Mrs. Noyes came into my 3rd period class yesterday and encouraged us to read a poem. It is posted below. I want you to do a tad bit more reading than you have done with the other two blog posts, but you can finish the reading and writing within 30 minutes. Directions are also included below.
1. Read the poem below.
2. Read the sections of the following link entitled "Ethnic Competition Leads to Violence" and "License to Commit Murder=$3,700": http://www.asian-nation.org/racism.shtml
3. In 100 words or more connect the poem to the Gaines text we are reading in class and the text about injustice against Asian Americans.
4. You're awesome!
Poem:
"If We Must Die"
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! We must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
Source: Claude McKay, “If We Must Die,” in Harlem Shadows: The Poems of Claude McKay (New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1922). Taken from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5130/
As I read the poem, I was able to feel what the author was trying to say. Connecting to the book we’re reading in class, Jefferson has to be in jail. However, he just thinks of himself as a hog, or a useless person because he has been put into jail. On the contrary, his godmother doesn’t feel the same way. When the poem said, “If we must die, O let us nobly die,” it made me think of what Ms. Emma is trying to do for Jefferson. She wants him to be a man before he dies. She wants Grant to help him become a man before his death. The poem connects to Ms. Emma a lot because all she wants Jefferson to do is become a man before he dies.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the article, I agreed with the statement, “It seems that whenever there are problems in American society, political or economic, there always seems to be the need for a scapegoat.” When the Japanese bombed America, everyone started to “hate” on the Japanese. People who weren’t even Japanese were considered as “Japanese.” The connection I made with the book was that America back then was really racist. Although there is still some racism here today, but it wasn’t as bad as back then. In the book, the Whites just looked for an excuse to make Jefferson die. It was all because he wasn’t White, but he was African American. [242]
--Trang Phan
Although these problems are not always visibly present in today’s society, the author of this article makes a reasonable point that is not mentioned within the Asian American community. The stereotypes exist because Asians have been degraded because of these terms. Similarly, Gaines’ book addresses a similar example from an African American. Because of stereotypes, Jefferson was convicted for all the wrong reasons. On the other hand, the judge in the article was biased about the White men. By giving light sentences to the two men, the judge made it seem as if it were “okay” to let them off with a $3,700 bail with no sentence in prison. Like the poem, minority groups should stand up for themselves rather than let the American majority (our oppressors) believe in these misconceptions of certain minority groups. Though these groups are oppressed, they should continue to ask for what they want instead of being pressured to act a certain way. Because of this, minorities are allowing themselves to be bullied. This is probably why these issues should be discussed throughout America. After all, not every in America knows if these problems have been resolved.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article, I was astonished with the cruelty of Americans back in the 80’s. I think that what happened with Vincent Chin’s death should have had a fair trial as we have today. Also, having read that one could have bought a license that allowed someone to kill another human being made my reaction astonish myself even more.
ReplyDeleteI can connect this article to the poem because they both are informing the reader about how white people make the other racial classes feel at the bottom. I guess that Caucasians want to feel powerful knowing that they are not. But really, I think that there is no answer to how or why ethnicity started to be such of a big deal if we are all the same just different skin color and backgrounds. I see no point in classification.
--Leslie-- (141 words)
First of all, when Asian immigrant came to America ( mostly Chinese and Japanese ) were dicriminated by the Americans. Asian immigrants faced hardship of learning how to adopted in the American's culture. Chinese would accept lower wages in jobs because the vaule is much more compared to their country currency. Americans were raged and angry at the Chinese for stealing their jobs. The Americans took action and yelled " The Chinese must go!". They would destroy their goods, their belongings,and much more. Also, Chinese were brutally beating down causing them be physical injured or near dead.
ReplyDeleteBased on the article, "Ethnic Competition Leads to Violence" and "License to Commit Murder=$3,700" and poem "If We Must Die" discrimination occured towards Asian immigrants. Vincent Chin, the victim was killed by two Americans Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz. Vincent was murdered because they blame the Chinese and Japanese for stealing their jobs.
The Asian immigrant can be called a "Hog" to the Americans because they see them as an inferior race. They see Asian immigrant as a target to be slaughter and be devoured. In addition, Jefferson was also called a "Hog" because there was no use for his existence. In other words they can be called an insect where the victim is going to be step on eventually. - Phi La
After reading this article i was really suprised by the way asian americans were treated. What the Asian-americans went through in the late 1800's is what jefferson goes through in the story " A Lesson Before Dying" where he is humiliated by being called a "hog"and being humiliated by all the other people.Asian americans suffered alot when they couldnt testify against things they had seen like when they saw the white man murder their friends and couldnt do nothing about it.Wheter its Black, Hispanic,Or Asian people we all suffer from the discrimination of our skin color just like jefferson suffers from his skin color and not being able to be treated right.
ReplyDelete- Duy Vu
ReplyDeleteI believe the poem is connected to the Gaines novel because it is very similar to the Aunt and Godmother's sentiment of allowing Jefferson to die a man rather than the animal they whittle his character to. Though I don't know the context of the poem, it does mention being outnumbered. Although in Bayonne, Blacks were just as numerous as Whites, in terms of power they were certainly outnumbered. As shown by Jefferson's wrongful incrimination, a Black man simply had to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and he was behind bars. As for the Anti-Asian Racism text, I believe it is the same connection. A minority (Chin and Jefferson) being wrongfully punished although at different ends of the crime. Chin's murderers escaped prosecution by no means other than racism within the judicial system itself.
As I read the poem, I did manage to assimilate a few things to the texts. For instance, on the book from Gaines, I thought of how the poem is somewhat similar to the book, since both the grandma and Claude McKay’s poem show the same refusal of dying like a hog (or for Miss Emma having her grandson die like a hog), and instead dying as a man, still carrying their honor. Moreover, the poem relates to the article of injustice against Asian-Americans, because the article tells of how people fought to have justice against the racism and the unequal treatment they were receiving, while the poem also talks about refusal to die and be looked down on, and instead be “pressed to the wall dying, but fighting back!”.
