Okay I love english and it takes a lot to get me to hate the class but this lady has pushed me over the line! This year our Jr. english teacher left to move in with her new husband, in her place we got an ex college teacher (this woman is 30 and has worked at 7 different schools what's that tell you! ). This woman treats like we are 5 but gives us homework like we are in college!! She gave my class a book for a book report (she insists we do them every 6 weeks! ), every other class got to choose but my class got a book forced on them! Well this book was to hard to read for me, I didn't understand it so I asked if I could get a different book. You know what she told me? Just try!! And the test she gave us over this unit was more like a elementary school history test then anything else! Then when it came to the matching questions she phrased the definitions for words so bad you had no clue what meant what!! Needless to say I didn't do the book report cause I didn't understand the book (there for you can not make a good report! )! And I flunked the test cause of the damned definitions and match up stuff!! Not to mention some of the questions were about stuff we didn't even cover (what the hell is the Mayflower Compact?? ). Well now... for the first time in my life... I have a whooping F in english!

I'm trying to keep up with the homework but I'm still missing assignments and my grade is not going up!! I'm trying to talk my mom into just letting me go to the learning center for english and do my other classes in school (better yet why not do all classes there cause I hate this school!! ). My mother said she's thinking about it but if she says no what can I do?

Okay I love english and it takes alot to get me to hate the class but this lady has pushed me over the line!! This year our Jr. english teacher left to move in with her new husband, in her place we got an ex college teacher (this woman is 30 and has worked at 7 different schools what's that tell ya!!). This woman treats like we are 5 but gives us homework like we are in college!!! She gave my class a book for a book report (she insists we do them every 6 weeks!!), every other class got to choose but my class got a book forced on them!! Well this book was to hard to read for me, I didn't understand it so I asked if I could get a different book. You know what she told me? Just try!!! And the test she gave us over this unit was more like a elementary school history test then anything else!! Then when it came to the matching questions she phrased the definitions for words so bad you had no clue what ment what!!! Needless to say I didn't do the book report cause I didn't understand the book (there for you can not make a good report!!)!! And I flunked the test cause of the damned definitions and match up stuff!!! Not to mention some of the questions were about stuff we didn't even cover (what the hell is the Mayflower Compact???). Well now... for the first time in my life... I have a whooping F in english!!

I'm trying to keep up with the homework but I'm still missing assignments and my grade is not going up!!! I'm trying to talk my mom into just letting me go to the learning center for english and do my other classes in school (better yet why not do all classes there cause I hate this school!!!). My mother said she's thinking about it but if she says no what can I do?!
This is going to be a really stupid question, but have you spoken to the teacher about how you feel? I mean not in a way that completely criticises her teaching but like, telling her you're finding this new way of learning difficult?

First, a book report every 6 weeks does not seem out of line. Second, I don't see a problem in assigning a specific book. The teacher is trying to gauge how well you understand the material. And its easier if the whole class is working with the same material.

As for what the MayFlower compact is, that's elementary school history.

I suggest you try to work with the teacher instead of rebelling against her.

Oh, and lose the second line of your signature before we lose it for you.

Yes I have talked to her as have many other people cause her teaching methods are too difficult for all of us. And scott she knew how well we understood the material... WE DIDN'T!! No one in my class understood the book. I asked if I could change that way I could do the report but she wouldn't let me I can't write a report on a book I don't understand. And doing book reports that much is completely unreasonable she's going to make us do one around finals and she gives us like 5 assignments (THAT ARE MORE HISTORY THEN ENGLISH! ) and essays and reports ontop of that! My entire class has jobs so we don't have time for that many book reports! If it was two for the year I'd be fine but this is too much!

BiWiccan,

Let me understand this you are a junior in high school and you don't know what the "Mayflower Compact" is? Shame on you and Shame on your previous History teachers.

Why don't you "Google" the "Mayflower Compact," show some initiative for pity's sake.
If your teacher has taught at the college level, then you are lucky. She's treating the subject matter with the dedication she should.

Too much homework? Suck it up and do the work, you might be surprised at what you learn.

Back in my days at high school I learned what homework was. I went to a Catholic High School in the Bronx, NY.

