I heard on the radio tonight that President Obama awarded 13 individuals with the Medal of Freedom. I want to learn more. So far, I've reviewed the list and I'm trying to figure out what these awards tell us about the American Identity.
Of course Dylan relates to folk music and protest, and Toni Morrison writes beautiful American novels, but what about John Doar, John Glenn and Jan Karski?
Find out here and make your own connections to the American Identity: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/presidential-medal-of-freedom-obama-to-honor-bob-dylan-john-doar-and-more/2012/05/29/gJQAcxzUzU_blog.html
Think about science, politics, religion, gender, ethnicity, and change.
As we close this momentous school year of many firsts, please take with you the habits of mind you have effectively developed this year. Remember that learning can happen anywhere, as long as you are paying attention.
When you have time listen to this podcast: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/media/2012/05/29/20120529_tonimorrison.mp3
We will watch a preview together: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/jan-june12/tonimorrison_05-29.html
The common theme among the people receiving the award appears to be those who in the past led efforts to manufacture positive change. Maybe that means that a common theme today is making up for past mistakes? Specifically trying to right injustices committed against certain groups of people in the past.
ReplyDeleteI think these people where given these outstanding metals because they all made a huge impact on President Obamas life as a teen and maybe even now. I think because of this it will make everyone pay attention to these people and may even go and look back at what had an impact on Obama and it may even change the American Identity as a whole.The reason I say that is because it seems to had formed Obama in to a great/very humble person.
ReplyDeleteA theme I see in these people that could represent part of the American Identity, is the fight for civil rights and breaking through oppressive barriers. Through these recipients, I find that they broke through women’s rights, racial rights, and just made astonishing breakthroughs in all areas. I see a lot of firsts here which could say something that the US is a pioneer for certain things. For example, Madeline Albright was the first woman Secretary of State, and overcame the men’s barrier. Gordon H. was one of the few in the US who stood up and opposed what happened to the Japanese during WWII. And John Glenn proved that the US was winning the space race with Russia when he orbited the Earth, and NASA still continues to make achievements. We see the first African American woman to win a Nobel Prize, defying both racial and gender casts. And lastly, perhaps most interesting was the candidate from another country – the president of Israel. This shows that the US reaches across the world, has allies in all places, and strong foreign relations. It shows advancement in being able for the US to do all of these things. In this snapshot of these people I see a proactive nation that defies boundaries and makes stunning achievements. These people are at the top of such great accomplishments and represent our nation as a great country.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI herd this, this morning on NPR on my ride in hope you all enjoy. This is the dictated version I will try and find the radio spot. (copy and past into your browser) ok about the radio spot I can not post a link but if you go to the NPR.org hompage click on listen, and the click on "morning edition" it should be one of the first in the list of "spots" to listen to.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=153907457
I feel as though a big part of America's identity today is freedom which is why we give out the medals of freedom. I read that in order to recieve one of these medals you must have made contributions to the security or national interest of the U.S. A national interest to America is education and Juiette Gordon Low made a big contribution to this interest with creating Girl Scouts. Her desire to help young girls has affected the world today by making girl scouts the largest educational organization for girls.
ReplyDeleteThese Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees show us that the American Identity then and still is very diverse yet still relate to the theme of change. For example, Madeleine Albright, John Doar, Gordon Hirabayashi and Dolores Huerta all fought to change something whether it related to politics, women and civil rights, or even the arts. Overall, these honorees wanted to make a difference and they did just that.
ReplyDeleteI see that all these people are/were major influences on the American people. Either they held positions of power, did a remarkable feat to further our nation into the future, or influenced many people through their works and actions.
ReplyDeleteAmerica always values the things that make this America. Our culture and our music, the people who advance our country medical wise, or civil rights wise. The people who we did wrong, and the people who served their country. We always value the people that have done good for this nation.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that maybe instead of focusing on a certain individual, how about steppi35ng back and seeing everyone as a whole. If the America identity was a mural, each of these people would be the bricks, and their actions would be the paint, the rest of the Americans would be the mortar that sticks it together.
ReplyDeleteThese awards were awarded to nation's highest civilian honor. It presented to individuals who had made contributions to national interest in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteThe thirteen people who were given the Medals of Freedom all connect to the American Identity in many ways. For example, Madeleine Albright was the first Secretary of State. She connects to woman rights throughout America. Before woman got their rights like voting, they were not able to have opportunities like becoming the Secretary of state. Another person is Bob Dylan. He has been an influential figure in popular music for decades. One of his songs is called “The Times They Are a-Changin” this song represents the American Identity so much to me and how America and people’s ideas about it are constantly changing! It is said that this song has become the anthem of civil rights and anti-war movements throughout America!