ReplyDeleteI really feel that another similarity that all these pieces have, other than the racism and unfairness, is also the strong meanings they carry; weather it talks of not wanting to die like a beast, unequal rights, or feeling oppressed, they all have a refusal of leaving things the way they are, thus they fight (mentally or physically) for change.
First I can connect the poem with the story we are reading. The man that is going to be killed is depressed not beause he is dieing but because he is going to die being known as a hog. I connect that with the poem because if you have to die at least die with some pride.
ReplyDeleteI can connect the book with the artical by whn the asians died fighting for ther beleives. I can connect this to the book by when Miss Emma is fighting or her sons dignity and tt he shall not die while being known as a hog.
this poem make me feel that if i die why not die with honer.If i must die why not leave a good image about my self for other to fallow by.like when the mr.whiggin was tring to show his teacher no matter the out come you must try. even though the teacher was mentaly trap mr.whiggin still tried.
ReplyDeletewhen I read the paragraph I made me furious to see that the justice in court system was so terrable. for them to set aside the crime cause they were white and had no crimenal background with jobs. this remind me of the way jeferson was sent to jail with out the proper evident.that was the court system being races the jerie was all white.
The poem and the book have a huge comaparision they give the message that is important to died with honor. Just like godmother want Jeferson to died being a man.Similar in the poem the author explains that if they died they will died with pride.Even that jeferon just feel like a unvauable person.No able to do anything at prison and knwonig that he will be died son.
ReplyDeleteA connection that I can make from the text to the book is that both show racism.In the book Jeferson is put in jail for a crime that he not comit.Just because the whites seem he as an African American Boy.In the text is a huge racism against Asian Americans.So they both show the big racism that exist today and in the past.Also they are both seen the same because of the stereotypes and know for what is real.Not leting them have a fair and justble trial where can be judge no counting whic race they were.They both were judge by white people who seem them as if they were below them.Is sad to see all this racism that can not stop why is so hard for people to understand that we all equal.
“If we must die, let it not be like hogs.” This small line from the poem is the major bridge that unites the whole concept of “A Lesson Before Dying,” and the poem itself. Grant is given the task of convincing a man that he in fact is a man; not some useless creature whose rotten luck gives the rest of the world a reason to extinguish his life. The poem gives the message that if you are to die let it not be in vain but instead fight gloriously and be courageous to let them know you’re not a coward and ESPECIALLY not a worthless hog.
ReplyDeleteMaking a transfer to the article on Asian discrimination, this quote caught my eye: “It seems that whenever there are problems in American society, political or economic, there always seems to be the need for…someone or a group of people who is/are singled out, unjustifiably blamed, and targeted with severe hostility.” This quote couldn’t make anymore sense! Confederate American just can’t seem to get over the fact that they aren’t allowed to have slaves anymore; that they can’t keep treating humans like they’re less then dogs. Get over yourselves! This is the mentality that didn’t entitle Jefferson to a fair trial and the same mentality that ran through all of those racist bastard jurors. Asians in America were tantalized and humiliated, why? Because America found the need to blame them for the current recession. African Americans were stripped for their freedoms and denied their humanity, why? Because Americans were cruel and too lazy to do any work for themselves. Its always going to remain an ongoing cycle and what sucks is that many of us are just sitting there watching it happen.
The poem can be compared to the book A Lesson Before dying for numerous reasons. One is because the poem refers to not dying as a hog but a man. This can be compared to Jefferson because he is in the same perdicament. They bothe refer to a belittled man who wants to be a man before he dies. the only difference is the poem has a connection to a entire group perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThe article however cannot be compared to the text so closely. They both deal with racism but the discrimination to the chinese people is worse then the treatment to the blacks in this book. The chinese in the article were hunted and killed due to their color so it was extremely racist.
-Lucas Cruz
Too many racism articles. Well what the Asian-americans went through in the late 1800's is what jefferson goes through in the story " A Lesson Before Dying" where he is humiliated by being called a "hog"and being humiliated by all the other people. I think it so sad how people get treated different because of there race. Both in the bool and the article people have to pay consequences for something they didnt do. They were not fair to asian-americans. It's horrible how they suffered and couldn't testify against themselves. People are so cruel, like you would't tell if a parson was really bad hearted inside or not. Asains kept protesting and doing things to show everyone they were serious.
ReplyDeleteWow, when I started to read the poem I was so surprised about how it was so similar to what was going on in the book we're reading. I thought it was pretty ironic, how they both were degraded as hogs. I wonder if anything would of changed if they had read that poem. If that would of have changed their mind, their perspective. I wonder what was the big deal about him dying either a man or hog, the least they could do if they were going to take away his life.
ReplyDeleteThe injustice piece on Asian-Americans is something different from all this slavery and P.I.C we've been talking about. I would still consider this as slavery because slavery is when you have someone who is more dominant and is in control of you, someone abusing you, harassing you, not being treated equally, etc. These Asian-Americans were in the same situation. They were stripped of their rights the minute they stepped on America's soil. I think its pretty funny how, since the beginning of time the Americans always need an excuse for their failure. They can never accept the fact that they are the one that caused this instead of all the immigrants.
The poem connects to Gaines and this article because it’s stating how people are dying everyday in society for dumb reason. I strongly agree with this poem because also with people dying for dumb reason comes an injustice system to back it up. In the poem it states how “If we must die, let it not be like hogs
ReplyDeleteHunted and penned in an inglorious spot,” But in the article and Gaines people were killed in the way they shouldn’t have died. During the time period of the article Asians were treated like the Jews. They were used as scapegoats, and were looked down upon.
The poem “If We Must Die,” represents inequality to those who have bein judged by apperances and racism. Lately, we have bein reading a book called, " A Lesson Before Dying." The character in the story, Jefferson, is called a "hog" since he is not considered a "man?" The injustice that goes on in the book is not diffrent than what we sometimes go through in life. The diffrence is that some people choose to not see what lies have bein commited, or in the other hand are
ReplyDeletecommited to crimes that they did not commit.
This poem is overpowering with such significance due to the accuracy that contains many emotions towards discrimination.
In the articles "Ethnic Competition Leads to Violence" and "License to Commit Murder=$3,700" it shows discrimination and racism to other ethnicities throught the world. Discrimination is still spread out in the world and even though it doestn show that much anymore there are still people who discriminant towards other races.
