Dalton argues that racism and unequal socioeconomic standards are active in America today. He uses Alger's story of "Ragged Dick" as a prime example of a myth that people yearn to achieve. Hamblin argues that people of minority backgrounds (especially blacks) have just as much of an equal opportunity to financially succeed as everyone else in America today. He uses himself as an example of someone that was born and raised in the ghetto's of Brooklyn and works hard to eventually become a radio show host. I personally agree on Hamblin's way of thinking towards socioeconomic opportunity. There is much controversy on the thought of people being born into a lower social class does not have as much opportunity to financially succeed. Many will argue that these people do not have the same sources and advantages that people in upper social classes already have. I will argue that people throughout the entire nation, and not just financially wealthy communities, have sources to aid people find work for stable income. The real problem is not because the poorer income communities don't have the sources they require, but because they indulge themselves in the mind-set of feeling inferior compared to upper social classes. Individuals have more than enough power to break out of that mind-set and put effort into building their own lives, as well as their own communities. All the power and possibilities begin with the individual, and not the color of your skin, or the family your born into.
To be frank, I don't fully agree with either of these articles. There are parts of either discourse that I would agree with but I think a blending of the two is the best way to describe the state of opportunity as it is today. Not everything is so cut and dry in the United States. For example, I do agree that there is a category of Americans for whom "upward mobility is practically impossible", but this is not a result of the structure of the economy, it is a result of many other factors. Citizenship, is the individual a citizen and is there a path to amnesty? Yes. Is the issue a financial one and can it be improved? Yes, education has been shown to improve the annual income of any individual by at least a third. Is the issue the balance of time? There are literally thousands of social programs available that make life so much easier for studying parents, I need not name those here. Dalton stated that upward mobility among the underclass is "practically" impossible, not fully impossibly, because he knows himself that nothing is absolutely impossibly for anyone in this country, so I do disagree with his assessment that Alger's stories are socially destructive. How can a fictional story be socially destructive? Were not living in a communist nation here, we are a nation of free thinkers with the right to self expression. If it were up to Dalton, Martin Luther King Jr. would be categorized as a socially destructive individual also, for promoting equality during a time in which it seemed "practically impossible" to achieve.
As for Hamblin, he reminds me of talk radio host Larry Elder of AM640, a well education black conservative, except Hamblin's job is to stur up controversy, while Elders job is to cover politics. That is the difference here, Hamblin is not a legitimate journalist and therefore puts forth extremely biased opinions on many issues. For example, his certificat of absolution was to me, a pathetic attempt at satire. There can not ever be absolution for what happened in the past just as the nazi soldiers at the camps in germany will never receive absolution for their crimes, but we are not talking about actual people involved, we are talking about half wit Americans who want a certificate to feel better about themselves when they had no part in the era of slavery so why are they even concerning themselves with this matter first of all? Second, who is Ken Hamblin to deliver absolution? What does "white guilt" even mean? This self indulgent certificate only shows that Hamblin knows very little in the field of genetics and evolutionary biology. White anything, is simply non-existent because it is a divide created by us, not by nature. Separating someone because of their skin color is essentially separating them for the size of their nose, it is a phenotypical separation that makes no sense therefore there can never be "white absolution" from slavery because white absolution does not exist, only absolution itself. If you send the message to the black community to stop feeling sorry and apathetic, and do something with your life if you truly want equality; then just say it, do not fan the fire of race preservation of absolution or whatever it is that continuously separates us from them, whoever that may be.
To be more clear, I agree with Dalton that it is very difficult (not impossible) for many Americans to achieve upward mobility, and I disagree that Alger's stories are socially destructive. I agree with Hamblin that the black community should not use slavery as an excuse for anything since they themselves were not part of it, but I disagree that a group of people deserve absolution for something they barley know about and were certainly not apart of. It only perpetuates the consensus that white is something genetically different from black, which it is not, it is only a variation of phenotypes.
continued...........Furthermore, there where a great deal of African American slave owners during that time as well; absolution for one race and not the other shows a complete lack of discernment for what happened, and sends a negative message of acceptance that will upset the people actually involved with the back end of discrimination. I am not saying that reparations for what has happened in the past is a good thing on this scale, but a little understanding of what happened is the best way to send the message of equality and unlimited opportunity for all ethnicities.