Once accepted to the school, I was given a list of 50 books and told to read any 25 I wanted to and to be prepared to take tests on each of the books I read when school began in the fall.

We were actually tested on the books. Home work would take anywhere from 3.5 to 6 hours a night, more on weekends. We had Irish Christian Brothers and some lay teachers.

My first period was Latin 1. The Brother Dempsey would give us daily suicide quizzes. We would get 10 Latin words a night to memorise, give the derivative English word and it's meaning in both Latin and English. Any part of the word and associated columns were wrong we got 10 shots on each hand with a leather strap nickname "Black Bart" I received a 90 in Latin that year.

I was not able to finish High School at All Hallows which I wish I had, but I was working nights as an Usher at Radio City Music Hall and could not keep up with the work. So at the end of sophomore year I was sent to Theodore Roosevelt Public High School also in the Bronx. They made me a Junior and I graduated six months early. The only class I ever attended was Home Room. I'd check in with the teacher and then tell him that I was needed down in Handicapped Services for the day and he'd excuse me from classes and I spend the day helping the handicapped students and teachers.

Which school do you think actually taught me?

Again I say, suck it up and bust your butt to get the work done. Ask your teacher if do the work on the "Mayflower Compact" if she will still be willing to give you a grade. And apologize for not doing it in the first place!

As a teacher I can tell you that going to your teacher like Scott suggested is a great idea. But, when you go to her have specific questions for her. What about the book do you not understand; is it the language, the plot, or the vocabulary. If the whole class is reading the same book chances are it is built into the curriculum for your grade.

When reading the book keep a piece of paper next to you and write down any questions that you have. Then bring them to her and have her explain them. She might need to see you after school, but that is OK. Work with her instead of against her and you will find English much more enjoyable.

It's the way the book is written! It was the last of the mohicans and I just didn't get it it's too high a reading level for me. I can't make it up now cause it was a while back. And donf I couldn't look it up it was a test she didn't cover it. And this isn't even an english class anymore it's history more then anything! The only thing English we have done at all in the las 9 weeks was the book report and learning meanings of suffixes, roots, and prefixes. That's the ONLY english we have done. We've been learning about benjiman franklin, presidents, and a bunch of other people that I learn about in history! We take tests on them not on the actual literature! The only things we've read that had anything to do with writing was Mary Rowlandson (we covered her poetry and the meaning of it).

And Tuscany she doesn't know the curriculum here cause we've never read anything that difficult in any of my classes! We covered Romeo and Juliet in our freshmen year and last year we read Of Mice and Men. Even the other english teachers think she is crazy with how much she assignes us. The teachers aid who helps us during class thinks that her teaching methods are ridiculus!

Ok... as a student of university level english, yes the majority of it is related to history... there is a good reason for this. If you wrote something now, it would be based on what influences you at the time of writing it, that's where the history comes into it. For example, the date at which something was written and where it was set is history. I mean if you are meant to be studying purely english language I could understand, but general english is about time and the way in which authors were affected by things around them.

No see that would be okay with me. I understand that but she is asking us questions that I answered on tests in elementary school (like where did the pilgrims land when the first arrived in america?). If she asked us questions about how the writtings influenced us and the writters that would be great to me, but it's like I'm reading a history test. And topping off all my chem homework, my math, and my english I can't do as much homework as she gives us (again I have a job, and I'm bad at math and chem so it takes me hours to do that homework!)

I just want to know what should I do if I can't go to a learning center for my english class instead of staying in her class? I can't keep up with this!

It sounds as if she is giving you background for your next topic. If you are questioning where she is going with it then ask. There are no stupid questions. It also sounds as if she is assuming that you have basic background knowledge in history. The Mayflower compact is a pretty basic concept from the 4th and 5th grade curriculum. Since you are getting older teachers are going to expect you to start thinking a little more critically and not so concretely.

BiWiccan,

What is stopping you from looking up the "Mayflower Compact" right now?

The style of writing and language used in writing the "Last of the Mohegans" will teach how English was spoken and written at JF Cooper's time on this planet Earth.

This is what people conversed in. Compare then to now do you and your friends speak this way? As you read the book, see if you can translate the written words to words you can understand. This book is a magnificent book! Its about settling new land, loyalty, friendship, trust, war and your nation's history in the North East area of early America.