In the article "Ethnic Competition Leads to Violence" there's a quote that caught my attention and it says, "it symbolizes the legacy of racism directed against our COMMUNITY." For years racism has intimidated many people and pushed them to flee from the United states. People come from other places for a reason, to prosper in new land and achieve goals they thought they could never commit. Now in the article "License to Commit Murder = $3,700" an innocent victim named Vincent Chin in 1982 was brutally killed without a purpose. Instead of being punished for the crimes that were commited, they bought there way out. Thus, making it seem like they did nothing wrong and that it was okay to kill. People struggle to obtain what they have, whether they fight back or not there is injustice towards them. For years many have suffered because we are diffrent from one another by color, we are judged being outcasted in a world where everyone judges by apperances and sadly it will never change. Equality is a word thats being abused each day because the word defines:"the state or quality of being equal" but it's not being showed, its just traveling in the air while people do the opposite,because many feel superior and believe they are better. When will people understand that being diffrent is what makes the United States? Combining all our potential into one forms a better world but it will do no good if the world sees blindness and follow the patterns that are drawn throught the years.
-Edith Carrillo
The poem relates to Jefferson’s aunt. The quote: "Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!" is what his aunt is thinking about, 'cause she wants Grant to make Jefferson a man. The second article of the ''license'', made me feel inutile and irritated. Just because Vincent Chin was Asian doesn’t mean he is not a human being. Giving $3,700 for committing a crime is a great example of how people can be extremely racist.
ReplyDeleteToday I thought about how can a border line and living in a certain area can make us feel more or less than the others. It’s not just U.S. against Mexicans or Asians; it’s about us living in the same planet and be respectful with every person. We all are equal no matter what we look like, there is people we like or we don’t like but we all deserve respect and to be treated equal.
While reading the poem, i made connections to the gaines book by the way jefferson grandmother told him not to die like a "hog", but to die like a man, which made alot of sense because the poem explains humans shouldn't die in vein.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the articles, i was very upset with the u.s. with the ethnic group competition, basically americans where "hating" on asians.
When i read thesecond part of the article, it made me outraged about the fact that the two american guys thought they had the right to kill an asian which wasnt fair at all, beacuse the justice system was basically on their side.
Well, the poem connects with the book because it talks about death. It says that if you have to die then it shouldn’t be like hogs, like in Gaines, this is what Miss Emma agrees with. Another similarity was that the man in the poem doesn’t want dogs barking around them as their life is taken away because its almost as if the dog was mocking them saying “bark bark, you’re pathetic, barkity bark bark, you’re going to die right now.” Jefferson thinks that Grant only goes to the jail to show off his “freedom” while he is there waiting to die any day or week or month. But the truth is that Grant is forced to go and Jefferson should never act like a hog because it bad to be called a hog but it is way worse that he proved it correctly by acting like one. Death, why should people have the right to kill others? In the poem, they didn’t want there blood to be shed in vain, or in other words, an easy death slit of the throat or a simple shot in the head, they want to die men and not cowardly like animals.
ReplyDeleteMy reaction to the first part, “Yeah I knew that already“. America always looks for some racial group to blame for crisis situations in America. Sadly Asian Americans had to be blamed/punished after World War II just because of they were from Asia. The second part was outrageous and crazy. My reaction was “OH MAN, THAT SUCKS”. The sad part was that the incident happened only twenty-seven years ago. The people who killed Victor Chin could possibly still be alive. They killed him and he was an innocent human being who probably had done nothing to hurt society or hurt his killers in any way. The people who killed him got away with it mainly because the killers were white males who had killed someone Asian. If it would have been someone of color it would most certainly have been blown up into a huge deal. People don’t usually hear about this trial and of course the jury had to be all white males, it’s not a surprise that they got away with murder. This shows just how horribly corrupt we are in America, especially the government. It’s like if the government tried to only protect their own kind, white Americans. But guess what, we might just take over someday. Who’s going to cry now?
After reading these two articles I couldn’t believe that there is more races in America that are also being discriminated. Asian Americans didn’t have the right to many acts. They were stereotyped as their numbers greatly increased. For the simple reason of not being a certain race, they were victims. Though they were Americans they were not seen as one.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Vincent Chin was a brutal murder. A murder that was apart of discrimination. He was killed by two white men that brutally beat him to death. Till this day neither of them has paid for their actions. Is scary how things like this happen in a place were is called “free.” How after years of over coming slavery we still manage to find our way to it. I believe that is no longer safe for any race in this place that most of us call “home.”
My connection to the poem and the text has to do with Jefferson. The way he feels in prison and what he thinks of himself. I think that the poem is making a connection towards prisoners. Expressing the way they feel in a prison environment. Jefferson thinks of himself as a hog. He made himself believe that he is no longer a human, but an animal. Just like in the poem they refer to themselves as hogs. Saying that if they must die then they shall die with dignity. This is the same way Jefferson feels like when thinking of his death penalty.
The poem has a great connection with the book that we are reading in class. The very first line made me realize how it connected to the book the most. The book we read about how Jefferson is in jail and keeps using the excuse of being a hog against everything that everyone says. This poem talks how precious blood is. The whole time Miss. Emma was trying to get this point to Jefferson. Blood is precious.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I was pretty iffy. Racism has going on everywhere since who knows when. Racism is not just against one type of race and this is proof. I can't believe that #3,700 was all that was charge with two year probation, not even jail! Punishment?! YEAH RIGHT! He got killed! KILLED FOR GOODNESS SAKES! That's like when someone does something wrong at work and they get killed, the person who "punished" them has no fault. Too crazy, too crazy for me at least! Oh man, still can't believe it.