Today, there is much controversy on terms of social class and its tactics towards financial success. Politicians argue that people in the lower level of social class do not obtain the same level of resources as the upper class. For example, to obtain the education experience, schools with the lower income parents, tend to seem deprived of resources then the elite schools. But the problem is, people tend to blame a lower social status to the cause of having lesser resources. Unfortunately this is not always the right mind set one should have. One is not going to find a high elite school around every corner in every district of the United States. There are always going to be resources of different levels available to people, and the public needs to develop a strong mindset and evaluate the socioeconomic opportunities that are made available to themselves and act accordingly in a realistic manner.
Dalton and Hamblin both argue the socioeconomic standards that are active in America today. In using Alger’s story of “Ragged Dick,” Dalton argues that racism is one of the active elements in the social and economic standards, as Hamblin argues that people of minority backgrounds have just as much of an equal opportunity towards financial success in America. For example, Hamblin uses himself in the article, portraying to be someone that was born and raised in Brooklyn as a hard worker who eventually becomes a radio show host. His example of having to get through a hard socioeconomic lifestyle illustrates a good example on how many should think if they are in the same position. It shouldn’t matter how poor one is; if there is an opportunity for success one should take it.
After reading both articles I agree with Hamblin that minorities have every opportunity to be successful. Dalton's article argues that minorities or (blacks) aren't given the same opportunities that whites are given. He claims that in America today stereotyping has a deep impact on the capable success minorities could have. Hamblin is saying blacks have as much of a chance to succeed as anyone else, He uses himself as an example. He is tired of minorities using the excuse that that they can't succeed in life because of what happened years ago. I agree with Hamblin because today I believe there are more opportunities for minorities than there are for white people. For example, An employer with a high volume of Hispanic clients will more likely hire a bilingual employee before he hires a person that isn't bilingual. Same goes for education minorities come first in scholarship consideration. People need to stop blaming others for their missed opportunities in life and accept responsibility of their lives and why they aren't as successful as they would like to be.
i can see where both authors are coming from. I can see where Dalton comes from because race sometimes does affect the way some people look at other people. sometimes it does even affect if you can get the job or not. but Dalton only talks a bought African Americans and forgets to talk about how other races are being segregated from other races as well. At the same time i agree more with Hamblin. some of the African Americans are segregated themselves by making their own clubs that they can only go to. Hamblin also uses himself as an example that even if you are African American and in poverty you can still be successful. I agree that it was a long time ago and everyone should just get over it.
In reading Dalton and Hamblin's articles it is quite difficult to be able to agree with just one. Both of these authors presents a good point. With Dalton he writes on how there is still racism around and there isnt quite as much equal oppurtunity. With Hamblin he says how minorities put them selves down and do have those opportunities aswell. They just dont take the opportunities given to them. Both can either play a big or a minor part in todays society I think either one or the other.
To me these can be true but they are just excuses. Any one can do what they choose to do. Even as a minority many resources are still to your advantage you just have to look for them because they are there. I dont believe that they are stuck in the past thats just an idea they have stuck in their head. They just use that as an excuse as to why they have done nothing with their lives to further themselves and suceed. There really is not anything that can get in your way other than your own self. SO they should all stop being lazy and get up, work hard and go on with your lives.
