Journal #2

The print culture played, and still does play, a huge role in developing our society. In the reading, print culture played a huge role in unifying the colonies. It brought people of all different backgrounds and diversities together. It also encouraged literacy, which greatly benefited the American society. People in each part of America, rural or urban, had access to the same information. Although the most common book found in peoples house during this time was the Bible, it was still a good source to teach people to read so that when more popular books were written most of the society would be literate. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense proved that the print culture did, in fact, unify this country. In the book, it says that Benjamin Franklin said that he had never heard “from any person sober or drunk” the idea of supporting independence until Common Sense was written. Having said this, print culture is also huge in our society today. Sure, people have different and opposing opinions, but overall we agree on the more important issues. Print enables citizens to be active, up-to-date, and involved in their societal issues. The modern day version of print culture is mainly found online through various websites. However, each website, television channel, magazine, etc. has a way of unifying the people who read or watch it. For example, depending on what News station you watch can indicate what political party/ideas you affiliate with. Print will always be a unifying source.

Journal #1

My definition and idea of what an American is has not changed. I consider an American to be a free, equal, and patriotic person. Americans are given many opportunities; it is how they go about utilizing these opportunities that define what kind of American they are. American history is filled with powerful people that have changed social inequalities. Sure America is not a perfect country. Every country has their flaws like South Africans apartheid. However, as a country of free people we have been able to become more educated and learn from our mistakes. For example, even though America used to be a land of racism, people like Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, and Harriett Beecher Stowe helped change that. The present day American has shown to be very patriotic after September 11^th. Of course, not every single person living in America shows every aspect of what an American is. But, when Americans are put to the test, they show their true patriotism. A recent example of this is all the soldiers that have gone to war in the Middle East to help people that do not have the same opportunities we have been given. If you were to ask any American what they would use to symbolize America they would most likely say freedom, equality, the American flag, the president, etc. It is in this mindset that Americans are defined.