For my first article it discusses the war on the improvised places within the United States. It states that the United States is the richest nation in the world and yet somehow manages to be the second poorest in the war as well. It takes a look at the root causes of the poverty level and what can be done to fix this social and economical issue within the United States. It also takes into account the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic towards the American people and towards low-income workers and how it impacted their lives as a whole. The cost of healthcare has increased and the cost of childcare as well is not climbing down by any means in the future, if anything it is still rising. The article points out that the income level of an household has a direct correlation towards one’s use of drugs and healthcare. This article is relevant to due the fact that it talks about the root cause poverty in the United States of America.

http://web.a.ebscohost.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=06ccfb65-1439-4a44-a6b7-232a9acc409b%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#

My second article talks about the rate of poverty relative to certain people specifically children. My article states that nearly every One in Five Children are improvised within the United States of America which roughly adds out to about fifteen million children in the whole nation by itself. The article goes on to talk about how the poor class of the nation are poor mainly due to the fact of their own thinking and their own fault seeming that it is their own problem as to why they are poor when this may not be the case in other people’s scenarios. The article also goes on and talks about how child poverty’s is too sufferable and should not be ignored as the income level of a child’s home takes a great effect on their life. The article explains the negative damage and the cognitive and also emotional damage that is brought about when it comes to child poverty. This article is relevant to due the fact that it talks about the root cause in child poverty.

http://web.a.ebscohost.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&sid=ec5b9f1a-e8af-4dd6-88b0-dae8ef278220%40sessionmgr4006

My third and final article talks about the life long effects of poverty and how it can cause serious long term damage to a persons individual life and education is a large factor as to how a person goes throughout life, while being improvised. The effects of poverty carry life long emotional and cognitive damages that can hinder a persons way of life and can cause some serious long term damages to a person and can be very  difficult in order to combat. Poverty can also take a toll on the child’s learning and what can happen when it is not addressed in society. There is evidence that the socioeconomic background of a person plays a huge role in how the education level of that person takes into place. This article is relevant to my topic in that it talks about the effects poverty has on education in America.

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&sid=d117cd8a-b717-4382-bcbb-1aa550637d9a%40pdc-v-sessmgr04

The Text I have chosen for my focus on the analytical research paper is “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln. The speech given by president Lincoln focuses on slavery and how the act of slavery should be abolished in order to keep the American nation thriving in the future. Thesis statement: The fallen soldiers of the American revolution shall not be forgotten and the only way forward as a nation is to move forward and the only way to respect their constitution is to abolish the act of slavery.

My main concern for my essay regarding the major points I would like to address would be the reason president Lincoln had given the speech and the impact it had given amongst the American people. The spark for further research regarding would be the interest regarding how the speech affected the lives of the individuals fighting during the civil war and president Lincoln’s goal of achieving unity within the southern states and the union. I came up with the thesis by analyzing the meaning behind president Lincolns words and his political goal of unity within the country. The thesis statement pushed the solution of American equality by reflecting on the founding fathers morals. I plan to explore the statement in my research by analyzing the reasoning behind the seceding of the southern states from the union and why it was such an important aspect of American history. I would look into the accounts of slavery and how the abolishment of slavery bettered the system we live in today.

