World War II, Eugenics, and Forgotten Ellis Island Discussion Board 4: This discussion board has two threaded discussions. Choose one and write a semi-formal response with a thesis statement, evidence, and significance explained clearly. Then, students must respond to any instructor feedback and post on two other student’s discussion boards. There is no word count as students have different writing styles and but you need to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and readings. All posts must include analysis and reference any course readings. Grading: review Discussion Board rubric. Q.1 – Ideologically, the U.S. was part of the allied forces fighting for freedom and democracy, amidst a system of segregation. The U.S. participation in WWII did not occur though with combat actions until after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This time period represented a surge in American patriotism and civilian contributions in the war industry. Chapter 14 of Takaki examines the WWII experiences and contributions of non-white ethnic groups to the U.S. war effort and the “American Dilemmas” these groups presented. Japanese Americans: “A Tremendous Hole in the Constitution” African Americans: “Bomb the Color Line” Chinese Americans: To “Silence the Distorted Japanese Propaganda” Mexican Americans: “Up from the Barrio” Native Americans: “Why Fight the White Man’s War?” Jewish Americans: A “Deafening Silence” A Holocaust Called Hiroshima. Based on a wide range of Week 4 sources (both Takaki and the web sources), what were the significant contributions made by these groups? Pick two of the above mentioned populations mentioned to analyze. What particularly resonated with you about the populations and/or the trials towards new cultural representation of the group? After reviewing the Week 4 materials, what do you think are the main obstacles standing in the way of new immigrants to the US? Q. 2 – Read Lecture 9 and view the Week 4 documentary, Forgotten Ellis Island. Why is Ellis Island called the “island of hope and the island of tears?” In your answer discuss the American Dream, public health, shifting immigration policies, and the eugenics movement. Textbook : https://www.academia.edu/43188269/A_Different_Mirror_A_History_Of_Multicultural_America Source: https://scholars.law.unlv.edu/nlj/vol18/iss3/11/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuPZr68T_fg http://metrocosm.com/animated-immigration-map/