Personally, I believe that Thinking is a very small price to pay for learning. Just because it is difficult to read, doesn't mean you can't learn it and very probably enjoy this Classic.

Excuse me? Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans was too tough for you and you are in High School? What's not to understand? I admit Cooper's prose doesn't make for the light reading that your generation seems used to, but its not that hard. Rent one of the movie versions or read the cliff notes to get some understanding. I'm also sure you can find discussions about it on the WEB to supplement.

Sorry, but you get little sympathy here. As you get older, school gets tougher. You need to apply yourself more.

And last warning, CHANGE YOUR SIGNATURE!

I concur, I would recommend using cliff notes, I mean, the likelihood of you understanding every single text first hand that you are given to read is quite extraordinary, but its far better if you study in your own time if you don't get something, rather than blaming it on a teacher who just has a different teaching style to what you are used to, you'll meet many people through your life who think and express themselves differently to you. It's just unfortunate that its making class difficult, but there is nothing to stop you doing more work in your spare time.

I didn't like the book and it was to difficult for me to understand. I could read it just fine but I didn't understand it. And I can take a look at the first page of that book and know damn well I don't talk like that. To add on I'm not a big fan of these kind of novels (never been into westerns). She didn't even assign the book for the perpose you guys are making about the book. She assigned it to match the time we were in in our literature book. That was the only reason and again I wasn't the only person who did not understand it. None of the book reports were any good cause no one could get it and half the people gave up reading it. Believe or not I understand shakesphere better then I did that book. And our teacher done said do not use the movie. We had to do everything based on the book and no other outside sources, if I could use have watched the movie to help me get it, trust me I would have, and I'm not one though cheat on homework (I do it or I don't). And yes school is tough and I do apply myself but that doesn't mean I can understand that damn book! I lover literature and wish to be an english teacher book I would not force that book on a student in my life! I read 20 pages of it and didn't like it or understand it. Classic or not... in my opinion not a good book and I have teachers who side with me on that. And what do you mean thinking is a small price to learning? Is that supposed to be a half nice way of telling me that you think I don't listen in class?

And what's wrong with my sig? And when did you warn me about it?

P.S. donf... its Mohicans... not Mohegans... just thought to correct you...

BiWiccan,

In support of your "F" grade in English, Apparently you were never told to Capitalize titles as in, "The Last of the Mohegans". And one more for you, she's and ex college teacher or possibly, she's a former college teacher. Which phrase reads better?

The way you write is a direct reflection on you. People will evaluating your place in life by the way you write. Do your best now and it will carry you through the rest of your life.

I told you in my previous response to remove the second line of your sig. It should be obvious what's wrong with it.

As for understanding the book, you don't have to like a book to understand it. What exactly didn't you understand. I know its written in a different form of english then you are used to, but its still english.

... I don't type as well on chat sites as when I need to do spell checks and stuff... like when I'm writing my book which has pretty decent grammar... and spelling...

Now if I was writing my book report I would capatilize the last of the mohicans (and I would continue to spell it write as you seem to be failing to do) and I would put in the qoutes but I am not doing a report on it right now and there for find it un needed to watch my grammar. Now if you would please stop attempting to make me feel stupid. Thank you

And I see nothing wrong with my sig... that is my favorite gay pride saying... I see christian pride sigs all over the place there so what's wrong with mine?

Ok, think of this, do you think that every book that is in your curriculum is something your teacher enjoys? I can give you an example of this... my old english teacher despised Romeo and Juliet and all things to do with Shakespeare, yet she had to teach it every year, at college your teacher would have read books she didn't like, but she attempted them, I know she doesn't want you to cheat, but if you read the cliff notes and then go back to the chapter with them in mind it might make it easier to understand.

I can't turn in the book report now cause it is way over due but I'll take your advice into thought with our next report (a fictional book dealing with our time we are in now, AND I BOOK I GOT TO CHOOSE THANK GOODNESS!! ). At least I'd think that that's what the books for... a sub took us to the library today to check out a fictional book... if it's not for a book report though I wonder what it is for...

Good luck with your next report :)

BiWiccan, do you have a real first name?

I'm sorry, I thought you were in school and assigned to read the book! The teacher did not say, "Hey, if you are not doing anything read this book." She said to the class, "Read this book and I want a report on it."