corey barahona in both reading Hamblins and Dalton have great points. in Hambins article he tells us that minorities are putting themselves down and sepparting themselve from the world, but in the other hand Dalton is saying that racism is still a big issue in society today. both of them have grat supporting details to support thier opinions but i believe that hamblins opinion is right. i think that minorities are putting themsleves down because the time we live in today, everyone has the oppertunity to good. but if you have it in your head that everyone is judging you becasue of your skin color, you would never achieve anything. yes, racism is a issue in society but its only a little bumb from achieving your goals. minorities should worry more about doing well and achieving thier goals rather then how people think
Both the Dalton and Hamblin articles have moments of truth, but I find that I fall son the Hamblin side of thinking. Dalton's view leads to more to a helplessness that will not help push past any obstacles minorities may have. Yes, his point that we all think in stereotypes and I agree with that. But the point is to realize it exists and then laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Which is what I find Hamblin does. He says that he "had been presented with the watermelon-serving schedule, [and] would promptly inquire about the cantaloupe." Hamblin realizes that we all have, at least in the racial sense, a way to move forward in society. And to move forward, you have to "say no to the myth" and made the world better for yourself.
Dalton claims that racism and unequal socio-economic standards still exist. Then he claims the story "Ragged Dick" by Horatio Alger to be a myth. Hamblin believes that everyone has equal opportunities to success no matter what race or color the person is. Both of the authors' point of views are contributing factors (good or bad)to success, however Hamblin is more accurate.
Today, everyone is more aware of racism than before. They see how it can be destructive and how it can cause much controversy. As the years go by, racism will diminish and no one can use the excuse of their race and color to feel socially inferior when it comes to gaining success. The lower-class has to step up and do what is good for them.
Dalton argued the point 'if i can do it anyone can'. I agree with him 100 % on the matter. People also complained that the inner city schools were too low budget and they werent getting the oppertunity like other students because of thier surroundings yet, students did graduate from thier. So if these students can do it than the whole school should be able to. Its kinda sad that these people set themselves up for failure and then as a scape goat use the arguement that they didnt have the oppertunity but man minoritys have just as limited oppertunies and do much more. But I garentee that getting to where dalton was today is NOT easy. Im sure he had to deal with alot of shit and go through many things to get where he is today. People are just expecting someone to come knock on thier door and tell them they are the new CEO of a fortune 500 company. The reality is it just doesnt happen that way, people work hard for what they have. and to maintain and keep it is equally as stressfull and difficult. so the arguement "we dont have the same oppertunities as them" It might be true in the fact that we dont have the same exact oppertunities but its bullshit to think that minoritys are left with none.
I agree with Ken Hamblin's article that the American have equal opportunity and chances for success whether they are minority or majority in the United States. Even though Hamblin didn't have good environments to study, he worked hard and grasped the opportunity that the society had provided for the people.I agree with this article because if hamblin who was born in poor city already experienced the success, there must be opportunity and chances for all of us to achieve the goal.
In the article, it deals with the financial differencies between the lower class and the higher class which is already unfair opportunity and resources, but people don't success because they have good environments and resources. Most of the people achieve their goals by hard working and by strong passion just as the author had mentioned in the article. Although people who are born from lower income family have lack of resources and money, they could still get financial supports from the government and from the schorlorship. It is not the higher income people who are success, but the one with the hard working and with the strong passion.
Hamblin states in his article that minorities have every opportunity to be successful. He explains his view by providing his own self as an example. Blacks have been given many opportunities, but it is their own fault if they don’t want to grab them and instead wine and blame it on what happened in the past. Whereas Dalton has the opposite view, that blacks aren't given the same opportunities.
I agree with Hamblin because America today has equal opportunities for all no matter what race they belong to. Now, it is up to them to take the opportunities. As it is said always, ‘you can take a horse to the well, but you cant force it to drink water’.
America, known to the world as the "Land of equal Opportunity and Freedom," has yet to answer its ultimate question, "Equality for all?" Do come to an agreement to either articles, I believe we must understand the meaning of "equality". Equality for whom and what is the uprising question still to be answered throughout our socioeconomic standards. I agree more with Hamblin more than Dalton reasong being as minority myself, sought many opportunities within my circumstances. It was up to my decision and determination either to take those chances or not. It's true there's still racial problems within the communities but we got to ask who's the one drawing the line between each other. Nowdays, we cannot only blame the White Americans because there's still people out there who still hangs over the past.
