US History

We made diffrent comics through out the year.

ELA

American Like Me Essay

Joshua Boney

Ms. Klein

American Literature

March 2025

American Like Me Essay

  In 2018, actress and activist America Ferrera asked over thirty successful professionals in the fields of the arts, politics,  and technology, among others, to contribute personal essays to American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures.  In her introduction to the anthology, Ferrera claims that only certain voices and stories are truly told and celebrated in America. She explains that her purpose in creating American Like Me is to encourage more people with diverse voices and identities to tell their stories about being American. One author who contributed an essay, Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American basketball player, describes the struggles he had to go through being drafted as one of the only Asian-Americans in the NBA and how he felt out of place during his childhood.

To begin, in the introduction, America Ferrera tells a story about the first audition she ever went on. Ferrera wanted to be an actor since she was a little girl, but people told her that girls who looked like her were not in movies or on television. During her first audition, the casting director told her to “sound more Latina,” which confused Ferrera. She asked, “[D]o you want me to do it in Spanish?” before later realizing that the casting director thought all Latinas spoke in broken English (xx).  Ferrera realized that there were not enough stories of Latinas being told because people saw them as a stereotype and did not realize that someone like her, someone who was born in the United States and spoke perfect English, was Latina. This moment motivated Ferrera to portray Latinas in a way that broke stereotypes and reflected her truth and the reality of other women like her.  She was able to fulfill this goal later when she starred in Real Women Have Curves and Ugly Betty. 

Additionally, in the essay, Jeremy Lin talks about how he grew up and felt out of place among everyone else except his friend Steven. Jeremy talks about how he was terrified as a kid and froze up during the games. Over time, Jeremy became comfortable playing basketbal,l and he stated,” When people look at an Asian kid, they don’t see “basketball player””(156). This means he felt that being Asian made him look like a “second-string benchwarmer” and would put him down for the longest time until the coaches started pushing him and he became more confident. During highschool he wanted to get taller and would complain, eventually getting what he wanted and grew to be 6’2 during senior year, Lin stated,” No one expected me to get very far, but my parents got behind me because they saw how passionate I was”(160). This shows that even though Lin felt out of place and down at times, his parents were always there for him and supported him throughout his whole career. Jeremy Lin's story talks about how he overcame self-doubt and racial stereotypes with the support of his family and not giving up. His story shows the power of resilience and believing in himself, and how he overcame everything he's been through.

Similar to Ferrera, Jeremy Lin struggles with stereotypes based on his ethnicity, often feeling pressure to prove himself in spaces where people don’t expect an Asian-American to succeed. America Ferrera’s essay describes her journey of self-acceptance, while Lin writes about disproving stereotypes regarding Asian-American athletic capability in sports. Stereotype defianc,e along with perseverance and resilience, represent the key aspects of success according to both authors. The struggle to overcome prejudice means more than showing others wrong while you live in your authentic self. The readers understand their shared experience of overcoming expectations through defining themselves which builds self-confidence, thus motivating them to fight stereotypes before advancing in life.

Reading American like me has shown me that we should give all people respect and kindness despite their origins and beliefs. We ought to approach people individually and learn about their lives before making assumptions about them based on stereotypes. It is better to be open-minded while showing curiosity to others, since judging others based on assumptions can create misunderstandings. Viewing diverse media while exploring unfamiliar cultural concepts and new ideas can change your view on others and open you to learn new things. We can achieve a better world through respect and fairness from each other while working together as a whole to reach new heights and achievements.

The crucible essay

Joshua Boney

American Literature and Composition

Sept. 26. 2024

Witch Hunts: Past and Present

In 1952, American Playwright, Arthur Miller, wrote The Crucible. After being falsely accused of communism during the second Red Scare, he saw parallels to the Salem witch trials, and an American masterpiece burst into existence.  The Salem Witch Museum created a formula for witch hunters: Fear + trigger = scapegoat. The plots of The Crucible, Red Scare, and the Spanish Inquisition all fit the formula.

First, The Crucible tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials that occurred in 1692 and led to the death of nineteen people and one animal. One morning, Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam fail to awake triggering the fear of their parents and community. Bettys' cousin, Abigail accused Tituba of Witchcraft starting a panic that would lead to hundreds of accusations. In Salem, parents like Ann Putnam were deeply afraid of their children dying because minor illnesses led to death. Therefore, Ruth And Bettys' sickness led to a hysterical reaction resulting in the deaths of 19 innocent people. If people fail to learn the lessons of history, then history is doomed to repeat itself as seen in the Spanish Inquisition.