What do you think happened to any one working for me who failed to meet or complete assignments I handed out? I can guarantee that they weren't given an "F". I had much better recourse. I controlled their salary and I had the final voice on when they got their vacations.

As to "Thinking is a small price to pay for learning" That was a term my Geometry teacher batted into my head over and over again. I could not get the hang of Geometry to save my soul. Algerbra, I coiuld do in my sleep, in fact it's a hobby of mine now. But I finished the course and passed it just to get out of it.

I'm puzzled by your last response, the fact that you don't like reading westerns. What in the world does that genre have to do with, "The Last of the Mohegans". This book is set in upstate New York along the French Canadian border!

Will you share with us which book you were assigned to read?

Don't want to scare you, but in college, many profs will expect you to read 8 books in 6 weeks and report on them in addition to your other assignments.

BiWiccan,

We are tripping over each other. First, I'm not trying to make you feel stupid. I'm trying to point out errors in your logic. You were not asked to read the book and report on it, you were told to do the assigned work.

Did you read the entire book? We already know you did not complete the assignment. Allow me on additional question please. If you had a report due why didn't you submit your report focusing on why you had difficulties with the book. You would have completed the assignment plus provided insights into why you had the problems you did.

It's not fact that you found the book difficult that is disturbing. What concerns me if that you failed to complete an assignment because it was difficult. I promise you that work ethic will crush you when you enter life after school is finished.

As a manager, I did not want to hear about the difficulty of an assignment, I rather hear about how you solved the difficulties to completing the assinged work.

By the way, what does "BiWiccan" stand for and why are you proud of it.

One last thing, I'm not grading your typing. I do the best I can with four fingers.

The Last of the Mohicans!! It's about two indians who help two girls that's all I know and normally... when there's an indian... and the cover is of an indian with feathers in his hair... it's generally a western and the back said something about the desert. And Emland I'm completely fine with that cause I love to read I'm the biggest book worm in my school and will read just about anything (minus politics and non fiction sports books)... but I perfer books that I pick and understand -.-. If they pick them that's fine but if I don't get them I don't read them.

And the reason I couldn't turn in a report on my opinion on the book is because she told us exactly what she wanted in each paragraph and what order they went in! For instance, the setting, the feeling of the book, the atomosphere, and stuff like that. I just knew I didn't like the book and I got about 20 or 30 pages in. And BiWiccan stands for... that I'm am bi... and I'm wiccan... and I'm proud of my religion and sexuality... Why?

Donf- well said.

I would like to add that any teacher will accept a late assignment. You might not get full credit, but it shows that you care about your work and that you are dedicated to your education.

As we age the demands placed on us increase. It is how we handle those demands that make us who we are. There is no shame in asking for help.

No they won't. Not at my school, some teachers will but not all. For instance my math teacher will not accept late work unless you were not present the day it was assigned or due. My english teacher will only give 50% on late work and will not take it after a week. What ever school you went to please take there cause a school with teachers that accept late work is my dream school!! I'm really slow when it comes to math so I don't always get it done on time which is why I have such a bad grade.

If they pick them that's fine but if I don't get them I don't read them.

And the reason I couldn't turn in a report on my opinion on the book is because she told us exactly what she wanted in each paragraph and what order they went in!! For instance, the setting, the feeling of the book, the atomosphere, and stuff like that. I just knew I didn't like the book and I got about 20 or 30 pages in. And BiWiccan stands for... that I'm am bi... and I'm wiccan... and I'm proud of my religion and sexuality... Why?


Sweetheart you need to change your attitude. You need to read a book if it is assigned by a teacher even if you don't like it. It is part of being a responsible student. I think it is great that you love to read. But, there is nothing wrong with venturing out and reading something outside of a genre that you don't normally like. You might be surprised and find something else that you like.

Now as for the report. The teacher told you what she wanted because she wanted set guidelines for the project. It is her prerogative to do so. The setting, the tone (the feeling of the book), the theme are all essential parts of a book's plot. They are the parts you should focus on. Many teachers set guidelines and ask essential questions to ensure that you concentrate on the most important aspects.

