier
It was a nice film to watch. It must be very hard to be in the Army, or a parent or relative of someone that is in. It is amazing how they do it and get trough every step of the way together even if they are far apart for their loved ones. But this is what life is about, some people have to make the sacrifice to go and fight for our country. Not everybody has this courage.
The film talks about how one can earn citizenship if he enlists in the Army. It might be a very high price to pay, but I know a lot o people that would do it in a blink of an eye. I’m not from here and I went through a lot of problems to finally get my green card. Most people think that America is the right place to be and to live. Many people would do anything for their citizenship.
I don’t think it is fair; it is a high price you pay. Some may pay with their lives, and I think those should be reworded, because they come from another country and they are willing to fight for America, only to have the privilege of a citizenship.
Post a Comment
<< Home