Monday, March 12, 2012
working on a chain gang: intro
In this blog i'd like to disscuss the illusions we so often buy into of a 'better tomorrow.' Although according to Walter Mosly's Working on a Chain Gang, there are no such thing. The introduction to this written piece leaves a clear message that the American culture has a very long way to go before reaching a so called 'better tomorrow'. The American people have many unaddressed issues that in this piece are expressed right to the point. By the 'people' meaning America's working class that has no real chance at moving up the chain. According to Mosley the government along side big corporations have no intentions in creating better living standards for it's lower class citizens. Instead all that truly matters is the increase in profit at whatever the cost. Mosley also speaks volumes of the African American struggle in America, and how this same struggle reflects the one facing Americans today. In a very ironic way this economic system unites the American society in very manipulating way. "Money is the super drug" says Mosley," the one fix that you can't leave .. because withdrawal is fatal". He further elaborates by pointing out that capitalism has no race, nationality, nor humanity (Mosley 12}. Although slavery was abloished in 1865 in Mosley's point of view slavery has not been 'abolished' yet. It still hangs tight not only in Americas economic system but in it's media, technology, and in the psychs of its' people. In this introduction Walter proposes to take a look at the nature of this modern day slavery. To take a step back and examine as to where these 'chains' came from, and how the Black experience in America is tide to all these issues.
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i would say Elvia did a very good summery but it would been more better if she gaves some example on teh specific dates specially about the slavary . For example in 1865 there was there experiance of the new traspotation of the steam train , and in the 1960s the African- American were fighting for the right to vote
ReplyDeleteElvia does a fine job on encapsulating the work of Walter Mosley's Workin' On The Chain Gang. She identifies corporate America's mendacious relationship with the working class of today's social structure very effectively while tying it tying it with the African American experience of the past.
ReplyDeleteHi Elvia, I'm a student in Professor Rogers-Cooper's ENG 220 class. I'm in the beginning stages of practicing to become a Peer Tutor. First and foremost I enjoyed reading your blog on Walter Mosly's Working on a Chain Gang. Not knowing what your blog was about, I liked how you used the direct quotation "better tomorrow", this alerted me to someone struggles. As I continued to read your summary of Mosly work I knew it was slavery that you was discussing, you emphasized this when you pointed out Mosly's point of view. You spoke about examining where these chains came from and about the Black experience in America which is excellent, I think if you shared key dates your blog would be more informative to your reader. As I am responding to your blog I keep reading your blog instead of responding. The fact you are writting about slavery you found that Mosly wrote about an economic system that unified everyone in America, which is ironic when speaking of slavery as you stated. You later point out his elaboration by discussing his no boundaries to capitalism that is not rasict. I know it was not part of your assignment but I would love to know what did you get from Mosly piece.This blog is distinguished, I can not wait to read another blog from you.
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