Best of luck

No they won't. Not at my school, some teachers will but not all. For instance my math teacher will not accept late work unless you were not present the day it was assigned or due. My english teacher will only give 50% on late work and will not take it after a week. What ever school you went to please take there cause a school with teachers that accept late work is my dream school!!! I'm really slow when it comes to math so I don't always get it done on time which is why I have such a bad grade.

They will always accept it as a sign of faith, but that does not mean that they will grade it. I accept all late work, but after 2 days it is graded as a 0. However, any student that comes to me and wants help with back work is welcome. It shows dedication to their education.

Well this lady won't take it period and you ask her for help and she does the same thing my old math teacher used to do... "Just try your best" -.-... oh yes... that helps me oh so much... not to mention with the both of them if you raise your hand it takes them ten minutes to call on you even if you're the only one with your hand up.

The Last of the Mohicans!!! It's about two indians who help two girls that's all I know and normally... when there's an indian... and the cover is of an indian with feathers in his hair... it's generally a western and the back said something about the desert.

You know, I find this very sad. You appear to be a rather intelligent young lady, and you aspire to be a writer and to teach english yourself. Yet you don't have a clue. To sterotype like you have done (if its about Indians with feathers in their hair then it must be a western) is almost pathetic. How did you manage to learn so little about your country's history?? (BTW, Mohegan is an accepted spelling of the tribe commonly spelled Mohican).

I wonder how much of the book you actually read. I remember wading through some books in my time that I didn't like and wondering why they were considered classics. But you give it a try. You obviously didn't. You postings here portray you as self-centered and spoiled.

-.- man do you got me paged wrong... (until my boyfriend started bringing it up a few months ago I had a very low self esteem so I don't know where you get self centered, and my sister has gotten everything before me so spoiled... no) I did read the book but I didn't like it at all! And if I sterotyped I'm sorry but generally if it has indians in it I end up not liking it. It's not that I'm racist or anything cause I actually have Indian hereitage some where in my line. And I did give it a try I tried to read it but I just didn't like it, I didn't understand it, and I found no interest in it. And as for my countries history... of course I know little I hate American history! I'm sorry if I seem unpatriotic but if I could be anywhere else besides America I would! There fore generally books dealing with our history I really don't like. Mainly cause I think the way this country was built was wrong and I will hold grudge against my ancestors. And sure I may not have a clue but I'm learning as I go along here Scott. The point being is I don't like the book, end of story...

And if I sterotyped I'm sorry but generally if it has indians in it I end up not liking it. It's not that I'm racist or anything cause I actually have Indian hereitage some where in my line. And I did give it a try I tried to read it but I just didn't like it, I didn't understand it, and I found no interest in it.

There you go stereotyping again. Liking and having no interest in a book, just makes it harder to plow through. Doesn't affecdt your ability to understand it.

I remember reading E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime. A highly acclaimed novel. I read through the book thinking its got to get better since its gotten so many good reviews. Well I got to the end and couldn't understand why everyone thought so highly of it.

But if you didn't understand it there are loads of places where you could have gotten help with it.

Like? (Please don't bring up the movie cause my teacher asked we don't watch it) And where did I sterotype? I'm seriously not meaning to

BiWiccan,

I'm not sure I understood your answer to BiWiccan. Does is it mean that you are bi-sexual and proud of your religion also, What is your religion. I'm promise you, I and not trying to upset you or be overly intrusive. I am very curious.

As to the non relationship with your teacher. From your postings it appears clear to me that you are mentally swift, certainly you are able to multi-task and resolve problems. You portray yourself as a writer and it's plain to me that you are reasonably intelligent.

Quitting/giving up don't seem to fit you're your persona. Please tell my why you chose to just walk away from the assignment. It was your obligation to complete the task.

Yes it does, a lot of people get on my at school for being bisexual and for being a Wicca, but it doesn't bug me anymore and now it's kind of like my personal statement to the world that I'm proud of who I am and so the insults don't bug so they shouldn't bother. And my religion is Wicca, it's a nature based religion and I find it very enjoyable. And thank you for the compliments and yes normally I'm a person who doesn't quit (being why when I agrue with someone I generally don't give up till I've won... I'm very arguementative). I think that the reason that I didn't finish is evenly divided with the soul fact that what I did read I was uninterested in and that I've been so stressed all year and just couldn't read... I think the stress also attributes to my recent writters blocks. Truthfully I'll bet if I tried now I could read it... but then I just couldn't read it and didn't want to.