Dalton argues that racism and unequal socioeconomic standards are active in America today. He uses Alger's story of "Ragged Dick" as a prime example of a myth that people yearn to achieve. Hamblin argues that people of minority backgrounds (especially blacks) have just as much of an equal opportunity to financially succeed as everyone else in America today. He uses himself as an example of someone that was born and raised in the ghetto's of Brooklyn and works hard to eventually become a radio show host. I personally agree on Hamblin's way of thinking towards socioeconomic opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThere is much controversy on the thought of people being born into a lower social class does not have as much opportunity to financially succeed. Many will argue that these people do not have the same sources and advantages that people in upper social classes already have. I will argue that people throughout the entire nation, and not just financially wealthy communities, have sources to aid people find work for stable income. The real problem is not because the poorer income communities don't have the sources they require, but because they indulge themselves in the mind-set of feeling inferior compared to upper social classes. Individuals have more than enough power to break out of that mind-set and put effort into building their own lives, as well as their own communities. All the power and possibilities begin with the individual, and not the color of your skin, or the family your born into.
To be frank, I don't fully agree with either of these articles. There are parts of either discourse that I would agree with but I think a blending of the two is the best way to describe the state of opportunity as it is today. Not everything is so cut and dry in the United States. For example, I do agree that there is a category of Americans for whom "upward mobility is practically impossible", but this is not a result of the structure of the economy, it is a result of many other factors. Citizenship, is the individual a citizen and is there a path to amnesty? Yes. Is the issue a financial one and can it be improved? Yes, education has been shown to improve the annual income of any individual by at least a third. Is the issue the balance of time? There are literally thousands of social programs available that make life so much easier for studying parents, I need not name those here. Dalton stated that upward mobility among the underclass is "practically" impossible, not fully impossibly, because he knows himself that nothing is absolutely impossibly for anyone in this country, so I do disagree with his assessment that Alger's stories are socially destructive. How can a fictional story be socially destructive? Were not living in a communist nation here, we are a nation of free thinkers with the right to self expression. If it were up to Dalton, Martin Luther King Jr. would be categorized as a socially destructive individual also, for promoting equality during a time in which it seemed "practically impossible" to achieve.
ReplyDeleteAs for Hamblin, he reminds me of talk radio host Larry Elder of AM640, a well education black conservative, except Hamblin's job is to stur up controversy, while Elders job is to cover politics. That is the difference here, Hamblin is not a legitimate journalist and therefore puts forth extremely biased opinions on many issues. For example, his certificat of absolution was to me, a pathetic attempt at satire. There can not ever be absolution for what happened in the past just as the nazi soldiers at the camps in germany will never receive absolution for their crimes, but we are not talking about actual people involved, we are talking about half wit Americans who want a certificate to feel better about themselves when they had no part in the era of slavery so why are they even concerning themselves with this matter first of all? Second, who is Ken Hamblin to deliver absolution? What does "white guilt" even mean? This self indulgent certificate only shows that Hamblin knows very little in the field of genetics and evolutionary biology. White anything, is simply non-existent because it is a divide created by us, not by nature. Separating someone because of their skin color is essentially separating them for the size of their nose, it is a phenotypical separation that makes no sense therefore there can never be "white absolution" from slavery because white absolution does not exist, only absolution itself. If you send the message to the black community to stop feeling sorry and apathetic, and do something with your life if you truly want equality; then just say it, do not fan the fire of race preservation of absolution or whatever it is that continuously separates us from them, whoever that may be.
To be more clear, I agree with Dalton that it is very difficult (not impossible) for many Americans to achieve upward mobility, and I disagree that Alger's stories are socially destructive. I agree with Hamblin that the black community should not use slavery as an excuse for anything since they themselves were not part of it, but I disagree that a group of people deserve absolution for something they barley know about and were certainly not apart of. It only perpetuates the consensus that white is something genetically different from black, which it is not, it is only a variation of phenotypes.
continued...........Furthermore, there where a great deal of African American slave owners during that time as well; absolution for one race and not the other shows a complete lack of discernment for what happened, and sends a negative message of acceptance that will upset the people actually involved with the back end of discrimination. I am not saying that reparations for what has happened in the past is a good thing on this scale, but a little understanding of what happened is the best way to send the message of equality and unlimited opportunity for all ethnicities.
