Post 4: The Manliness of Men By: Harvey Mansfield

“The Manliness of Men” by Harvey Mansfield tries to explain the true definition of the word “manliness” and how it affects the battle of the sexes. Manliness can be considered heroic with men constantly proving themselves, picking fights, and defending their territory. However, the term can not be applied to women and it pressures them to be independent and confident like men. Mansfield believes that men will always be manlier than women, but it can be taken positively, or negatively. He states that feminism has ruined the delicacy of women. Those women want their men to be sensitive, but not too sensitive, or that by men opening doors for them makes them look weak. The main issue is that feminists do not want to be subjected into a certain role, nor do they want to be dependent. They do not want to be characterized solely on their sexual organs, or feel that women are the inferior sex. Yet, the definition of being female or male can be related to a humans thinking or reasoning.

Nobody likes feeling like they do not have the same advantages as everyone else, especially when it applies to the sexes. Why is it that women always have to be the emotional ones, while men are insensitive? It is easy to blame society and say that they have created so many stereotypes that made women inferior, but it is not true. Women and men are built differently not only physically, but mentally as well. As a young woman I know I act out emotionally first before anything else and I can not help it. On the other hand, a man would approach the same situation from a logical perspective first. In society, sometimes it is easy to see that females are not in the same league as men. How do we explain that women are not getting paid as much as men, or that women did not have the right to vote until the 1920s? These situations give off the idea that women are inferior, but women need to interpret it as a stepping stone. We might not have the same opportunities as men, but we should still try our best to get at their level.

Post 3: Horatio Alger By: Harlon L. Dalton

The essay, “Horatio Alger” by Harlon L. Dalton debates Alger’s ideas of what it takes for the American Dream to become reality. Specifically, if a person’s success in life depends on their race, class, background, and anything else that they can not control. Horatio Alger believes that commercial success can be achieved with hard work, persistence, initiative, and daring. Considering these three basics: that individuals are judged only on their worth, everyone can create their own opportunities, and standards for measuring an individual’s worth are equal. Dalton believes Alger’s messages to be a myth that is socially destructive. He explores Alger’s myth through social realities, like discrimination, and if individual worth is all we care about.

I agree with Dalton in that Alger’s formula for success is optimistic and blind to the world. The idea that individuals are solely judged on their worth is true when it comes to White people. All other races are looked at differently depending on the color of their skin. When black people are only compared against other black people it says that they can not be held to the same standard as White people, and that goes for other races as well. Stereotypes give society a conception of each race that is not based solely on their worth. This gives society the wrong expectation of each race and it can lead people to believe certain races to possess certain traits. For instance, believing that only Asian-Americans are efficient workers.

The next message that everyone can reach their true potential is acceptable. However, it can be difficult to achieve depending on certain circumstances, like social class within the economy. Lower-class individuals who want to do better for themselves might at first have job opportunities at a fast-food restaurant. Their opportunities are limited and unequal. Some people complain about their financial situation, yet refuse to start from the bottom.

It is hard to draw specific standards when it comes to measuring an individual’s worth. Everyone can come up with different standards and that is where it gets confusing. Dalton brings up a good point that we as Americans do not just nominate a President, or member of Congress based on merit. Alger is blind to believe that a person’s success does not depend on uncontrollable characteristics. The world is not fair and it is unequal in some way. I am not saying that individuals should not strive to be successful, but sometimes that is not enough. Merit is not so easily measured and people should not be judged just on that characteristic.

Post 2: From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hos By: Joan Morgan

In Joan Morgan’s “From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hos” she considers the positive and negative ideas associated with hip-hop music. She explains hip-hop music to relate to black-on-black love and crime. In that the lyrics are so angry about topics like substance abuse, alcoholism, and especially women. The sexism in rap music can explain the struggle with intimate relationships with black men. She says black men have a failure to love sisters if they only see them as “bitches” and “hos”. Yet women give rappers permission to portray them in such bad ways. The way women act by using the b-word talking about other women, how can we stop males from using it? Morgan believes that women can try to better their image by not playing into sexism and changing their behavior towards men.

Hip-hop music may play a big part as to why black men act the way they do, but is that the only reason? Hip-hop music has a lot of strong lyrics that are not necessarily suitable for the radio, but they are honest. Rappers can openly talk about shooting a black man, having sex with a random girl, or drinking under the influence. It is a good possibility that these lyrics affect the way black people think and carry on in their lives. It can definitely make it easier for black-on-black violence to occur when songs talk about how “whack” another artist is. The lyrics also constantly degrade women by referring to them as “bitches” and “hos”. Women using their bodies and sexuality to get what they want is what makes these words acceptable. Especially, when they acknowledge the use of the word is okay by using it on other women. Women may not like to called these words, but honestly some women just deserve it. Hip-hop music can also distinguish between the difference and value a true woman. It is not necessarily hip-hop music that influences a black community, but the way that the black community interprets the lyrics.

Post 1: Looking for Work By: Gary Soto

In Gary Soto’s essay, “Looking for Work” he explains his fascination with the “perfect family” as a child. He watches television shows and wants his lower-class Mexican-American family to be a typical middle-class “white” family. In order for his family to achieve this he believes that money and wealth are the answer. Gary then goes around the block to find little jobs he can do. He gets some money and then meets up with his best friend Little John who wants to look for work too. Gary then recalls how Little John’s mother got angry about how her son was asking for work. Dinner time rolls around and he thinks about one television show comparing it to his family. He suggests to his mother about serving some more expensive food and dressing up for dinner from now on. Gary’s ideas being ignored he is sent outside with his siblings and looks for work trying so hard to become wealthy.

This essay portrays how many first generation Americans feel about society. They believe that in order to succeed in America it is important to leave your heritage behind to become “white” and blend in. As if your heritage was a handicap and that you constantly have to try harder than everyone else to prove something. Being Filipino-American I am not exempt from this feeling. The media has played a big part in what I deemed normal as a child. I watched many television shows where families ate bread and dressed nice to dinner. Unlike my family which ate rice every night and wore slippers to the table. At a young age I was embarrassed of what made me special. Social interaction with other children even made me think twice about who I wanted to be. I always felt I was never invited to some of my friend’s houses because I was Filipino. This made me try harder to win the affection and friendship of my classmates. This essay expresses the feelings that many first generation Americans experience on their road to acceptance.