-.- man do you got me paged wrong... (until my boyfriend started bringing it up a few months ago I had a very low self esteem so I don't know where you get self centered, and my sister has gotten everything before me so spoiled... no) I did read the book but I didn't like it at all!! And if I sterotyped I'm sorry but generally if it has indians in it I end up not liking it. It's not that I'm racist or anything cause I actually have Indian hereitage some where in my line. And I did give it a try I tried to read it but I just didn't like it, I didn't understand it, and I found no interest in it. And as for my countries history... of course I know little I hate American history!! I'm sorry if I seem unpatriotic but if I could be anywhere else besides America I would! There fore generally books dealing with our history I really don't like. Mainly cause I think the way this country was built was wrong and I will hold grudge against my ancestors. And sure I may not have a clue but I"m learning as I go along here Scott. The point being is I don't like the book, end of story...

Unpatriotic, is the least of what you sound like. You want to be anywhere but here in the USA? You don't like your history, but your proud to be bi-sexual and religious. You hold a grudge against your ancestor's. For what possible reason do you hold this grudge? You hate them without any knowledge of who they are and what they went through. Whatever happened to the term "Common Courtesy" in your world.

Who is filling your head with this trash talk? Your boy-friend.

No no no what I meant by holding a grudge is I hate how this country was built all the wars, the slavery, and the topic we just covered in history, the way they treated the Indians (kicking them off their own land when they lived her first! ). And I mainly don't like our history cause of that and cause other then the bad stuff our history is really dull and boring (I'd take Britan or Japanese history any day! ). And what does common courtesy have to do with me not liking out history? And no one is filling my head this is just what I honestly think about the "good old US of A". We took control of a country that I believe is never going to be rightfully ours and we did things to people that shouldn't be done. My boyfriend completely disagrees with me on that cause he says if America hadn't been discovered or anything then the Holocaust would still be going on, it's a regular debate between us. None the less I do not like the foundation on which this country was built.

P.S if you took the heritage thing wrong I was referring to my white ancestors, I'm German, English, Scottish, and 15% Indian... no clue what the other percents are but there you go...

Both the British and the Japanese have histories for which to be admired and admonished. What the US did to the Native Americans here is not much different from what the British did to India, for example. That doesn't make it right, but why hold one nation to a higher standard than another? Try reading some World War II histories about the Philippines (google Bataan Death March) and your opinion of the Japanese may be enlightened as well.

We cannot change our history, only learn from it. The Last of the Mohicans is a classic and although a challenge, anyone who esteems to be an English teacher should be well versed in it. Not every book is going to "speak" to you, but like art, you have to learn to appreciate it for what it is and how it has contributed to the literary world. You have to be more open minded if you wish to pursue a liberal arts field.

*sigh* I suppose your right... I suppose that an english teacher will have had to have read a bunch of classic books huh? I mean there's some classics that really hold my interest! Where the red fern grows was one of the best books ever and my class had that read to me when I was in forth grade! And I love Shakesphere and Edgar Allen Poe... but some "classic" books and stories just seem so bland to me... or just confuse the hell out of me >.<. I am never going to understand Animal Farm... I mean I get the moral... but... wow... that was a hard book to follow.

Boy are you misinformed. While there is much nobility about Japanese history, there is a great deal to be ashamed of. Japan had a very strict caste system (did you know a samuri could just behead a peasant on a whim?). FDR was right when he called Pearl Harbor a day that "will live in infamy". The same thing goes for the UK. Along with the Magna Carta we have the oppression if India, South Africa, the aborigine in Australia and more.

This doesn't mean the US is blameless just that it was typical of the of the colonial imperialism of the 18th and 19th centuries. There is much to be proud of in the american spirit that created and built itself on a document like the Constitution. A document that has been emulated but never quite duplicated in more than 200 years. The pioneer spirit that built this nation despite some extreme hardships.

You need to really understand world history before you can denigrate US history compared to that of other countries.