After reading “Out Law: My Life In America As An Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas, the term “undocumented immigrants” and “illegal aliens” (11) carry a negative connotation, but if used correctly and depending on context it does not have to be negative. The terms are used to provide clarity based on an individuals documentation of being a American citizen, however the term “illegal alien” is rather harsh and is used to reference foreign entities in a rather unnecessary way. Vargas explains that the use of these words represent a harsh portrayal of some of the immigrants when he writes, “they don’t want to assimilate they are a drain on our society” (327). Vargas is essentially explaining others perception of illegal immigrants within the country and how these perceptions carry a negative association with the terminology. The terms used to describe immigrants that do not carry any form of paperwork is necessary, especially when an individual needs to produce those documents to show proof of residency. Vargas explains this when he writes, “The Licenses meant everything to me- it would allow me to drive, fly and work” (331). Vargas is showing that the proof of documentation is required in order to carry out his lifestyle, but being undocumented can hinder these abilities. The connotation that being labeled as undocumented can be negative, however it is ultimately not meant to be negative. The terms that I believe should be referenced to Vargas regarding his citizenship status would be “undocumented immigrant” mainly because I believe “illegal aliens” is overdoing it and “illegal immigrants” gives off a criminal perception, even though the act of being undocumented is illegal.  Vargas understood this when he wrote, “They’re not talking about me, I would tell myself. I have something to contribute” (327).  When referring to people with no documentation as “illegal immigrants” it gives off a bad connotation and can become a problem for people. If the topic of Vargas’ or other people’s citizenship comes up the I personally believe that “undocumented” or “undocumented immigrant” is appropriate.

After reading President Abraham Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address”, and President John F. Kennedy’s “Inaugural Address”, I had noticed a lot of similarities and differences between the meaning of the texts and their solutions to the problems of the United States. Lincoln’s address was more in regards to the civil war, while Kennedy’s was more about how will contribute in leading a powerful and peaceful nation. In Lincoln’s address he had stated that the main problems were about the civil war and how the United States constitution states that all men are created equal and him wanting to protect that notion and abolish slavery. He believed this when he stated, “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure” (Lincoln 324). Lincoln’s main goal is to preserve the union and what it stands for and if it failed then the United States was in great trouble. Kennedy’s main goal was different as opposed to Lincoln’s address mainly because Kennedy’s speech was him introducing himself to the nation and telling them to help their own country and to inspire other Americans to be strong and love their country. Kennedy stated this in his speech when he said, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty” (Kennedy 463). Kennedy was ensuring the public that the American nation shall do anything to make it self a thriving force. In regards to Lincoln’s approach to solving the problems of the American people at the time has been solved for the most part. Lincoln was very intent on getting the issues resolved when he stated, “It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this” (Lincoln 324). Lincoln’s plan was to fight for the equality of every man because we are all created equal and that would include the African American slaves. The Union won the civil war and the African American slaves were free for the most part regarding the civil war. Kennedy had solved some American problem and strongly fought for the issues like he said he would when he stated, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger” (Kennedy 464). Kennedy was emphasizing the fact that him being elected right at the heart of  the cold war, he would be a great leader and lead the people through. Kennedy had helped resolved the Cuban missile crisis and helped the United States stray away from nuclear warfare and helped the American people realize the type of president he was.

After reading “Literacy Behind Bars” By Malcolm X, the narrative that anyone incarcerated would feel free in prison, suggests that the relationship between freedom and literature does not exist and one does not need to be free in order to become literate. X was incarcerated and learned how to read and write more fluently while serving his sentence. When he was serving his time in Charlestown prison, he first became interested in literacy due to a fellow inmate when he writes, “It had first really begun back in the Charlestown Prison, when Bimbi first made me feel envy of his stock of knowledge” (X 577). X became envious of the abundance of knowledge one of his fellow inmates had and wanted to learn more in order to increase his own intelligence. He first started with the use of a dictionary to increase his knowledge when he writes, “I saw the best thing I could do was get hold of a dictionary to study, to learn some words” (X 577). X’s ability to learn more about literacy reinforces the idea that one does not need to be free in order to become literate and even he had a chance to become literate. After some time the efforts of X were paying off when he writes, “I was so fascinated that I went on- I copied the dictionary’s next page. And the same experience came when I studied that” and “With every succeeding page, I also learned of people and places and events from history” (X 579). As he went on, he was slowly learning while being incarcerated at the same time serving his sentence, proving that while still imprisoned physically, mentally he was still free. When X’s word base broadened he finally had the ability to read a full on book when he states, “I suppose it was inevitable that as my word-base broadened, I could for the first time pick up my book and read and now begin to understand what the book was saying” and “Anyone who has read a great deal can imagine the new world that opened” (X 579). X’s ability to finally read opened up a new world to him certainly proving how free he was within his mind. Malcolm X’s journey to learning to read proved that one does not need to be free in order to be literate.