ReplyDeleteToday, there is much controversy on terms of social class and its tactics towards financial success. Politicians argue that people in the lower level of social class do not obtain the same level of resources as the upper class. For example, to obtain the education experience, schools with the lower income parents, tend to seem deprived of resources then the elite schools. But the problem is, people tend to blame a lower social status to the cause of having lesser resources. Unfortunately this is not always the right mind set one should have. One is not going to find a high elite school around every corner in every district of the United States. There are always going to be resources of different levels available to people, and the public needs to develop a strong mindset and evaluate the socioeconomic opportunities that are made available to themselves and act accordingly in a realistic manner.
ReplyDeleteDalton and Hamblin both argue the socioeconomic standards that are active in America today. In using Alger’s story of “Ragged Dick,” Dalton argues that racism is one of the active elements in the social and economic standards, as Hamblin argues that people of minority backgrounds have just as much of an equal opportunity towards financial success in America. For example, Hamblin uses himself in the article, portraying to be someone that was born and raised in Brooklyn as a hard worker who eventually becomes a radio show host. His example of having to get through a hard socioeconomic lifestyle illustrates a good example on how many should think if they are in the same position. It shouldn’t matter how poor one is; if there is an opportunity for success one should take it.
After reading both articles I agree with Hamblin that minorities have every opportunity to be successful. Dalton's article argues that minorities or (blacks) aren't given the same opportunities that whites are given. He claims that in America today stereotyping has a deep impact on the capable success minorities could have. Hamblin is saying blacks have as much of a chance to succeed as anyone else, He uses himself as an example. He is tired of minorities using the excuse that that they can't succeed in life because of what happened years ago.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hamblin because today I believe there are more opportunities for minorities than there are for white people. For example, An employer with a high volume of Hispanic clients will more likely hire a bilingual employee before he hires a person that isn't bilingual. Same goes for education minorities come first in scholarship consideration. People need to stop blaming others for their missed opportunities in life and accept responsibility of their lives and why they aren't as successful as they would like to be.
i can see where both authors are coming from. I can see where Dalton comes from because race sometimes does affect the way some people look at other people. sometimes it does even affect if you can get the job or not. but Dalton only talks a bought African Americans and forgets to talk about how other races are being segregated from other races as well.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time i agree more with Hamblin. some of the African Americans are segregated themselves by making their own clubs that they can only go to. Hamblin also uses himself as an example that even if you are African American and in poverty you can still be successful. I agree that it was a long time ago and everyone should just get over it.
In reading Dalton and Hamblin's articles it is quite difficult to be able to agree with just one. Both of these authors presents a good point. With Dalton he writes on how there is still racism around and there isnt quite as much equal oppurtunity. With Hamblin he says how minorities put them selves down and do have those opportunities aswell. They just dont take the opportunities given to them. Both can either play a big or a minor part in todays society I think either one or the other.
ReplyDeleteTo me these can be true but they are just excuses. Any one can do what they choose to do. Even as a minority many resources are still to your advantage you just have to look for them because they are there. I dont believe that they are stuck in the past thats just an idea they have stuck in their head. They just use that as an excuse as to why they have done nothing with their lives to further themselves and suceed. There really is not anything that can get in your way other than your own self. SO they should all stop being lazy and get up, work hard and go on with your lives.
corey barahona
ReplyDeletein both reading Hamblins and Dalton have great points. in Hambins article he tells us that minorities are putting themselves down and sepparting themselve from the world, but in the other hand Dalton is saying that racism is still a big issue in society today. both of them have grat supporting details to support thier opinions but i believe that hamblins opinion is right. i think that minorities are putting themsleves down because the time we live in today, everyone has the oppertunity to good. but if you have it in your head that everyone is judging you becasue of your skin color, you would never achieve anything. yes, racism is a issue in society but its only a little bumb from achieving your goals. minorities should worry more about doing well and achieving thier goals rather then how people think
Both the Dalton and Hamblin articles have moments of truth, but I find that I fall son the Hamblin side of thinking. Dalton's view leads to more to a helplessness that will not help push past any obstacles minorities may have. Yes, his point that we all think in stereotypes and I agree with that. But the point is to realize it exists and then laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.