I do understand world history... it's one of my favorite classes... usa history is just plain boring! And although Japan and all these other countries have their good share of crulities in their history I don't live there! I live here in the US and I'm ashamed knowing what our country was built on just as I'm sure these other countries are ashamed of their ancestors. About two weeks ago Maria Blumenthal-Leza (writter of Four Perfect Pebles, don't think I spelled her name right though) she said that when she has gone to German schools a few time many of the kids look very ashamed of what happened.

I hate to tell you but the British and Spanish Imperialism is what started America. Every country has things in their past that they are not proud of. We need to learn from them so that we don't make the same mistakes twice. You seem very intellegant and it surprises me that you would not have an open mind when it comes to learning about the past. By remaining ignorant to the history of the US you have far less power to change the world today.

Well I suppose everyone has a closed mind to something. American history is something I will never like... my step dad is black and I remember when my mom was trying to put together his family tree and although I don't really like my step dad. It made me so mad when we couldn't continue his family history because blacks were traded and there names changed to their owners demand that we couldn't find his ancestors. Anything else I'm completely open to and will do my absolute best to not be prejudace about it. The way that this country is built is something I will never like and never agree with. I hate US History cause every day I hear one more thing we did that was wrong to get where we are. As for changing the world... as long as I can make the world around me better then I'm fine... Few people listen to me... there's no way I could ever change the world.

You are missing the point. Was slavery a blot on our history? Sure it was. But in the context of the 17th and 18th centuries, slavery was fairly commonplace and it was only towards the end of the 18th century that enlightened people started to believe slavery was wrong. To hate people or hate American history because of something that happened 150 years ago, is foolish.

You seem to be looking fopr what we did wrong and not what we did right.

Lol you... I tend to do that... check out the teens section... I actually have a post there about that. I have low self esteem whether it seems that way or not. I tend to over analyze things and always find the bad things before the good and that normally will over ride my opinion. Sometimes the good will out way the bad but sometimes it doesn't. In this case I know the good things in history but I look more at the bad then anything else. Normally I just do this with things about myself and things that happen to me but I guess now my way of thinking about myself has transferred to how I think about other things. It's my thing I guess...

Please BiWiccan,

Remember at least try to remember that you are in a country where you are free to think what you may. You can basically speak your mind about anything as long as you are not preaching sedition or panic.

You can travel anywhere in the US with a limited amount of intrusion from the authorities. You can practice any faith you desire or no faith at all. And yet you hate this place that is your home. I cannot understand that and I probably will never understand your point of view.

My brother was a combat Marine and Missile Technician at Chu Lai in the Republic of Viet Nam. Fortunately, he served although wounded twice and came home a whole person. He was much more luckier than several other friends of us. By the way, he was spit on because he was in the uniform of his country, when he arrived at JFK in New York.

You speak of the disgusting way in which the Whites treated the Native Indians, but by your very own omission you don't like to read or watch anything relating to the Road to the West.

Somehow you've managed to forget or maybe you never knew what kind of person the Indian Warrior was. He was barbarian among a of village of barbarians. He was a member of a nomadic tribe that believed all land within their domain was theirs and killed to keep others out. He was as skilled a killer as any soldier. They attacked, killed and imprisoned any survivors that they wanted as slaves, the rest were killed.

You speak of slavery like America discovered it and profited because of slavery. You may never have been told this, but if you want to track slavery, read the bible and then go backwards in time. You forget that the War Between the States, known as the Civil War which killed more Americans than any other war on record at this time. Do you know why that is true?

While it is perfectly acceptable to be intrigued by the History of Japan and England you seem to have culled out of your memory that it was Japan that attacked Pearl Harbor killing any human being out in the open or in a building. The only other strike against US soil was the NY Towers which took the lives of more than did Pearl Harbor. Oh by the way very few of the people that died in the Towers were within the US Military Complex. Several of the firemen that died were friends of my brother Rich. Rich was pulled down from his firehouse in Harlem to assist at the first bombing at the WT Center. While out, the firehouse was ransacked.

Up until a year before the attack on the WT Center my nephew Michael worked at the towers. He changed jobs and was working up on 42nd. And Broadway. From his windows, they watched the entire event. It took him more than twelve hours for him to get to a phone and call his mom and wife. Yes he called mom first!

