Thursday, December 3, 2009

As we close our journey with the Frederick Douglass Narrative, use one of the following texts to write an essay.

Would Frederick Douglass agree or disagree with the one of the following? Please state why you believe Douglass would agree or disagree? Please be sure to use three (3) to four (4) supporting details to prove your statement.

I. One of the Three Quotes by Henry David Thoreau

II. Quote by Adam Smith from A Wealth of Nations

III. Racial Profiling Clip about Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

IV. Poem - Langston Hughes’ “I, Too, Sing America”

V. Song/Video - “Successful” by Drake featuring Trey Songz

VI. Dance Video - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s Wade In the Water

Option I – Quotes by Henry David Thoreau
“I HEARTILY ACCEPT the motto, ‘That government is best which govern least’ (Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience)

“But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. (Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience)

“How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave’s government also. (Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience)

Option II – Quote by Adam Smith from A Wealth of Nations
"Among men, on the contrary, the most dissimilar geniuses are of use to one another; the different produces of their respective talents, by the general disposition to truck, barter, and exchange, being brought, as it were, into a common stock…”

Option III – Racial Profiling Clip about Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
(Think about Professor Gates’ reaction in the clip.)

Option IV – Poem: Langston Hughes’ “I, Too, Sing America”
I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

Option V – Song/Video: “Successful” by Drake featuring Trey Songz

[Trey Songz]
I want the money,
money and the cars,
cars and the clothes,
the hoes,
i suppose,
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
[Drake]
Drizzy,
oh yeah dre i fuckin feel you,
they be starin at the money like its unfamiliar,
i get it,
i live it,
to me there’s nothings realer,
just enough to solve your problems,
too much would kill ya,
and when i leave,
i always come right back here,
the young spit it and everybody in rap fear,
a lot of yall still soundin like last year,
the game needs change and im the motherfucking cashier,
nickels for my thoughts,
dimes in my bed,
quarters of the kush,
ain’t the limes in my head,
take my verses too serious ya hate me,
cause I’m the one to paint a vivid picture no HD,
yeah,
I want it all,
thats why I strive for it,
diss me and you’ll never hear a reply for it,
any awards show or party ill get fly for it,
I know what’s comin i just hope I’m alive for it.
[Trey Songz]
I want the money,
money and the cars,
cars and the clothes,
the hoes,
i suppose,
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
[Drake]
Yeah,
i want things to go my way,
but as of late a lot of shit been goin sideways,
and my mother tried to run away from home,
but i left somethin in the car so i caught her in the driveway,
and she cried to me so i cried too,
and my stomach was soakin wet,
she only 5′2,
and 48 hours all before i showed up,
and brought a thousand dollas worth of drinks and got poured up,
damn my reality just set in,
and even when the phantoms leased them hoes wanna get in,
i do a lot of things,
hopin i neva have to fit in,
so tryin to keep up with my programs is like a dead end,
my girl love me but fuck it my heart beat slow,
and right now the tour bus is lookin like a freak show,
and life change for us every single week,
so whats good,
but i know this aint the peak though
cause i want…
[Trey Songz]
I want the money,
money and the cars,
cars and the clothes,
the hoes,
i suppose,
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
[Drake]
Wise words from a decent man,
back when i was tryin to put a ring on alicia hand,
this lost boy got fly without peter pan,
and my delivery just got me buzzin like the pizza man,
in person i am everything and more,
im everywhere these other niggas never been before,
but inside im treadin waters steady tryin to swim ashore,
im on a shoppin spree to get whateva is in store,
just call me shop and bag drizzy,
and call me mr.damn he aint copin that is he?
and fans of these freshman is about to get iffy,
while this youngin that you doubtin is about to get busy,
imma kill it i promise this i know you mad,
ive always treated my city like some shoulder pads,
to big homie use a flash if you must,
and i swear i aint askin for much
all i want is
[Trey Songz]
I want the money,
money and the cars,
cars and the clothes,
the hoes,
i suppose,
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.
i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.

i just wanna be,
i just wanna be,
successful.


Option VI – Dance Video: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s Wade in the Water