I recognize the connections that the poem, the article, and the book have. I am first of all shocked by what the article informed me of because I cannot believe someone so inhuman can do that to a person. A life is something to be valued and we must respect others lives just how we want ours to be respected. Just like the poem says “If we must die, O let us nobly die” People shouldn’t have their life taken away by someone, the person should decide how to end their life. Everyone has a dignity, so when someone gets killed their pride is taken away since they die with vulnerability, and no one wants to feel like that in their last breath. There is Jefferson for example; he is going to die feeling like a hog for a crime he did not even commit. Though other people have convinced him otherwise he does not want to believe them. That is what I think people go through when they get killed for racial reasons, they get convinced that the white race is dominant therefore they give up.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem, “We Must Die” the poet encourages and inspires readers to not die like a coward. The poet wants the readers to stand strong and fight back for what they believe in. This poem relates to the book Gaines because Ms. Emma wants Jefferson to die with dignity.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1800's Asians were discriminated and brutally beaten. Asians who migrated to the U.S. came here for a better life. But when they arrived, they were harshly treated. The Asian race didn't have the same rights like everyone else. The rights that they had was meaningless and did not give them any freedom at all.
I think it is important to die with dignity because we would be remember for what we did, and not be forgotten like the rest.
The top is mine, Yaffet Mehari
ReplyDeleteBasically the book is related to the poem by discrimination against ethic groups. Is difficult to belief that even when every human being in the U. S has the same rights they are treated without. I believe that we need to stop all this hate, before another civil war come. Comparing these two stories in Gaines book Jefferson (black race man) is going to dying for assassinate a white man. In contrast to the poem two white men killed an Asian American without be punished. Judges in both cases shouldn’t consider the ethic group; they should only consider the laws of the United States.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!!! I read this article and I was startled at the fact that this had happened. It is such an injustice. It’s hard to belief the judge sided the criminals and yet they were not considered a threat to the society? This article got me mad. How could someone commit such a cruel thing and the police won’t do anything about it. They simply took their side because they were their race? It was such an injustice to which had no reason to happen. Yet they still had no remorse of what they had done. This relates to the book were reading because he is being judged simply because of his race. He isn’t guilty of what he is accused but the simple fact of his race got him into that place and now he’s going to die. There is no equality even though they say there is. They are divide and treated differently simply because of their race.
ReplyDeleteI found the poem very similar to the story of Jefferson. The poem stated that “If we must die, let it not be like hogs hunted and penned in an inglorious spot.” This is similar of Jefferson’s spot. The title that he received as a “hog” has permanently stained his concept of himself. Like this quote, both do not want to die as a hog but as who they are. Racial comments on both Jefferson and the article still exist today. In the article, Asian Americans were targeted as a non American and therefore, whites were superior as the ultimate race. In the book, they had charged Jefferson for a crime in which he did not do but because of his race, he was put in jail and sentenced to death by the electric chair. I personally think that racism is always going to exist because this world is corrupt in many ways and without being able to work together, there is always going to be racism.
ReplyDeleteThe poem talks about how if one must die let them die nobly and not like a hog. This relates to the Gaines reading in class because Wiggins is trying to educate Jefferson so he doesn’t die known as a hog, he wants him to be known as a man.
ReplyDeleteNext, the articles about the Asian American abuses are awfully horrendous. They explain many brutalities that have been held against Asian immigrants without any consequences for the attackers. The poem relates to the articles because it shows what many people demand from the attackers. “Making their mock at our accursed lot. If we must die, O let us nobly die” The people demand to be seen as human beings and not as animals that like to be stepped on.
--Leo Aviles
The poem, “If We Must Die,” the articles, “Ethnic Competition Leads to Violence” and “License to Commit Murder = $3,700,” and the book, A Lesson Before Dying share some similarities. In the poem, it speaks of “If we must die, let it not be like hogs
ReplyDeleteHunted and penned in an inglorious spot.” The book that my classmates and I are reading, have a similar predicament. One of the characters was in court, accused for murder, and his lawyer compared him to a hog. He simply stated, that his client was not a man, but a hog and said that it would be pointless to kill a hog. Although, it was an ulterior move, it did not work. In the two articles, there are acts of discrimination being done onto Asian-Americans. In those times, they were seen as a scapegoat. In our times, (not to be offensive) Middle Eastern people are used as a scapegoat. They are blamed for most of our problems in the United States. They are being discriminated upon and it is not right. Back to the subject, in the second article, it emphasizes that “[the] events surrounding Vincent Chin's murder and the acquittal of his killer sadly represents another example of how Asian Americans are seen as not being ‘real’ Americans and therefore worthy of the same rights and privileges that so many other Americans take for granted.” In the book, the boy who was compared to a hog, had no chance and it caused him and his family to do irrational actions. In the second article, the victim’s family became very distraught and eventually moved back to China. I believe that all four types of texts address that discrimination and deprivation of United States citizens’ rights have occurred over the years. The solution is left in the hands of young scholars and readers such as my fellow classmates and I. -- Maytin Poonsuk
There are many ways that the poem can be connected to the book we are reading and the book we just read. The whole point of the poem is that if you are going to die for something that is not your fault and there is nothing you can do about it, you should still try to fight with whatever you have so you can at least die with dignity. If you didn't fight it would be like proving them right. In Gain's book, "A Lesson Before Dieing," Jefferson gives up on life. He does not understand that if he gives up, he will prove all the men that believe he is nothing right, which is what Grant is supposed to teach him. In the second part of the text, Asian Americans fought with everything they had in order to put the two murderers in jail. They never gave up so that Vincent Chin's ,"...precious blood may not be shed in vain." I think that if you do not give up the fight even if you will "die" either way, you will really have won because you will have never given in.
ReplyDeleteWell a connection that the poem has with the book we are reading right now is that Jeffersn was blame for something he didnt do, but he didnt fight all the way to show his innocents he gave up really fast. the poem basically means whenever you are accuse of something that you didnt do, well you should fight all the way. Even though if at the end you die, you will die knowing that you actually fought for your rights and with dignity. I didnt really know that this type of things happened to Asian people, but i think is unfair because they didnt do anything to the two mens that killed Vicent Chin. This is races because the judge was in their side and its abvious that it was because they were the same race. I mean is not fair that the Asian American should be treated like that because everybody is equal. This is races and i think whoever is judge wrong should fight for their rights and not give up.