ReplyDeleteTabree Bello
ReplyDeleteA.P U.S History
Opening: What do the Medals of Freedom tell us?
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is regarded as the highest and most prestigious award that any resident of the United States of America can receive. The fact that president Obama awarded so many different people of various ethnic backgrounds and occupations with the Medal of Freedom, proves that the American Identity has evolved immensely throughout the course of history. This event has shown the world that America is a country which values its citizens and which is proud of its achievements.
One theme I see is the theme for fighting for civil rights. Some examples of these people are Dolores Huerta and Gordon Hirabayashi. Dolores advocated for civil rights, labor, and woman’s issues. She co-founded the United Farm Workers of America. Gordon was a person who opposed what the U.S. did to the Japanese during World War II.
ReplyDeleteI find it really interesting how the Freedom Medals covered heroes from many different aspects of American Life. Obama did not pick the most obvious people. He chose activists, such as Huerta and Hirabayashi, artists like Bob Dylan and Toni Morrison, sports figures like Pat Summit and politicians like Albright.
ReplyDeleteHowever one thing they all have in common, which I feel is a theme that has persisted throughout American History, is that they all went against an injustice or stereotype and defied the norm allowing for strides and progress in American culture.
I decide to look deeper into William Foege who "whose efforts lead to the eradicate smallpox." I heard this morning on NPR that in the year before he came up with the way to get rid of smallpox 2 million people died the year he came up the eradication process zero (0) people died! That is a dramatic change.
ReplyDeleteI think he represents one version of the American voice because it shows that we as Americans care about ourselves and others we care about the well being of the world because this was not just a problem in our backyard it was a world renowned problem that one guy was able to fix. His voice is saying that Americans are innovators, problem solvers, and World changers!
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ReplyDeleteBased on the people that received this award I believe that Obama thinks that the identity of America is to be caring and to be socially conscience in America. I believe that it is important for citizens to be caring because you never know what someone is going through. And it is also good to be socially conscience because then you know what is going on in the world and you own country.
ReplyDeleteMy comment would be too long so I'm handing it as a paper instead. :)
ReplyDeleteBased on what I see, Obama had chosen people what represent different aspect of the community from different arenas of things. Obama really is reaching out to the first or people who achieved what has not been done before. What I see in this American Identity, is achieving what no one else has achieved before.
ReplyDelete~Jeremy N. H. Jamison
Delores Huerta isn’t just an example of the “American Identify” her qualities are more than just what the American identity entails. She exemplifies the identity of every human being; I would call it “Man Kind Identity”. Huerta advocated for the rights of women, homosexuals, workers and immigrants. Her endurance and acceptance or should I say tolerance for every type of individual demonstrate the persona of a humanitarian.
ReplyDeleteIn these wildly diverse people who have been given this award I can see that america very dearly holds culture and human advancements in high regard, we can see this because John Glenn was one of the first people in space and Dr. William Foege made efforts to eradicate smallpox.
ReplyDeleteI believe all of these innovators were awarded the Medal of Freedom because they show a variety of diversity towards the american identity and that the "American" is not just one person of one race or ethnicity. For example, Toni Morrison was the first African-American women to recieve a Nobel Peace Prize. This shows how the "American" can represent anyone even a women. All theses Innovators(if you will) have madea change to the "American" we make up.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama awarded this honor to a few people who defied what was expected of them and whose actions changed our lives for the better, or help change our ideals/way of thinking. For example Madeleine K. Albright not only was well involved in the gov. but actually was the first female secretary of State. Women usually did not really get a chance to get a high position like that but that changed all starting with her. During a time of war and fear many citizens didn’t care when Japanese citizens were forced to go to internment camps (WWll) Gordon Hirabayashi did. He tried to be the voice of reason. He knew their relocation was wrong even if the majority of people were okay with it. Juliette Gordon Low, a person that many people didn’t know about, is someone whose contribution to the world lives on through little girls and their troop leaders today. Yes. She is the founder of Girl Scouts, an organization that many girls have/are/were a part of. It teaches girls they will need when they are older like: sewing, camping, cooking, selling, and first aid. This organization was able to broaden a child’s skills. In conclusion, from these award winners we see that Americans value gender and race equality, tolerance and a child’s well rounded education and well being.
ReplyDeleteI think that the medals were given as a symbol for our country; I say this because not only have these people been given these medals for there effort to protect our country; but it showes us that our country is a very diverse country and that it values this very much.
ReplyDelete~Shirley-Ann