No control over your own life

How are individuals judged on an everyday basis in our country? Do the clothes you wear everyday or the car you drive define your status? Why do some people make the assumption that if you come from an Indian backround, you aren't well off? Why did Indians have to trade something they've owned for years for nothing? Alcatraz had nothing to offer except for isolation and peace & quiet. The Indians could be alone there. They were being forced to move into the cities in the 20th century, when they had no desire to do so. It was completely unfair. The people of the Unites States, who kicked them off their own land, had everything they needed compared to the Indians that just wanted time to themselves on the reservations. Was it because of the Indians' skin color? The list goes on. What makes Indians so much different from white or black people? Their lifestyle shouldn't have been so unfair for decades. Our country never learns from our mistakes. While trying to help stop genocides and racism ,we wont progress forward to a better country if we keep pushing our own citizens back.

Why Us?

Why does it take some kind of tragety to bring our country together? Does our country only turn to others when we need someone to fall onto for ourselves, or is it the opposite? Why was our country so united and bonded together during the horrific times of 9/11 and during the decision of the war in Iraq but then fell apart after? The recent flood/"hurricane" that hit our area in the state of Illinois, was a huge eye opener for me. It showed me the different ways people can help eachother when they know everyone's in need. Without electricity for a few days and certain roads blocked off, I personally felt very restricted. I was easily frustrated all the time and irritated. This proved to me that people in other parts of the world might have looked at this like some kind of a joke. There are people suffering for numerous reasons everywhere and the US is trying to hold out a helping hand. I feel the more people are aware of this "issue", the more people will hold out their hands to help others up.

Secret Messages

Ever since yesterday's AIS class, I've been observing people and thinking a lot about what we're all secretly taking advantage of. On an average day, I was in a sit down restaurant when I noticed a woman flash her enormous diamond rings all around the room, practically beggging everyone for attention and all eyes on her.The first things that came to mind about this woman were...
1) "To all the women in this room, mine are bigger than yours!"
2) "They're from Tiffany's, and you got yours where?"
3)"I don't care that people are being killed in Africa for these rocks, it's worth it."

Development

When a town is undergoing changes, does that mean it's developing to something bigger and better, or does it mean it's changing for the worse. Either way, the people that live there are affected. There are different ways to look at a small Indian Reservation. It can be seen from different points of view saying it's small and worthless, or it's comfortable and significant for it's individualism. Perhaps there's a reason the town never changs to be just like every other town in America. Some say development is also known as progress, growth, creation, or maturing. The small town surrounded by poverty in Reservation Blues stands out for being strong and peaceful. The people that live there are living life with a purpose, which means development could be for the worse for these people, or turn their lives upside down.