ReplyDeletethe poem and the book we are reading,are very alike but they have one major difference. in the poem someone is going to jail for something they didnt do and the person says we should fight to prove that we didnt do it and not give up. in the book jefferson is in jail for something he didnt do but instead of fighting for his freedom he gives up and thinks he is a hog. the poem is saying fight for your dignity and dont give up but jeffereson just gave up and never tried to fight and show that he didnt do the crime. in the article about the asian american who got killed can be well compared to the poem because the family fought for their sons dignity. the asians fought to put the two murderes in jail and didnt give up and it just shows that fighting is always worth for what you believe in and should never give up cause in the end u might win.
ReplyDeleteThe poem, the text, and the article are all prime examples of the issues that exist in everyday society. Just as the article states that change is long overdue, it is seen in the world today. We all are linked to the BASIC human rights of the world, but choose to expect more than what is basic. By this, i mean that we all, at different points in life seem to believe that we deserve better than others. In the text and as well as the poem, there is a mentioning of dieing as a man rather than a "hog" but in both realities, the thing is that what a MAN does defines him as a person. In my opinion, to take away a person's human rights and dubbing them a "hog" or any other animal is a sign of integrity and morals. It leads to questions or concerns of how YOU were raised as a person and how you are easily able to portray yourself as an ANIMAL.
ReplyDeleteIt's very Depressing to know that people target others for such incidents or mishapps due to their race even though they had nothing to do with it. It frustrates me even more to know that the excuse for being blamed always turns out to be a lame,stupid,inconsiderate,selfish reason. Does no one have a heart anymore? The excerpt of Anti-Asian Racism and Violence wanted to bring out a violent warrior or defender to the innocent out of me. How the HELL can a judge not persecute or put two white men in prison after killing an innocent man who just happened to be Asian? Oh that's right...because their white just like HE is! Oh and don't forget, obviously the judge must've had some sort of hatred towards Asians otherwise those two white men would've been imprisoned or dead for life!Alot came to mind, when my eyes read these articles. For one,how can the government put a racist bastard as a judge to determine the way of justice or the lives of others? It's as if no one cares about the judicial system or the name it brings to America anymore. I honestly hope the soul of that innocent Asian is torturing and making the lives of those two white men who killed him MISERABLE if he was to be or still roaming around our earth.
ReplyDeleteAs for the poem, it is self explanatory on how it relates to Jefferson's issue from "A Lesson Before Dying". For one the intro to the poem is as clear as a bell. "If we must die, let it not be like hogs" relates to Jefferson because he has given up on everything after he was sentenced to execution for committing a crime which he did not commit and being called a hog at the end of the trial. To explain, this quote means that if one is to die they should die with dignity rather than acting like an animal with no self respect. Jefferson starts acting like an actual hog because he has given up on his own self. Furthermore, we should ALL die with Dignity.
This story is so disgusting to me because they treat Asian Americans like any other ethnicity like animals and make them feel like an outcast. I can make some connections with the book Gaines because Jefferson’s grandmother told him that he will not die like a hog which connects to the poem how we should not die in vain we should die by us giving everything we got.
ReplyDeleteI think the U.S is treating Asian Americans like dogs because on the Vincent trail the guys didn’t get second degree murderer and I think that was wrong. I mean the guy died by getting hit with the bat until his head got opened. I just can’t imagine what the family felt when they heard about this so basically his son died in vain because the guys who killed him didn’t get punished for their actions.
First of all,this issue in the article was so messed up on different levels,that i can't begin to express my thoughts,considering all the acts done on Vincent and the Asian-Americans.Having to die in a brutal and severely unfair manner is just unspeakable,and whats worse is that the culprits didn't receive a fair and just punishment.It goes to show how far and cruel racism is,thinking of one race as inferior and another as the top dog.If acts like this continue,the future will be consumed with hatred against people and many will die.People must stop these acts of discrimination in order to secure and to better the many societies in the world.
ReplyDeleteAs for the poem,I believe it encourages and supports that we must die in a dignified way,a way that represent who you really are and what your willing to die for and what you strongly believe in.I believe this poem kind of relates to the book of Gaines when that women(whats her name?),Ms.Emma wants that dude Jefferson to receive his consequences like a man with dignity and to not be a coward.I strongly believe in receiving your punishments with dignity and courage in order to be respected and better yourself.
In the end all these texts are filled with racial hate and injustice.You must stand for what you believe is right and fair in order to portray yourself as a equal and strong being.
--Wilfredo Felix
After reading the poem and the article, I finally realized that we are doing some asian discrimination piece... may I say finally again!? On a related topic, after reading the poem, It was kind of a bitter-sweet momment. I didn't expect to have to be informed about this type of scenario, but it abled me to hear about the kinds of asian-hate there is out there. The poem was bitter-sweet as well, relating to the article and what not. I believe it was injust that the two men who killed Vincent was not justicely sentenced. If a license to kill was set at 3,700 dollars, then I wonder if this would help boost our economy.. Just kidding, that was a bad comment. This relates to the book in... some way by both resulting in a death, but cause an uprising organization of actions to come.
ReplyDeleteThe articles were very... informational. I believe that Vincent's death caused an epidemic of rebel from asian oppresion. I think the dirigitory names that asian's recieve are just as bad as the ones that every other race recieves too. The on-going sterotypes again... When will these stop. I know this was in reference to the past, but not evey asian is the same type of asian. (TOO LAZY TO RECAP, EXCUSE THAT). Even though this isnt a related topic, the word "chino" means chinese, not asian. There is no actual word that distinguishes the ethnicity in spanish, therefore there is more race-classification. Even though the story envolves two white males, I still had to put that example.
The license to kill part kind of got me a little tense. For almost four grand, you were able to get away with such a vicious crime... sigh. Theres nothing really else to say about the corrupt society we live in. This isn't a third-world country, why does our world seem to revolve around power, and hunger for power. Thats my comment. tevin keer.
Asian-americans went through alot in the late 1800's is what jefferson goes through in the story " A Lesson Before Dying" where he is desrespected on by being called a "hog"and being disrespected by all the other people.They treat Asian Americans like any other ethnicity like animals and make them feel like they dont belong here or anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteThe poem similar to the articles cause it shows how many people wants from the attackers. “Making their mock at our accursed lot. If we must die, O let us nobly die” The people want to be seen as people and not as animals that like to be stepped on like other.