After reading “Mother Tongue”, by Amy Tan the role that language played within her life was a rather significant one. Tan had not known the effects of the use of her own language within her personal life. The effects of her language were rather subtle, but actually had a large impact. When Tan was growing up her perception of her mother’s English was changing as she got older. Tan thought of her mothers words as representing her when she writes, “I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up my mother’s “limited” English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English.” (Tan 2). Tan thought of her mother’s words and thoughts as poor quality and was embarrassed of her, Tan had though this mainly because she believed that if you can not express yourself correctly then you are not thinking correctly. The use of language had changed Tan’s own perception of herself because her upbringing had an effect on English language skills. Language had shaped Tan’s perception of herself when she writes, “I think my mother’s English almost had an effect on limiting my possibilities in life as well” (Tan 2) and “And I believe that it had affected my results on achievement test, I.Q. tests, and the S.A.T.” (Tan 2). Tan’s perception of herself concluded to her believing that her upbringing and the English she spoke growing up had an effect on her when she was young and how she spoke as she got older. Tan had become of her own language biases and those of others when she realized the reason there very few Asian-American writers. Tan asked herself why there are not more Asian-American writes and had came to the conclusion when she writes,”And this makes me think that there are other Asian-American student whose English spoke at home might also be described as “broken” or “limited.” (Tan 3) and “And perhaps they also have teachers who are steering them away from writing and into math and science, which is what happened to me.” Tan realized that her own bias and the biases of others stemmed mainly from the perception of the English language and the “limited” ability some people have and how much of an effect it can have on people.

I personally believe that people who learn English or are raised in non-English households who speak English as a second language are most definitely aware of how language is used around them. The difference of language and the use of English can be staggeringly different to what their normally used to and can have effects on their ability to properly comprehend what is being said. Some can even understand English perfectly and switch between two or more languages and be fine. I am most definitely aware of how English is used around me and I can pick up subtle differences. I mainly speak English so it has no major effect on me.

Hello, My Name is Rohit Lal (He/Him). My intended major here at Lehman College is a combined degree of Economics and Mathematics.

In regards to the course syllabus the one thing I am excited most about is increasing my ability to properly analyze a text and comprehend it clearly. The thing that I am unsure about in regards to this course would be the readings. I have a tendency to get bored pretty easily regarding what it is that I am reading. If I get bored easily, it will more than likely hinder my overall ability to analyze anything in order to understand it properly.

The qualities of a good writer would be having the ability to get the point across to the reader so they can properly perceive the main idea. In order to be a good writer one must introduce the topic in a concise and coherent manner in order to help the reader understand what it is the author is trying to say. The importance of having the ability to write well can lead to a number of different positive qualities, one being the ability to properly defend an argument with the use of evidence to establish a proper ethos. If you can properly write an argumentative essay then you would be considered unstoppable when it comes to arguing a point.

The easiest part of writing for me would be using evidence in order to argue about a specific topic. What I would considered myself good at is looking for evidence to write about an argument.

The hardest part of writing for me would be the correct use of grammar. I have made countless grammatical errors in my essays from high school that have dropped my grades significantly. I really do need to work on my grammar when it comes to writing and I need to work on my understanding of writing.

The genres I would be expected write in major/field of study would mainly consist of mathematical equations and symbols, however within the study of economics I would be expected to use writing properly in order to realistically understand the economy. When it comes to mathematics and economics being an effective writer can be very beneficial, especially if you are doing proofs. However, when it comes to career opportunities no matter how good my analytical skills if I can not write properly then it can have a huge impact on my job placement.