Secondly, The Spanish Inquisition serves as a powerful reminder that, without learning from past mistakes, society is doomed to repeat the cycles of fear and persecution. According to History.com, this religious tribunal, active from 1478 to 1834, targeted heretics and converts, often leading to torture and execution based on mere suspicion and fear of dissent against the Catholic Church. According to History.com, the mandate issued in 1492 to convert or expel Jews heightened suspicions against Jewish converts, triggering increased oversight and brutal persecution. The Inquisition arose from a desire for religious purity, compounded by social tensions and political control, resulting in widespread distrust and violence. If people do not unite and continue to live in constant fear, similar issues will inevitably resurface, as seen during the Red Scare.

Furthermore, the Red Scare was driven by fears of communism threatening democracy and eroding American values. According to History.com and Loc.gov, the potential for nuclear war with the Soviet Union intensified these anxieties. Key triggers included the post-WWII rise of the Soviet Union, high-profile espionage cases, and aggressive political rhetoric. As a result, scapegoats emerged—such as leftists, liberals, Hollywood figures, and civil rights and labor activists—who were often unfairly targeted. When history repeats itself, the consequences remain the same, leading to the wrongful accusation and punishment of innocent individuals.

In conclusion, the Salem Witch Trials, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Red Scare show how quickly society can turn on innocent people during times of panic. These events remind us of the tragic results of letting fear guide our actions. To build a more just and compassionate society, we must learn from these mistakes. By challenging fear-driven narratives and promoting understanding, we can protect our future from the dangers of hysteria and injustice.

Works Cited

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Penguin Publishing Group, 2003.

Inquisition ‑ Spanish, Roman & Torture | HISTORY, 17 November 2017, https://www.history.com/topics/religion/inquisition. Accessed 25 September 2024.

Red Scare: Cold War, McCarthyism & Facts | HISTORY, 1 June 2010, https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare. Accessed 25 September 2024.

“Red Scare - Pointing Their Pens: Herblock and Fellow Cartoonists Confront the Issues | Exhibitions - Library of Congress.” The Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/pointing-their-pens-editorial-cartoons/red-scare.html.  Accessed 25 September 2024. 

The great gatsby essay

Joshua Boney

Ms. Klein

American Literature and Composition

Dec. 12, 2024

In 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald published The Great Gatsby, a seminal work widely regarded as the greatest American novel. In this story, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, embarks on an obsessive quest to win back Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life, who epitomizes the elusive American Dream. Gatsby's tragic demise serves as a poignant symbol of the death of this dream, underscoring the idea that individuals born into the working class can never attain the same level of success as those born into affluence.

First, Gatsby's death illustrates the inherent impossibility of the American Dream. As Nick reflects in Chapter 9, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.” The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s vision of a future with Daisy, an idealized future that is always just beyond reach. This recurring distance mirrors the elusive nature of the American Dream itself, always seeming to recede further into the horizon, regardless of one’s efforts. The persistent inaccessibility of the green light mirrors the inaccessibility of the dream for those without inherent wealth or status.

Furthermore, Gatsby’s death underscores the myth of reinvention and the belief in starting anew. In Chapter 6, Nick observes, “Gatsby’s dream was already behind him.” This comment reveals the futility of Gatsby’s attempts to erase his humble origins. No matter how many layers of wealth and persona he constructs, his past relentlessly shadows him, proving that one cannot simply shed their past and reinvent themselves to the extent that the American Dream suggests. His background, inescapably tied to his identity, acts as a permanent barrier to the idealized success he yearns for.

Some critics might argue that Gatsby's success,  his amassed fortune, opulent mansion, and extravagant lifestyle demonstrate that the American Dream is achievable for those who possess the requisite ambition and drive. They could point to Gatsby’s transformation from the poor, humble James Gatz to the wealthy Jay Gatsby as evidence that anyone, regardless of origin, can rise to prominence through sheer determination. In Chapter 4, Gatsby declares, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” This statement reflects his belief in the possibility of remaking his life and reclaiming his lost dream. However, his death ultimately refutes this belief, demonstrating that no matter how much wealth he accumulates or how hard he works, the entrenched social divisions prevent him from truly overcoming his lower-class origins. The green light remains forever out of reach, signifying that the American Dream is an illusion for those born without privilege.

In conclusion, The Great Gatsby exposes the inherent flaws of the American Dream, particularly for those born into poverty. The symbolism of the green light and Gatsby's inability to start over, despite his material success, reveal the unbridgeable gap between social classes. Gatsby’s tragic end serves as a stark reminder that no matter how much one strives or what one achieves, the barriers of class remain insurmountable for those not born into wealth. Nick’s reflection that Gatsby’s dream "year by year recedes before us" highlights the persistent unattainability of the dream, further solidifying the notion that it is a myth for those without privilege. A century after the novel's publication, Gatsby’s death continues to resonate as a poignant symbol of the futility of the American Dream for those born into the working class, like Gatsby, who can never fully achieve the same success as those born into wealth, like Tom and Daisy. Despite his hard work and newfound wealth, Gatsby will always remain an outsider, a poignant reminder that upward mobility is often an illusory concept for those without the benefit of privilege.