This poem connects to the texts we have been reading about slavery and the article about Asian Americans because it talks about deaths of people that have occurred for no specific or good reason. It amazed me that so much cruelty could exist in this world. In all the articles we have read all people want is power and feel superior than others. To obtain this power, the “superior” race tends to deprive people from their rights and treat them in many inhumane ways. In the poem it said, “If we must die, O let us nobly die So that our precious blood may not be shed In vain.” The majority of the people that went threw slavery situations would put up a fight and would still die. But they would rather die knowing they fought for their rights, and then just be treated like crap.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article and poem, it actually ties into the life that we are reading in the story, “A Lesson Before Dying”. In the poem, it describes how if you die, you should die with some dignity. It says how you shouldn’t die a hog. This poem ties to the book because Jefferson was going to die and he was exemplified as a hog in front of a whole jury. In the article, it shows the injustices that are being done to the Asian American community. In the book the city is split. The south part being a mostly black dominated area and is poverty filled.
ReplyDelete--- Adan Adan
This poem immediately reminds me of Gaines book. Jefferson is a guy who was accused of murder, he didn’t really fight for his innocence, he knew that he wasn’t to be blamed for and didn’t even try a bit to get his freedom. The poem that was read, is the opposite of what Jefferson is doing. This poem says that if you are accused of some murder, or something you didn’t do, you have to keep fighting for your innocence and go all the way. Apparently Jefferson gave up too fast. If you end up dying, you won’t end up thinking you’re a hog or anything else, you will actually die with some dignity.
ReplyDeleteI never really knew how Asian Americans were treated, but as I read this article, I felt disgusted by this. I think it was pathetic what they did on Vincent and the Asian Americans. The guy was beaten up by a bat until his head was opened, and then was murdered. And what sickened me even more was that nothing was done about this. The murderers didn’t get their punishment and I think this was too unfair. Asian Americans were basically treated like hogs, dogs,animals etc.
-Sara Martinez(:
In my opinion, I find this poem pretty hardcore. Nothing beats murder with the victim dieing with pride. One of my murder dreams is to be back-stabbed in my heart. While I die, I want to fist the air with great force, drop to my knees, and then fall on the ground dramatically.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion differs from what Jefferson believes. Even though I have never been in the same position as Jefferson, I would not degrade my humanity and embarrass my self-honor. Jefferson has done nothing during his imprisonment; if I were to be locked away, I would work tirelessly in order to get out all my imagination and art in paper. Art is my life, and I want to die expressing my heart.
-[Kyara Gandara]
While reading this poem it relates to the gaines book because jefferson sees himslef as a hog, and he knows he is put in jail to be exicuted. Ms emma doesnt want him to die thinking he is a hog, she wants him to die as a man. This poem to me is saying noone should die in vain. I think it is also saying that when we eer do die, that our spirit should be peaceful and relaxed. If the prosecuter didnt tell jefferson that he was a hog, then he would of had a different attitude towards things.
ReplyDeleteAs i read the article, it made me so sad. The criminal system knew that they should of charged these two men and sent them to prison. Its not right to let them be free because they just took a innocent persons life for no reason. If that was their son or family member they would want to get justice to them so why not ge tit for this man? Its so messed up how criminals get away with things just because of the color of their skin. Eeveryone is entitled to their freedom and to live whherever they please. They falsly put people in jail on crimes they didnt commite and it take forever for them to get justice, but when it comes to murdering someone they act like its ok. No! if your going to write the law and enforce it, it needs to be for everyone not just for certain people. In this case is was like they were paying the two men to kill him now that they didnt have jail time. What kind of example does that set for younger kids or other citizens in out country.?
-Brandi Rhone
Fighting for ones pride and dignity is what many mixed, non Americans are trying to do today. Discrimination in a society that promotes equality and freedom for all. This poem supports te idea of fightingg for equality, not physically but mentally. Knowing that ones fought. Shedding blood of bravery and aknowledging the change that ones tried to accomplish out beats the idea of simple sorrow and pity for ones self that doesnt attempt to try.
ReplyDeleteThe text about injustice for Asian Americans includes statements and provide examples that Asian Americans are negatively tatrgetted. Although they were victims, they did not receive equality in society. Same goes for Jefferson, thte authority wanted him to be sentenced thinking he was a hog instead of a man. Miss. Emma wanted him to die knowing that life was worth something, a man. Knowing that in the end you tried to established something out of nothing makes you a stronger person for trying and regardless success or failure, you tried.
-Maneevanh Soundara(:
This poem can actually be compared to a book called A lesson before dying for number of reasons.Is because it refres to dying as a hog but a man.This was the same as jefferson because he is in the same type of situation.Both the poem and book tells that they both want to be a man before death.
ReplyDeleteBut the article cannot be so similar to the book that much.Even though both had mentioned about racism and discrimination to chinese is way worser than when the blacks were in the book.They were hunted down and killed one by one and that was a big deal of racism.
The poem is awesome just straight forward and i agree with it.. Jefferson in the book we are reading in class, is a very ignorant character at first.. at this point he is only thinking about death. The reason is because he knows he will be dying in a matter of weeks or days, and on top of that he is not going anywhere. The rest of his life that is left he is spending in a cell. Jefferson thinks of himself as a hog a person that does not matter and is being and believes he should be treated like an animal. At this point nothing else matters, I mean why would something matter knowing you are going to die and can't do anything about it. What everyone else (family) is for him to die like a man, for him to be positive and be that person that will die with dignity, and not let those officers or that judge have their way with him.. They expect no progress but with some help of Grant i believe that progress will be met.. This poem relates to the book and the asian article with all three saying die a man, be brave fight back, dont be put down, and that is what is going on in all three events.
ReplyDeleteMy personal statement i agree, dont give up die with dignity, fight back, live life even in a small dark cell, people will remember you for that.