ReplyDeleteWhich is what I find Hamblin does. He says that he "had been presented with the watermelon-serving schedule, [and] would promptly inquire about the cantaloupe." Hamblin realizes that we all have, at least in the racial sense, a way to move forward in society. And to move forward, you have to "say no to the myth" and made the world better for yourself.
Dalton claims that racism and unequal socio-economic standards still exist. Then he claims the story "Ragged Dick" by Horatio Alger to be a myth. Hamblin believes that everyone has equal opportunities to success no matter what race or color the person is. Both of the authors' point of views are contributing factors (good or bad)to success, however Hamblin is more accurate.
ReplyDeleteToday, everyone is more aware of racism than before. They see how it can be destructive and how it can cause much controversy. As the years go by, racism will diminish and no one can use the excuse of their race and color to feel socially inferior when it comes to gaining success. The lower-class has to step up and do what is good for them.
Dalton argued the point 'if i can do it anyone can'. I agree with him 100 % on the matter. People also complained that the inner city schools were too low budget and they werent getting the oppertunity like other students because of thier surroundings yet, students did graduate from thier. So if these students can do it than the whole school should be able to. Its kinda sad that these people set themselves up for failure and then as a scape goat use the arguement that they didnt have the oppertunity but man minoritys have just as limited oppertunies and do much more.
ReplyDeleteBut I garentee that getting to where dalton was today is NOT easy. Im sure he had to deal with alot of shit and go through many things to get where he is today. People are just expecting someone to come knock on thier door and tell them they are the new CEO of a fortune 500 company. The reality is it just doesnt happen that way, people work hard for what they have. and to maintain and keep it is equally as stressfull and difficult. so the arguement "we dont have the same oppertunities as them" It might be true in the fact that we dont have the same exact oppertunities but its bullshit to think that minoritys are left with none.
wow...i didnt seperate my 2 paragraphs....my baad
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ken Hamblin's article that the American have equal opportunity and chances for success whether they are minority or majority in the United States. Even though Hamblin didn't have good environments to study, he worked hard and grasped the opportunity that the society had provided for the people.I agree with this article because if hamblin who was born in poor city already experienced the success, there must be opportunity and chances for all of us to achieve the goal.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, it deals with the financial differencies between the lower class and the higher class which is already unfair opportunity and resources, but people don't success because they have good environments and resources. Most of the people achieve their goals by hard working and by strong passion just as the author had mentioned in the article. Although people who are born from lower income family have lack of resources and money, they could still get financial supports from the government and from the schorlorship. It is not the higher income people who are success, but the one with the hard working and with the strong passion.
Hamblin states in his article that minorities have every opportunity to be successful.
ReplyDeleteHe explains his view by providing his own self as an example. Blacks have been given many opportunities, but it is their own fault if they don’t want to grab them and instead wine and blame it on what happened in the past. Whereas Dalton has the opposite view, that blacks aren't given the same opportunities.
I agree with Hamblin because America today has equal opportunities for all no matter what race they belong to. Now, it is up to them to take the opportunities. As it is said always, ‘you can take a horse to the well, but you cant force it to drink water’.
America, known to the world as the "Land of equal Opportunity and Freedom," has yet to answer its ultimate question, "Equality for all?"
ReplyDeleteDo come to an agreement to either articles, I believe we must understand the meaning of "equality". Equality for whom and what is the uprising question still to be answered throughout our socioeconomic standards.
I agree more with Hamblin more than Dalton reasong being as minority myself, sought many opportunities within my circumstances. It was up to my decision and determination either to take those chances or not. It's true there's still racial problems within the communities but we got to ask who's the one drawing the line between each other. Nowdays, we cannot only blame the White Americans because there's still people out there who still hangs over the past.