This country may not be perfect but it is my country and I truly respect the price paid in blood of both combatants and non combatants who paid for our freedom with there very lives.

Yes you have the right to speak out against our history, and I have to respect your right to do so, I don't have to like it but I do have to respect your rights. However that is here in America. Go to China, Cuba, Viet Nam and talk trash against their government and history. Would you want to guess or take a bet as to how long you would be allowed to roam free?

For one thing the indians were NEVER barbarians! Remember you are calling the same people that helped us to harvest this land we we first arrived here barbarians! Many people believe that is how that people was because of yellow journalism (writting untrue things to the public in order to get more reviews) and because the people trying to get rid of the indians wanted everyone to be afraid of them not sympathetic of them. The indians only became "barbaric" when we attacked them, tried to make them switch to our beliefs, and take their land! I love this country and our rights but I hate how we got it. I'm ashamed of it just as I'm sure many people are ashamed of things in their histories past.

This is something my father told me and to which I agree,
"You cannot judge yesterday's people by today's standards."

It just doesn't work, and it is unfair. You cannot change the past you can only hope to make the future better.

I don't believe the sins of the father are visited on the son. I feel no shame for what was done hundreds of years ago. Some of it makes me mentally cringe, but feeling shame would mean that I participated in it. Slavery still exists in today's world. No one seems to care much, never hear about it on TV. You also never hear much about the indentured servants. Those individuals that willingly sold themselves or their children into servitude just to get to the America's. Some would work out their contract then go back into servitude just to get their wife or parents over. Nations grow and develop and the way they develop depends on the people who live there.

For one thing the indians were NEVER barbarians! Remember you are calling the same people taht helped us to harvest this land we we first arrived here barbarians!

Sorry but your lack of knowledge of real history shows again. What you don't understand is that the native americans that the colonists found here comprised MANY different tribes. Each of these tribes had their own languages, religions and cultures. Just as its wrong to lump all of them as barbarians its also wrong lump all of them together as being friendly and cooperatives and exploited. That's actually part of the story of The Last of the Mohicans. Uncas and Hawkeye were from a tribe friendly to the english settlers. They went after a different trbie that were much more savage and barbaric. This experience was repeated time and again as the settlers moved west. Some tribes were peaceful and cooperative others attacked, taking scalps, burning people alive and other actions that were considered by the more civilized europeans as savage and barbaric.

Its unfortunate that the good were tarred with the same feathers (pun intended) as the bad, but to deny that there were savages among the american indian tribes is just as wrong as to claim they were all just genetle, peaceful people thrown off their lands.

Scott,

I was speaking of the Great Plains Indians, not the Upper North East area. I am using the term barbarian that would most closely fit their behavior when fighting. I was not intentionally lumping all tribes together under the heading of Indian. I apologize for confusion.

This young lady is one for the books. She equates "Yellow Press" to the stories about the Indians, yet there was no such term until the Spanish American War.

My mom used to say "those dang teenagers think they know everything." I am starting to think she is right, they do think they know everything. No matter how misguided they are.

-_-' well we were learning of as you put "yellow press" right now in my u.s. history class and we weren't talking about the spanish... we are talking about the indians. And I don't think I know everything -.-... hell I think I'm one of the dumbest people on the planet.

The term "yellow journalism" originated just before the end of the 19th century to describe the questionable tactics of rumor mongering, scandal mongering and other sensationalism that occurred during the circulation wars between New York papers owned by Pulitzer and Hearst. I have never heard the term referred to about reporting of Indian encounters in the West which mostly occurred 20 or more years earlier.

Either your teacher is teaching you incorrectly or you are mixing things up (I vote for the latter).

Or maybe it really is time that my school gets new u.s. history books... here I'll check my notes real quick... okay my mistake. We did hear about the spanish war and the note on yellow journalism came after but you can't blame me for mistaking the only note we took on the spanish war (my teacher puts together notes on a slide show and we take them down on our school laptops while he talks) but here's the note "In the spring of 1898, war began between Spain and the United States." and then we got into talking about the Cubans. But I do remember my teacher talking about how people would over exaggerate how the indians acted in the papers and he called it yellow journalism. I remember mainly cause I was confused that he would use a term we didn't cover yet and then we did a couple sections later.