After reading the article, there were many similarities it had to the book, “A lesson Before Dying.” In both cases, the victims were treated unfairly. In the article, it was the Vincent Chin, the man who was murdered because of his location in America and his ethnicity. In the book, it was Jefferson, which is a black man that was convicted of a crime he didn’t do. Its unfortunate that because both men weren’t justified for the wrong doings their society’s did to them. And because they weren’t white, they didn’t even have the chance to prove that they were innocent or in Chin’s case, that the white men were guilty. Those are just both prime examples of freedom not being accessible to everyone living in the country.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the poem, I could easily compare it to the situation that Jefferson is forced to take on. In the beginning of the book, Jefferson sees himself as a hog, which the white people want him to think. As the book goes on, Grant is able to convince him that he’s a man that has to prove to the white people as well as the colored people that he was surely a man and that although the Caucasians were trying there hardest to oppress the blacks, he would be the one who would prove them wrong, by sacrificing his life and staying a strong man for his fellow townspeople.
-Alfredo Alatorre (Gucci!)
In the book "a lesson before dieing" is very much what the poem is trying to teach you. To die like a man but, not to die like an animal. In the book Miss Emma wants Jefferson to die nobly, but the sad part is that Jerferson is sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. This is very cruel fate for Jefferson because he found himself in the wrong place and at the wrong time. To connect the book with the artical, in both cases both victims were treated cruely. On Vicent's case the murders got away with only paying a small fee and two year provation, and on Jefferson a crime he didn't commit. I honstly think that the Jusice System should handle things in a more appropriate way, then just letting go of something that can happen again or sentencing someone who is innocent.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is exactly how Jeffersons grandma felt about the entire situation with him having the death penalty. SHe didn't want him to die as a hog but to die as a man. Although his blood will be shed he will be rememered and honored throughout his death. Comparing this to the other two articles oit shows what was gooing on durint that time period and todays society. By going into deep feeling as if the author experienced it it makes it seems as if you were apart of it. Althought the poem compares more to the book then the articles you can see both point of views.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is really sad! This reminds me of Jefferson's grandmother and how she didn't want Jefferson to die as a hog. Also it tells me how she want's to feel pride in her grandson because he didn't commit the crime, yet they give him the worst sentence. I think that connecting this poem to the article is somewhat the same because of what happened to Vincent Chin. in Chin's case he died because of someone who was racist and it was the same in Jefferson's case.
ReplyDeleteWell, after i read this poem, i automatically referred to "A Lesson Before Dying". This poem is very empowering and it has a strong voice of its own. Basically, why should you have to give up with pity and disgust in yourself when you can fight and contain dignity within your veins. It's unbelievable how the poem connected with Gaine's book with no hesitation. The point of view the author of the poem used was clearly for the reader to understand how difficult things where in that time period. This, however, is a message, a message that is supposed guide an individual in the right path on to success and freedom.
ReplyDelete-ruth tesfai
The poem has a very good connection with A Lesson Before Dying. I think stanza two was the one that connected the most to the book. The book talks about how Jefferson is in jail ad how he thinks he's a hog since he is being "treated" like one. The poem is talking about how valuable blood is and that is what Miss Emma was trying to get Jefferson to see. She wanted him to die as a man not a hog. Racism has been going on for like ever now. People aren't just being racist to one race but to many.
ReplyDeleteAs i was reading the poem i thought it was about more like courage and strength in being a person. It also compares to the book because of Jefferson and how they called him a hog and he is going through the denial of being a human or a 'Man'. It refers to him because he is an outcast and he considers himself a animal and not a man like other people. The Poem relates to him because at the end he is a man and he himself considers it and he dies with pride and the strength a man has in his life.
ReplyDeleteThe racism against the asians is just the white people trying to have a scapegoat and blame most of its problems on as far as im concerned i know about the exculsion act and how they wanted the numbers of immigration of the Chinese to drop. It was not as successful as planned but they made the wrong decision. Now asians are one of the successful people in the U.S. =)
After reading the poem,I see the very strong connection to A Lesson Before Dying. The line, "If we must die, let it not be like hogs" is a very ironic line that compares to the book because Jefferson considered himself as a hog, but at the end of the book he transformed into a man. A man with dignity and respect for himself. And the poem is expressing how important it is to die a man,with dignity and respect.
ReplyDeleteThe articles about the Asian racism is extremely eye opening to how people still discriminate other ethnic groups even in modern day. Also that now it seems that almost all races are being discriminated against. That when you think of racism not only do you think of African Americans and Mexicans but now even Asians.
Injustice is something we can easily find today, but to die with honor isnt something lots of people do like Jefferson.This peom to me shows how deeply a person can regret for whatever they did and hopefully get forgived.When your life comes to an end,Im sure everybody would like to go without regrets and be happy for the life they lived.If you died strong and knowing you will remain strong,theres nothing that can defeat you wherever you go.My favorite part of this poem is where it says to let us die nobly.Its better to die on your feet then to live on your knees.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the poem is the beginning where it says "If we must die, let it not be like hogs." This reminds me of what you'll see in many movies, that people die like animals. Jefferson,unlike many others, died with honor. Miss Emma wanted him to see the view of dying like a man,not a hog.
ReplyDeleteThe poem and the book are similar in sense of Jefferson’s feelings. This poem only reminds me of what I think Jefferson needed to hear when he was sentenced with his punishment. In the last line of the poem, Claude McKay writes “Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!” brought to mind the fight that Jefferson put against the law and the world to become a man within the short amount of time he held. The statement, “If we must die, let it not be like hogs” was something that Jefferson may have needed to hear. Only because he was called a hog and saw no point of life if one was able to decide his death.
ReplyDeleteIn the first article I saw the quote, “The last 20 years or so has seen Asian Americans become the fastest-growing targets for hate crimes and violence” and it was shocking to me. I hate stereotypes towards anyone, let alone my own race. I think being told, “your supposed to be smart at math” is quite annoying and frustrating. Although it may not be a bad thing, it is still disrespectful to expect something of a person because of their race. I saw in the second article, “as long as you have no prior criminal record and have a job, you could buy a license to commit murder for $3,700” and I felt unsafe. How are we as people supposed to live in a world that is full of hate and anger leaving us endangered by everyone surrounding us? I saw we move to Canada(:
ReplyDelete- Emily Khanitha (sorry, I didn’t post it the same time, but I did it) [:
Well, I think that the article and poems remind us how cruel society and oursleves as human being can really be. When we read the book by Gaines, it never hits me how big of an impact social injustices are because its coming off a fictional book, but when i read about events like this and poems, the impact is immediate. In the poem they talk about how we should die srong, proud, so proud that even our murderer or other will feel nothing but total honor for our deaths. The entire book is about making Jefferson a man, and in the face of death die with dignity. Liscense to murder equals 3700, shows how like in the book, people get away with injustices, like murder, or killing innocent people
ReplyDeleteIn the book we see jefferson go to jail and die for a crime that he did not commint. It was unfair and unjust. The poem states that if we must die then lets do so with respect and honor, which is exactly what grant is trying to teach Jefferson, to die like a man, even though its unfair. Just because a white man died, they have to kill a black man, wich is not justice but they get away with it just like in the second article when the people get away with killing a man by just paying a fine. This book connects to historical issues.
