1.) The Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment (in the Korean War)
1. This Icon, the 65th Infantry Regiment, represents the Puerto Rican spirit of honor and pride to fight not only for it's own country (Puerto Rico), but also the United States of America.
2. The important inspiration to this regiment is the island of Puerto Rico, since Puerto Rican culture holds a lot of pride for the country and it's people. Also since Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth to America, the pride of the Puerto Ricans led to the creation of this infantry regiment in order to fight for their country as well as America.
3. This icon, sadly, isn't acknowledged or heard of from many people in America. But, Puerto Rican Americans hold this icon highly, since it holds pride and honor for Puerto Ricans as a whole.
4. This icon became important to me when I first heard of it. As a Puerto Rican myself, this piece of history gives me a new perspective on Puerto Rican culture and also gains me respect of Puerto Ricans in history.
5. This Icon inspired many Puerto Ricans, as well as the American government, and it shows the American government that Puerto Rico is a part of the USA as any state (it is still a commonwealth, so people aren't alowd to vote for president and some other freedoms are not issued)
6. "How would this Icon be seen by more people?"
As mentioned, many Americans don't recognize the Puerto Rican 65 Infantry Regiment as playing a important part in the world. The best way to spread this Icon and to make sure that more people understand it would be to have it added to history books, in relation to the Korean War, and also on the History Channel. At least outlet where historians and learners alike can hear about and better understand Puerto Rico's involvement in the Korean War.
2.) "Rosie the Riveter"
1. This Icon represents to me the era in which women were given more jobs such as factory work and "manly" work. Even though this was a work poster used to help with enticing women to go into the work force during WWII, it does also symbolize a growing women's rights movement.
2. This isn't a real person, but the ladies who followed her image in the workforce were inspired to do their part in the war effort. Essentially, most of the men went to war. At a time when women couldn't go off to war with their fellow male counterparts, they were able to work in the factories which supplied the USA with war materials. Also women who had husbands go into the war might've joined this work movement in order to be a part of the war and to help increase the chances of survival in their spouses.
3. This Icon became an important part of American culture because it gave a look at how women could work in many professions similiar to men (at a time before the two world wars, white-male dominated society had women partake in roles such as staying at home and cleaning the house, cooking, etc.). This icon also plays an important part in women's rights today.
4. The icon became important to me when my grandmother talked to me about her partcipation in civil rights movements, such as the women's rights movement. I have seen an image similiar to the one above before, but fully knowing what the icon meant gives me more to think about history wise for women's rights (I do support women's rights!).
5. This icon greatly inspires women in America, primarily the women's rights activists. The part of history that this Icon came from was a key begining for the women's rights movement. So, with this in mind, the icon gives support to women who strive to be who they want to be without falling into the social norms of society (society today, even with freedoms to women, still have some predjudices).
6. "What does this icon mean to someone that I know?"
My Grandmother- "'We Can Do It', Women can do many things, and they can do things better than men. They proved it; during World War II, when the men left, the women were left with the factory work, and they took care of things at home [USA] while the men were gone." I love my Grandma, she is passionate about the rights of all people.
3.) Jonas Sulk
1. Jonus Sulk, as an Icon, represents to me the ability of anybody to achieve anything. He came from a Russian-Jewish Immigrant family, and he arose academically into the medical field where he later in life discovered the polio vaccine. His success is also an icon of how technology can be used for the good and well being of people.
2. The polio virus was a major fear back in Jonus' time. This is what primarily could've motivated him to find a cure for the sickness. His family could've motivated him also, since his parents wanted their children to be successful.
3. This icon of a medical hero changed American culture by dimminishing the fear of the polio virus, basically wiping out the polio scare out of society. This medical achievment, among many others, changed some culture norms in America. Mainly among these norms are the way people reguard viruses. Now with a major vaccine battleling the disease, people have had a calmer life, and some people disreguard the dangers of disease by not wanting vaccines or medical interventions (of course this is a totally acceptable aproach to vaccines, some people fear that vaccines can cause sickness also). "What were to happen if the polio vaccine wasn't created? How many people today would have the polio virus inside them?", Thanks to the polio vaccine, people hardly ever ask that question.
4. I love stories about viruses and close encounters with them. So when my father mentioned this man, I looked him up. The idea of creating a vaccine and saving lives appeals to me! I wonder what the newest vaccine to come out would be like. Maybe a vaccine for a normal flew virus, or a even more important cure for cancer. To be able to be the one to discover a workable vaccine is cool, who could this new medical "mastermind" be? Maybe you, or me, someone you know who is in the medical field, with the possibility to find cure, anyone could discover it if they put in lots of effort and be able to get the spark of luck.
5. Jonus Sulk as an icon inspires many in the medical field, anyone who has heard of his story and might be working to find a cure for a disease probably use him as inspiration and motivation. He is also a symbol of achievement, one man among a billion, since he discovered a usable polio vaccine.
6. "How does this Icon best symbolizes modern day medicine?"
Jonus Sulk, a man among many, symbolizes the innovative actions of the medical field. Just like the time when he discovered the polio vaccine, now and days modern discoveries are taking place in the medical field, with better medicine, patient care, and new life saving vaccines; for the newest sample of influenza virus or a more serious virus (such as Purtusis, HIV AIDs, etc.)
Those are the 3 American Icons that I have so far. Hope that you enjoyed the reading!
T.A.P signing out---
(This Blog is due on Thursday, 9/2/10, 11:59:59 PM)
