Controversy and Identity: Who We Are as Americans

Last weeks’ class was very engaging. We began with a discussion about the story “Lottery”, which in itself was interesting. The tone of the story was mellow at the beginning. The story is very slow and progressive with a suspensful and one may say unpredictable climax to end with. The reading was based on the ritual of stoning a person to death in New York every summer on June 27th beginning at 10am in a small village.
Most of us students wondered why the people in the story celebrated this day like a holiday. The characters in the story did not even know why they did it. Joseph revealed out a great point that relates to most people now. Most people do not know why they praise who they praise. For example, a young christian child may not know why he or she praises God. If you ask him/her, their answer would probably be “because my mother said I was and I go to this church because my mom told me I had too.” People do things and go places because someone else asked or told them it was the right way to go. So the people in the story can’t be blamed for continuing what may be seen as a tradition in there eyes.

It was astonishing to see how we went from a class disussion about the reading to controversial issues within our own nation. I have always questioned why America feels the need to get involved with every other nation and their issues but not control the issues we have here at home: the poor, uninsured, unemployed, the homeless and hungry, etc. If the government is going to get involved with unnessary matters, they could at least be to benefit the people in need and who seek help. Also, we have to make certain that the aid we provide goes to those ppl and not dilomatic or dictating ties.