ReplyDeleteAs I read the poem there was a line that got my attention the most, “If we must die, let it not be like hogs.” A hog, a fool that could not been seen as a men but a HOG that’s what Jefferson lawyer said over and over again to the people in the court room.
ReplyDelete“You can kill a dog and get 30 days in jail, 90 days for a traffic ticket.” Wow that is so true but I don’t see how Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, two Caucasians men got away with murdering Vincent Chin. My uncle was put in prison for eight years for possession of drugs and these two white men are not paying any time in jail!!!!!!! Are you serious!!!! I see that as a wrong thing and it just get me angry how unfairly is the criminal justice system!
YESENiiiA!!!!!!
The worlds definition of justice and equality go hand in hand when they state that its purpose is to be fair for ALL MEN AND WOMEN. Reading these definitions I noticed that they have no exeptions for White, Black, Mexican, Blue, Green, Purple, or Martian its purpose is to be FAIR TO ALL. So why is it that the criminal JUSTICE system continues to NOT be FAIR? In the article I believe that there is too much injustice in the world for us as Americans to even function. The rules and definitions are followed by all but those who create them.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem it states "What though before us lies the open grave?" and "Pressed to the wall dying, but fighting back." I think this best relates to the book. All Miss. Emma wants is for Jefferson to die knowing he's a man with his head held high,"Pressed to the wall dying, but fighting back". She doesn't want him to listen to the White man who told him he was a hog to accept and face his open grave like a man.
I think the article, the poem, and the book connect by dignity. The article talks about Vicient Chin being unfairly murdered and the criminals serving absolutely no jail time. The way i think it related on dignity is because the article states that what the judge was basicly saying was that "As long as you have no prior criminal record and have a job, you can buy a license to commit murder for $3,700." In addittion, an Asian American also pointed out, "You can kill a dog and get 30 days in jail, 90 days for a traffic ticket", which makes me think, WOW so basicly a dog and a traffic ticket is worth more than a human beings life ? The poem expreses feelings for how he believes people should die. He expreses that emotion in his poetry by illustrating, "If we must die, let it not be like hogs," which i think also related to dignity. In connection to the book, "A lesson before dieing," Grant is demanded to turn Jefferson into a "man", mentally speakin, because when Jefferson had court, he was repeately called a hog, not a man, but a HOG, and Emma demanded that she did not raise a hog. In that state being, she decided that since he must die, he must die as a man, not as a hog, which i think also relates to dignity.
ReplyDeleteThis poem makes a similar point to the Gaines text because Jefferson thinks he's a hog and doesn't want to associate with anyone. Also, the fact that the poem states “let us die” relates to Jefferson's situation. In which he is sentenced to die because of some crime that was committed and he was there at the wrong time or place. When reading injustice against Asian Americans it summarizes how colored people have always been discriminated against. It connects to the poem because it illustrates how these ethnicity have come together to show how strong they are and the hardships they have gone through.
ReplyDeleteThe book the poem and the article all have something that tie them together and that is injustice. First off the poem connects to the book by saying something that Jefferson was called by his lawyer and that is a hog. The poem says “If we must die, let it not be like hogs”, this is how Jefferson felt he felt like a complete hog that was worth nothing to nobody and Grant was trying to show him that he wasn’t a hog. The Poem and the articles are very similar because they both express how injustice is served to people in society. The poem relates to the articles because It talks about how the U.S. segregated Asians from everything in the U.S. during past times. An example is “Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,” this shows how the Asians were treated.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem it relates alot to 'A Lesson Before Dyinmg" which states that if we must die then lets do so with ran honor,which is exactly what Grant is trying to teach Jefferson, to die like a man, even though its unfair.Jefferson was commited for a crime that he didnt do and was excecuted for it.When a person dies they should die happily and not in any other way beacause then it shows if they died for a reason which isnt good.Others should remember you for what you lived for and how great a person you were.In Jefferson's case being called a "Hog" brought him down and wasnt ready to die in that manner.
ReplyDeleteThis aricle very much resembles "A Lesson Befoe Dying". How could someone commit such a cruel thing and the police won’t do anything about it? A connection that I can make from the text to the book is that both show racism.In the book Jeferson is put in jail for a crime that he not comit.Just because the whites seem he as an African American Boy.In the text is a huge racism against Asian Americans.The connection I made with the book was that America back then was really racist. Although there is still some racism here today, but it wasn’t as bad as back then. In the book, the Whites just looked for an excuse to make Jefferson die. It was all because he wasn’t White, but he was African American.The poem says “If we must die, let it not be like hogs”,and this was exactly how Jefferson felt. He actually started to believe that he was really a hog. Being called a hog made him see that he was really a man. He just had to find it in himself.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is very similar to the book. The idea was for Jefferson to acknowledge that he is not a hog but that he is a human being and should die like one. the poem talks about how we should die nobly,with pride,and with the respect deserved; not like a hog plumped and ready for death.
ReplyDeleteThe article and the book are very similar. The article explains how Asian Americans were discriminated and how every time there's an economic problem a race or ethnic group is always blamed or targeted for the countries problems as an "scapegoat". an escape from the truth,a cover up for people not finding the truth. that's how it was towards the blacks back then and in the book. The whites blamed Jefferson because he was black."a black man must pay for a white mans death". just like how the Asian Americans were not able to testify or have a fair trial neither did Jefferson.We have a long time and the youth have way more work to minimize discrimination in our neighborhoods and way more for our country.
ReplyDelete