Blog week #3 - Maaz Mateen 1B

This past week had one obvious central topic, the abolition of slavery. This week was not only about the abolition of slavery for American Studies but also for American Literature. In American studies we learned about the abolition through the PBS documentary "slavery and the making of America", along with the lectures on the maps of America. In American Lit. we learned about the abolition through two close readings. One on Lincoln's Inaugural address and one on the "middle passage" by Robert Hayden. In the Studies portion on the abolition of slavery we had a more direct focus on slavery. However in Lit. we had a much more moral and biblical perspective on the Abolition of slavery.

The Maps of slavery were very straightforward and to the point. They were used to show the separation of states between North and South. They were also used to show the evolution of America through the 17th and 18th century. Why do you think the North and South split in such a clear way? The Documentary was more of a collection of stories rather than a general perspective. There was also a lot of focus on writing/literature along with Churches. The different tragedies that occurred due to slavery shocked me.

The unique and magnificent way that Abraham Lincoln wrote his Inaugural address was very pleasing. Why do you think he connected his address to the bible so much? The Middle passage was a painstaking and complicated text.However, through the close reading I felt much more comfortable and knowledgeable on it.

Blog week #2 - Maaz Mateen 1B

This past week was mainly focused on one very long and intriguing video on the biography on John Adams. This biography revolved around a few themes. The abolition of slaver, Declaration of independence, and the liberties that varied among the Americans present at congress and Americans present otherwise at home. There were two central perspectives in the biography, John Adams (congress) and Abigail Adams (commoner).

The discussions between the congress back and forth was very engaging. These debates that decided the liberation of Americans whose answers were already known to the audience. This dramatic irony gripped me and caused me to enjoy the biography even more. There were also multiple discussion on whether the Declaration of independence should be carried out. Obviously after the king rejected their plea for peace, Independence seemed the most efficient choice. However another important value that this video gives to us is the personality of Thomas Jefferson. I personally feel that his true personality is a quiet and shy one, yet his experiments seem awful. There is a saying that the quiet ones are the craziest on the inside. How do feel about Thomas Jefferson as a person?

Another stimulating theme of the Biography was the well thought out interactions between Husband and wife, partner and partner, general public and congressman, John Adams and Abigail Adams. This interaction was a metaphor for all the above which seemed as if though the Biography had two different perspectives on the situation of the liberty of America. Abigail fueled John Adams relentless argument for war and independence. It was almost as if the citizens of America were commanding John Adams actions. How important do you think Abigail Adams was towards the strive for women's Rights? How do you think she connects and doesn't connect with the mill girls?

Blog week #1 - Maaz Mateen 1B

Week #1- Blog 1

This past week had two major events to reflect upon. We had a very interesting and contradicting reading about Thomas Jefferson's notes on Virginia  and the declaration of independence. Along with the dark and treacherous voyage and journey of Equiano.

 Both of the texts by Jefferson revolved around Jefferson's ideas and his thoughts on slavery. The declaration of Independence mostly tried to state that all men are equal and should be free from the oppression coming from the British. This idea contradicts with what he states in the notes of Virginia. In the notes of Virginia he continuously demotes the Africans and treats them so differently to the point of experimenting on them to see if anything different would happen to them compared to the  white man. This level of hate towards the Africans was surprising and detestable.

Equiano contained a much more evil and dark story behind it. The treatment of the Slaves by the white was absolutely horrifying especially for such a young boy like Equiano. He was subjected to such hardships and treachery and without even having anything to hold on to. His true culture would definitely be debatable among a classroom, but the much clearer answer is that he is African. Although he was only in Africa for 12 years that should not make his alliance to Europe closer. He is an African not only due to skin color, language and character but also because from his heart he is truly African.